Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act

Ban and penalties for congressional trading

This bill would bar Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from certain trades. They would not be able to enter into or offer deals that pay off based on a government policy, government action, political outcome, or anything they learned from a Member's congressional service. Supervising ethics offices would have to publish guidance on unclear terms and could consider factors that raise or lower penalties. Violations would trigger a fee equal to the larger of $2,000 or 10% of the deal plus any net gain, and the fee could not be paid from certain office allowances or campaign donations. Collected fees would go to the U.S. Treasury and unpaid fees by former Members could be referred to the Justice Department. The rule would take effect 180 days after enactment.