Senate vote on lawmaker stock restrictions

On 28 September 2026, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs voted to advance the "Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks" (ETHICS) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, bonds, or commodities while in office. The committee vote, which passed with a 9-3 margin, marks a significant milestone in a years-long effort to address concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest and the use of non-public information for personal financial gain. Under the proposed rules, lawmakers would be required to place their assets into qualified blind trusts or divest them entirely within 90 days of taking office. Proponents of the bill argue that the measure is essential to restoring public trust in legislative institutions, while opponents have raised concerns regarding the potential impact on recruitment and the administrative burden of managing blind trusts. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for a full chamber vote, where leadership has promised to schedule a debate before the end of the current legislative session.