A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act or the BLAST Act. It amends title 18, United States Code, and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. The legislation prohibits former Members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress at any time after leaving office. This ban applies to individuals who leave office on or after the date the Act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +8
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill implements a lifetime ban on former members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress.
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
By closing the revolving door for lawmakers, the bill enhances ethical standards and transparency in government relations.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal regulation and restrictions on former members of Congress.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ban on Former Members Lobbying: Under Section 2(a), the bill amends section 207(e) of title 18, United States Code, to stop former Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and elected officers from registering as lobbyists or knowingly communicating to influence Congress on behalf of anyone else after leaving office. This holds our elected officials accountable by preventing them from using their former positions to influence current lawmakers.
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Expanded Lobbyist Definition: Under Section 2(b), the bill updates the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to include any former Member of Congress who is employed or retained for compensation to make lobbying contacts or engage in lobbying activities. This ensures former officials cannot bypass the rules through paid consulting or other related work.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill implements a lifetime ban on former members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — By closing the revolving door for lawmakers, the bill enhances ethical standards and transparency in government relations. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal regulation and restrictions on former members of Congress.
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia