Guide · Updated Oct 17, 2026
What the STOCK Act requires
The STOCK Act of 2012 says members of Congress have to publicly report their stock trades. Each trade over $1,000 must be reported within 30 days of the member learning about it, and no later than 45 days after the trade. Since January 2025, members reported 12,160 trades under this law.
- Reporting threshold
- Over $1,000
- Deadline
- 45 days after the trade
- Usual late fee
- $200
- Trades reported since 2025
- 12,160
Who has to report
All 535 members of Congress, plus the delegates. They report trades in their own accounts and in their spouse’s and dependent children’s accounts. Senior congressional staff report too. In the executive branch, the President and Senate-confirmed officials file the same kind of report with the Office of Government Ethics. See their trades here.
What they have to report
Each purchase, sale or exchange of a stock, bond or similar investment worth more than $1,000. The report gives the date, the asset, the type of trade and a dollar range. It does not give the exact amount or the price.
When they have to report it
Within 30 days of learning about the trade, and never more than 45 days after it. The 30-day clock matters for trades made by a broker or a spouse that the member did not know about right away.
What happens when they miss the deadline
The House and Senate ethics rules set a $200 late fee for a late report. Late reports are common. Fines beyond that are rare.
What the law does not do
It does not ban members from owning or trading stocks, does not require blind trusts, and does not require exact dollar amounts. Trading a stock in an industry a member’s committee oversees is also legal. See trades tied to their committees.
Common questions
What is the STOCK Act?
The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012. It says members of Congress may not use information they learn on the job to trade, and requires them to report their trades publicly.
How long do members have to report a trade?
Within 30 days of being notified of the trade, and no later than 45 days after the trade date.
What happens if a member reports late?
The usual penalty is a $200 late fee. Ethics committees can take further action, but large penalties are rare.
Does the STOCK Act ban members from owning stocks?
No. Members can own and trade individual stocks. Several bills to ban stock trading by members have been introduced in Congress.
Does it cover executive branch officials?
Yes. The President, Vice President and Senate-confirmed officials report their trades on OGE Form 278-T.
More guides
Numbers on this page come from House and Senate trade reports and FEC filings and update daily.