A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Awaiting House
The Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The CLEAR Path Act aims to prevent and mitigate potential conflicts of interest after government service. It establishes extended post-employment restrictions for officials in positions subject to Senate confirmation. These officials are prohibited from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a country of concern before U.S. executive or legislative officials with the intent to influence decisions. The act includes a mechanism for the Secretary of State to propose changes to the list of countries of concern. These restrictions are subject to a 5-year sunset provision.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill mitigates conflicts of interest by restricting post-employment activities of senior officials.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The act requires agencies to provide formal notice of restrictions to officials upon appointment and termination.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Mitigation of Conflicts of Interest: The act seeks to prevent and mitigate potential conflicts of interest following government service, specifically regarding senior officials working for foreign governments (Section 2).
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Notice of Restrictions: Officials subject to these new rules will be provided official notice of their restrictions both upon their appointment by the President and upon the termination of their service (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Legal Exception: The law clarifies that "representing" does not include representation by an attorney who is licensed and authorized to provide legal advice in a U.S. jurisdiction (Section 3(a)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Employment Activities: Officials in Senate-confirmed positions are prohibited from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising a foreign governmental entity of a country of concern before U.S. government officers or employees if they intend to influence official decisions (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Strict Penalties: Individuals who violate these post-employment restrictions shall be punished as provided in section 216 of title 18 (Section 3(a)(2)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The act requires agencies to provide formal notice of restrictions to officials upon appointment and termination. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill mitigates conflicts of interest by restricting post-employment activities of senior officials.
- 4/22/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 4/21/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1854; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1854-1855)
- 1/28/2026
- Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
- 1/15/2026
- Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island