No Corruption in Government Act: New Rules Ban Congressional Stock Trading and Triple Lobbying Wait Times

This bill takes a three-pronged approach to overhauling how money and influence move through the halls of power. First, it hits the 'pause' button on the stock market for lawmakers, banning Members of Congress and their spouses from buying or selling individual stocks, commodities, or derivatives while in office. Second, it slams the 'revolving door' by significantly extending the time former politicians must wait before they can return to the Capitol as paid lobbyists. Finally, it kills the automatic 'cost-of-living' pay raises that members currently receive, forcing them to go on the record and vote publicly if they want a salary bump. These changes are designed to roll out over the next few years, primarily taking full effect by the start of the 120th Congress.

Putting the Ticker on Ice

Under the 'Prohibit Insider Trading Act' section, the rules get very personal for lawmakers' portfolios. If you're a Member of Congress or married to one, you can no longer bet on individual companies like Apple or Exxon. The bill (Section 102) defines 'covered financial instruments' broadly, including stocks, futures, and even complex options. While they can still invest in broad, diversified mutual funds or boring old Treasury bonds—the kind of stuff most office workers have in their 401(k)s—the days of picking winners and losers in industries they regulate are over. If they break these rules, they don't just get a slap on the wrist; they have to hand over any profits to the Treasury and lose the ability to deduct any losses on their taxes. Every year, they’ll have to sign a paper saying 'I’m following the rules,' which will be posted online for anyone to see.

Slowing the Revolving Door

For those who leave office looking to cash in on their connections, the 'Ban Members From Lobbying Act' (Title II) makes the transition a lot harder. Currently, a Senator only has to wait two years before they can start lobbying their old colleagues; this bill triples that to six years. For House members, the 'cooling-off' period jumps from one year to three. Imagine a construction foreman leaving a job and being told they can’t talk to their old crew about a new contract for six years—it’s a massive shift in how former officials can use their 'expertise.' The goal is to ensure that when a rep is voting on a bill today, they aren't doing it to secure a high-paying lobbying gig tomorrow.

No More Automatic Raises

Finally, the bill addresses the 'kitchen table' optics of congressional pay. Right now, lawmakers get automatic pay adjustments—basically a yearly raise—unless they specifically vote to stop it. Section 301 flips the script. It repeals the automatic formula entirely. Moving forward, if Congress wants more money, they have to write a bill, debate it, and vote on it in the light of day. This puts the burden of proof on the politicians to justify why they deserve a raise to a public that is often dealing with its own rising costs and stagnant wages. While this might seem like a small technicality, it removes a layer of bureaucratic insulation that has allowed congressional pay to climb without a direct, public vote for years.