Congress Considers Lobby Reform Legislation Although federal law prohibits former members of Congress from lobbying former colleagues for a year from when they leave office, that hasn't stopped a number of members who lost their elections last November from joining lobbying firms, today's lead USA Today story reports. Nothing in the law prohibits former Congress members from advising lobbyists and clients, lobbying executive branch officials or directing a firm's congressional lobbying efforts. Last month, the Senate passed, S.1, a bill with a provision (Sec. 241) sponsored by Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) that would extend the lobbying ban to two years and prohibit ex-lawmakers from all lobbying-related activities during that time. A similar bill will be introduced in the House next week, a House Democratic spokesman says.