Bresnahan Delivers on Longstanding Push to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) voted in favor of the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation to prohibit Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks, requiring advance public disclosure of stock sales, and strengthening penalties for ethics violations. Rep. Bresnahan was an original cosponsor of the legislation, which was introduced on January 12 and passed the House today by a vote of 231-198. 

“Members of Congress should never be allowed to trade their own stocks and profit off the information they are entrusted with; this is a belief I have held since before taking office, and this belief has not changed,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “By putting reasonable restrictions on the buying and selling of stocks and increasing penalties for violations means greater levels of transparency and a renewed commitment to serving the American people and them alone.” 

Rep. Bresnahan has consistently supported banning congressional stock trading. In May 2025, he introduced the Transparency in Representation through Uniform Stock Trading Ban Act, which would prohibit Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. In September 2025, he cosponsored legislation introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) to ban stock trading by Members of Congress, and he also signed a discharge petition in December 2025 to force a vote on the End Congressional Stock Trading Act, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to strengthening ethics and increasing accountability in Congress. 

The Stop Insider Trading Act would:

• Ban Members, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing securities issued by a publicly traded company.
• Require Members to file a public notice at least seven days, but no more than 14 days, in advance for any intended stock sale with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate.
• If a Member of Congress, their spouse, or dependent child decides not to sell a covered investment, the Member must publicly withdraw the notice prior to its expiration.
• Violators will be assessed a fine equal to $2,000 or 10% of the value of the transaction, whichever is greater, and any net gain realized from a transaction. 

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