Sponsors (2)
The bill tightens ethics and transparency rules to reduce conflicts of interest and taxpayer costs, at the trade‑off of limiting lawmakers' post‑service earnings and private ties while adding enforcement/compliance burdens and some operational rigidity.
Current and former House members will face fewer conflicts of interest because the bill bans individual stock holdings, bars service on for‑profit boards, and tightens post‑employment lobbying restrictions.
The bill increases transparency and enforceability of ethics rules by creating clearer post‑employment standards, adding criminal penalties for prohibited lobbying conduct, and requiring 24‑hour public disclosure when leadership grants waivers.
Taxpayers are likely to pay less for official House travel because non‑coach airfare is generally disallowed and travel upgrade rules are clarified and standardized.
Current and former House members will face narrower employment options and lost income because they can no longer hold individual stocks, serve on for‑profit boards, or represent private clients before Congress.
The House may lose access to private‑sector expertise if Members must resign board positions, potentially reducing practical industry knowledge available for policymaking.
Coach‑only travel rules could restrict necessary non‑coach accommodations for Members or staff with medical or security needs, and may increase travel time or reduce scheduling efficiency.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Bars former Members from lobbying Congress, limits official air travel to coach, restricts former‑Member House perks, bans Members' stock ownership and board service, and ends automatic pay raises.
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Angela Craig · Last progress April 3, 2025
Prohibits former Members of Congress from lobbying or making appearances to influence current congressional officials on behalf of other persons, limits Members' airline travel to coach class for official travel, curbs access to many House-only perks for former Members, bans House Members from owning individual stocks and serving on for‑profit boards, and stops automatic annual pay adjustments for Members unless Congress acts. Several provisions take effect at different times (some on enactment, travel limits start in FY2026, and the stock/board bans take effect January 3, 2027).