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Congressman Bryan Steil took a welcome step for accountability when he rolled out the Stop Insider Trading Act on January 12, 2026, a commonsense plan to stop members of Congress from buying individual stocks while in office. Americans have watched too many headlines about elected officials appearing to profit from privileged information, and Steil’s proposal finally puts muscle behind the promise that public service isn’t a ticket to Wall Street riches. The timing and clarity of the bill show Republicans are serious about restoring trust in government.
Under the proposal, lawmakers would be barred from purchasing publicly traded company shares while serving, and the legislation would require a public notice at least seven days but no more than 14 days before any intended sale of an individual stock — a transparency move the public has long demanded. The bill also closes off a common escape hatch by extending the purchase ban to spouses and dependent children, making it harder for insiders to hide trades behind family accounts. Penalties for violations would be meaningful, including fines and potential clawbacks of gains, which is the kind of deterrent good government requires.
Republicans crafted the bill with pragmatism in mind: lawmakers may keep preexisting holdings and can still invest in diversified funds like ETFs and mutual funds, a compromise aimed at keeping experienced and successful Americans willing to serve. This isn’t a full divestment scheme, but it shuts down the most suspicious opportunities to profit from nonpublic information while still preserving personal financial freedom for officeholders. That balance is sensible — we want public servants, not hermits, but we also want them free of temptations to exploit their office.
Leadership backing from Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise makes clear this isn’t a niche proposal but a House Republican priority, and it deserves swift movement to a floor vote. When the party that controls the House moves on ethics reform, conservatives should celebrate a return to basic accountability and common-sense limits on conflicts of interest. Passing measurable reforms like this will help blunt the left’s constant attacks and show voters Republicans can govern with integrity.
Of course, the bill is not perfect, and left-leaning critics have predictably argued it doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t force immediate divestment or apply to the president and vice president. That critique misses the point: Americans want results, not virtue signaling, and a law that actually deters insider profits and creates real penalties is better than headline-grabbing rules that are unenforceable. Conservatives should welcome the result-oriented approach while pushing for enforcement teeth, not just symbolic gestures.
Now is the moment for Republicans to own reform rather than surrender it to performative outrage from the other side. Don’t fall into the trap of letting imperfect proposals be killed because they aren’t maximalist; instead, pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, enforce it vigorously, and then strengthen it where enforcement shows gaps. Voters want action — not endless debates — and showing we can clean up our own house will be a powerful contrast to the hypocrisy we see daily in national media.
Hardworking Americans deserve representatives who serve the public interest, not their brokerage accounts. Supporters on both sides who genuinely want to restore faith in government should rally behind this bill and demand a vote that holds lawmakers to a higher standard. If Republicans are serious about draining the swamp, this practical, enforceable legislation is the right place to start — and patriots across the country should make their voices heard.
