CLEAR Path Act

Grace period for added countries of concern.--If the definition of the term `country of concern' under subsection (m) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is modified in accordance with paragraph (7) of that subsection by adding a country to the list of countries described in paragraph (1)(A) of that subsection, in the case of any person who is appointed by the President to a position referenced in this subsection on or after the date of enactment of the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act and who knowingly represents, aids, or advises a foreign governmental entity of a country added to the list of countries described in paragraph (1)(A) of such subsection (m), the restrictions under this subsection shall apply to such person on and after the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of a relevant joint resolution of approval as described in paragraph (7)(C) of such subsection (m) adding that country to the list of countries described in paragraph (1)(A) of such subsection (m). ``(5) Sunset.-- ``(A) In general.--On and after the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act, the restrictions under paragraph (2) shall not apply to any person appointed by the President, on or after such date of enactment, to a position referenced in this subsection, without regard to the date on which the service of such person in such position terminates. ``(B) No effect on conduct before sunset.--Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to limit the applicability of paragraph (2) with respect to any conduct by a person appointed by the President to a position referenced in this subsection that occurred before the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions Path Act.''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(m) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(m)) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: ``(6) Relation to government-wide restrictions.--This subsection shall not apply to a person by reason of the person's service in a position referenced in this subsection if the person is subject to the restrictions under section 207(m) of title 18, United States Code, by reason of the same service.''. SEC. 4. MECHANISM TO AMEND DEFINITION OF ``COUNTRY OF CONCERN''. Section 1(m) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(m)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (6), as added by section 3(b), the following: ``(7) Modification to definition of `country of concern'.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of State may, in consultation with the Attorney General, propose the addition or deletion of countries described in paragraph (1)(A). ``(B) Submission.--Any proposal described in subparagraph (A) shall-- ``(i) be submitted to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and ``(ii) become effective upon enactment of a joint resolution of approval as described in subparagraph (C). ``(C) Joint resolution of approval.-- ``(i) In general.--For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), the term `joint resolution of approval' means only a joint resolution-- ``(I) that does not have a preamble; ``(II) that includes in the matter after the resolving clause the following: `That Congress approves the modification of the definition of ``country of concern'' under section 1(m) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, as submitted by the Secretary of State on ____; and section 1(m)(1)(A) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(m)(1)(A)) is amended by ______.', the blank spaces being appropriately filled in with the appropriate date and the amendatory language required to modify the list of countries in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection by adding or deleting 1 or more countries; and ``(III) the title of which is as follows: `Joint resolution approving modifications to definition of ``country of concern'' under section 1(m) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.'. ``(ii) Referral.-- ``(I) Senate.--A resolution described in clause (i) that is introduced in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. ``(II) House of representatives.--A resolution described in clause (i) that is introduced in the House of Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.''. Passed the Senate April 21, 2026. Attest: Secretary. 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2132 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest following government service, and for other purposes.