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: 2026-07-23: Received in the Senate.
Last Updated: 2026-07-29T19:42:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation, titled the "Stop Insider Trading Act," aims to prohibit Members of Congress and their immediate family members from purchasing certain investments while in office and to establish federal requirements for photo identification when voting in elections for federal office.

Key Provisions

Stock Trading Restrictions (effective 180 days after enactment):
Prohibits covered individuals (Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children) from purchasing securities or similar economic interests in publicly traded companies.
Requires Members of Congress to file a public notice of intent to sell such investments 7 to 14 calendar days in advance, with details on the projected sale date, description, and number of shares.
Allows exceptions for a spouse or dependent child's occupational trades (if not owned by the covered individual) and for automatic dividend reinvestments.
Excludes certain diversified funds, small business interests, and qualifying blind trusts from the definition of covered investments.
Enforcement includes fees (the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, plus any net gains) paid by the Member, mandatory sale of prohibited purchases, and restrictions on using official or campaign funds for payment. The supervising ethics office may refer violations to the Department of Justice.

Photo Identification Requirements (effective 90 days after enactment):
Mandates that individuals voting in person for federal office present valid photo identification (such as a state driver's license, passport, or certain tribal or military IDs).
Provides provisional ballots for those without ID, allowing later submission of ID or a religious objection affidavit.
Requires mail or absentee ballots to include a copy of photo ID, last four digits of a Social Security number with an affidavit, or notarization (with exceptions for military and certain disabled voters).
Directs states to provide free public access to copying devices at government buildings and to notify voter registration applicants of the requirements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Adds a new subchapter to chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, creating enforceable limits on congressional investments that did not previously exist at the federal level.
Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to impose uniform federal photo ID standards for federal elections, shifting from the prior reliance on varying state rules.
Updates related provisions on enforcement, voluntary guidance, and conforming amendments in election law.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Ethics offices gain new oversight and penalty authority; state and local election officials must implement ID verification, provisional ballot processes, and public notification systems.
Citizens: Members of Congress and their families face limits on personal financial activities; voters may need to obtain or present photo ID, potentially affecting access for those without such documents.
International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Members of Congress and their spouses/dependent children.
Voters in federal elections.
State and local election officials.
Supervising ethics offices.
The Department of Justice (for referrals).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Raises potential questions regarding equal protection and voting rights under the Constitution due to the new federal ID mandate.
Introduces civil penalties and disclosure rules for investment activities that could intersect with existing ethics and securities laws.
Combines unrelated policy areas (financial restrictions and election administration) into a single bill, which may affect legislative strategy and implementation timelines.

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

2026-07-23: 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)
2026-07-22: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-07-22: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7008.
2026-07-22: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.
2026-07-22: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1438. (consideration: CR H5143-5153)
2026-07-20: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1438 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.
2026-02-03: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 409.

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 2026-02-03 — PDF (10 pages)