BLAST Act

This bill would make it a federal crime for former Senators, House Members, and elected officers of Congress to lobby Congress at any time after they leave office. Under current law, this kind of restriction lasts only for a set period after leaving office. The ban would cover registering as a lobbyist and knowingly contacting or appearing before Members or congressional staff to seek official action on behalf of someone else. The bill would also count any former Member of Congress who is paid by a client to lobby, or to do lobbying activities, as a "lobbyist" under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The changes would apply only to people who leave office on or after the date the bill becomes law.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Rick Scott Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors