Sector

Congress Trading Defense Stocks

Defense contractor stocks are among the most politically sensitive holdings in congressional portfolios. Members of the Armed Services Committees in both chambers vote directly on defense budgets, procurement programs, and contractor authorization — while simultaneously being permitted to hold and trade shares in those same contractors. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics appear regularly in STOCK Act filings.

6

Total disclosures

6

Members trading

33%

% purchases

Most traded defense tickers

GD

▲ 1▼ 3

HII

▲ 0▼ 1

RTX

▲ 1▼ 0

Recent defense disclosures

MemberTickerTypeAmount
DDwight Evans
GDSale$1,001 - $15,000
RBrian Babin
HIISale$15,001 - $50,000
DJared Moskowitz
GDPurchase$1,001 - $15,000
RMarkwayne Mullin
RTXPurchase$15,001 - $50,000
RJohn Boozman
GDSale (Partial)$1,001 - $15,000
RShelley Moore Capito
GDSale (Partial)$1,001 - $15,000
View all trades across all sectors →

Frequently asked questions

Which defense stocks appear most in congressional trades?

Lockheed Martin (LMT), Raytheon Technologies (RTX), Northrop Grumman (NOC), and General Dynamics (GD) are the most frequently disclosed defense contractor trades. Boeing (BA) appears often as well, though its classification spans commercial and defense.

Can Armed Services Committee members trade defense stocks?

Yes. Current law only requires disclosure, not divestiture. Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees may hold and trade shares in defense contractors while voting on defense appropriations and procurement. This is one of the most cited examples of structural conflict of interest in congressional trading.

Was Tommy Tuberville trading defense stocks during his military blockade?

Tuberville filed disclosures showing defense-related holdings during the period he held up more than 400 military promotions (August 2022 to December 2023). The overlap generated significant scrutiny. He has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Do defense stocks rise when geopolitical tensions increase?

Defense stocks have historically correlated with elevated geopolitical risk. Members of Congress with access to classified briefings about international threats are in a structurally advantageous position relative to the public — which is precisely why reform advocates argue for stricter trading restrictions for members with intelligence or Armed Services committee seats.