H.R. 783House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Lobbyist Loophole Closure Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:59 AM UTC

The Lobbyist Loophole Closure Act expands the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 so that people who are paid to give legislative, political, or strategic advice are counted as lobbyists. Their work is now considered part of lobbying activity, and they are treated as having made the same lobbying contacts as the client who directly contacts a government official. The changes take effect for any lobbying contacts that occur after the law is passed.

Key Provisions

Changes the definition of lobbying activity to cover any efforts, including legislative, political, and strategic counseling services, research, and background work.
Treats individuals who are paid to provide those counseling services as having made the same lobbying contact as the person who actually contacts the official.
Applies these rules to lobbying contacts made on or after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

March 5, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 24, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 24, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

March 5, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 24, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 783

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 24, 2019

Mr. Rose of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to expand the scope of individuals and activities which are subject to the requirements of such Act.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lobbyist Loophole Closure Act.

Expanding scope of individuals and activities subject to requirements of Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

(a)

Coverage of individuals providing legislative, political, and strategic counseling services

(1)

Treatment of legislative, political, and strategic counseling services in support of lobbying contacts as lobbying activity

Section 3(7) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602(7)) is amended—

(A)

by striking efforts and inserting any efforts; and

(B)

by striking research and other background work and inserting the following: legislative, political, and strategic counseling services, research, and other background work.

(2)

Treatment of lobbying contact made with support of legislative, political, and strategic counseling services as lobbying contact made by individual providing services

Section 3(8) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1602(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Treatment of providers of legislative, political, and strategic counseling services

Any individual who for financial or other compensation provides legislative, political, and strategic counseling services which are treated as lobbying activity under paragraph (7), and which are used in support of a lobbying contact under this paragraph which is made by another individual, shall be considered to have made the same lobbying contact at the same time and in the same manner to the covered executive branch official or covered legislative branch official involved.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to lobbying contacts made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.