Tester slamming revolving door shut

Senator’s bill permanently bans retired lawmakers from lobbying Congress

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester is introducing the Close the Revolving Door Act to permanently ban retired lawmakers from lobbying Congress.

Tester, a transparency and accountability leader, says the bill will go a long way to restore public trust in government.

“Too many Montanans think back room deals in Washington, D.C. run this country,” Tester said. “Slamming shut the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists will let folks know that Congress puts constituents first and will make government more accountable to the American people.”

Tester’s bill, which is co-sponsored by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, would also increase the ban on former staff lobbying Congressional staff from one year to six years and force lobbying firms to reveal more information about their activities.

Additionally, the bill creates a website, lobbyists.gov, to provide easily searchable information on lobbying activities.

Tester, a member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, also supported the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act). The law bans members of Congress and their employees from using knowledge gained from their Congressional work for personal financial benefit.

Tester is also the first member of the Senate to post his schedule online and the author of the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act that forces all U.S. Senate candidates to file their quarterly campaign finance reports electronically with the Federal Election Commission.

Summary of Tester’s Close the Revolving Door Act by les_braswell5524