South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson pushing to pass TRUST in Congress Act

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson wants more transparency in Congress.

Now, he’s pushing to pass the TRUST in Congress Act when lawmakers return to D.C in September.

Johnson said members of Congress should not be buying and selling stock.

He tells us this legislation, which was first introduced in 2023, would ensure they are playing by fair rules. It would require members to put specific investments into a qualified blind trust until 180 days after the end of a lawmaker’s tenure.

The act also applies to their spouses and dependent children.

“In the last seven years, I have not bought or sold any stock,” said Johnson. “I think it looks terrible when members of Congress are doing it. When members of Congress make a big trade on Thursday, only to vote on a related bill on Friday, that’s not insider trading, that’s already illegal.”

Johnson said he hopes, if the bill passes, it would increase the confidence and trust people have in Congress.