Representative Mark Alford will propose a stock trading ban in Congress

 

Missouri Republican Representative Mark Alford will introduce legislation next Wednesday that would ban stock trading in Congress. This measure will serve as a House companion to Senator Josh Hawley's, Missouri Republican, "PELOSI's Law" in the Senate.

Alford's proposed measure prohibits members and their spouses from owning, buying, or selling individual stocks while in office, but allows investment in diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or U.S. Treasury bonds. If passed, sitting members of Congress would have 180 days to comply with the law. Newly elected members of Congress must also comply within 180 days of taking office.

"As public servants, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard and avoid the mere appearance of corruption," Alford said in a statement. "Unfortunately, too many members of Congress are engaging in shady stock trading based on non-public information to enrich themselves."