In April 2025, following controversial stock trades by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene just before Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause, the debate over banning stock trading by members of Congress reignited. Greene invested significant amounts in stocks of companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Nike just before the announcement, which sparked allegations of potential insider trading.

In response to these events, Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called for a ban on stock trading by lawmakers. Proposed legislation, such as H.R.1908, aims to eliminate the ability of Congress members and their families to trade stocks to prevent potential conflicts of interest and abuses.

Current regulations, such as the STOCK Act of 2012, require Congress members to disclose stock trades within 30 days, but the penalties for violations are minimal, undermining the effectiveness of these regulations.

In the face of growing social and political pressure, Congress faces the challenge of enacting more stringent regulations to ensure transparency and public trust in the legislative institution.