CLEAR Path Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Passed Senate
Summary
The CLEAR Path Act would create extended post-employment restrictions for Senate-confirmed officials. It would bar those officials from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a "country of concern" before U.S. executive or legislative officers with intent to influence decisions, and it sets notice, timing, amendment, and penalty rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on former officials' foreign lobbying
This bill would set new post-employment limits for certain senior appointees. If you are appointed by the President to a Senate-confirmed executive job on or after enactment, you would be barred, after you leave, from representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a “country of concern” before U.S. executive or legislative officials to influence decisions. A licensed U.S. attorney giving legal advice would not count as “representing.” Violations would be punished as provided in 18 U.S.C. 216. The list of “countries of concern” would come from existing law, with one exception, and could change only if Congress approves a proposal from the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. For countries added later, this ban would start 30 days after the approval law is enacted. Your agency would also have to give you notice of these limits at appointment and when you leave.
Prevents duplicate post-employment rules
If enacted, the State Department rule would not also apply when the government-wide rule in 18 U.S.C. 207(m) already covers the same service. This would stop the same restriction from applying twice and would reduce confusion for people who held those jobs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Peter Welch
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