US Codex
Bill
Notes

Safeguarding Ethics and Restoring Voter Expectations Act

H.R. 9822 · 119th Congress · Jul 21, 2026 · Lineage

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit former Members of Congress from lobbying Members, officers, or employees of Congress, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Safeguarding Ethics and Restoring Voter Expectations Act” or the “SERVE Act”.

Sec. 2 Prohibition against lobbying of Congress by former Members

(a)
Senators— Section 207(e)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “within 2 years” and inserting “within 10 years” .
(b)
Members and Officers of the House of Representatives— Section 207(e)(1)(B)(i) of such title is amended by striking “within 1 year” and inserting “within 10 years”.
(c)
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to individuals who leave office on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 3 Prohibition against serving as Federal contractors by former Members

(a)
In general— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a Member of Congress may not accept compensation as a Federal contractor for the 10-year period that begins on the date that the Member leaves office.
(b)
Definitions— In this section—
(1)
the term Federal contractor has the meaning given that term under section 115.1 of title 11, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and
(2)
the term Member of Congress means any Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
(c)
Effective date— This section shall apply with respect to Members of Congress who leave office on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.