DeSantis Introduces Drain the Swamp Act to Toughen Ethics Standards, Codify Trump-Endorsed Reforms

Press Release

Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06) has introduced the Drain the Swamp Act. This bill is modeled after the reforms called for by then-candidate Donald Trump and will toughen current bans on officials lobbying the government after their federal service. The bill will alter the incentives for government officials and slow the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street.

"President Trump has called for sweeping ethics reforms that will help 'drain the swamp' that is modern Washington,"? DeSantis said. "The Drain the Swamp Act answers this call and will dramatically improve incentives for members of Congress, congressional staffers, and executive branch officials. Although legal, the revolving door culture of Washington has led to a deluge of members of Congress and congressional staffers leaving government service for lucrative lobbying jobs on K Street. This contributes to the flourishing of the D.C. insider economy and exacerbates the extent to which Washington is out of touch with the concerns of taxpayers. I thank President Trump for taking the lead on reforming Washington and I hope we can pass this bill quickly."

The Drain the Swamp Act will:

Prohibit all currently covered executive and legislative branch officials and employees from, within five years after the termination of his or her service, knowingly attempting to influence the executive or legislative branches of the government of the United States.
Broaden the scope of the federal definition of "lobbying"? to include "consulting and advising."?
Require individuals that spend at least 10 percent of their time engaged in lobbying services over a three-month period to any one client to register as a lobbyist and disclose lobbying activities to Congress. Current law sets the threshold at 20 percent.
Prohibit covered senior executive officials from ever representing, aiding, or advising a foreign entity with the intent to influence the executive or legislative branches of the United States government.
Broaden the scope of the existing federal ban on foreign nationals contributing money to federal, state, or local elections; political parties; or electioneering communications to include a federal ban on foreign nationals from soliciting money for such contributions.

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