Stop Insider Trading Act

Bill Number: H.R. 7008
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-09-30: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 253.
Last Updated: 2026-10-01T10:57:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the Stop Insider Trading Act, establishes restrictions on certain investments by Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents. It also requires photo identification for individuals casting ballots in federal elections.

Key Provisions

Restrictions on Covered Investments

Defines "covered individuals" as Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children.
Defines "covered investments" as securities from publicly traded companies or similar interests obtained through derivatives, with exclusions for certain diversified funds, small business interests, and specific trusts.
Prohibits covered individuals from purchasing covered investments during federal service.
Requires Members of Congress to file a public notice 7 to 14 calendar days before any sale of a covered investment, including details on the projected sale date, description, and number of shares.
Allows withdrawals of sale notices if the transaction does not occur.
Provides exceptions for occupational trading by spouses or dependents (if not owned by a covered individual) and for automatic dividend reinvestments.
Establishes enforcement through fees calculated as the greater of $2,000 or 10 percent of the transaction value, plus any net gains, paid by the Member; violative purchases must be sold.
Prohibits payment of fees using Members' Representational Allowance, Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account, or campaign contributions.
Directs collected fees to the Treasury's general fund and permits ethics offices to refer unpaid former Members to the Department of Justice.
Allows supervising ethics offices to issue interpretative guidance.

Photo Identification Requirements

Amends the Help America Vote Act to require valid photo identification (such as a state driver's license, passport, or tribal ID) for in-person voting in federal elections, with provisional ballots available if ID is not presented.
For non-in-person voting, requires submission of a photo ID copy, last four Social Security digits with an affidavit, or notarization, with exceptions for certain military and overseas voters.
Mandates public access to free digital imaging devices at government buildings for copying IDs.
Requires notification of the ID requirement during voter registration, including online systems.
Directs the Election Assistance Commission to issue updated voluntary guidance within 90 days.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Adds a new Subchapter IV to Chapter 131 of Title 5, United States Code, creating investment restrictions that did not previously exist in this form.
Introduces federal photo identification mandates into the Help America Vote Act, expanding beyond prior provisions on voter registration and provisional ballots.
Updates enforcement mechanisms in the Help America Vote Act to cover the new photo ID section.

Potential Impacts

Affects government agencies by requiring supervising ethics offices to oversee investment compliance and states to update voter registration and election procedures.
Impacts citizens by limiting investment activities for covered individuals and requiring photo identification for voting.
Requires states to provide free access to copying equipment and may involve adjustments to election administration timelines.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children.
State and local election officials responsible for implementing voting changes.
Supervising ethics offices for enforcement of investment rules.
Voters participating in federal elections.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The investment rules apply uniformly to Members of Congress regardless of chamber and extend liability for family member violations to the Member.
The photo ID provisions establish specific federal standards for ballot acceptance, including timelines for provisional ballot validation and exceptions based on religious objections or inability to obtain ID.
Enforcement includes civil fees and potential Department of Justice referrals, with restrictions on using official or campaign funds for payments.
Effective dates are set at 180 days for investment provisions and 90 days for voting provisions after enactment.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

Cosponsors (93)

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] and 43 more

Recent Actions

2026-09-30: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 253. (Roll call 253)
2026-09-28: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.
2026-09-28: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S5065)
2026-09-28: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S5065)
2026-08-06: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 548.
2026-08-05: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
2026-07-23: Received in the Senate.
2026-07-22: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-07-22: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 198 (Roll no. 280). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5143-5144) (Roll call 280)
2026-07-22: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 198 (Roll no. 280). (Roll call 280)
2026-07-22: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 218 (Roll no. 279). (Roll call 279)
2026-07-22: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5157-5158)
2026-07-22: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 7008, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Steil demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-07-22: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2026-07-22: Mr. Magaziner moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (text: CR H5152)

Bill Versions

Stop Insider Trading Act — issued 2026-07-22 — PDF (16 pages)
Stop Insider Trading Act — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (9 pages)
Stop Insider Trading Act — issued 2026-08-06 — PDF (16 pages)
Stop Insider Trading Act — issued 2026-02-03 — PDF (10 pages)