MW Trump backs stock-trade ban for Congress during State of the Union. Here's where the effort stands.

By Robert Schroeder

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union on Tuesday night. He called for Congress to stop insider trading among its members.

President Donald Trump got applause from Democrats and Republicans alike when he called in his State of the Union address for Congress to stop insider trading among lawmakers.

Despite the bipartisan kudos, the effort has a ways to go on Capitol Hill.

In January, the Stop Insider Trading Act cleared a House committee along party lines. But that's just one of many stops the bill would have to make to become law.

Spearheaded by Rep. Bryan Steil, a Wisconsin Republican who leads the Committee on House Administration, the measure would prevent House and Senate lawmakers from buying additional individual stocks. It also requires public notice seven days before a lawmaker, spouse or dependent child may sell a stock.

While the measure cleared Steil's committee, the full House and Senate may be much higher bars to reach. Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers, and about 40 House Republicans aren't on board with the effort, Politico has reported. Some Democrats have backed a more expansive stock-trading bill that would also apply to members of the executive branch.

Trump derisively called out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, whose family has been scrutinized for its trading successes.

"Did Nancy Pelosi stand up?" Trump asked. "Doubt it."

Pelosi's husband, Paul, is a venture capitalist.

U.S. stock futures (ES00) were modestly higher as Trump gave his address in the House chamber on Tuesday night.

From the archives (Dec. 1, 2025): Follow the leader. New research finds these members of Congress are the best stock pickers.

-Robert Schroeder

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February 24, 2026 23:00 ET (04:00 GMT)

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