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This policy brief is the second in a series investigating potential legislative initiatives in the 120th Congress, which will take office in January 2027. It focuses on proposals to end stock trading by elected officials.

Over the last several months, the price Americans pay for gasoline and other fuels has increased significantly. In this brief, we describe these price changes as a first step in understanding their causes and consequences. We also pose questions that we will address in future briefs on this subject.

In November 2026, the U.S. will hold midterm congressional elections. Potential outcomes range from a continued Republican unified government (control of the Presidency, House, and Senate) to a divided government in which President Trump faces Democratic majorities in the House and/or Senate. This brief considers how predictions have changed since our last update in April 2026.