Montana Sen. Jon Tester cosponsored legislation Monday that would permanently ban former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. The bill, which was written by Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., is unlikely to pass. It’s common practice for former lawmakers to join Washington D.C. lobbying firms after leaving Congress and for lobbyists to be hired as staffers for sitting congressman, which would require a waiting period under the proposal.
From Tester’s office:
Tester is cosponsoring the Close the Revolving Door Act. In addition to banning former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, the measure would increase the “cooling off” period to six years before former Congressional staffers could register as lobbyists. Staffers currently must wait one year.
The legislation also prevents a registered lobbyist from being hired by any member of Congress or committee they have lobbied for at least six years.