Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act

# Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act (HR 253) - Summary **What the bill does:** This bill would prevent members of Congress and their immediate families from buying or selling individual stocks and similar non-diversified investments. Instead, lawmakers could only hold diversified funds (like mutual funds), U.S. Treasury bonds, or other approved investments. Anyone holding prohibited stocks would have 90 days to sell them or move them into a "blind trust"—a special account where a trustee manages the money without telling the owner what's in it. The bill also adds a financial penalty: if a violation occurs, any investment losses cannot be deducted from taxes. **Who it affects and key details:** This applies directly to all members of Congress, plus their spouses and dependent children.

The bill requires members to certify they're following the rules, with those certifications posted publicly online so voters can check compliance. The goal is to prevent lawmakers from making personal investment decisions based on privileged information they learn through their government work—a practice many view as a conflict of interest. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 253 in the 119th Congress), meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full House. It's sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and has bipartisan support, as indicated by its name.