Stop Insider Trading Act

This bill would prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing certain investments, such as stocks in publicly traded companies. It would also require these individuals to file a public notice between 7 and 14 days before selling a covered investment, which would then be published online by the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate. Violations of these rules would result in a financial penalty and a requirement to sell any prohibited purchases, with the fees being paid from personal funds rather than campaign or official accounts.

This bill directly affects Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children by prohibiting them from purchasing covered investments such as securities in publicly traded companies. The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate are also affected, as they are required to receive and publish online notices of intent to sell investments. Additionally, individuals who violate these restrictions are subject to financial fees that cannot be paid using campaign funds or official congressional allowances.

• Prohibition on stock purchases. Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children are generally prohibited from purchasing covered investments, such as securities issued by publicly traded companies.
• Advance public notice of stock sales. Members must file a public notice with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate between 7 and 14 days before they or their covered family members sell a covered investment.
• Investment exemptions. The restrictions do not apply to certain assets, including interests in widely held investment funds, specific trust-held investments, or transactions made by spouses and dependents as part of employer compensation.
• Penalties and enforcement for violations. Violators are subject to a fee equal to the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, plus any net gains realized; these fees cannot be paid using campaign funds or official allowances.
• Divestiture requirements. In the event of a prohibited purchase, the individual is required to sell the covered investment.

• H.R. 7008, Stop Insider Trading Act
  Mar 19, 2026 · As reported by the House Committee on House Administration on February 3, 2026

The bill aims to prevent insider trading by prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing certain stocks and requiring public disclosure before they sell existing investments.