On July 28, 2023, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) re-introduced a package of common-sense reforms that would help Congress better serve the American people. The bills would slow the revolving door between Government Officials and K Street by changing the incentive structure through tougher lobbying restrictions and terminating tax-payer funded pensions for members of Congress.
“Washington is broken. Unless we change the way this town works, the jerseys may change, but the results for the American people will be the same,” said Rep. Gallagher. “House Republicans have pushed back against the swamp by ending proxy voting and restoring accountability in Washington, and it’s time to build on this effort by changing the incentive structure for people serving at the highest levels of government. By ending taxpayer funded pensions for members of Congress and imposing strict lobbying requirements on members of Congress and high ranking government officials, these bills bring us one step closer to ensuring people in Washington are here to serve the American people, not the swamp.”
The package consists of two bills. The first, titled the Serve the People, not the Swamp Act, contains three Congressional reforms including establishing a 5-year ban on lobbying for Members of Congress and high-ranking executive branch officials, preventing Congress from going into recess without first adopting a balanced federal budget, and terminating taxpayer-funded pensions for Members of Congress. Click HERE to read bill text.
The second would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, to establish an ethics pledge for executive branch employees that would restrict them from lobbying within five years of their employment as an executive branch appointee. It would also prevent these individuals from ever lobbying on behalf of foreign governments. Click HERE for bill text.
Original source can be found here.
