Overview
Title
To require a report on former Federal employees advising foreign governments.
ELI5 AI
This bill wants to make sure that if someone who used to have a big job in the U.S. government is giving advice to another country's government, we have to make a list and tell some special groups in the U.S. government about it every year for three years.
Summary AI
H. R. 10357 is a bill that would require the Secretary of the United States to submit a report listing former senior officials of the U.S. government who have been approved to advise foreign governments. This report must be submitted to several congressional committees within 90 days of the bill's enactment and then annually for three years. The report should be in an unclassified form but can have a classified section if necessary.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
House Bill 10357, titled the “Transparency in Former Federal Employees Advising Foreign Governments Act,” seeks to increase transparency by requiring a report on former U.S. federal employees who are advising foreign governments. Introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Castro of Texas on December 11, 2024, the bill mandates that the Secretary compile and submit a report identifying former senior U.S. government officials who have received approval to provide advice to foreign governments. This report is to be presented to specific congressional committees and is required annually for three years. While the report must be unclassified, it is allowed to include a classified annex.
Significant Issues
One primary issue with the bill is the lack of clear criteria for which former officials are to be included in the report. Without specific guidelines, there may be inconsistency in who is reported, potentially limiting the report's effectiveness and reliability. Additionally, the bill imposes a tight deadline, requiring submission within 90 days of enactment. This timeline may be difficult to adhere to if gathering the necessary information proves to be complex.
Another concern is the provision allowing for a classified annex. This could dilute the bill's transparency goals, making it harder for the public and even some congressional committee members to access complete information. Furthermore, the bill does not specify the consequences if the deadline is not met, which might affect the accountability of the reporting process.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this bill could enhance transparency about the activities of former federal officials who still influence foreign governments. This knowledge can provide reassurance that possible conflicts of interest are being monitored, potentially increasing trust in government operations.
Balancing transparency with national security is nuanced. The inclusion of a classified annex suggests an acknowledgment of security concerns, but it might also mean that the public does not get the full picture. This partial transparency could lead to public skepticism if people believe significant details remain undisclosed.
Impact on Stakeholders
Former government officials are directly impacted, as this bill puts their post-government activities under additional scrutiny. They might face greater pressure to ensure advisory roles do not lead to conflicts with U.S. interests. This scrutiny, while potentially limiting some opportunities, could also encourage clearer and more ethical career paths after their federal service ends.
Government agencies tasked with compiling the report might experience operational challenges due to the bill's stipulations, particularly regarding the tight timeline and potential need for confidentiality.
For congressional committees and intelligence bodies, this bill could provide valuable oversight tools, helping ensure that foreign influence operations are monitored effectively without infringing on national security interests. However, the effectiveness of this oversight is contingent on the clarity and comprehensiveness of the information provided in the reports.
Issues
The criteria for identifying which former United States Government senior officials are included in the report are not defined in Section 2, leading to potential inconsistency in reporting and challenges in holding relevant individuals accountable.
The report submission timeline stated in Section 2 ('not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment') might be challenging to meet if required information is not readily available, creating potential operational difficulties.
Section 2 allows for the inclusion of a classified annex, which could result in less transparency regarding the identities and roles of former officials advising foreign governments, raising ethical and oversight concerns.
There is no specification regarding any penalties or consequences for failing to meet the report submission timeline in Section 2, which may reduce the accountability and enforceability of the reporting requirement.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the act states its short title, which is the “Transparency in Former Federal Employees Advising Foreign Governments Act.”
2. Report on former Federal employees advising foreign governments Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretary to provide a yearly report for three years to various congressional committees, identifying former senior U.S. Government officials who are approved to advise foreign governments. The report must be unclassified, though it can have a classified part attached.