H.R. 9130 – BLAST Act | Legislate.dev

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Updated June 5, 2026 at 8:31 AM UTC

The BLAST Act (Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act) would bar former members of Congress and elected officers from lobbying Congress after they leave office. It makes such lobbying activities a criminal offense and broadens the definition of lobbyist to cover former lawmakers hired to lobby for a client. The bill targets anyone who has served as a Senator, Representative, or elected officer of either chamber.

Key Provisions

Makes it a crime for any former Senator, Representative, or elected officer of Congress to register as a lobbyist or to knowingly try to influence members, officers, or staff of either House on behalf of a client after leaving office.
Expands the legal definition of “lobbyist” to specifically include former members of Congress who are paid to make lobbying contacts or to engage in lobbying activities, even if they don’t make direct contacts.
Updates related language in the criminal code and the Lobbying Disclosure Act for consistency, such as changing headings and removing outdated references.
Applies only to individuals who leave office on or after the law’s effective date.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

June 3, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 3, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

June 3, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 3, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9130

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 3, 2026

Mr. Moore of Alabama (for himself, Mr. Vindman, Ms. Perez, and Mr. Crane) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit former Members and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress at any time after leaving office.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act or the BLAST Act.

2.

Prohibiting former Members and officers of Congress from lobbying Congress

(a)

Prohibition

Section 207(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

Members and elected officers of Congress

Any person who is a Senator, a Member of the House of Representatives, or an elected officer of the Senate or the House of Representatives and who, after that person leaves office—

(A)

registers as a lobbyist under section 4 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603), or

(B)

knowingly makes, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before any Member, officer, or employee of either House of Congress or any employee of any other legislative office of Congress, on behalf of any other person (except the United States) in connection with any matter on which the former Senator, Member, or elected official seeks action by a Member, officer, or employee of either House of Congress, in his or her official capacity,

shall be punished as provided in section 216.

.

(b)

Lobbyist definition

Section 3(10) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602(10)) is amended—

(1)

by striking lobbyist means any and inserting “ ‘lobbyist’—

(A)

means any

;

(2)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)

includes any former Member of Congress who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation—

(i)

for services that include making 1 or more lobbying contacts; or

(ii)

to engage in lobbying activities that do not include making lobbying contacts.

.

(c)

Technical and conforming amendments

Section 207(e)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in the heading, by striking Officers and staff and inserting Staff;

(2)

by striking an elected officer of the Senate, or;

(3)

by striking office or; and

(4)

by striking former elected officer or.

(d)

Applicability

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to an individual who leaves office on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.