A major political showdown is brewing on Capitol Hill as a powerful new push to ban stock trading by members of Congress gains national attention — and this time, the effort is taking direct aim at the legacy of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday that she is pushing forward with a proposal to bar members of Congress from buying and selling individual stocks, saying the reform is essential to safeguard taxpayers, rebuild public confidence, and shut down what many view as one of Washington’s most abused loopholes.
Luna said Americans across the political spectrum are tired of watching career politicians enter Congress with modest means and leave with massive wealth.
“There’s overwhelming bipartisan support from the American people,” Luna said. “Insider trading absolutely exists in Congress. Some lawmakers are making returns of 600% to 700%. That’s not normal. That’s not honest.”
She pointed to long-standing criticism of Nancy Pelosi’s investment record, citing watchdog reports claiming Pelosi’s portfolio once saw eye-popping returns nearing 17,000% — numbers everyday Americans facing inflation, higher grocery bills, and shrinking retirement accounts could never dream of.
“If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street — not Congress,” Luna said.
Republican Leadership Under Pressure
Luna revealed she has received mixed signals from GOP leadership about advancing the bill. She also said she received a credible tip that some leaders were quietly trying to stall or kill the effort behind closed doors.
Refusing to sit back, Luna filed a discharge petition, a powerful tool that allows lawmakers to bypass House leadership completely. If she secures 218 signatures, the bill must go to the floor for an up-or-down vote — with or without Speaker Mike Johnson’s blessing.
“If I sense any political games, I’ll bring the petition forward immediately,” Luna warned.
Several House Republicans have already expressed support for forcing a vote, especially after recent watchdog reports revealed dozens of lawmakers traded stocks in industries regulated by their committees — a glaring conflict of interest that infuriates voters age 50+, retirees, and small business owners alike.
Congress Faces Mounting Public Outrage
The House Administration Committee is expected to consider holding a hearing next week on multiple proposals to restrict or ban member stock trading. With trust in Congress sitting near historic lows, the issue has become impossible for leadership to ignore.
Luna said banning stock trading is about restoring accountability at a time when Americans are demanding more transparency, not less.
“We work for the people — not the markets,” she said. “This bill ensures there will never be another Pelosi-style stock scandal in Congress again.”
If passed, the legislation would represent one of the strongest ethics reforms in decades and a massive victory for voters who believe lawmakers should not enrich themselves while writing laws that impact the entire nation.