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 more than a third of.
The ban would no longer apply 5 years after the bill becomes law, unless Congress acts again. Violations that happened before then could still be charged.
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 not lobby U.S. officials for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba. Helping or advising those governments to sway a decision by Congress or a federal agency would also be banned. 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. 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. Lawyers giving legal advice would not be covered. Today, many senior officials face a similar ban for just 1 year after leaving. A longer ban now covers only top State Department officials, and it ends in December 2027. The Secretary of State could propose adding or removing countries from the list. 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.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Passed Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-04-21
- Date Added
- 2026-09-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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