; or (v) the government of a territory or possession of the United States. (8) The term gift — (A) has the meaning given that term in section 2635.203(b) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and (B) does not include those items excluded by sections 2635.204(b), (c), (e)(1), (e)(3), (j), (k), and (l) of such title 5. (9) The term Government official means any employee of the executive branch. (10) The term lobby and lobbied mean to act or have acted as a registered lobbyist. (11) The term participate means to participate personally and substantially. (12) The term pledge means the ethics pledge set forth in section 202 of this title. (13) The term post-employment restrictions includes the provisions and exceptions in section 207(c) of title 18, United States Code, and the implementing regulations. (14) The term registered lobbyist or lobbying organization means a lobbyist or an organization filing a registration pursuant to section 4(a) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1603(a) ), and in the case of an organization filing such a registration, registered lobbyist includes each of the lobbyists identified therein. (15) All references to provisions of law and regulations shall refer to such provisions as in effect on the date of enactment of this title. 202. Ethics pledge Each appointee in every executive agency appointed on or after the date of enactment of this title shall be required to sign an ethics pledge upon appointment. The pledge shall be signed and dated within 30 days of taking office and shall include, at a minimum, the following elements: As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a position invested with the public trust, I commit myself to the following obligations, which I understand are binding on me and are enforceable under law: (1) Lobbyist Gift Ban.—I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee. (2) Revolving Door Ban