Revolving Door
The movement of individuals between positions in government (Congress, executive agencies, military) and jobs in the private sector lobbying industry.
Understanding Revolving Door
The revolving door describes the career pathway where government officials leave public service to become lobbyists, and less commonly, where lobbyists move into government positions. Former members of Congress, congressional staffers, executive branch officials, and military officers often transition to lobbying roles where their policy expertise, institutional knowledge, and personal relationships with current officials make them valuable to clients seeking government influence. LDA filings require disclosure of "covered positions" -- prior government roles held by registered lobbyists. Data from Senate filings shows that thousands of active lobbyists have previously served in government.
Critics argue the revolving door creates conflicts of interest and gives wealthy organizations outsized access to policymakers. Supporters contend that former officials bring valuable expertise to the policy process. Federal law imposes cooling-off periods to limit the immediate transition: former senators face a two-year lobbying ban, former House members face a one-year ban, and senior executive branch officials face similar restrictions under 18 U.S.C. 207.
LobbySpend tracks revolving door connections as a key factor in its Influence Score calculations, weighting it at 30% of the total score.
Related Glossary Terms
Cooling-Off Period
A legally mandated waiting period after leaving government service during which former officials are restricted from lobbying their former colleagues or agencies.
Lobbyist
An individual who is employed or retained by a client to make lobbying contacts on behalf of that client and who spends at least 20% of their time on lobbying activities for that client.
Influence Score
LobbySpend's proprietary 0-100 metric that measures an organization's overall lobbying reach, graded A through F.
Registered Lobbyist
A lobbyist who has formally registered with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does revolving door mean?
The movement of individuals between positions in government (Congress, executive agencies, military) and jobs in the private sector lobbying industry.
Why is revolving door important in lobbying?
The revolving door describes the career pathway where government officials leave public service to become lobbyists, and less commonly, where lobbyists move into government positions. Former members of Congress, congressional staffers, executive branch officials, and military officers often transiti...