Sponsors (5)
The bill increases transparency and enforcement to curb former officials' influence by hostile states and strengthen oversight, but it risks limiting post‑government careers, creating legal uncertainty, and slowing or politicizing timely foreign‑policy responses.
Americans benefit from reduced risk of foreign influence because Senate‑confirmed federal appointees are restricted from lobbying or otherwise influencing U.S. policy on behalf of hostile foreign governments after leaving office.
U.S. taxpayers gain stronger enforcement tools because criminal penalties create a clear deterrent and enforcement mechanism against former officials covertly influencing policy for adversary states.
Americans get more transparent congressional oversight of foreign‑policy designations because Congress must approve additions or removals from the State Department country list via a joint resolution, producing a clear public record.
All Americans could face reduced agility in U.S. foreign‑policy responses because requiring congressional enactment for each country‑list change can delay urgent diplomatic or national‑security actions and invite partisan blockages.
Former senior officials (and their families) may see reduced career opportunities and earnings because stricter post‑employment rules and potential criminal exposure limit private‑sector and foreign‑affairs work after government service.
Appointees and contractors face legal uncertainty because ambiguous definitions of 'country of concern' and a list‑based approach could make it unclear what conduct is prohibited and risk inadvertent violations.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Bars former Senate‑confirmed executive branch officials from representing or advising listed foreign governments to influence U.S. officials and creates a congressional approval process to change the country list.
Introduced June 18, 2025 by John Cornyn · Last progress April 22, 2026
Creates a new criminal ban on former Senate-confirmed executive‑branch officials from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising certain foreign governments (defined as “countries of concern”) before U.S. executive or legislative branch officers with intent to influence official decisions. It excludes ordinary legal representation giving legal advice, requires agencies to notify appointees at start and end of service, limits application to appointments made on or after enactment, delays coverage for countries later added to the list by 30 days, and sunsets the rule for new appointees five years after enactment while preserving liability for earlier conduct. Also establishes a formal two‑agency proposal and congressional approval process for adding or removing countries from the statutory “country of concern” list: the Secretary of State, consulting the Attorney General, may propose changes, but any change only takes effect if Congress passes a specially formatted joint resolution of approval that becomes law.