Bill · S. 3181· Senate(119-S-3181)
REVOKE Act
- Introduced
- 11/18/2025
- Last activity
- 11/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restricting Ex-Vetted Officials from Knowledge Exploitation Act" or the "REVOKE Act," targets former Department of Defense personnel. It requires the Secretary of Defense to suspend or revoke security clearances or access to classified information for retired or separated members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees. This action applies if they engage in lobbying activities or contacts for specific entities. These entities include Chinese military companies identified by the Secretary of Defense and those on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List. The Secretary of Defense has the authority to waive this prohibition for up to 180 days if it serves the national security interest.
Yes
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?+4
The bill restricts the ability of former defense officials to engage in lobbying for specific foreign entities.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+3
The bill protects sensitive information by restricting former DoD personnel from working for Chinese military entities.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+2
The bill counters the influence of Chinese military-industrial entities on former U.S. defense officials.
The opposite
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?-4
Retired members of the Armed Forces may lose security clearances and associated benefits if they engage in prohibited lobbying.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?-3
The bill negatively impacts retired military members by mandating the loss of security clearances for certain activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Security Clearance Control: The bill mandates the suspension or revocation of security clearances for former Department of Defense members or civilian employees who engage in lobbying for certain entities (Section 2(a)). This could serve to prevent the exploitation of knowledge by those working on behalf of specific foreign entities.
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Targeted Restrictions: The prohibition specifically applies to individuals lobbying for entities identified as Chinese military companies or those on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List (Section 2(b)). This targets specific groups identified by the Secretary of Defense and the Department of the Treasury.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Clearances: Former members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense could lose their security clearances or eligibility for access to classified information (Section 2(a)).
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Impact on Lobbying Activities: Individuals who engage in lobbying activities or contacts for the specified entities would be subject to these restrictions (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Reduces Lobbying+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3Improves International Alliances+2Improves Veterans Benefits-4
- 6/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island