Scott and Warren Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Ban Former Lawmakers from Lobbying

Sens. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, and Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, have introduced a bipartisan bill to permanently bar former lawmakers and congressional officers from lobbying.

The measure, called the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act or BLAST Act, would impose a lifetime prohibition.

When politicians use their time in public office to cash in after they leave government, the American people lose, Scott said in a statement. Trust in our institutions is at an all-time low, and the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street is a big part of that. We need to restore the American people’s trust in their government, and that’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to put government clearly back on the side of the people.

Our founders never intended public service to become a training ground for a lifetime of lobbying. Senator Warren and I are working to end this practice once and for all, he added.

The proposal goes further than current law, according to Warren's office. Under current law, former members of Congress are allowed to lobby their former colleagues in Congress after a cooling off period — one year for former members of the House of Representatives and two years for former senators.

It’s simple: Members of Congress should spend their time in Washington serving the American people, not preparing to cash in big time with a cushy lobbying career after they leave office, Warren said in a statement. It’s long past time to close the revolving door that’s corrupted our government and destroyed public trust in elected officials. This bipartisan bill is an important push to get that done.