A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restricting Ex-Vetted Officials from Knowledge Exploitation Act" or the "REVOKE Act," targets former Department of Defense personnel. It requires the Secretary of Defense to suspend or revoke security clearances or access to classified information for retired or separated members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees. This applies if they engage in lobbying activities or contacts for specific entities. The targeted entities include Chinese military companies identified by the Secretary of Defense and those on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List. The Secretary of Defense has the authority to grant temporary waivers for these restrictions.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill penalizes lobbying activities conducted by former defense officials on behalf of Chinese military companies.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill protects sensitive defense information by restricting former officials from working for Chinese military entities.
- Scored +2
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill mitigates potential security risks associated with Chinese military-industrial influence.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill imposes penalties on retired members of the Armed Forces who engage in the specified lobbying activities.
- Scored -4
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Retired members of the Armed Forces may lose their security clearances if they engage in specified lobbying activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Security Clearance Restrictions: The bill mandates the suspension or revocation of security clearances for former Department of Defense members or civilian employees who lobby for certain Chinese entities (Section 2(a)). This is intended to address those engaging in activities for Chinese military companies or those on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List (Section 2(b)).
-
National Security Waivers: The Secretary of Defense can waive the prohibition for up to 180 days if it is certified to be in the national security interest of the United States (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Security Clearances: Retired or separated members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense may lose their security clearances or eligibility for access to classified information (Section 2(a)). This applies specifically to those engaging in lobbying activities or contacts for entities identified as Chinese military companies or those included in the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill imposes penalties on retired members of the Armed Forces who engage in the specified lobbying activities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill penalizes lobbying activities conducted by former defense officials on behalf of Chinese military companies.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill protects sensitive defense information by restricting former officials from working for Chinese military entities. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill mitigates potential security risks associated with Chinese military-industrial influence. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Retired members of the Armed Forces may lose their security clearances if they engage in specified lobbying activities.
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina