Bill · S. 1850· Senate(119-S-1850)
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025" seeks to increase controls and restrictions on revolving door lobbying. It implements a lifetime ban on Senators, House Members, and elected officers from lobbying Congress after they leave office. The bill extends the waiting period for congressional staff from one year to six years. It also prohibits registered lobbyists or foreign agents from being hired by a Member or committee they had substantial lobbying contact with for a six-year period. Furthermore, the act establishes a joint, searchable website called lobbyists.gov to improve the disclosure of lobbyist activities. Finally, it introduces new annual reporting requirements for substantial lobbying entities and increases certain penalties.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill mandates a searchable public database to increase transparency of lobbying activities.
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?+7
The bill implements strict lifetime and extended bans on lobbying to reduce undue influence.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands federal regulations and oversight of lobbying activities.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Lobbying entities face increased compliance costs and restrictions on hiring talent.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Former Officials: By establishing a lifetime ban on Senators, House Members, and elected officers from engaging in certain communications with Congress, the bill prevents former officials from using their influence on specific matters (Section 2).
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Extended Cooling-Off Periods for Staff: Increasing the waiting period for congressional staff from one year to six years creates a longer buffer between legislative service and lobbying (Section 3).
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Improved Transparency for the Public: The creation of a joint, easily searchable internet database called lobbyists.gov is intended to simplify the use of information regarding lobbyist disclosures (Section 4).
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Restrictions on Recent Lobbyists: The bill prevents registered lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal from being hired by a Member or committee they had substantial contact with for six years, which can be waived only for a compelling national need (Section 5).
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Enhanced Oversight of Lobbying Entities: Substantial lobbying entities must now file annual lists of specific employees or contractors, including job descriptions and work experience, which are provided to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to check for underreporting (Section 6).
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Increased Deterrence through Penalties: Increasing the penalty amount from $200,000 to $500,000 serves as a stricter punishment (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Employment Opportunities: Former registered lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal are prohibited from being hired by specific Members or committees for six years if they had substantial lobbying contact (Section 5).
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Potential for Waiver Uncertainty: While a waiver can be granted by the Select Committee on Ethics or the Committee on Ethics, it is only allowed based on a "compelling national need" (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+8Reduces Lobbying+7Increases Federal Power+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-3
- 5/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.