Tester backs bill to permanently ban former members of Congress from lobbying

Legislation builds on Senator’s office policy closing ‘revolving door’ on Capitol Hill

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – In an effort to continue cleaning up Washington, D.C., Senator Jon Tester is leading an effort to permanently bar former members of Congress from becoming registered lobbyists.

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.

Tester does not allow himself to be lobbied by former U.S. Senators with whom he has served, or by former staff members who become registered lobbyists.

“When Montanans sent me to the Senate, I imposed strict ethics rules on myself and my staff because Montanans expect open and honest government,” Tester said.  “It’s about time for all of Congress to make sure decisions are being made based on what’s right for our country, not based on who hires well-connected lobbyists.”

An outspoken supporter of transparency in government, Tester has implemented and maintains ethics policies stricter even than the Senate rules. 

Tester was also the first member of Congress to post his daily public schedule on his website and his first Senate vote was to reform the earmark process.

The Close the Revolving Door Act is available on Tester’s website HERE.