What This Bill Does
This bill changes federal law to make former members of Congress wait longer before they can work as lobbyists. The bill increases the waiting period (called a "post-employment ban") that stops ex-members from trying to influence Congress on behalf of other people or organizations.
Who It Affects
Former members of the Senate who leave office on or after this bill becomes law. Former members of the House of Representatives who leave office on or after this bill becomes law. Elected officers of the House of Representatives who leave office on or after this bill becomes law.
Key Provisions
- Former senators cannot work as lobbyists trying to influence members, officers, or employees of Congress for 6 years after leaving office (Sec. 2(a)(1))
- Former House members cannot make communications or appearances intended to influence members, officers, or employees of Congress on behalf of other people for 3 years after leaving office (Sec. 2(a)(2))
- Former elected officers of the House cannot make communications or appearances intended to influence House members, officers, or employees for 1 year after leaving office (Sec. 2(a)(2))
- Anyone who breaks these rules will be punished as stated in section 216 of federal law (Sec. 2(a)(2))
What Changes
The waiting period for former senators increases from 2 years to 6 years. The waiting period for former House members increases to 3 years. A new 1-year waiting period applies to former elected officers of the House.
Important Definitions
"Knowingly makes" means doing something on purpose or with awareness. "With the intent to influence" means doing something to try to change someone's decision or action.
Effective Date
The bill applies to anyone who leaves office on or after the date the bill becomes law (Sec. 2(b))
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 1601
To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the length of the post-
employment ban on lobbying of Members, officers, or employees of Con-
gress by former Members of Congress.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 14, 2023
Mr. NUNN of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the
length of the post-employment ban on lobbying of Mem-
bers, officers, or employees of Congress by former Mem-
bers of Congress.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ban Members from
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Becoming Lobbyists Act’’.
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SEC. 2. INCREASE IN LENGTH OF POST-EMPLOYMENT BAN
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ON LOBBYING OF CONGRESS BY FORMER
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MEMBERS.
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(a) LENGTH OF POST-EMPLOYMENT BAN.—
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(1) 6-YEAR
BAN
FOR
FORMER
SENATORS.—
5
Subparagraph (A) of section 207(e)(1) of title 18,
6
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘within
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2 years after that person leaves office’’ and inserting
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‘‘within 6 years after that person leaves office’’.
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(2) 3-YEAR
BAN
FOR
FORMER
MEMBERS
OF
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THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—Paragraph (1)
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of section 207(e) of such title is amended by striking
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subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
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‘‘(B) MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REP-
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RESENTATIVES.—Any person who is a Member
15
of the House of Representatives and who, with-
16
in 3 years after that person leaves office, know-
17
ingly makes, with the intent to influence, any
18
communication to or appearance before any
19
Member, officer, or employee of either House of
20
Congress and any employee of any other legisla-
21
tive office of the Congress, on behalf of any
22
other person (except the United States) in con-
23
nection with any matter on which such former
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Member seeks action by a Member, officer, or
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employee of either House of Congress, in his or
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•HR 1601 IH
her official capacity, shall be punished as pro-
1
vided in section 216 of this title.
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‘‘(C) OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF REP-
3
RESENTATIVES.—Any person who is an elected
4
officer of the House of Representatives and
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who, within 1 year after that person leaves of-
6
fice, knowingly makes, with the intent to influ-
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ence, any communication to or appearance be-
8
fore any Member, officer, or employee of the
9
House of Representatives, on behalf of any
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other person (except the United States) in con-
11
nection with any matter on which such former
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elected officer seeks action by a Member, offi-
13
cer, or employee of either House of Congress, in
14
his or her official capacity, shall be punished as
15
provided in section 216 of this title.’’.
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
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this section shall apply with respect to any individual who,
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on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, leaves
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an office to which section 207(e)(1) of title 18, United
20
States Code, applies.
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Æ
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