Rep. DeFazio Urges President-elect Trump to Endorse ‘DRAIN the SWAMP Act”

WASHINGTON—Rep. Peter DeFazio today sent a letter to President-elect Trump’s transition team urging the incoming president to endorse the DRAIN the SWAMP Act, legislation that would codify a ban on political appointees from lobbying for five years after they leave his administration.

The DRAIN the SWAMP Act (Deter Revolving-Door Appointments in Our Nation; Stop Washington Appointees from becoming Manipulative Petitioners), H.R. 6476, would require a five-year ban, barring anyone who serves as a political appointee from lobbying for five years after they leave the Executive Branch. The bill would also permanently bar any individual appointed to the Trump Administration from lobbying on behalf of a foreign government.

“The American people elected Mr. Trump with the expectation that he would bring a new way of doing business to Washington,’” Rep. DeFazio wrote in the letter. “His lobby ban is a good start, and I would like to assist in his efforts.  I am certain that if the president-elect endorsed my bill it would send a strong message to Congress that he takes the ethical standards of his administration seriously.  With the weight of his endorsement, the House and Senate could pass the bill and have it ready for his signature on his first day in office.”

Although the President-Elect’s transition team announced an intended ban on appointees becoming lobbyists for five years after they leave the White House, there is no penalty for violating the provision unless it is codified by Congress.

By law, current Administration appointees are barred from lobbying for two years after they leave the Executive Branch, with a penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a fine of $50,000. Under Rep. DeFazio’s bill, if either the five-year lobbying ban or lifetime ban on lobbying for foreign nations is violated, offenders face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

Rep. DeFazio introduced the DRAIN the SWAMP Act at the end of the 114th Congress, and plans to reintroduce the legislation when Congress reconvenes in January.

To read a copy of the letter, click here. To see Rep. DeFazio’s floor speech on the DRAIN the SWAMP Act, click here.