Retirement savings and congressional stock trades took center stage during President Donald Trump’s latest State of the Union address, where he tied the health of Americans’ 401(k) accounts to broader economic policy and called for new restrictions on lawmakers’ financial activity.
Speaking before Congress, Trump pointed to stock market performance as a measure of economic strength, arguing that rising markets directly benefit workers who rely on employer-sponsored retirement plans. He described 401(k) balances as a reflection of national prosperity and framed market gains as proof of his administration’s economic direction.
In the same address, Trump urged lawmakers to pass a ban on insider trading for members of Congress. He said elected officials should not be allowed to profit from nonpublic information obtained through their roles. The proposal comes amid years of bipartisan debate over whether sitting lawmakers should be permitted to trade individual stocks while in office.
Lawmakers from both parties have previously introduced bills aimed at tightening rules on congressional trading. The renewed push places retirement security and ethics reform side by side in a high-profile national forum.
