Treasury Secretary Bessent Renews Calls for Congressional Stock Trading Limits
Treasury Secretary Bessent Renews Calls for Congressional Stock Trading Limits
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently reiterated strong concerns over congressional stock trading, advocating for stricter limits on lawmakers’ investment activities. During a press conference in Stockholm following US-China trade talks on July 29, 2025, Bessent emphasized the critical importance of public trust in the legislative process.
“It is the credibility of the House and the Senate,” Bessent stated. “It brings down trust in the system because, I can tell you, if any private citizen traded this way, the SEC would be knocking on their door.”
Bessent’s comments add to a growing chorus of federal officials and public watchdogs demanding greater accountability regarding congressional investment portfolios. Despite the 2012 STOCK Act making insider trading by members of Congress illegal, public concerns persist regarding enforcement and potential conflicts of interest. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation aimed at restricting federal officials and their families from trading various financial assets, including publicly traded stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, and real estate. Former President Joe Biden also voiced support for a ban on congressional stock trading in December.
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