No Getting Rich in Congress: A Bold Bill to Ban Congress Trading
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Public trust in Washington has been eroding for years, and many Americans believe one reason is the perception that lawmakers are getting rich while in office. In response, a group of House Democrats introduced the No Getting Rich in Congress Act on March 5, 2026. Led by Rep. Haley Stevens along with co-sponsors Reps. Derek Tran, Eric Sorensen, and Andrea Salinas, the bill (officially H.R. 7852) aims to restore confidence by cracking down on potential conflicts of interest and insider advantages.
At its core, the legislation would ban the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, federal candidates, and their spouses and dependent children from buying or selling individual stocks, cryptocurrency, futures, and commodities while in office. It goes beyond simple trading restrictions by adding strong enforcement mechanisms, penalties for violations, and broader ethics reforms. These include tighter rules on gifts and travel for family members, bans on serving on corporate boards, and measures to prevent shadow lobbying by spouses.
Supporters argue that public service should mean serving the public, not managing personal investment portfolios that might benefit from non-public information. Rep. Stevens has been clear: “The American people deserve leaders who are working for them, not for their stock portfolios.” The bill seeks to close loopholes that have persisted even after the 2012 STOCK Act, which required disclosures but delivered limited real accountability.
This proposal stands out as one of the more comprehensive efforts compared to milder Republican-led bills, such as the Stop Insider Trading Act, which focuses mainly on restricting new stock purchases. By covering the executive branch, families, and additional asset classes like crypto, the No Getting Rich in Congress Act attempts to draw a firmer line between governance and personal profit.
As of early April 2026, the bill remains in the early “introduced” stage and has been referred to several House committees. Whether it gains traction in a divided Congress remains uncertain, especially with midterm politics looming. Still, growing public pressure and consistent scrutiny from sites like our Capitol Trades keep the conversation alive.
