WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statements after their Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting certain former government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee:

“Foreign adversaries with ill intentions should not wield influence on American policymaking, nor should they exploit our own citizens to intercede on their behalf,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would root out attempts of malign foreign interference and ban high-level former U.S. government employees from lobbying for countries of concern like Russia and China.”

“Public trust in our democratic institutions is eroding. It’s vital we set higher standards against potential conflicts of interest for former government employees, particularly when it involves foreign adversaries that might be working to influence U.S. policy,” said Sen. Welch. “I’m “thankful for the support of my Judiciary Committee colleagues on our bipartisan legislation and look forward to bringing this bill to the Senate floor.”

“It isn’t right for senior government officials to turn their public service experience into a payout from malign foreign governments,” said Sen. Risch. “This bill will help prevent corruption at the highest levels of our government, protect our national security, and ensure that our public servants do not abuse their power for the good of America’s adversaries.”

“Corrupt foreign nations put their thumb on the scales of American policy through both secret and overt channels of influence. Senior U.S. government officials should not be allowed to sell their expertise and access to benefit America’s adversaries after they leave public service, and I’m pleased to partner with Senators Cornyn and Welch to clear this bipartisan measure through the Judiciary Committee,” said Sen. Whitehouse.

Background:

The Clear Path Act would seek to mitigate foreign malign influence in our political system by:

• Banning agency heads, deputies, and Senate-confirmed employees from lobbying the executive and legislative branches on behalf of countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba;
• And including a mechanism to add or remove countries of concern if the U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Attorney General propose a change to the list of countries and Congress concurs with the passage of a joint resolution of approval.