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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 796 (115th)

Drain the Swamp Act of 2017

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 February 2017

Last action

2 March 2017 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Sponsors

Ron DeSantis, Todd Rokita, Greg Gianforte

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

11 August 2025

Summary

Drain the Swamp Act of 2017 This bill increases the ban on certain former executive branch officials, Members of Congress, and legislative staff within five years of termination of employment to knowingly make, with the intent to influence, any communication or appearance before an officer or employee of the executive branch, a Member of Congress or their staff, or any other legislative office on behalf of any other person (except the United States). The bill establishes penalties for such violations. The bill eliminates a similar two-year ban on certain senior executive branch officials. The bill creates a lifetime ban on certain senior personnel of the executive branch (including independent agencies) from representing, aiding, or advising foreign entities. The bill broadens the definition of lobbying activities in the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to also include consulting and advising. The bill amends the definition of lobbyist in the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to include individuals who spend at least 10% of their time engaged in lobbying services to one client in a 3-month period. The scope of prohibitions on foreign nationals is expanded to include soliciting a contribution or donation in connection with a federal, state, or local election; to a political party; or for an electioneering communication.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 February 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 February 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 1 February 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 1 February 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 2 March 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

View fileDownload file

Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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