Stop Insider Trading Act
What does the Stop Insider Trading Act do?
HR 7008 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI-1). This bill has two operative sections. Section 2 bars Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing individual stocks, requires 7-to-14-day advance public notice before selling, and imposes a fee (greater of $2,000 or ten percent of transaction value, plus any net gain) for violations. Section 3 amends the Help America Vote Act to require in-person federal-election voters to present a state, federal, or Tribal photo identification, and mail voters to submit either a photo-ID copy, their last four Social Security digits with an affidavit, or a notarization. Bans stock purchases and requires advance sale notices for Members of Congress and their spouses/dependents, and separately requires photo ID for all federal-election voting.
Did HR 7008 pass? Where it stands
As of July 29, 2026, HR 7008 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed 232–198 on July 22, 2026
Outlook: Unlikely
Key provisions
- Congressional Stock-Trading Ban
- Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children may not purchase covered investments
- Sales require public notice 7 to 14 calendar days before the sale, filed with the Clerk or Secretary and posted online
- Covers securities of publicly traded companies and derivative equivalents like options and warrants
- Exemptions from the Trading Ban
- Excepted investment funds (as described in section 13104(f)(8)) and comparable US-, state-, or territory-concentrated funds
- Interests in small business concerns
- Trusts where no covered individual has authority over the trustee, and the trustee is not a Member's spouse, child, parent, or sibling
- Spouse or dependent trades made as part of a primary occupation or employer compensation, and automatic dividend reinvestments
- Enforcement
- Fee equal to the greater of $2,000 or ten percent of the transaction value, plus any net gain realized
- Fee cannot be paid from the Members' Representational Allowance, Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account, or campaign contributions
- Ethics office may refer former Members to DOJ if they resign or retire before paying
- Federal Photo-ID Voting Requirement
- In-person federal-election voters must present a valid physical photo identification
- Mail voters must submit a photo-ID copy, last four SSN digits with an inability affidavit, or notarization
- Provisional ballot available if ID missing; ID or religious-photography-objection affidavit must be produced within 3 days
- Accepted ID Types and State Duties
- State driver's license or ID card (with photo and expiration), U.S. passport, DoD or VA photo ID card, or Tribal-government ID with photo and expiration
- States must provide free access to a digital imaging device (printer, copier, scanner) at courts, libraries, and police stations
- States must notify voters of the ID requirement at registration and during online registration
Last updated July 29, 2026