President Donald Trump urged Congress on Tuesday night to pass legislation banning stock trading by lawmakers, highlighting the issue during his State of the Union address and taking a direct shot at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Trump called for swift action on the Stop Insider Trading Act, declaring, “Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information. Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay!” The chamber erupted in bipartisan applause, a rare unified moment that surprised even the president, who remarked, “They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.”

He then pivoted to Pelosi, asking, “Did Nancy Pelosi stand up — if she’s here? Doubt it.” Sources indicated the California Democrat had indeed risen to applaud before the personal reference, which drew laughter and murmurs from the audience.

The Stop Insider Trading Act, H.R. 7008 in the 119th Congress, was introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis. It would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks and require advance public notice before any sales, building on the 2012 STOCK Act's disclosure requirements. The bill was reported out of the House Administration Committee as amended and placed on the Union Calendar on February 3.

Efforts to curb congressional stock trading have gained bipartisan traction over the past year. In July 2025, a Senate panel advanced a similar measure introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., amid revelations that over 120 members made thousands of trades. House Speaker Mike Johnson's version, however, has stalled without enough Republican support for a floor vote, prompting Democrats to pursue a discharge petition for a broader bill extending restrictions to the president and vice president.

Pelosi has faced scrutiny for years over her husband Paul Pelosi's stock trades, which critics have linked to her access to nonpublic information. Financial disclosures have shown significant gains, including reports of a $130 million windfall. Despite this, Pelosi endorsed a stock trading ban as far back as 2022 and, responding to Trump's remarks in a post-speech CNN interview, affirmed her support. “Look at your own self,” she said, adding that the measure now enjoys more backing than before and dismissing any impropriety in her family's trades.

Trump's endorsement aligns with his earlier statements that he would “absolutely” sign such a ban. The push comes as public pressure mounts over lawmakers' market activities, with Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren also standing in applause during the address.