18 U.S.C. § 432 — Officer or employee contracting with Member of Congress

This law applies to any officer or employee of the United States. It says that person cannot make or enter into any contract, bargain, or agreement on behalf of the United States or a federal agency with a Member of Congress. It also covers a Delegate to Congress or a Resident Commissioner. The rule applies whether the person makes the deal "directly or indirectly." It doesn't matter whether the Member of Congress had officially "qualified" for office yet - the ban applies either before or after that happens. Anyone who violates this section "shall be fined under this title," meaning a court can order a fine as set out elsewhere in this title of the U.S. Code.