S. 2132: CLEAR Path Act
Sponsor
John Cornyn
Republican · TX
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Apr 22, 2026
Passed the Senate, received in House
Top officials face a 5-year foreign influence ban
Why it matters
Five years is a long time to sit out lucrative foreign government work after leaving a top U.S. job. S. 2132 would bar future Senate-confirmed executive officials from helping certain foreign governments influence Congress or the executive branch after they leave office.
S. 2132 is aimed at the revolving door for top executive branch officials. If you're appointed to a Senate-confirmed executive job after the bill becomes law, you could not later represent, aid, or advise a foreign government from a covered country when trying to influence officials in Congress or the executive branch.
The bill is targeted, not government-wide. It applies to presidential appointees who need Senate confirmation, not the broader federal workforce.
It also draws a line between influence work and legal work. A licensed U.S. attorney acting in a legal capacity or giving legal advice is carved out of the bill's definition of "represent."
Another important piece is who controls the country list. The State Department, working with the Justice Department, could propose adding or removing countries, but the change would only take effect if Congress passes a joint resolution approving it.
The restriction applies only to people appointed after enactment, and the bill sunsets the new rule after 5 years. But if someone violates the rule before that sunset, the bill says enforcement can still continue.
S. 2132 Bill Summary
What S. 2132 actually does.
Five-year block on influence work for covered foreign governments
Future Senate-confirmed executive officials could not, after leaving office, knowingly represent, aid, or advise a foreign government from a covered country when trying to influence U.S. executive or legislative branch officials.
Applies only to Senate-confirmed executive posts
The bill covers executive branch jobs filled by the President with Senate confirmation. Career civil servants and other federal employees are not the main target.
Legal advice is carved out
Licensed U.S. attorneys acting in a legal capacity or providing legal advice are excluded from the bill's definition of representation.
Agencies must warn officials twice
Departments and agencies would have to notify covered officials about the restriction when they are appointed and again when they leave service.
Congress gets the final say on covered countries
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, could propose adding or removing countries of concern, but the change would only take effect after Congress passes a joint resolution approving it.
Newly added countries come with a 30-day delay
If Congress approves adding a country to the list, the restriction would start 30 days later for covered officials dealing with that government.
Who benefits from S. 2132?
People who want stricter ethics rules for top officials
They would get a bright-line 5-year restriction aimed at some of the government's highest-ranking appointees after they leave office.
Congressional overseers of foreign influence
Lawmakers would not have to rely solely on executive branch judgment. S. 2132 gives Congress a direct approval role before the covered-country list can change.
Agencies trying to avoid post-employment disputes
Mandatory notice at the start and end of service gives departments a clearer compliance process and creates a record that officials were warned.
Who is affected by S. 2132?
Future Senate-confirmed executive officials
If you're appointed after enactment, your post-government job options would narrow for 5 years when it comes to work for covered foreign governments.
Former appointees seeking foreign clients
You could still work after leaving office, but not by helping certain foreign governments influence U.S. officials during the covered period.
Foreign governments on the covered list
Those governments would have a smaller pool of former senior U.S. officials available to help them navigate Washington.
State and Justice Department leadership
Those departments would help manage proposals to add or remove countries, but they could not make the change stick without Congress.
What Congress Is Saying
S. 2132 hasn't been debated on the floor yet.
This section updates when a legislator speaks about it on the floor or in committee.
S2132 Legislative Journey
House: Action Taken
Apr 22, 2026
Held at the desk.
Passed 1854-1855
Apr 21, 2026
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1854; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1854-1855)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Jan 28, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Passed Committee
Jan 15, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Jun 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
John Cornyn
Republican, TX · 24 years in Congress
Committees: United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Finance, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (4)
This bill has 4 cosponsors: 3 Democrats, 1 Republican, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 4 states: Delaware, Idaho, Rhode Island, and 1 more.
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
3 of 22 committee members cosponsored
12 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 2132 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 1(m) of State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(m))
inserting after paragraph (6), as added by section 3(b), the following: ``(7) Modification to definition of `country of concern'
S. 2132 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Jun 18, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Apr 22, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with status, text, sponsors, and actions for the CLEAR Path Act.
The bill amends 18 U.S.C. 207 to create the new extended post-employment restriction for certain Senate-confirmed officials.
This section contains the existing federal penalty framework the bill references for violations.
The bill relies on subsection (m) of this State Department statute for the definition of 'country of concern' and 'foreign governmental entity.'
The Public Integrity Section handles many federal public corruption and ethics-related enforcement matters relevant to criminal violations under existing law.
The Secretary of State would help propose additions or deletions to the covered-country list under the bill.
The bill directs proposals on modifying the country list to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
S. 2132 Common Questions
Who does S. 2132 apply to?
It targets future executive branch officials appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It does not apply to every former federal employee.
How long is the restriction in S. 2132?
Five years. If you're appointed to a covered job after enactment, the bill would block certain influence work for covered foreign governments after you leave office.
What kind of work would be banned?
You could not knowingly represent, aid, or advise a covered foreign government before U.S. executive or legislative branch officials if you're trying to influence official decisions.
Does S. 2132 cover officials already in office?
No. The new rule applies only to people appointed to covered positions on or after the bill becomes law.
Are lawyers exempt under S. 2132?
Partly. A licensed U.S. attorney acting in a legal capacity or giving legal advice is carved out of the bill's definition of representation.
Can the executive branch change the country list by itself?
No. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, can propose changes, but Congress must pass a joint resolution before they take effect.
When would a newly added country trigger the ban?
Thirty days after Congress approves adding that country. The bill builds in that delay instead of making the change immediate.
What happens if someone violates S. 2132?
The bill says violations would be punished under existing federal criminal penalty rules, so this would be more than an internal ethics policy.
Based on S. 2132 bill text
S. 2132 Bill Text
“To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest following government service, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when S. 2132 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Crime and Law Enforcement Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 402.
Jan 30, 2026
Assault Weapons Ban of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 30, 2025
Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 9, 2025
Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 13, 2025
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 4, 2025
Protect and Serve Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 25, 2025
Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 17, 2026
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 12, 2025
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act
Received in the Senate.
Feb 24, 2026
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 3.
Apr 22, 2026
RESULTS Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 10, 2025
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 447.
Feb 25, 2026
Tracking Crime and Law Enforcement in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.