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Biggest stock traders in Congress
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Lawmakers traded $160M-$664M in stocks since Jan 2025. Voter pressure grows to ban congressional stock trading.
Background
Congressional stock trading has long been criticized because lawmakers can profit from nonpublic information gained in closed-door meetings. A 2012 law, the STOCK Act, requires disclosure but does not ban trading. Roughly a quarter of legislators have traded individual stocks this term, and the House recently passed a bill limiting such trades, though it faces uncertain Senate prospects.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025Start of the current term; members and families began trading individual stocks, totaling $160M-$664M by August 2026.
- Jul 22, 2026House passed legislation limiting stock trading by members, spouses, and dependents, with exemptions for trusts; nearly all Democrats opposed after a voter ID measure was added.
- Aug 10, 2026Sen. Todd Young pushes for trading limits, calling it a trust issue, ahead of a possible 2028 primary.
- Aug 13, 2026Democrats demand answers from President Trump about his 'unprecedented' stock trading volume, asking for disclosure of trades and involvement.
- Aug 14, 2026New York Times publishes analysis identifying the biggest stock traders in Congress.
Who’s saying what
- Critics
- The system creates conflicts of interest and lets members profit from nonpublic knowledge.
- Support
- Sen. Young and his group say a ban is essential to restore public trust, citing 'stock trading scandals.'
- Caution
- Some lawmakers may resist because they haven't prioritized it, and existing laws do little enforcement.
Still unverified
Democrats' claim that Trump purchased stock in companies before administration deals is based on financial disclosures and has not been independently confirmed.