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Many Americans suspect Congress is a breeding ground for insider trading. Few laws stop lawmakers from using behind-the-scenes government information to make stock deals. This creates a screaming injustice where politicians can profit from secrets everyday smokers don’t know.
President Joe Biden once pushed Congress to ban this practice, but his STOCK Act fell short. It forced lawmakers to report trades within 30 days but only fined rulebreakers $200—a slap on the wrist for million-dollar deals.
Now, Senate Republicans like Josh Hawley are finally pushing to stop the shady trades. His PELOSI Act would force lawmakers to put investments in blind trusts or sell their stocks. “It’s about restoring faith in institutions,” he blasted. But most Republicans in his committee still oppose the plan, calling it a “publicity stunt” that unfairly targets wealthy legislators.
GOP Sen. James Lankford—chair of the Senate Ethics Committee—claims pushing the bill too fast is “gross incompetence.” Fellow Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno accused colleagues of “not knowing what they’re voting for,” showing division even among conservatives.
Meanwhile, House Ethics investigators recently probed Rep. Mike Kelly for his wife’s suspicious steel industry stock buys. While they found no “conclusive evidence” of insider deals, the investigation smelled like rotten fish. “The appearance of impropriety matters,” ethics experts warn.
Republicans and Democrats equally line up to shame Congress over the issue. Senators Mark Kelly and Jon Ossoff introduced a bill forcing lawmakers to divest or use blind trusts. Shockingly, 86% of Americans—including 88% of Democrats and 81% of independents—demand this ban.
But action lags. The Senate committee advancing Hawley’s bill passed it 8-7, with only him and two others voting yes. Most Republicans refused, fearing the law would create unfair burdens on “successful” lawmakers.
Conservatives must demand real accountability. Weak laws and slap-on-the-wrist fines are poison to trust. As Rep. Byron Donalds argues, the system needs concrete teeth—no more talks about reform, just enforceable action. Otherwise, Congress will keep cashing in while America struggles.
