If enacted, SB2056 would significantly alter the employment landscape for retired military personnel by instituting a 30-month prohibition on those eligible for classified information from seeking approval for employment with foreign governments. This move is aimed at preventing any risks to the national security that could arise from past service-related knowledge being shared or used inappropriately. Additionally, a database will be established to track employment approvals, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Summary
SB2056, known as the Retired Officers Conflict of Interest Act of 2023, aims to amend title 37 of the United States Code to enforce stricter restrictions on retired members and members of reserve components of the uniformed services regarding their acceptance of employment and compensation from foreign governments. The bill establishes an approval process for such employment and engages both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to ensure national security is not compromised. This legislation seeks to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the safeguarding of classified information.
Contention
Notably, the bill includes a prohibition against members of the Armed Forces negotiating future employment with foreign governments while on active duty. Critics may argue that these restrictions are overly stringent and could hinder the career prospects of retiring officers. Supporters, however, assert that ensuring national security and preventing conflicts of interest justifies these measures, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity within the armed services.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Securing Maritime Data from China Act of 2023 Military Service Promotion Act of 2023 Space Force Personnel Management Act Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2024 Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2024 Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2024 Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2024
Buy Low and Sell High Act This bill revises requirements concerning the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and sets forth provisions to reduce the demand for petroleum fuel and increase fuel supply. For example, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish within the SPR an Economic Petroleum Reserve of up to 350 million barrels of crude oil. DOE must also establish a national network of Strategic Refined Petroleum Product Reserves to store up to 250 million barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel, which may be sold when there is a severe fuel supply interruption within the district in which the reserve is located. In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of barrels of petroleum distillate that may be stored in the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve from two million to four million. It also establishes limits on the sale and exportation of petroleum products from such reserves. Further, the bill establishes provisions concerning electrifying the transportation sector, zero-emission vehicles, and a program to increase the amount of crude oil refined in oil refineries in certain countries in the Western Hemisphere.