SERVE Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
What this bill does
H.R. 9822, the SERVE Act, would extend the "cooling-off" period during which former members of Congress are barred from lobbying their former colleagues. Under current law, former senators must wait two years before lobbying Congress, and former House members and officers must wait one year; this bill would extend both waiting periods to ten years. It also creates a new restriction, separate from existing lobbying law, barring former members of Congress from accepting compensation as a federal contractor for ten years after leaving office, using the federal contractor definition found in federal acquisition regulations.
The bill directly affects current and future members of the House and Senate, since the new restrictions would apply to anyone who leaves office on or after the law's enactment date; it would not apply retroactively to those who have already left office. It would also indirectly affect organizations, businesses, and lobbying firms that might otherwise seek to hire former members for lobbying or federal contracting work during that ten-year window.
The bill was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Tony Wied, and has been referred to the House Committee on House Administration and the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, a floor vote, or Senate consideration, and its eventual enactment would depend on further legislative action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
21 Jul 2026
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9822 do?
- H.R. 9822, the SERVE Act, would extend the "cooling-off" period during which former members of Congress are barred from lobbying their former colleagues. Under current law, former senators must wait two years before lobbying Congress, and former House members and officers must wait one year; this bill would extend both waiting periods to ten years. It also creates a new restriction, separate from existing lobbying law, barring former members of Congress from accepting compensation as a federal contractor for ten years after leaving office, using the federal contractor definition found in federal acquisition regulations. The bill directly affects current and future members of the House and Senate, since the new restrictions would apply to anyone who leaves office on or after the law's enactment date; it would not apply retroactively to those who have already left office. It would also indirectly affect organizations, businesses, and lobbying firms that might otherwise seek to hire former members for lobbying or federal contracting work during that ten-year window. The bill was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Tony Wied, and has been referred to the House Committee on House Administration and the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, a floor vote, or Senate consideration, and its eventual enactment would depend on further legislative action.
- Has H.R. 9822 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9822. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9822?
- H.R. 9822 was sponsored by Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8] (R-WI), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9822?
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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. (21 Jul 2026).
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