Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens oversight and reduces foreign‑influence risks by tightening post‑employment rules and increasing transparency, but it does so at the cost of limiting former officials' employment options, adding administrative burdens, and creating legal and political uncertainty that could slow diplomatic responsiveness.
Federal employees and the public: the bill increases restrictions and scrutiny on post‑government work for foreign actors, reducing conflicts of interest and the risk of foreign influence by former senior officials.
Federal employees, state governments, and the public: the bill strengthens transparency and oversight by requiring agencies to notify appointees about restrictions, involving Congressional committees in country‑list changes, and requiring Attorney General consultation.
Former appointees who are U.S.-licensed attorneys: the bill exempts legal representation by U.S.-licensed lawyers from the 'represent' ban, allowing lawyers to provide legal counsel to listed foreign entities without violating the restriction.
Former senior federal officials: the bill's multi‑year bans and expanded restrictions limit post‑government employment options and earning potential for former appointees.
Federal employees, state governments, and agencies: the bill creates regulatory and hiring uncertainty (including a non‑binding statement and a five‑year sunset for some rules), complicating retention, career planning, and long‑term compliance expectations.
Federal employees, state governments, and U.S. foreign policy actors: moving final approval of country‑list changes toward Congress risks slowing or blocking timely adjustments, which could reduce diplomatic flexibility and rapid policy responses.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Imposes an extended ban on certain former Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees from representing listed foreign governments before U.S. officials and requires congressional approval to change the country list.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by August Pfluger · Last progress November 18, 2025
Creates a new, time-limited ban that prevents certain former senior Presidential appointees who served in Senate-confirmed positions from representing, aiding, or advising specified foreign governments before U.S. Executive or Legislative branch officials. It also sets a procedure for the Secretary of State (with the Attorney General) to propose adding or removing countries from the covered list, with any change becoming effective only if Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval. The bill requires agencies to notify affected appointees when they are appointed and when they leave government, applies to appointees serving on or after enactment (with a short delayed start for countries added later), and includes a five-year sunset that stops applying the new paragraph to appointees named on or after that later date (while preserving coverage of prior conduct). It also states a non-binding sense of Congress encouraging review of post-employment conflict rules.