Democrats are now reportedly splintering over a Republican-led discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks. The divide underscores how deeply conflicted the party remains on an issue that has dogged Capitol Hill for years — even as Americans overwhelmingly support tougher ethics rules.
The petition, introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, seeks to bring forward a bipartisan bill blocking lawmakers, their spouses, dependent children and trustees from buying, selling, or holding individual stocks. Luna’s move is designed to circumvent House leadership, something that can only succeed with substantial Democratic support.
While both parties broadly acknowledge that congressional stock trading erodes public trust, Democrats have erupted into internal disagreement over whether any ban should also include the executive branch. Some lawmakers insist that barring Congress without extending the policy to the White House would ignore what they call greater abuses of power.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted the effort at a Tuesday press conference, claiming Republicans were trying to dodge scrutiny of President Trump and his administration. Jeffries accused the GOP of refusing to consider applying the ban to the president, vice president or Cabinet. “If she’s interested in dealing with corruption, do something about the active ongoing crime scene coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,” Jeffries said, arguing that any meaningful reform must include the executive branch.
Other Democrats echoed his stance. Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York said he would not sign Luna’s petition because it excludes top government officials. He argued the president has far more power to move markets than members of Congress and pointed to Trump’s extensive stock holdings. Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts said corruption from the White House “is so intense, it would make Richard Nixon blush,” and insisted a ban must include the president — even a future Democratic one.
Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas said failing to address Trump’s financial conflicts would mean Congress hadn’t met the moment. Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, however, said Democrats should still move forward on banning congressional trades even if Republicans refuse to include the executive branch.
Despite Jeffries’s attacks, Luna defended her petition, saying it “starts the conversation” and accusing Democrats of dragging their feet. She said she was willing to negotiate a broader bill but insisted doing nothing was not an option.
The bipartisan bill at the center of the petition was introduced in September by Reps. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, and Seth Magaziner, a Rhode Island Democrat. It has earned support from progressives including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal. As of Wednesday afternoon, 13 Republicans and 24 Democrats had signed the petition — far short of the 218 required.
Magaziner said Roy has been in discussions with Speaker Mike Johnson and Committee Chair Bryan Steil to move the bill through regular order, while he works to address Democratic concerns about executive-branch inclusion. He acknowledged Luna triggered the petition earlier than expected but welcomed her support.
Still, any ban extending to the executive branch is almost certain to fail in a Republican-controlled House and a divided Senate. Some Democrats admit those realities but argue Congress must lead by example. Rep. John Larson of Connecticut said lawmakers should stop making excuses. “It ought to apply to us first,” he said, while still insisting a broader ban should follow.
Rep. Jamie Raskin agreed Congress must act now, calling the moment a “crisis” for public trust. He added, “We should be leading by example in fighting corruption.”
The debate is far from settled — but the pressure on Congress to act has never been stronger.
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