CLEAR Path Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2132
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-22: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-02T01:54:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest by imposing post-government service restrictions on certain senior executive branch officials when interacting with foreign governmental entities from designated countries of concern.
Key Provisions
- Adds a new subsection (m) to 18 U.S.C. § 207 that prohibits former Senate-confirmed officials (agency heads, deputy heads, and other presidential appointees requiring Senate confirmation) from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising foreign governmental entities of countries of concern before U.S. executive or legislative branch officers or employees, with the intent to influence official decisions.
- Defines key terms, including "country of concern" (referencing the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, with one exclusion) and "foreign governmental entity."
- Requires departments and agencies to provide written notice of the restrictions upon appointment and upon termination of service.
- Establishes an effective date applying only to officials appointed on or after the Act's enactment, with a 30-day grace period for newly added countries of concern.
- Includes a 5-year sunset clause after which the restrictions no longer apply to newly appointed officials.
- Creates a process for the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, to propose adding or removing countries from the "country of concern" list, subject to approval by joint resolution of Congress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends existing post-employment restrictions under 18 U.S.C. § 207 specifically for Senate-confirmed positions regarding foreign entities from countries of concern.
- Introduces a new congressional approval mechanism for modifying the list of countries of concern, previously handled solely through the State Department Basic Authorities Act.
- Adds a conforming amendment clarifying that the new restrictions take precedence over certain existing provisions in the State Department Basic Authorities Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies must implement new notification procedures for appointees.
- Affected officials face lifetime restrictions (until the sunset) on certain foreign representation activities, potentially limiting post-government employment options.
- The joint resolution process may affect U.S. diplomatic relations by involving Congress in updates to the "country of concern" list.
- Citizens and international entities could see changes in lobbying or advisory interactions involving former U.S. officials.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Presidential appointees to Senate-confirmed executive branch positions.
- Executive branch departments and agencies responsible for appointments and notifications.
- Foreign governmental entities from countries of concern.
- Congress (through the approval process for list modifications).
- The Secretary of State and Attorney General (in proposing list changes).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The restrictions apply prospectively and include a sunset, limiting their long-term scope.
- The requirement for a joint resolution of approval introduces an additional layer of congressional oversight on foreign policy designations.
- The bill maintains a distinction between general representation and legal advice by licensed attorneys.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-22: Held at the desk.
- 2026-04-22: Received in the House.
- 2026-04-22: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-04-21: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1854; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1854-1855)
- 2026-04-21: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- 2026-01-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
- 2026-01-28: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- 2026-01-28: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- 2026-01-15: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-06-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (12 pages)
- Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act — issued 2025-06-18 — PDF (8 pages)
- Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act — issued 2026-01-28 — PDF (18 pages)