Speaker Mike Johnson Supports Congressional Stock Trade Ban/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Speaker Mike Johnson publicly endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading Wednesday, a shift from his prior silence on the matter. Citing past abuses and public distrust, Johnson aligned with Democrats like Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the issue. The move follows renewed bipartisan efforts to prohibit lawmakers from trading individual stocks.
Congressional Stock Trading Ban Quick Looks
- Speaker Mike Johnson backs banning lawmakers from stock trading
- Cites public distrust and past abuses as rationale
- Previously declined to take a position on the issue
- Now aligns with House Democrats including Hakeem Jeffries
- Bipartisan bill in the House aims to outlaw trades
- Push gains traction amid reports of well-timed trades
- Democrats target GOP with ethics criticisms
- Marjorie Taylor Greene’s trades during market dip under fire
- Current STOCK Act seen as inadequate by critics
- Johnson: “We must avoid any appearance of impropriety”
Deep Look: Mike Johnson Endorses Congressional Stock Trade Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 14, 2025 — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that he now supports banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks, a notable policy reversal that adds momentum to a bipartisan push for ethics reform on Capitol Hill.
“You want my honest opinion on that? I’m in favor,” Johnson said at a Capitol Hill press conference. “We shouldn’t have any appearance of impropriety here.”
The speaker acknowledged that congressional stock trading has “been abused in the past,” suggesting that a few lawmakers’ actions have “discolored it for everyone.” His endorsement is expected to inject fresh urgency into legislation long stalled by partisan divides and procedural delays.
Growing Pressure for Reform
Calls to bar lawmakers from trading stocks have intensified in recent years following a series of controversies, where lawmakers were seen profiting from market dips or spikes tied closely to policy shifts or government action.
A bipartisan coalition of House members is reviving efforts to outlaw stock trades by members of Congress altogether, amid widespread voter distrust and scrutiny over ethics in Washington.
Currently, lawmakers are governed by the STOCK Act, passed in 2012, which prohibits insider trading based on nonpublic congressional information and mandates public disclosure of trades. However, critics argue the law lacks enforcement teeth and fails to eliminate potential conflicts of interest.
Greene’s Trades Spark Political Fallout
Democrats have seized on the issue as an electoral weapon. Recent disclosures showed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) bought stocks during a dip in the market triggered by Trump’s tariff announcement. The stocks later soared — a sequence Democrats point to as potentially unethical.
“It’s exactly why we need to end these trades,” one Democratic aide told reporters, noting the political advantage of pushing ethics reform amid Republican missteps.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who voiced support for the ban last month, praised Johnson’s new position as a “step toward restoring public trust.”
What Happens Next?
Johnson’s support could give crucial momentum to legislation previously stalled under both parties. Bipartisan bills — including one sponsored by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Chip Roy (R-Texas) — propose barring members, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks during their time in office.
But despite growing public support, past proposals have repeatedly failed to make it to a floor vote.
With Speaker Johnson now on board, the political dynamics may shift.
“We must show Americans we’re here to serve them, not to enrich ourselves,” Johnson concluded.
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