CLEAR Path Act

The Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act (CLEAR Path Act) would tighten post-employment rules for certain top U.S. officials. Specifically, it adds an extended post-employment restriction (5 years) to 18 U.S.C. § 207(m) for individuals who served as heads, deputy heads, or in any Senate-confirmed position within an executive-branch department or agency. The restriction applies when such former officials knowingly represent, aid, or advise a foreign governmental entity of a country designated as a “country of concern” before U.S. government officials after leaving office, with an exception for providing legal advice by a licensed attorney. The act also requires notice of the restrictions upon appointment and upon termination, and it limits the new obligations to appointments made after the law’s enactment, with the restriction expiring five years after enactment. In addition, the bill creates a mechanism to modify the list of “countries of concern” through Secretary of State proposals reviewed by Congress, via a joint resolution of approval. A conforming amendment ties this framework to the State Department’s existing authorities and ensures it does not duplicate government-wide post-employment restrictions. Finally, the bill expresses a sense of Congress that post-employment restrictions should be regularly evaluated.