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Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023
3/6/2024, 4:36 PM
Summary of Bill S 2561
Under this legislation, government officials would be prohibited from accepting employment with a private company that they had direct oversight of for a period of five years after leaving their government position. This is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that government officials are working in the best interest of the public, rather than for personal gain.
Additionally, the bill requires government officials to disclose any job offers they receive from private companies within 30 days of leaving their government position. This is to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are brought to light and can be addressed appropriately. Overall, the Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023 seeks to promote integrity and accountability in government by limiting the influence of private companies on former government officials and preventing the revolving door between government and the private sector.
Congressional Summary of S 2561
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023
This bill increases restrictions on lobbying and penalties for violations of such restrictions.
Specifically, the bill imposes a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives from lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any employee of any other legislative office. (Currently, the ban applies for two years after a Senator leaves office and for one year after a Member of the House of Representatives leaves office.) The ban is extended from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff of Members, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices.
A registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal may not be hired for a six-year period by a Member of Congress or a congressional committee with whom they have had a substantial lobbying contact.
This bill also (1) requires a substantial lobbying entity (an incorporated entity that employs more than three registered lobbyists during a filing period) to file annual lists with Congress of former Members of Congress and certain highly paid legislative branch officials who provide paid consulting services to the lobbying entity, and (2) increases the civil penalty for violations of disclosure or reporting requirements.
