YourVoice.Now Summary
Transparency & AccountabilityTop ex-federal officials would be barred from lobbying for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba
Transparency & Accountability
Top agency officials named by the President could never lobby or advise these governments to sway U.S. officials after leaving. The ban also covers firms and groups these governments own or control by more than a third.
The ban would no longer apply to anyone 5 years after the bill becomes law, unless Congress acts again. Violations that happened before then could still be charged.
Top State Department officials can't lobby for any foreign government for at least 3 years after they leave. That rule ends in 2027. State officials named after this bill would face only the new five-country ban.
More about this bill
Most people would see no change in daily life. The bill sets a new rule for top federal officials after they leave office. It covers anyone the President names to a Senate-confirmed job in an executive agency. After leaving, they could never lobby for the governments of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba. Helping or advising those governments to sway Congress or a federal agency would also be banned. Firms and groups those governments own or control by more than a third would count too. Breaking the rule would be a crime, with up to 1 year in prison, or 5 years if done on purpose. A civil fine of up to $50,000 per violation is also possible, or the amount paid for the work if higher. Lawyers giving legal advice would not be covered. The ban would cover only people appointed after the bill becomes law. It would stop applying 5 years after that date, though earlier violations could still be charged. Today, many senior officials face a similar ban for just 1 year after leaving. A broader rule now covers top State Department officials, and it ends in December 2027. It bans lobbying for any foreign government for at least 3 years, and it also lists Syria. State officials covered by the new ban would no longer fall under that broader rule. The Secretary of State could propose adding or removing countries. Congress would have to approve any change by passing a joint resolution.
Congressional Summary
Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act or the CLEAR Path Act This bill bans former presidential appointees in the executive branch from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign country of concern (e.g., China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia) with the intent to influence a decision of U.S. government officials. Under the bill, the ban applies to former presidential appointees who served (1) as head or deputy head of an executive branch department or agency, or (2) in any other Senate-confirmed position in an executive branch department or agency. The ban applies to those who are appointed to their positions on or after the date of this bill's enactment. The ban expires five years after the date of this bill's enactment. The bill also establishes a process that authorizes the Department of State to propose and Congress to enact changes to the list of foreign countries of concern.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-11-18
- Date Added
- 2026-10-23
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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