As Speaker Mike Johnson prepares to reconvene the House following its shutdown recess, a storm of internal GOP conflicts looms on the horizon. At the forefront is a contentious debate over proposed legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from trading stocks.

Representative Chip Roy of Texas has made clear his intent to champion the bipartisan bill aimed at banning stock trading by legislators. In a recent interview, Roy disclosed plans to either persuade GOP leadership to schedule a vote upon the House's return or to circumvent Speaker Johnson by employing a discharge petition—a legislative tool that can force a vote if it garners sufficient support.

"We're going to have a vote on stock trading," Roy affirmed after a joint news conference with Johnson about the government shutdown. He emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue, stating, "When we get back, we got to have a conference discussion about this, or we're going to be moving forward." This statement references a discharge petition already initiated by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) on a related bill.

Roy, who serves on the House Rules Committee, noted that the Republican leadership is currently evaluating the timing for bringing the legislation to the floor during the upcoming November and December sessions. Despite some GOP leaders expressing reservations about the bill, Roy conveyed that there are ongoing discussions within the party about how to advance the legislation.

The push for a stock trading ban has met with mixed reactions within the GOP. While some members back the move as a step toward greater transparency and accountability, others oppose it, favoring less stringent restrictions. This division has created a challenge for Johnson's leadership, with some in his circle remaining skeptical about the feasibility of passing such a bill.

However, Johnson has reportedly committed in private conversations to address the issue, as shared by two Republicans who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Despite the internal disagreements, Roy senses a growing imperative to act. "I think there's going to still be this sort of give and take about how serious some of us are on a real ban as opposed to just some soft limits," he remarked. "So we've got to keep working on that."

As the House gears up for its return, all eyes will be on this brewing showdown, which could significantly impact the ethical landscape of Congress and the trust of the American public in their elected officials.