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H.R. 8861119th CongressIn committeeLatest action May 15, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: Department of Justice Integrity Act of 2026
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
HR 8861 would bar DOJ attorneys from working for a business they prosecuted or made a deal with for one year after leaving government.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
HR 8861 adds a one-year waiting period preventing former Department of Justice attorneys from working for a business in the same legal matter they handled while in government. The restriction applies only when the attorney was directly and substantially involved in prosecuting that business or negotiating a special legal agreement with it. Violating this rule could result in criminal penalties.
The rule most directly affects former federal prosecutors and DOJ attorneys who move into private legal practice. Large companies facing federal prosecution are also affected, as the bill limits which attorneys they can hire for their defense.
Former government attorneys moving quickly to represent the same businesses they once prosecuted raises concern about conflicts of interest, which supporters of such rules cite as a reason for the restriction. Critics argue these rules can limit career opportunities for government lawyers.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.