HB6105, the REVOKE Act, would require the Secretary of Defense to suspend or revoke the security clearance or classified-information access of certain former Department of Defense personnel—specifically retired or separated members of the Armed Forces and former civilian DoD employees—if they engage in lobbying activities or lobbying contacts on behalf of entities tied to China’s military-industrial base. The bill targets entities identified in the most recent Department of Defense report under section 1260H of the FY2021 NDAA as Chinese military companies and also listed on Treasury’s Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List.
The bill creates a national-security-based restriction on post-government employment and advocacy, and it includes a waiver authority allowing the Secretary of Defense to temporarily exempt an individual for up to 180 days if doing so is certified as being in the national security interest of the United States. It also incorporates existing Lobbying Disclosure Act definitions for lobbying activities and lobbying contacts, with a specified exception in the definition of lobbying contact.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend federal defense and security-clearance practice by making certain lobbying work a disqualifying trigger for continued clearance eligibility for former DoD personnel. It would directly affect retired service members, separated military personnel, and former DoD civilian employees who seek to lobby for or on behalf of designated Chinese military companies or related entities, and it would give the Secretary of Defense explicit authority to suspend or revoke clearances in those cases. The measure would not broadly change lobbying law, but it would add a defense-specific consequence to lobbying activity involving covered foreign-linked companies.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript and no votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broader sentiment. Based on the bill’s framing and sponsor intent, the measure appears to be driven by national security concerns and a desire to prevent former defense insiders from using access or expertise to benefit Chinese military-linked entities. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided materials means sentiment cannot be measured beyond the bill’s apparent security-focused rationale.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the balance between national security and post-service employment or lobbying rights for former military and civilian defense personnel. Supporters would likely emphasize preventing influence operations and protecting classified information, while critics may question whether the bill is overbroad, whether it could chill lawful advocacy, and whether the targeted company lists are sufficiently precise or current. The waiver provision may also be a point of discussion, since it gives the Secretary of Defense discretion to override the prohibition when national security interests warrant it.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6; Title 4; Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 5 and Title 58, Chapter 2, relative to lobbying regulation.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6; Title 4; Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 5 and Title 58, Chapter 2, relative to lobbying regulation.