The U.S. Senate is advancing a bill to restrict insider trading, prohibiting officials from engaging in securities investments while in office.

According to information on the U.S. Congressional website, Bill S.1498, the "HONEST Act," was added to the Senate legislative agenda on December 10th and entered the next stage of consideration. The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Josh Hawley in April 2025, has passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has been submitted with amendments.

The core objective of this bill is to prevent insider trading and conflicts of interest among public officials. It proposes prohibiting members of Congress, the president, vice president, and certain senior federal officials from holding or trading financial assets that may pose a conflict of interest during their term of office, including stocks, derivatives, and futures. Exemptions are granted for Treasury bonds and broadly diversified funds. The bill also requires relevant personnel to dispose of restricted assets within a specified period and to make annual compliance disclosures. Violations will be subject to penalties such as fines or confiscation of proceeds.

This legislation is seen as a strengthening supplement to the existing STOCK Act, aiming to enhance government transparency and ethical standards, and respond to long-standing public concerns about members of Congress engaging in securities trading and potential insider trading.