Senate Panel Advances Rebranded Stock Trading Ban

A Senate committee has narrowly advanced a rebranded stock trading ban bill, formerly called the PELOSI Act after Nancy Pelosi, that would prohibit members of Congress, the president, and the vice president from trading or holding individual stocks. The bill includes a carveout exempting current officeholders, such as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, so the ban would apply only to future presidents and vice presidents. The committee approved the measure in an 8-7 vote, with sponsor Sen. Josh Hawley and all Democrats in favor, while most Republicans opposed it, criticizing the carveout and arguing it targets wealthy individuals. The exemption for Trump was added to secure enough support to move the bill forward, eliciting both criticism and reluctant acceptance among senators. President Trump has expressed general support for banning congressional stock trading but has not endorsed this specific legislation, and Pelosi has denied wrongdoing regarding her family's investments. The bill's future in the full Senate remains uncertain, as similar proposals have previously stalled.