But Sasse suggested that the biggest change could be the lifetime lobbying ban for members of Congress.

The standard move from Capitol Hill to K Street is the kind of nasty swampiness that makes people sick, he said. And it gives lawmakers an incentive to keep one eye on future lobbying contacts while in office. Former lawmakers could still share their thoughts with Congress, of course. They just couldn’t be paid for doing so.

Sasse said he’s open to additional measures, such as requiring members of Congress to share their tax returns.

“I am fully in favor of lots more disclosure for everybody who has a position of public trust,” Sasse said.

He said he’s encouraged by the number of colleagues from both parties who have expressed interest in the proposal, but he also said it will probably take public pressure to advance it.

Sasse purchased a Capitol Hill town house last year that he rents out on a short-term basis.

Asked whether he has any prohibitions on who can rent from him, Sasse deferred to his spokesman James Wegmann, who provided the following written statement.

“Ben and Melissa purchased the house to try to make sure he can have weeknight dinners with his kids a few more times each year, and any part-time rental income during times when the family is away will obviously be appropriately reported on the Senator’s regular annual disclosure.”

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