Lobbying registrants may seek to hire someone off the Hill with the connections and knowledge of particular issues to work with clients. However, depending on who the organization hires, there may be post-employment restrictions in play that may limit the amount of activity in which the former Hill employee may be involved.
Summary of House Post-Employment Restrictions
House Member
- May not lobby any Member, officer or employee of either house of Congress for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- Must file Notice of Negotiations with House Clerk if negotiating with a private entity
- Must file Notice of Negotiations and Notice of Recusal with House Ethics Committee if negotiating with a private entity
Elected Officer
- May not lobby any Member, officer or employee of either house of Congress for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- Must file Notice of Negotiations and Notice of Recusal with House Ethics Committee if negotiating with a private entity
Very Senior Staff
- May not lobby Member or employee of former personal office, leadership office or committee, whichever is applicable, for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- Must file Notice of Negotiations and Notice of Recusal with House Ethics Committee if negotiating with a private entity
Non-senior Staff
- No “cooling off” period Levitra; may lobby after leaving the Hill
- Not required to file anything with House Ethics Committee or House Clerk
Summary of Senate Post-Employment Restrictions
Senators
- May not lobby any Member, officer or employee of either house of Congress for two years
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for two years
- Must file Notice of Negotiations with the Secretary of the Senate
Elected Officers
- May not lobby any Member, officer or employee of the Senate for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- Must file Notice of Employment of Negotiations and Recusal with the Senate Ethics Committee
Senior Staff
- May not lobby any Senator or any Senate employee for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- Must file Notice of Employment Negotiations and Recusal with the Senate Ethics Committee
Non-senior Staff
- May not lobby former employing Senator for one year
- May not lobby former employing office employees or the employing committee Members/staff for one year
- If dual responsibilities during Senate employment (personal office and committee), may not lobby personal office or committee for one year
- May not assist any foreign government seeking official action from any official of the United States for one year
- No filing requirement to any Senate office
For more information or to purchase the Lobbying Compliance Handbook click here.
Tags: employment, House, post-employment restrictions, Senate, staff
