This legislation, titled the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act (BLAST Act), aims to prevent former Members and elected officers of Congress from engaging in lobbying activities directed at Congress at any point after their departure from office. It achieves this by amending title 18 of the United States Code, specifically prohibiting former Senators, House Members, and elected officers from registering as lobbyists or making any communication intended to influence Congress on behalf of another person. Furthermore, the bill modifies the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to explicitly include former Members of Congress who are employed or retained for lobbying contacts or activities within the definition of a "lobbyist." These prohibitions apply to individuals who leave office on or after the date of the Act's enactment, seeking to eliminate the "revolving door" between Congress and the lobbying industry.
This legislation, titled the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act (BLAST Act), aims to prevent former Members and elected officers of Congress from engaging in lobbying activities directed at Congress at any point after their departure from office. It achieves this by amending title 18 of the United States Code, specifically prohibiting former Senators, House Members, and elected officers from registering as lobbyists or making any communication intended to influence Congress on behalf of another person. Furthermore, the bill modifies the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to explicitly include former Members of Congress who are employed or retained for lobbying contacts or activities within the definition of a "lobbyist." These prohibitions apply to individuals who leave office on or after the date of the Act's enactment, seeking to eliminate the "revolving door" between Congress and the lobbying industry.