Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has taken a fresh step to prohibit members of Congress from engaging in stock trading by reintroducing the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act. This legislative proposal would prevent members of Congress, along with their spouses, from trading or owning individual stocks for the duration of their terms in office. In its place, lawmakers could invest in diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or U.S. Treasury bonds.

Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of prioritizing public interest over personal gain, stating, “Members of Congress should be fighting for the people they were elected to serve—not day trading at the expense of their constituents.” He cited the public's concerns over politicians benefiting from information unavailable to the general populace, adding, “It’s time we ban all members of Congress from trading and holding stocks and restore Americans’ trust in our nation’s legislative body.”

The proposal specifies a compliance window of 180 days for both current and newly elected lawmakers to adhere to its stipulations. Non-compliant members of Congress could face monetary consequences, including forfeiting stock profits to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and potential penalties from the House and Senate ethics committees.

This move aligns with an earlier indication from President Trump, who announced he would sign such legislation into law should it be presented to him.