S. 1498 · On the floor · Congress

Halting Ownership and Non-Ethical Stock Transactions (HONEST) Act

Sponsor: Josh Hawley (R-MO)

What it does

• Prohibit the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress (and their spouses and dependents) from owning, acquiring, or selling individual stocks and digital assets.
• Require covered officials to divest from prohibited investments within specified timeframes, with exceptions for diversified funds and Treasury securities.
• Impose civil penalties for violations of the prohibition on stock ownership and trading.
• Require ethics offices to publish searchable online records of divestiture notices, trust asset descriptions, and federal benefits received by covered officials.

Official summary

Halting Ownership and Non-Ethical Stock Transactions (HONEST) Act This bill generally prohibits the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress (and their spouses and dependents) from owning, acquiring, or selling certain investments, including individual stocks and digital assets. Violations are subject to specified civil penalties. Under the bill, covered officials and their spouses and dependents may not purchase or sell individual stocks, digital assets, or related financial instruments that are not diversified investment funds, Treasury securities, or certain other holdings. The bill also prohibits covered officials, their spouses, or their dependents from maintaining a qualified blind trust. The bill requires covered officials to divest from prohibited investments they, their spouse, or their dependent owns or controls. The bill establishes processes for divestment from qualified blind trusts and disposition of certain inherited investments. Violations are subject to specified civil penalties. Covered officials, their spouses, and their dependents are prohibited from controlling or purchasing prohibited investments until 90 days after the covered official ceases to…

Latest action

Dec 10, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 294.

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs