REVOKE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6105
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-18: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-10T07:05:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The REVOKE Act (H.R. 6105) aims to protect U.S. national security by preventing former Department of Defense (DoD) personnel from using their access to sensitive information to benefit Chinese military-linked entities through lobbying. It targets individuals who might exploit their past roles to influence U.S. policy on behalf of adversarial interests.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Security Clearances: The Secretary of Defense must suspend or revoke security clearances (which allow access to classified information) for any retired or separated member of the Armed Forces or former DoD civilian employee who engages in lobbying activities or contacts on behalf of specified Chinese entities. This rule overrides other laws.
- Covered Activities: Lobbying is defined under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 as efforts to influence government officials, members of Congress, or their staff on legislation, rules, or policies. The prohibition applies specifically to lobbying for entities that:
- Are listed as "Chinese military companies" in the most recent DoD report under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
- Appear on the Department of the Treasury's Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List (a public list of companies linked to China's military-industrial sector, excluding those already sanctioned under other programs).
- Waiver Authority: The Secretary of Defense can temporarily waive the revocation for up to 180 days if they certify to the congressional defense committees (key House and Senate committees overseeing defense matters) that the waiver serves U.S. national security interests.
- Definitions: Key terms like "lobbying activities" and "lobbying contacts" follow the Lobbying Disclosure Act, with a minor adjustment to exclude certain exceptions for contacts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a new, mandatory revocation process specifically tied to lobbying for Chinese military-linked entities, which did not previously exist in U.S. law. It builds on existing post-employment restrictions for former government officials (like revolving-door rules that limit lobbying after leaving public service) but adds a targeted penalty focused on security clearances and China-related activities.
- It overrides conflicting laws, ensuring DoD has broad authority without needing additional congressional approval for most cases.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD will face increased administrative burdens in monitoring former personnel, verifying lobbying activities, and processing revocations or waivers. This could strain resources for clearance management and require coordination with the Treasury Department for list updates.
- On Citizens: Primarily affects former military members and DoD civilians by limiting their post-service career options in consulting or advocacy roles tied to China, potentially discouraging such engagements. It may indirectly protect U.S. taxpayers by safeguarding classified information from foreign exploitation.
- On International Relations: Could escalate U.S.-China tensions by signaling stricter controls on influence operations, possibly prompting retaliatory measures from China or affecting bilateral business and diplomatic ties. It reinforces U.S. efforts to counter perceived Chinese military expansion.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Former DoD Personnel: Retired or separated Armed Forces members and civilian employees who hold or seek security clearances and engage in restricted lobbying.
- Department of Defense: Responsible for enforcement, including revocations and waivers.
- Chinese Entities: Companies on the specified DoD and Treasury lists, which may lose access to U.S. expertise or influence through former officials.
- Congressional Defense Committees: Receive certifications for waivers and oversee implementation.
- U.S. Lobbying and Consulting Firms: May see reduced business opportunities involving China-linked clients.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens national security laws by linking security clearances directly to foreign lobbying, but could face challenges if seen as overly broad in restricting professional activities. The waiver provision provides flexibility to avoid arbitrary enforcement.
- Constitutional Implications: May raise First Amendment concerns regarding free speech and association, as it penalizes lobbying (a protected form of petitioning the government), though courts have upheld similar restrictions for security reasons in cases involving classified information.
- Political Implications: Reflects growing bipartisan concerns over Chinese influence in U.S. defense sectors, potentially setting a precedent for similar measures against other adversaries. As an introduced bill referred to the House Armed Services Committee, its passage could influence future defense authorization legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-18: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-11-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Restricting Ex-Vetted Officials from Knowledge Exploitation Act — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (3 pages)