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Trustee Archive
The revolving door in politics refers to the movement of personnel from the private sector to the public sector and vice versa. Corporations and special interest groups often hire former government legislators, regulators and employees to lobby government officials, influence legislation and regulation, and secure government contracts. Government agencies often hire industry employees for their private sector experience and influence in that industry, and for political favors including donations and endorsements. Critics claim these relationships often lead to conflicts of interest which result in regulatory capture - where a government agency acts in a way that benefits a corporation or industry rather than the public it is charged to protect.
Federal ethics rules prohibit former Senators from lobbying for 2 years after leaving office, and for one year after a Member of the House leaves office. However, recent studies have shown that due to loopholes in this rule, nearly two-thirds of recently retired or defeated U.S. lawmakers from the 115th Congress (2017-2018) have landed jobs influencing federal policy. Advocates claim this finding provides more evidence that members of Congress continue to spin through Washington’s revolving door at astounding rates. Critics claim this revolving door has resulted in lax enforcement of financial institutions by the Securities and Exchange Commission, among others.
Pending Legislation: S.2561 - Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023
Sponsor: Sen. John Tester (MT)
Status: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Chair: Sen. Gary Peters (MI) |
- I oppose reforming current political revolving door policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader Charles Schumer (NY).
- I support increasing restrictions on lobbying and penalties for violations of such restrictions by:
1.) Imposing a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives from lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any employee of any other legislative office.
2.) Extending the lobbying ban from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices.
3.) Requiring a substantial lobbying entity to file annual lists with Congress of former Members of Congress and certain highly paid legislative branch officials who provide paid consulting services to the lobbying entity.
4.) Increasing the civil penalty for violations of disclosure or reporting requirements.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Gary Peters (MI) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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| Winning Option
»» No issues were voted |
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I support increasing restrictions on lobbying and penalties for violations of such restrictions by:
1.) Imposing a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives from lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any employee of any other legislative office.
2.) Extending the lobbying ban from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices.
3.) Requiring a substantial lobbying entity to file annual lists with Congress of former Members of Congress and certain highly paid legislative branch officials who provide paid consulting services to the lobbying entity.
4.) Increasing the civil penalty for violations of disclosure or reporting requirements.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Gary Peters (MI) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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- Senator
If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Sen. Gary Peters (MI) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider passing S.2561 - Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023.
- Public Citizen
If elected as a trustee, Public Citizen will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for eliminating the political revolving door policy which often results in regulatory capture.
About: Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. We defend democracy, resist corporate power and work to ensure that government works for the people – not for big corporations. We mobilize activists to grow democratic movements, watchdog Congress, sue the government when it fails to do its job, petition regulatory agencies to safeguard the public and engage in cutting-edge research that effects change. Founded in 1971, we now have 500,000 members and supporters throughout the country.
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- No trustee votes received.
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| Poll Opening Date |
November 13, 2023 |
| Poll Closing Date |
November 19, 2023 |
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