Legis Daily

CLEAR Path Act

USA119th CongressS-2132| Senate 
| Updated: 1/28/2026
John Cornyn

John Cornyn

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (4)
James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act," or CLEAR Path Act, aims to prevent and mitigate potential conflicts of interest for senior United States officials after government service. It specifically targets individuals who have held Senate-confirmed positions within the executive branch. The Act introduces new, extended post-employment restrictions under title 18, United States Code. Under these new provisions, individuals who served in Senate-confirmed roles are prohibited from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a country of concern before any U.S. executive or legislative branch officer or employee. This restriction applies at any time after their service termination, with the intent to influence official decisions. However, the restrictions themselves are subject to a sunset clause , expiring five years after the Act's enactment, and only apply to appointees confirmed on or after the enactment date. The bill defines "country of concern" and "foreign governmental entity" by referencing existing law, while clarifying that legal representation by a licensed attorney is not included in the term "represent." Furthermore, the Act mandates that individuals subject to these restrictions receive notice upon both their appointment and the termination of their service. To ensure adaptability, the legislation also establishes a mechanism allowing the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, to propose modifications to the list of "countries of concern," which would then require congressional approval via a joint resolution.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5642
CLEAR Path Act
Jun 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6106
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jan 28, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jan 28, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5642
    CLEAR Path Act


  • June 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6106
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2026
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • January 28, 2026
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • January 28, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6106: CLEAR Path Act
AsiaChinaCongressional oversightCubaEuropeFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionIranLatin AmericaLegislative rules and procedureMiddle EastNorth KoreaRussiaSyria

CLEAR Path Act

USA119th CongressS-2132| Senate 
| Updated: 1/28/2026
The "Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act," or CLEAR Path Act, aims to prevent and mitigate potential conflicts of interest for senior United States officials after government service. It specifically targets individuals who have held Senate-confirmed positions within the executive branch. The Act introduces new, extended post-employment restrictions under title 18, United States Code. Under these new provisions, individuals who served in Senate-confirmed roles are prohibited from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a country of concern before any U.S. executive or legislative branch officer or employee. This restriction applies at any time after their service termination, with the intent to influence official decisions. However, the restrictions themselves are subject to a sunset clause , expiring five years after the Act's enactment, and only apply to appointees confirmed on or after the enactment date. The bill defines "country of concern" and "foreign governmental entity" by referencing existing law, while clarifying that legal representation by a licensed attorney is not included in the term "represent." Furthermore, the Act mandates that individuals subject to these restrictions receive notice upon both their appointment and the termination of their service. To ensure adaptability, the legislation also establishes a mechanism allowing the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, to propose modifications to the list of "countries of concern," which would then require congressional approval via a joint resolution.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5642
CLEAR Path Act
Jun 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6106
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jan 28, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jan 28, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5642
    CLEAR Path Act


  • June 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6106
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2026
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • January 28, 2026
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • January 28, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
John Cornyn

John Cornyn

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (4)
James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6106: CLEAR Path Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AsiaChinaCongressional oversightCubaEuropeFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionIranLatin AmericaLegislative rules and procedureMiddle EastNorth KoreaRussiaSyria