SENATORS PUSH BAN ON LAWMAKERS' PREDICTION MARKET TRADES

The bipartisan proposal targets trading activity on platforms that allow users to bet on political and geopolitical outcomes. Prediction markets have grown in prominence as tools for forecasting elections and major events, but lawmakers argue the platforms create conflicts of interest when government officials participate. The timing reflects heightened scrutiny of insider trading by public officials. The recent soldier case highlighted how access to classified or non-public information creates unfair advantages in prediction markets, where outcomes often depend on government decisions and military operations. The legislation would close a regulatory gap. While federal law restricts stock trading by lawmakers through the STOCK Act, prediction market activity remains largely unregulated. The bill would apply the same restrictions across both chambers of Congress and executive branch employees. No details on enforcement mechanisms or specific market platforms were immediately available. The proposal represents a rare bipartisan effort on financial regulation.