AOC Joins Republicans in Push to Ban Congressional Stock Trading, Backs Bipartisan PELOSI Act

In an unexpected show of bipartisan cooperation, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) joined several Republican lawmakers this week in renewing calls to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, marking a rare moment of unity in an increasingly divided Capitol.

The event, held Wednesday, saw Ocasio-Cortez share a podium with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who greeted her with a fist bump before she addressed the press. The message from both sides of the aisle was clear: public servants must prioritize the interests of the American people, not personal profit.

“Putting the Public First”

Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive positions, reflected on her early days in Congress and her shared concerns with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) over money in politics. “I remember one of the first conversations we had was about how deeply money influences decisions in Washington,” she said.

“This issue has brought so many of us together across party lines,” AOC continued. “We’re united by the belief that Americans should be able to trust that their representatives are working for them—not for their own stock portfolios.”

She emphasized that the effort to ban congressional stock trading isn’t about political theater, but about restoring trust in government. “This press conference shouldn’t even be facing out here,” she said. “The American people already support this. The real challenge is convincing our colleagues behind us to act.”

Building a Stronger Bill

AOC credited the unusual coalition of lawmakers for improving the proposed legislation. “In Washington, it’s rare that collaboration makes a bill stronger,” she noted. “But I truly believe that in combining our proposals, we’ve created a piece of legislation that is more effective and more powerful than any one of us could have written alone.”

Calling the process a reminder that Washington can work, she added, “It’s a strange feeling—seeing this place actually function the way it’s supposed to—but it’s proof that it’s possible.”

A Targeted Reform: The PELOSI Act

The legislation in question is the PELOSI Act — a bill named, pointedly, after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose family has come under scrutiny over the years due to lucrative stock trades made by her husband, Paul Pelosi. The couple’s net worth is estimated to exceed $245 million, with critics alleging that some of their financial gains were made through access to insider information, a charge Pelosi has repeatedly denied.

The bill, formally known as the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, seeks to prohibit members of Congress and their immediate family from buying or selling individual stocks while in office. The legislation is intended to eliminate the appearance—or reality—of conflicts of interest.

Supporters argue that lawmakers who have access to sensitive, non-public information related to industries, markets, or regulatory decisions should not be allowed to benefit financially from that access.

Critics and Defenders

Although the idea of banning congressional stock trading has gained significant public support, it has faced resistance within both parties. Some lawmakers argue that such a ban is unnecessary or unfair, suggesting that it restricts personal financial freedom. Others have proposed weaker alternatives, such as increased transparency or delayed disclosure requirements.

However, mounting public pressure and growing bipartisan support suggest momentum is shifting.

Rep. Burchett, one of the leading Republican voices behind the bill, praised the bipartisan effort and echoed AOC’s sentiments. “We’re here to clean up a mess that’s been festering for far too long,” he said. “The American people deserve to know that when we vote on legislation, it’s not to benefit our investment portfolios—it’s to serve them.”

AOC: “We Will Get This Done”

Ocasio-Cortez closed her remarks with a message of determination and optimism. “We are going to get this done,” she declared. “Yes, it means standing up to powerful interests. But with the support of the American people, we’ve built the momentum we need.”

She added that banning stock trading is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a necessary step toward rebuilding public trust in a system that too often feels rigged. “When we set aside our differences and work on what unites us, we can make this institution better and earn back the faith of the people who sent us here.”

The Road Ahead

The push for the PELOSI Act marks one of the most high-profile bipartisan reform efforts in recent years. While it remains to be seen whether congressional leadership will bring the bill to a vote, supporters from both sides are vowing to keep the pressure on.

If passed, the legislation could fundamentally reshape how lawmakers engage with financial markets, sending a clear message: serving the public and profiting from privileged access should never go hand in hand.

For now, the rare alliance between progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans on this issue is proof that even in an era of polarization, common ground still exists—especially when it comes to restoring faith in democracy.