BLAST Act

Rick Scott

Republican · FL · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)Original· 2026-05-13

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-05-13

Source: Congress.gov

Former members of Congress and other elected federal officers would be permanently banned from working as lobbyists trying to influence Congress after they leave office. The ban would apply to anyone who previously served in Congress or held an elected federal position, preventing them from using their insider connections and relationships to advocate for clients' interests on Capitol Hill. This would affect former politicians who might otherwise transition to lobbying careers after their time in elected office ends.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4524 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4524 To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit former Members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress at any time after leaving office. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 13, 2026 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Ms. Warren) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit former Members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress at any time after leaving office. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act'' or the ``BLAST Act''. SEC. 2. PROHIBITING FORMER MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF CONGRESS FROM LOBBYING CONGRESS. (a) Prohibition.--Section 207(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: ``(1) Members and elected officers of congress.--Any person who is a Senator, a Member of the House of Representatives, or an elected officer of the Senate or the House of Representatives and who, after that person leaves office-- ``(A) registers as a lobbyist under section 4 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603), or ``(B) knowingly makes, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before any Member, officer, or employee of either House of Congress or any employee of any other legislative office of Congress, on behalf of any other person (except the United States) in connection with any matter on which the former Senator, Member, or elected official seeks action by a Member, officer, or employee of either House of Congress, in his or her official capacity, shall be punished as provided in section 216.''. (b) Lobbyist Definition.--Section 3(10) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602(10)) is amended-- (1) by striking ```lobbyist' means any'' and inserting ```lobbyist'-- ``(A) means any''; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) includes any former Member of Congress who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation-- ``(i) for services that include making 1 or more lobbying contacts; or ``(ii) to engage in lobbying activities that do not include making lobbying contacts.''. (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 207(e)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in the heading, by striking ``Officers and staff'' and inserting ``Staff''; (2) by striking ``an elected officer of the Senate, or''; (3) by striking ``office or''; and (4) by striking ``former elected officer or''. (d) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to an individual who leaves office on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. <all>

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