H.R. 8544 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8544 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 28, 2026Mrs. Hinson (for herself and Mr. Golden of Maine) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a 5-year post-employment ban on lobbying by former senior executive branch personnel and to prohibit such personnel from lobbying at any time on behalf of foreign governments or entities controlled by foreign governments, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting the Unbiased Role of Employees in the Executive Act or the PURE Executive Act. 2. 5-year post-employment ban on lobbying by former senior executive branch personnel (a) 5-Year ban Section 207 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking within 1 year after the termination and inserting within 5 years after the termination; and (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking within 2 years after the termination and inserting within 5 years after the termination. (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to any individual who, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, leaves a position to which subsection (c) or (d) of section 207 of title 18, United States Code, applies. 3. Lifetime ban on lobbying by former senior executive branch personnel on behalf of foreign governments or entities owned or controlled by foreign governments (a) Lifetime prohibition Section 207(f) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) Special rule for senior personnel of the executive branch and independent agencies In the case of an individual who is subject to the restrictions of subsection (c) or (d), the restrictions described in paragraph (1) shall apply to representing, aiding, or advising a foreign entity, or representing, aiding, or advising any entity which is subject to the direction, ownership, control, or influence of a foreign entity, at any time after the individual leaves a position to which such subsection applies. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to any individual who, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, leaves a position to which subsection (c) or (d) of section 207 of title 18, United States Code, applies.