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US S1903

US S1903
Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to direct both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities, security-based swaps, or commodities for future delivery or swap by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or employee of Congress, (2) by reason of being a Member or employee of Congress, or (3) from other federal employees and derived from their federal employment. Makes it an element of the prohibited activity, also, that the Member or employee of Congress or the federal employee acted with the intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to use the information to buy or sell the securities of such publicly traded company based on such information. Amends the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate from disclosing material nonpublic information relating to any pending or prospective legislative action relating to any publicly-traded company or to any commodity if such person acts with intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to use the information to buy or sell the securities of that publicly traded company based on such information. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require formal disclosure of certain securities and commodities futures transactions to either the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to subject to its registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements, as well as requirements for identification of clients and covered legislative and executive officials, all political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants. Requires the Comptroller General to include political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants in its annual compliance audits and reports.

AI Summary

This bill, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, aims to prevent insider trading by individuals with access to nonpublic information related to legislative actions. It directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit the trading of securities, security-based swaps, or commodities by anyone possessing material nonpublic information obtained from a Member of Congress, a congressional employee, or other federal employees if that information was gained through their official duties and was not publicly available. Crucially, it requires that the person trading with this information must have acted with the intent to help someone else profit from it. The bill also amends the Senate's rules to prohibit its Members, officers, and employees from disclosing such information with the intent to assist another person in trading. Furthermore, it mandates that Members and certain legislative branch employees formally disclose their securities and commodities futures transactions exceeding $1,000 within 90 days. Finally, the legislation expands the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to include "political intelligence activities"—communications and related work intended to influence federal legislation or policy—under its registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements, and mandates that the Comptroller General audit these activities for compliance.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (30)

Last Action

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-344. (on 12/01/2011)

bill text


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