Overview
Title
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide that the period during which a former Member of Congress is prohibited from lobbying shall begin upon the expiration of the term for which the Member was elected.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 7969 is a bill that says when people finish being members of Congress, they have to wait a while before they can start being lobbyists. The wait time will start after the time they were supposed to serve is over, not when they actually stop working.
Summary AI
H.R. 7969, known as the "Don’t Quit to Lobby Act," proposes changes to the rules about when former Members of Congress can start lobbying. Currently, former Senators must wait two years after leaving office, and House Members must wait one year. This bill suggests that the waiting period should instead begin after the end of the term for which they were elected or appointed, not when they quit or leave office. This change will apply to those leaving office after the bill becomes law.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the “Don’t Quit to Lobby Act,” aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code regarding when former Members of Congress are permitted to start lobbying activities after leaving office. Specifically, this bill seeks to change the timing of this prohibition period so that it begins after the expiration of the term to which the Member was elected, rather than from the day they leave office. For Senators, the prohibition would begin two years after their term expires, whereas, for Members of the House of Representatives, this period would start one year after their term expires. The bill would apply to those who leave office on or after the date the Act is enacted.
Summary of Significant Issues
A key issue raised by the bill pertains to its language, which may be too complex or technical for the general population to understand easily. Terms such as "the expiration of the term for which the person was elected or appointed" could benefit from simplification to enhance public comprehension.
Additionally, there is a potential ambiguity in how the lobbying restriction period is applied to individuals who are already serving at the time of the Act's enactment. This ambiguity could lead to discrepancies in interpretation, affecting legal clarity and the perceived ethical framework of the bill.
Impact on the Public Broadly
Broadly, this bill could enhance ethical standards in Congress by ensuring former Members are less likely to leverage their recent experience and connections in lobbying activities immediately upon leaving office. By structuring the lobbying ban to begin after the end of their full term, the legislation might discourage strategic resignations aimed at reducing the cooling-off period, potentially fostering greater trust in the political process.
However, the technical language of the bill may create a barrier to public understanding and engagement. Ensuring that citizens fully grasp such legislative measures is crucial for democratic participation and for holding elected officials accountable.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For current Members of Congress, this bill may alter career transition plans since they will need to account for a lobbying ban period starting after their full term expiry. While this change aims to strengthen ethical norms, Members might perceive it as an extension of their career limitation in politics.
On the positive side, the general public and advocacy groups may view this amendment as a step towards minimizing conflicts of interest and enhancing the integrity of legislative processes. By potentially reducing the influence of former lawmakers-turned-lobbyists, the bill might address public concerns about the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms.
In conclusion, while the bill aligns with efforts to enhance ethical governance, the language and implementation clarity require careful consideration to maximize understanding and ensure fair application among departing Members of Congress.
Issues
The potential for ambiguous application of the lobbying restriction period to current Members might impact both the legal clarity and ethical perception of the bill, particularly regarding its implementation timeline. (Section 2)
The language of the bill, especially the phrase 'the expiration of the term for which the person was elected or appointed', could be simplified for better public understanding and transparency, which is important for citizen engagement and comprehension of laws affecting political lobbying. (Section 2)
There are no explicit references to wasteful spending or financial favoritism within the bill. However, the procedural focus on lobbying restrictions is of public interest due to the potential ethical implications regarding former Members' influence and access. (Section 2)
The bill does not provide provisions for auditing financial impacts or addressing specific fiscal concerns directly, which might be seen as a gap in ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency. (Overall)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that the official name of the legislation is the “Don’t Quit to Lobby Act”.
2. Commencement of period during which former Members of Congress are prohibited from lobbying Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the rules for when former Members of Congress, including Senators and House Members, can start lobbying after leaving office. It specifies that the ban begins after their term expires, and these rules apply to those leaving office from the date the Act is enacted.