Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act; CLEAR Path Act
Summary
The CLEAR Path Act amends Title 18 of the United States Code to address potential conflicts of interest for former government officials. It focuses on post-employment restrictions, particularly for Senate-confirmed positions, when dealing with foreign governmental entities from countries of concern. The bill aims to prevent individuals from leveraging their government experience to benefit foreign interests that may be adverse to US national security.
Expected Effects
The act will impose stricter post-employment restrictions on senior US officials. Specifically, those who have held Senate-confirmed positions will face limitations on representing or advising foreign governmental entities from countries of concern. The Secretary of State gains a mechanism to modify the list of 'countries of concern,' subject to congressional approval.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces potential undue influence by foreign governments on former US officials.
- Strengthens safeguards against conflicts of interest.
- Enhances transparency regarding post-employment activities of senior officials.
- Provides a mechanism for updating the list of countries of concern.
- Reinforces public trust in government integrity.
Potential Disadvantages
- May limit employment opportunities for former government officials.
- Could create bureaucratic hurdles in defining and enforcing 'countries of concern'.
- Potential for unintended consequences in international relations.
- The sunset clause could weaken long-term protections.
- May disproportionately affect individuals with expertise relevant to specific countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The CLEAR Path Act aligns with the Constitution's broad intent to promote the general welfare and ensure national security. Congress's power to legislate on matters related to foreign affairs and potential conflicts of interest is derived from Article I, Section 8, which grants it the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and provide for the common defense. The Act does not appear to infringe on individual liberties, as it applies to a specific category of individuals (former senior government officials) and narrowly restricts their activities to prevent conflicts of interest.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).