Bill > S2561

This bill, the "Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023," aims to provide greater controls and restrictions on revolving door lobbying. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing a lifetime ban on members of Congress from lobbying after leaving office, amending the existing law to prohibit any such communication or appearance before Congress. 2. Extending the "cooling-off" period for Congressional staff from 1 year to 6 years before they can engage in lobbying activities. 3. Requiring the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House to maintain a joint, easily searchable website called "lobbyists.gov" to improve the reporting and transparency of lobbyists' activities. 4. Prohibiting registered lobbyists or foreign agents from being hired by a member or committee of Congress with whom they have had substantial lobbying contact within the past 6 years, with a waiver option for compelling national needs. 5. Mandating substantial lobbying entities to report annually on their employment of former members of Congress, high-level Congressional staff, and other covered legislative branch officials. 6. Increasing the maximum civil penalty for violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act from $200,000 to $500,000.