Members of Congress now face a proposed ban on stock trading and ownership while in office.
“Conceptually, he, of course, supports the idea of ensuring that members of Congress and United States senators who are here for public service cannot enrich themselves.”
https://www.rollcall.com/2025/07/31/trump-josh-hawley-insider-trading-pelosi/
Josh Hawley authored the measure extending that ban to the president and vice president, leaving phasein provisions for current officeholders.
“The legislation, called the Honest Act, passed committee with bipartisan support, but drew ire from Trump, who felt unfairly targeted.”
https://www.apnews.com/article/cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37
Few reports note that exempting Trump from immediate divestiture reflects a strategic concession to preserve GOP support. The bill passed the Senate committee on a narrow 8‑7 vote with only Hawley among Republicans siding with Democrats. Critics say the carve‑out creates optics of unequal accountability. A fresh data point: Trump’s call with Hawley came after he publicly labelled the senator “second‑tier,” then quietly shifted tone. The contrast matters: high‑profile rebuke followed by private alignment unsettles narratives about principle. The bill still requires full divestment by officials elected after enactment. The discrepancy between public criticism and private support highlights internal tension more than policy substance. Quietly, lawmakers may push faster reform if momentum holds.
