Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act

Summary

Prohibits covered federal officials and certain family members from owning or trading a broad set of investments and requires divestiture within 90 days in many cases. It also sharply restricts outside paid income and compensated board service for Members of Congress and other covered officers, and imposes a lifetime ban on post‑employment lobbying by former Members of Congress with strengthened limits on work for foreign principals. The bill creates new enforcement tools and penalties (including monthly salary‑level fines for high‑level officials), requires public posting of violators, updates a tax provision related to divestiture certificates, and phases in some post‑employment lobbying restrictions for departures on or after early January 2027 (or sooner if the first session of the 120th Congress adjourns earlier).

• Bans covered federal officials and many family members from owning or trading most securities, commodities, digital assets, and similar interests.
• Requires divestiture within 90 days in many situations and adds public posting of individuals found in violation.
• Imposes steep penalties, including a monthly fine equal to salary for high‑level officials and Members’ family members, for ongoing violations.
• Imposes a near‑total ban on outside paid income and paid board service for Members of Congress and many covered officers, with only narrow exceptions.
• Creates a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress engaging in lobbying contacts or lobbying activities with Executive Branch officials or Congress.
• Tightens post‑service rules regarding work for foreign governments, foreign political parties, or other foreign principals.
• Amends the tax code to include covered officials in certificate‑of‑divestiture rules and expands who may issue those certificates.
• Requires ethics offices to enforce new divestiture, reporting, and penalty provisions, increasing administrative responsibilities.