As a practical matter, it should be possible for much of the permissible gift activity that took place prior to the new legislation to continue if the activity is properly structured to fall within one of the various significant exceptions to the gift ban. Many events, for example, can be structured as widely attended events or as permissible receptions. Lunch and dinner events, which may not qualify under these exceptions, could nonetheless be structured as political fundraisers that are exempt from the gift rules. And in appropriate, albeit narrow, circumstances, the “personal friendship” exception may apply to lunches and dinners with Members and staff.
Apart from the signficant changes to the travel rules, what will change under the new legislation is not so much the substance of the gift rules themselves but rather the rigor with which they will need to be adhered to.

Kelner notes that under the Republicans’ leadership, lobbying “rules” were rarely if ever enforced. We’ll see if Democrats do a better job on this.