A bill introduced by U.S. Representative Bill Posey hopes to curtail members of congress from becoming lobbyists.

The “End the Congressional Revolving Door Act,” H.R. §6424, would prohibit a former member of congress or former congressional employee, while employed as a lobbyist, from being eligible for certain federal benefits.

Those benefits are:

• The Civil Service Retirement System;

• The Federal Employees’ Retirement System;

• The Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program; and

• The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program.

The prohibition covers each month the individual is a compensated lobbyist.

In May, a similar bill was introduced by U.S. Representative Steve Israel. The “Congressional Double Dipping Pension Prevention Act,”  H.R. §5737, would prohibit a former member of congress receiving annual compensation exceeding $1,000,000 as a lobbyist from being eligible to concurrently receive federal retirement benefits for the period of time he or she is employed as a lobbyist and receiving such income.