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119-s-2132119th Congress

CLEAR Path Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Passed Senate

Summary

Would extend post‑employment bans on senior, Senate‑confirmed executive officials from representing foreign governments designated as "countries of concern". It would add notice rules, a congressional process to change that country list, a 30‑day grace for additions, and a five‑year sunset for new appointees.

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  • Senior appointees: Applies to people who served as a President‑appointed head, deputy head, or other Senate‑confirmed official and would prohibit knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a country of concern before U.S. executive or legislative officials when the intent is to influence official duties. Violations would be punishable under 18 U.S.C. §216.
  • List changes and timing: Lets the Secretary of State, with the Attorney General, propose adding or removing countries of concern. A change takes effect only if Congress passes a joint resolution in the required form. The bill provides a 30‑day grace period after a country is added and a sunset that ends these restrictions for new appointees five years after enactment, while preserving liability for conduct that occurred before the sunset.
  • Notice and overlap with State rules: Requires notice of these post‑employment limits at appointment and on separation. It also clarifies that Department of State country‑of‑concern rules do not apply to someone to the extent they are covered by the new post‑employment restrictions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Agencies must warn appointees about limits

Departments and agencies would have to give written notice of these post-employment limits. They would give the notice when the person is appointed by the President. They would also give it when the person leaves the job.

Ban on ex-officials working for foreign governments

If enacted, former executive branch officials in Senate-confirmed jobs (including heads and deputies) would face new limits. After they leave, they would be barred from representing, aiding, or advising a foreign government of a "country of concern" before U.S. executive or legislative officials to influence an official act. Licensed attorneys acting in a legal role would be excluded. The rule would apply only to appointments made on or after enactment. Starting five years after enactment, it would not apply to people appointed on or after that date. Actions taken before that date would still be covered. Violations would be punished under 18 U.S.C. 216.

How countries get added to the ban

The Secretary of State, after consulting the Attorney General, would be able to propose adding or removing countries on the "country of concern" list. The change would take effect only if Congress passes a joint resolution of approval in a set format. In the Senate, the resolution would go to the Foreign Relations Committee. In the House, it would go to the Judiciary Committee. When a country is added, the post-employment ban would start 30 days after the resolution’s enactment for people appointed on or after enactment. To avoid double rules, if a person is covered by the new 18 U.S.C. 207(m) limits for the same service, the State Department’s similar rule would not also apply.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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