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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Committee Reviews Bill Banning Congress Members, President From Owning Individual Stocks

Also known as: Restore Trust in Government Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(1)
Child Tax Credit
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(1)
Federal Employee
Neutral

Key Points

  • Would bar Members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and their spouses and dependent kids from owning or trading most individual stocks and similar investments.
  • People covered would have to sell (divest) any banned investments within 180 days if already in office when it becomes law, or within 90 days after they enter office.
  • Allows some common investments, like diversified funds and government bonds, and keeps certain exceptions like small business ownership and some family farm/ranch-related investments.
  • Creates penalties for breaking the rules: a fee equal to 10% of the investment’s value plus giving up any profits from illegal trades, with fines publicly posted online.
  • Spouses or dependent children can still trade as part of their main job (for example, if they work in finance), as long as the official doesn’t own the investment.
Civil RightsConsumer ProtectionTaxes

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 16, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

As soon as the law is enacted

Covered officials stop buying covered investments once the law takes effect

Members of Congress and the President/Vice President (and most covered family members) would need to rely on allowed options like diversified funds and government bonds instead of individual stocks and similar trades.

180 days after enactment

Divestment deadline for people already covered when the law passes (180 days)

Current covered officials and family members would have to sell covered holdings at fair market value by this deadline (unless an extension is granted for hard-to-sell assets).

Within 90 days of becoming a covered individual

Divestment deadline for people who become covered after enactment (90 days)

New Members of Congress, a new President/Vice President, or newly covered spouses/dependent children would have about 3 months to sell covered investments they already own.

Within 90 days of acquiring the asset (not by purchase)

90-day clock to sell covered assets gained through marriage, inheritance, or divorce settlement

If a covered person receives covered stock or similar assets unexpectedly, they would generally have 90 days to sell to stay in compliance.

After enactment, before or during the divestment window

Ethics offices publish guidance explaining undefined terms and how to comply

Covered officials and their families would get clearer instructions on what counts as a banned investment, how trusts are treated, and what paperwork is needed.

After enforcement starts and violations occur

Public posting of fines and reasons begins

If someone breaks the rules, the fine, the reason, and the outcome would be posted online, making enforcement more visible to the public.

Related News

1 article
Alabama Daily News·about 1 month ago

Sewell among top performers in Congress as stock trading bills gain traction

The Democratic-led Restore Trust in Government Act would ban members from owning stock and add the president and vice president to the list of officials subject to the restrictions. Rep. Terri Sewell supports the bill, arguing the president has an unprecedented ability to influence the economy.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Restore Trust in Government Act

Bill NumberHR 6731
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(65)
D: 65

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.