Contact Congress about H.R. 5069: To amend title 5, United States Code, to require Federal political appointees to sign a binding ethics pledge, and for other purposes
Senior federal political appointees would have to sign an ethics pledge before serving. The pledge would limit lobbyist gifts, conflicts tied to past work, and lobbying after leaving government.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
To amend title 5, United States Code, to require Federal political appointees to sign a binding ethics pledge, and for other purposes is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects senior political appointees in executive branch agencies. It also affects people who recently worked as lobbyists, had private clients, worked for employers with business before the government, or may want lobbying or foreign-related work after leaving office.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would make top political appointees follow the same written rules before, during, and after public service. It aims to slow the 'revolving door,' where people move between government jobs and lobbying or private work tied to government decisions. It could increase public trust, but it could also make some people less willing to take these jobs. The real effect would depend on how often officials grant waivers and how strongly the government enforces the pledge.
Key provisions in H.R. 5069
- The bill covers full-time senior political appointees in executive agencies. It includes the Executive Office of the President and some excepted service jobs, but not the Government Accountability Office or uniformed military officers.
- Former appointees could not lobby the agency they left for five years. The ban applies only to that specific executive agency.
- Former appointees could not lobby certain senior executive branch officials for the rest of the sitting President's term. This also covers noncareer Senior Executive Service appointees, who are high-level political managers.
- Former appointees could never represent a foreign government or foreign political party in certain advocacy work. The ban applies when that work would require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
- Appointees could not take gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying groups while they serve. Registered lobbyists are people formally listed as paid advocates under federal lobbying law.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5069
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 5069
- What is H.R. 5069?
- Senior federal political appointees would have to sign an ethics pledge before serving. The pledge would limit lobbyist gifts, conflicts tied to past work, and lobbying after leaving government.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 5069?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 5069?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5069 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
