Bessent Energizes Movement to Ban Stock Trading by Lawmakers

Aug. 13, 2025, 5:53 PM UTC

Proponents pushing for legislation to ban lawmakers from trading individual company stocks said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments Wednesday in support of such a measure show widespread and growing support.

“It reflects the bipartisan understanding that congressional stock trading is a problem, and the president has talked about the need for something to address it,” said Kedric Payne, senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, which is lobbying for the prohibition.

“The momentum is building for legislation to ban congressional stock trading,” said Payne, a former deputy chief counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Bessent said ...

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