Bill · H.R. 10199· House(119-HR-10199)
Sell Your Stocks or Step Down Act
- Introduced
- 8/31/2026
- Last activity
- 8/31/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Eugene Vindman
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Sell Your Stocks or Step Down Act" aims to amend title 5 of the United States Code to restrict financial activities for high-ranking officials. It prohibits the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, senior government officials, and their spouses or dependents from owning or trading certain investments. These restricted investments include stocks, digital assets, commodities, and prediction market contracts. The bill requires covered individuals to divest from these assets within thirty days of enactment or becoming a covered official. It also establishes strict financial penalties for those who fail to comply with these new rules.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill requires public disclosure of fines and the reasons for them on a public website.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+5
The bill directs penalties and disgorged profits to the Treasury specifically for deficit reduction.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill expands federal oversight regarding the personal financial holdings of high-ranking officials.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-5
The bill requires the disclosure of detailed financial records and brokerage statements to ethics offices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Divestiture Requirements: Covered individuals must sell their restricted investments at fair market value within thirty days of the act's enactment or upon becoming a covered official (Section 13152(b)). This creates a clear timeline for officials to align their finances with the new law.
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Penalty Enforcement for Non-Compliance: To ensure accountability, the bill mandates a daily fee of 10 percent of the fair market value of the un-divested portfolio, up to a limit of 50 percent (Section 13153(a)(1)).
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Prevention of Illegal Trading Profits: Officials who violate the rules must pay a fee equal to the value of the investment plus $10,000, and they must also give up any profits made from the transaction (Section 13153(b)).
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Public Transparency: Each supervising ethics office is required to publish descriptions of all fines assessed, the reasons for those fines, and the results of the assessments on a public website (Section 13153(f)).
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Revenue for the Treasury: Penalties and money taken from illegal trades are deposited into the general fund of the Treasury specifically for the purpose of deficit reduction (Section 13153(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden of Penalties: Individuals who fail to divest on time face significant daily fees that can total up to half of their investment's value (Section 13153(a)).
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Restrictions on Family Members: While there is an occupational exception, spouses and dependent children of many high-ranking officials are subject to the same ownership and trading prohibitions as the officials themselves (Section 13151(3)(F); Section 13152(a)).
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Strict Payment Restrictions for Congress: Members of Congress are specifically prohibited from using official allowances, personnel accounts, or campaign contributions to pay any penalties imposed by this act (Section 13153(d)(2)).
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Risk of Civil Action: If a fee is not paid within 60 days, the matter can be referred to the Attorney General to bring a civil action in court to recover the money, including interest and legal costs (Section 13153(e)(3)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces National Debt+5Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Increases Federal Power+4Improves Privacy Rights-5
- 8/31/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House