Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·6 months ago

House Bill Would Force Members of Congress, Families to Sell Individual Stocks Within 180 Days

Also known as: Restore Trust in Congress Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(3)
Federal Employee
Neutral
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Small Business Owner
Neutral

Key Points

  • Would bar Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading most individual stocks and similar investments.
  • Current covered investments would have to be sold at fair market value within 180 days after the law takes effect; new Members would have 90 days.
  • Some investments would still be allowed, like diversified public funds, U.S. Treasury bonds, and state or local government bonds.
  • If a spouse or dependent trades stocks as part of their main job (like working in finance) and the Member doesn’t own it, that trading could still be allowed.
  • Violations could trigger a fee equal to 10% of the investment’s value plus giving up any profits, and ethics offices would post fines and reasons online.
EconomyConsumer ProtectionCivil Rights

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Sep 3, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Sep 3, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law (for people covered on the day it becomes law)

Members, spouses, and dependent children who already hold covered investments must sell them

If your family is covered and you own individual stocks or similar investments, you would have a limited window to sell and move money into allowed options (like diversified funds or government bonds). Waiting too long could lead to penalties.

Within 90 days after someone becomes a covered individual

Newly covered families get a shorter divestment clock when someone enters Congress

If someone becomes a Member of Congress after the law is in place, their household would have less time to clean up holdings. This matters for newly elected Members and families combining finances after an election.

Soon after the bill becomes law

Ethics offices start issuing written guidance on unclear terms and edge cases

Covered families and their advisors would get clearer instructions on what counts as a banned investment, what counts as an allowed fund, and how trusts and exceptions work—reducing accidental violations.

As covered individuals submit proof of divestment

Ethics offices begin issuing certificates of divestiture after people prove they sold as required

This can lower the tax pain of selling investments you are forced to sell due to ethics rules, making compliance easier for covered families.

After the law is in place, whenever an ethics office assesses a fine

Penalties and reasons are posted publicly when violations occur

The public would be able to see enforcement actions in one place online, which may increase accountability and reputational consequences for breaking the rules.

Within 90 days after acquiring the covered investment through special circumstances

Covered individuals who receive a covered investment (like through inheritance or divorce) must sell it

Even if you didn’t buy the asset, you still have to get rid of it quickly once it becomes yours, or you risk fines. This matters for life events that transfer assets into your name.

Before a divestment deadline, when a covered individual requests an extension

Ethics offices decide whether to grant deadline extensions for hard-to-sell assets

If an investment can’t be sold quickly (for example, because it’s hard to find a buyer or it’s locked up), you may be able to get more time—but you’d need approval.

Related News

2 articles
Forbes·about 2 months ago

Senators Introduce 'Restore Trust In Congress Act' That Would Ban Stock Trading In Congress

Bipartisan senators introduced the Restore Trust in Congress Act to ban lawmakers and their families from trading individual stocks. The bill requires divestment within 180 days for current members and 90 days for new ones, while allowing diversified funds and government bonds.

C=
City & State Pennsylvania·5 days ago

Capitol offenders: Efforts ramp up to bar pols from stock trading

Recent efforts to pass the Restore Trust in Congress Act highlight a bipartisan push to eliminate conflicts of interest. The bill defines 'covered investments' broadly to include stocks and derivatives, giving lawmakers a 180-day window to sell their holdings after the law takes effect.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Restore Trust in Congress Act

Bill NumberHR 5106
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(125)
D: 98R: 27

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.