Washington, D.C. — In a bold political move, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has reintroduced a bill targeting stock trading among U.S. lawmakers — and its name is already stirring headlines. Titled the PELOSI Act, short for “Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments,” the legislation is a direct jab at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom conservatives have long accused of profiting off privileged information while in office.
“Members of Congress should be fighting for the people they were elected to serve—not day trading at the expense of their constituents”, said Senator Hawley in an official statement. “It’s time we ban all members of Congress from trading and holding stocks and restore Americans’ trust in our nation’s legislative body”.
What Is the PELOSI Act?
The PELOSI Act proposes a strict ban on individual stock trading for members of Congress and their spouses during their time in office. While lawmakers would still be allowed to invest in mutual funds, ETFs, and U.S. Treasury bonds, they would be barred from buying, selling, or holding individual stocks.
New and current members would have a 180-day window to comply with the proposed restrictions upon entering or continuing in office.
Any profits made from violating the act would be seized by the U.S. Treasury, and lawmakers could face ethics committee fines of 10% per transaction if found in breach.
Why Name It After Pelosi?
Although Nancy Pelosi has not been charged with insider trading, Senator Hawley and other critics have long alleged that her family, particularly her husband Paul Pelosi, benefited financially from information tied to her role as Speaker. Pelosi has repeatedly denied the accusations, and there has been no legal evidence to support claims of wrongdoing. However, naming the bill after her sends a pointed political message — and helps drive the bill’s visibility among voters frustrated with perceived corruption in Washington.
Trump Backs the Proposal
In a recent interview with Time magazine, former President Donald Trump endorsed the PELOSI Act and confirmed that he would sign it into law if passed by Congress.
“I watched Nancy Pelosi get rich through insider information, and I would be okay with it. If they send that to me, I would do it,” Trump stated. When asked to clarify if he’d sign it, he replied, “Absolutely”.
While the bill faces uphill legislative challenges and criticism for its partisan branding, it taps into growing public sentiment demanding greater transparency and accountability from elected officials.
As calls intensify to restrict financial conflicts of interest in Congress, the PELOSI Act — controversial name and all — could reignite a long-standing debate over ethics in American politics.
