Rep Luna Plans House Vote on Congress Stock Trading Ban

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is pushing to force a House vote on legislation prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, citing conflicts of interest stemming from lawmakers' access to privileged information. She plans to file a discharge petition in September to bypass House leadership and bring the bill, sponsored by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), directly to the floor, arguing that if the vote does not happen now, it may never occur given the slim majority and entrenched interests. The issue has gained bipartisan traction amid ongoing concerns about insider trading, highlighted by recent investigations such as the House Ethics Committee's inquiry into Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Penn.), whose wife purchased stocks after confidential information became available, though no laws were found to be violated. Despite months of internal negotiations and Republican divisions over how to address stock trading, a bipartisan coalition including figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is advocating for reform to restore public confidence in government. Luna has previously succeeded with a discharge petition this year on a different issue, underscoring the rarity and seriousness of such a maneuver as it breaches party loyalty. The effort reflects growing momentum and tension on Capitol Hill to root out perceived corruption related to congressional stock trading.