Senate Panel Advances Bill to Ban Stock Trading

The Senate Homeland Security Committee advanced the HONEST Act, formerly known as the PELOSI Act, in an 8-7 vote, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joining Democrats to support it. The bill would ban members of Congress, the president, and vice president from trading or owning individual stocks, though the executive branch provisions would only take effect after the current president and vice president leave office. The move has caused significant Republican infighting, as some party members accuse Hawley of targeting wealthy colleagues and discouraging business owners from seeking office. President Donald Trump criticized Hawley for supporting the bill, arguing it helps Democrats and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, even though he has previously voiced conceptual support for such bans. The White House opposed the executive branch provisions, calling them a last-minute addition. The bill's future now depends on Senate leadership amid ongoing bipartisan debate over ethics and stock trading by public officials.