The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 17, 2025
A bipartisan bill banning members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks has been introduced in the U.S. House. It appears the reform could pass, due in no small part to a tax break sweetener just for members.
For years, allegations have plagued members of Congress who allegedly traded stocks on the basis of inside information. The Brennan Center for Justice points to Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s February 2020 trades prior to pandemic-related market losses, and Rep. Rob Bresnahan’s sale of hospital development bonds only a month after he voted to cut Medicaid and put those hospitals at risk of closure.
September 3rd, Republican Representative Chip Roy introduced HR 5106, also called the Restore Trust in Congress Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 15 others.
The bill allows current members 180 days to divest of individual stocks, but allows investing in mutual funds, index funds, municipal bonds, and Treasury bonds. New members are given 90 days. BUT, one critic writes in Forbes that the reform comes with a sweetheart deal, allowing members to divest and defer capital gains taxes until after they leave Congress – a huge gift to multi-millionaire members.
A 2023 survey found 86% of voters support a ban. Both House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies have signaled they support the bill.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyminute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Congressional Stock Trading, Explained
The Hill – GOP, Democratic lawmakers to unveil new stock trading ban bill
U.S. Congress – H. R. 5106 “Restore Trust in Congress Act”
Univ. of Maryland School of Public Policy – (2023) Ban on Stock Trading for Members of Congress Favored by Overwhelming Bipartisan Majority
Forbes – Restore Trust In Congress Act—Missteps And Mistakes
Quiver Quantitative – Congress Live Net Worth Tracker
Groups Taking Action:
Issue One, Represent.Us, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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