GOP Sen. Josh Hawley and Democrats vote to advance congressional stock trading ban

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri joined Senate Democrats to advance a bill banning members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks. Passed out of committee by an 8–7 vote, the legislation—now called the Honest Act—would give lawmakers 180 days to divest and require annual ethics certifications and biannual audits. Though Hawley introduced the bill, most Republicans on the committee opposed it, arguing blind trusts are sufficient. The bill’s future in the full Senate is uncertain, CBS News has reported. President Trump initially supported the concept but later criticized Hawley and the bill on social media.