Mark Kelly says his New Year’s resolution is to 'ban stock trading' for members of Congress

'It’s not right that lawmakers can buy and sell stocks while having access to information the public doesn’t,' Mark Kelly said
Mark Kelly posted a video of himself on X declaring his New Year's resolution, asserting that it is 'not right' for elected officials to profit from the stock market (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Mark Kelly posted a video of himself on X declaring his New Year's resolution, asserting that it is 'not right' for elected officials to profit from the stock market (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly on Tuesday, December 30, shared that his New Year’s resolution for 2026 is to seek a total ban on stock trading for all members of Congress.

Kelly emphasized that public servants should not utilize non-public information for personal financial gain while stating, "it’s not right that lawmakers can buy and sell stocks while having access to information the public doesn’t."

Mark Kelly shares his New Year's resolution on X

In a video shared on X, Kelly addressed the concern over members of Congress trading stocks.

While he admitted that he is generally not one for holiday pledges, he noted that his wife, former Representative Gabby Giffords, typically plans for them.

This year, however, Kelly felt compelled to commit to a cause he has championed throughout his tenure. 

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 09: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), campaign for Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 9, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Vice President Harris continue to campaign for the presidential election after she announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Sen Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and his wife, former Rep Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), campaign for former Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 9, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Arizona senator pushes for congressional stock trading ban

In a video, Kelly highlighted his own financial practices, noting that he is one of the few members to utilize a blind trust.

He started, "Hey folks, let's talk about these New Year's resolutions. Never really been that big into them. My wife Gabby, though, you know, this is something she plans for every year. But I got one this year and I think it's pretty important.”

“You know my New Year's resolution is going to be to finally get stock trading banned from Congress. Why is it that members of Congress get to use the information they have from having this job and trade stocks?” the Democrat noted. 

He also asserted, “It's ridiculous. American people don't get that. It's not right. For that reason, I don't trade stocks. I've got all my assets in a blind trust here. I'm one of the few people that do that. But we need really need to ban stock trading. It is a problem that has been going on way too long." 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) speaks at a press conference outside the Arizona State Capitol on November 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Jack McCain, son of the late Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, and other state Republicans announced their support for Kelly with one day to go before election day. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Sen Mark Kelly (D-AZ) speaks at a press conference outside the Arizona State Capitol on November 7, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Bipartisan bill aims to end unfair stock trading

Kelly's resolution serves as a renewed push for the "Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act," a piece of legislation he has previously introduced alongside Senator Jon Ossoff.

The proposal aims to require all members of Congress and their immediate families to sell off individual stocks or move them into a qualified blind trust.

He concluded his message by stating, "I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but here’s mine: ban stock trading for members of Congress. I don’t do it, and neither should anyone else. It’s not right that lawmakers can buy and sell stocks while having access to information the public doesn’t. This has gone on way too long."

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