Speaker Johnson backs congressional stock ban, cites 'a few bad actors'

Justin Papp, CQ-Roll Call on May 14, 2025

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WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson publicly voiced his support on Wednesday for a ban on members trading individual stocks, fueling a push that has picked up support from key players in recent months.

“I’m in favor of that because I don’t think we should have any appearance of impropriety here,” the Louisiana Republican said Wednesday at a press conference, when asked about bipartisan talks in the House on banning congressional stock trading.

Prior to Wednesday, Johnson had refrained from speaking out on the stock trading issue, which has drawn increasing public scorn since 2020, when a series of dubious trades made by members at the outset of the pandemic prompted a federal investigation.

Despite repeated attempts from bipartisan groups of lawmakers in both chambers, legislation to address the perception that members are trading on inside information has repeatedly withered without sufficient support from leadership.

Johnson’s support is key for the cohort that wants to ban members from trading individual stocks. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has also expressed his support for a congressional stock trading ban, as has President Donald Trump.

“We are now working on building a bipartisan coalition of members. But this is also something the president wants,” Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn told Roll Call in January. “And that has been, I think, the difference here. We now have an administration which is very focused on getting transparency and accountability.”

Any legislation to ban members from stock trading still faces hurdles. Senate leadership has not yet thrown its weight behind any proposal. And some members aren’t pleased at the thought of being banned from the markets.

“Some people say, well look, the salary of Congress has been frozen since 2009. When you adjust for inflation, a member of Congress today is making 31 percent less than they made in that year,” Johnson said. “The counterargument is, and I have some sympathy … is at least let them engage in some stock trading so that they can continue to take care of their family.”

Despite his sympathies, Johnson said “on balance” he still supports a legislative ban on member trading.

“I think it’s been abused in the past, and I think sadly a few bad actors discolor it for everyone,” Johnson said.