Governor Ron DeSantis unveils new proposal to increase transparency and accountability in congressional stock trading across the nation
Clearwater, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new legislative proposal on Thursday aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Congressional stock trading, a move he says will restore public trust and curb what he described as a “national farce” of insider trading among members of Congress. The proposal comes amid growing public concern over lawmakers trading stocks while in office, a practice that has drawn bipartisan criticism but remains largely unregulated at the federal level.
“Congress should pass Congresswoman Luna’s legislation to stop congressional insider trading, and all members of the Florida delegation should support it,” said Governor DeSantis. “In the meantime, I am happy to support state-level reforms that will bring transparency to what has become a national farce. We are sick of seeing members of Congress with no prior investment acumen all of a sudden turn into Warren Buffet on steroids and put major hedge funds to shame. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!”
DeSantis’s remarks highlight his support for Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna’s ongoing efforts to ban congressional insider trading, and he emphasized that Florida is taking steps at the state level while federal action remains stalled. “I appreciate Governor DeSantis for endorsing our bipartisan initiative to ban congressional stock trading and for his efforts to enact these policies at the state level,” said Luna. “This is about standing up for transparency and accountability in government. Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks while serving in office. The American people deserve to know their representatives are working for them—not for personal financial gain.”
The Florida proposal would require all candidates for federal office, regardless of party affiliation, to disclose certain information at the time of qualifying. Candidates would need to declare whether they intend to trade stocks if elected and whether they traded stocks while previously serving in federal office. This disclosure is designed to give voters a clear view of potential conflicts of interest before Election Day and ensure candidates are held accountable for their financial conduct.
Currently, federal law allows members of Congress to buy and sell individual stocks even while they influence industries, receive non-public information, and make decisions that can affect the market. There is no federal restriction preventing this practice, and violations of insider trading laws do not automatically disqualify candidates from appearing on the ballot. In 2025 alone, Congress executed more than 13,000 stock trades totaling over $635 million, with more than 200 House members and over half of the Senate owning stock.
The scale of Congressional trading has fueled public frustration and calls for reform. Surveys indicate that over 86 percent of Americans, across political parties, support either banning or restricting stock trading by members of Congress. Despite the widespread public support, federal legislation has yet to advance meaningfully. While more than a quarter of the House has signaled support for reform, no committee hearings have been held to date.
Bipartisan bills such as the Restore Trust in Congress Act (H.R. 5106), which has over 100 cosponsors, have been introduced but remain stalled in Congress. Luna recently filed a bipartisan discharge petition aimed at forcing an up-or-down vote on the legislation, underscoring Florida’s commitment to holding lawmakers accountable where federal action has lagged.
Supreme Court precedent confirms that states have authority to regulate election procedures to maintain transparency and protect the integrity of the ballot. Florida’s proposal builds on that authority, providing voters with critical information about candidates’ intentions regarding stock trading before they cast their ballots. By requiring disclosure of past and potential stock trades, the state seeks to prevent conflicts of interest and reinforce public confidence in government.
Florida has a long history of leading in transparency and accountability measures, and this initiative continues that tradition. Governor DeSantis and Luna emphasized that while the proposal functions at the state level, it could serve as a model for national reform, encouraging other states and federal lawmakers to adopt similar measures.
The announcement reflects a broader public sentiment that members of Congress should prioritize constituents’ interests over personal financial gain. With Florida’s proposal, voters will gain greater insight into candidates’ financial behavior, potentially influencing electoral outcomes and pushing Washington toward meaningful reform.
As the proposal moves forward, state officials are expected to work closely with election authorities and legislative partners to implement the required disclosures, ensuring the rules are clear and enforceable. If adopted, Florida’s plan could mark a significant step in curbing congressional stock trading and improving accountability in government at both the state and federal levels.
By highlighting transparency, disclosure, and accountability, the initiative signals Florida’s determination to take a stand where federal legislation has faltered, providing voters with the tools they need to make informed choices while setting a potential national example for legislative reform.
