Republican Warns Against The ‘Pelosi Act’
Washington, D.C. – Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) is calling out what he says is a deeply flawed proposal disguised as reform. The so-called “PELOSI Act” may sound like it’s about accountability, but Johnson says it’s just another Washington trick that helps entrenched elites while pushing real-world business leaders out of public service.
“It’s legislative demagoguery,” Johnson warned in a recent interview. “This bill protects career politicians—not the American people.”
What Is the PELOSI Act?
The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, known as the PELOSI Act, aims to ban members of Congress and their spouses from owning individual stocks while in office. They’d be limited to mutual funds, ETFs, and Treasury bonds.
While it’s branded as a measure to stop insider trading and rebuild trust, it’s named after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband has made headlines for his highly lucrative stock deals—often perfectly timed around congressional action.
Johnson: This Isn’t Reform—It’s Protection for Washington Insiders
Sen. Johnson warned that the bill would have serious unintended consequences, especially for Americans who want successful private-sector leaders in office instead of lifelong politicians.
“I sold off all my marketable securities when I ran in 2010,” Johnson said. “I’ve been sitting on cash and taking losses ever since. But we already passed the STOCK Act, which provides transparency.”
He emphasized that Republicans are held to a much higher media standard, with every financial move scrutinized. The real issue, he says, is not transparency—but a growing effort to punish people who actually understand the economy.
PELOSI Act Could Discourage Real Leaders From Serving
One of Johnson’s major concerns is the bill’s requirement to divest private businesses, something he believes will prevent patriotic business owners, job creators, and economic experts from entering public office.
“This would discourage exactly the kind of Americans we need running for office—people who know how harmful government red tape is to the private sector,” Johnson said.
He labeled the bill a “Career Politician Protection Act,” suggesting it will lock out successful Americans while insulating longtime D.C. power players.
Hawley’s Lone GOP Support Raises Eyebrows
Ironically, the bill was introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and passed through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with only Hawley’s GOP support.
The rest of the Republican senators, including Johnson, rejected it as unnecessary and counterproductive.
“It’s a completely unnecessary piece of legislation,” Johnson said. “We should be encouraging—not punishing—those with real-world experience.”
Why It Matters: The War on the Private Sector Continues
For older Americans who worked hard, built businesses, and lived through the rise of big government, Johnson’s warning strikes a chord.
The PELOSI Act, critics say, is another attempt by Washington elites to shrink the talent pool and consolidate power among those who’ve made a career out of politics—many of whom are already worth millions on a government salary.
If passed, it could mean fewer outsiders, fewer job creators, and fewer citizen-leaders willing to take on the bloated D.C. machine.
Bottom Line
Senator Ron Johnson is sounding the alarm: the PELOSI Act may have a catchy name, but its consequences are real. At a time when Americans are demanding transparency, accountability, and real leadership, this bill could make Washington even more out of touch.
