Congressional Stock Trading Ban Pushed By Bucks Lawmaker

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick this week introduced bipartisan legislation in Washington, D.C., that would ban stock trading by members of Congress and establish "robust" enforcement mechanisms and penalties.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act is the product of months of negotiations among a bipartisan group of lawmakers who have been at the forefront of efforts to ban congressional stock trading. For the first time, members who previously championed competing proposals have united behind a single, comprehensive bill — marking "an unprecedented step forward" in the fight for congressional accountability, said lawmakers.

The bipartisan coalition, which also includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Chip Roy (R-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Tim Burchett (R-TN), formally introduced the legislation during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol and called for "swift passage" of the legislation and "an immediate floor vote."

The bill would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, dependent children, and trustees from owning, purchasing, or selling individual stocks, securities, commodities, and similar financial assets. It also includes strong enforcement provisions and meaningful penalties for violations.

The unified legislation draws from several earlier proposals, including the Restoring Faith in Congress Act, authored by Fitzpatrick and Ocasio-Cortez earlier this year — and reflects a shared commitment to rebuilding trust in America’s democratic institutions.

“Ending congressional stock trading has been one of my top priorities every Congress, because it speaks to something bigger than politics: trust," said Fitzpatrick. "A bipartisan coalition of this magnitude sends a clear message to the American people: we hear you, and we’re taking action to ensure no Member of Congress uses public office for personal gain once and for all."

He added. "If you’re in Congress, you serve the public interest — not your portfolio. We owe the American people nothing less, and we won’t stop fighting until this bill becomes law."

“The information we have access to as members of Congress should only be used to serve our constituents, not ourselves," said Ocasio-Cortez. "Because of the support of the American people on this issue, we have generated the momentum necessary to be able to introduce the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act. And we look forward to bringing this to the floor and banning the trading of individual stock by members of Congress."

Added Roy, "It’s far past time to ban Members of Congress from day trading stocks, and for the first time, a bipartisan coalition is standing together behind a united proposal to do just that. The Restore Trust in Congress Act ensures that members of Congress will no longer be able to put the stock market first in their official decisions."

He continued, "This bill strikes a balance between being easy to comply with, but without tons of loopholes for Members to continue trading while on the job. We must vote on this bill and put this conflict of interest to bed for once and for all. I look forward to seeing the Restore Trust in Congress Act move through the legislative process."

“We must take a strong stand against corruption and end stock trading by members of Congress once and for all,” said Magaziner. “I have made banning Congressional stock trading a priority through my time in the House, and this bipartisan bill is our best chance at finally getting it done.”