Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 would tighten and broaden rules governing the movement between government service and lobbying. The bill would impose a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress and elected congressional officers from lobbying, extend the cooling-off period for congressional staff to six years, and add new, stricter rules around how former lobbyists and foreign agents can work with Congress. It also creates a centralized, publicly accessible lobbying disclosures website (lobbyists.gov), expands reporting requirements for “substantial lobbying entities,” and raises penalties for lobbying disclosure violations. The overall aim is to reduce leverage gained from recent government service and to improve transparency about who moves between public office and private lobbying roles. The package would have wide-reaching effects on current and former lawmakers, staff, lobbyists, lobbying firms, and entities with government contacts. It would also increase enforcement opportunities and data availability for the public and law enforcement, potentially increasing compliance costs and altering how people and firms handle transitions between government roles and private lobbying work.
Key Points
- 1Lifetime ban on lobbying by former Members of Congress or elected officers: After leaving office, they may not knowingly communicate with or appear before Congress on behalf of private interests in matters they sought action on while in office, with penalties tied to existing criminal provisions.
- 2Six-year lobbying ban for congressional staff: Extends the cooling-off period from one year to six years for staff who move into lobbying, to limit immediate private-sector influence after government service.
- 3Prohibition on hiring certain lobbyists/foreign agents for conducting substantial lobbying contact: Within six years after leaving, registered lobbyists or agents of foreign principals may not be hired by a Member or committee if the person had substantial lobbying contact with them; waivers can be granted by ethics committees for compelling national needs.
- 4Expanded and centralized lobbying disclosures (lobbyists.gov): Adds a joint, user-friendly public database for disclosures, with funding (authorized $100,000 for FY2026) and an emphasis on ease of use and accessibility.
- 5New reporting requirements for substantial lobbying entities and higher penalties: Creates a new Section 6A requiring substantial lobbying entities to report high-level staff and contractors who were formerly government officials, including job descriptions and work history; data will be added to the public database and copies provided to the U.S. Attorney for DC to monitor underreporting; penalties for lobbying disclosure violations are increased (civil penalties up to $500,000).