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The HONEST Act would prohibit Members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and their spouses and dependent children from owning, purchasing, or selling certain financial assets including stocks, commodities, futures, and derivatives. Covered individuals would be required to divest from these investments within specified timeframes, typically by the start of a new term of office. The bill would immediately ban new purchases of covered investments and would generally prohibit sales for 90 days after enactment.
The legislation includes some exceptions, such as allowing diversified mutual funds and government bonds. Those who inherit covered investments would have 120 days to divest. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations and would apply to both current and future officeholders. The intent is to address concerns that individual stock ownership could create conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety when elected officials vote on legislation that might affect their personal investments.
This bill has advanced out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee but has not yet passed the full Senate. Most introduced bills do not advance to become law, and this legislation would require passage by both chambers of Congress and signature by the President to take effect.
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025 · 14:00
On July 30, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a business meeting to consider and vote on multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. This was not a hearing with witnesses, but rather a markup session where the committee advanced bills for consideration by the full Senate. The committee voted favorably on 18 bills covering a range of government accountability and security issues. Key legislation included S. 1498, the HONEST Act, which would prohibit Members of Congress, the President, Vice President, and their spouses and dependent children from owning or trading certain financial assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and digital assets. The committee also advanced S. 874, the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, which expands protections for federal contractor employees who refuse to obey unlawful orders or disclose evidence of misconduct. Other bills addressed topics including life sciences research security, disaster assistance coordination, federal spending transparency, northern border security, and lobbying disclosure requirements. The committee also considered four nominations to the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Passage of these bills by the committee does not guarantee they will advance further in the legislative process, as they must still be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with any House versions before becoming law.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 10, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 10, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025 · 14:00
On July 30, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a business meeting to consider and vote on multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. This was not a hearing with witnesses, but rather a markup session where the committee advanced bills for consideration by the full Senate. The committee voted favorably on 18 bills covering a range of government accountability and security issues. Key legislation included S. 1498, the HONEST Act, which would prohibit Members of Congress, the President, Vice President, and their spouses and dependent children from owning or trading certain financial assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and digital assets. The committee also advanced S. 874, the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, which expands protections for federal contractor employees who refuse to obey unlawful orders or disclose evidence of misconduct. Other bills addressed topics including life sciences research security, disaster assistance coordination, federal spending transparency, northern border security, and lobbying disclosure requirements. The committee also considered four nominations to the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Passage of these bills by the committee does not guarantee they will advance further in the legislative process, as they must still be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with any House versions before becoming law.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 10, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Dec 10, 2025
