Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) announced a new bill today, named the “Ban Members from Becoming Lobbyists Act,” that would triple the length of the lobbying ban for Members of Congress. Under Rep. Nunn’s rule, the cooling off period between public service and lobbying would be lengthened from one to three years for Representatives and two to six years for Senators.
“I’ve put service over self my entire life – first in the Air Force, then at the Iowa Statehouse, and now in Congress. Public service is one of the greatest honors to be able to be a voice for the folks in Iowa,” said Rep. Nunn. “The bottom line is that Members of Congress should not be going to D.C. to enrich themselves. A longer ban between public service and lobbying will help ensure that Members are always acting in the best interest of their current employer—their constituents—instead of a potential future employer.”
Under current U.S. law, Members of the House of Representatives are banned from lobbying for one year after leaving office and Senators are banned from lobbying for two years. Nonetheless, lobbying is the single most popular post-Congress career choice with approximately two-thirds of former Members joining the lobbying industry. Rep. Nunn’s legislation would triple the length of this prohibition.
The full text of the bill can be read here.
