Senators propose bill limiting retired military’s foreign employment.

Legislation Introduced to Ensure Transparency and Accountability for Retired Military Officers

Two top senators have recently introduced a groundbreaking legislation that aims to shed light on retired U.S. service members working as consultants and contractors for foreign governments. If passed into law, this legislation would not only require public reporting on these activities but also establish civil penalties for any violations.

The bipartisan Retired Officers Conflict of Interest Act, co-sponsored by senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), seeks to enhance the review process conducted by the State Department and military service.

The proposed legislation includes several key provisions, such as prohibiting service members from negotiating post-retirement jobs with foreign governments while still on active duty. It also mandates public reporting of the names, job duties, and salaries of individuals approved to work for foreign governments. Additionally, there would be a required 30-month gap after retirement for military intelligence personnel before they can work for any country other than close allies. Furthermore, the legislation proposes higher financial penalties for those who violate the law.

Currently, retired troops must obtain approval from their branch of the armed forces and the State Department before working for foreign governments. Failure to secure such approval puts their retirement pay at risk.

Transparency and Accountability for National Security

“The Department of Defense is letting too many retired military officers trade their military service and experience to foreign governments for cash, creating serious risks to our national security,” stated Senator Warren, who chairs the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee. “This system needs serious transparency and accountability—and my bipartisan bill will do just that by requiring public reporting on service members working for foreign governments and putting real penalties in place if they break the law.”

The introduction of this legislation comes in response to a Washington Post report that revealed over 500 retired U.S. military personnel, including high-ranking officers, had taken lucrative positions with foreign governments since 2015. The report also highlighted the almost automatic approval process, with approximately 95 percent of applications being granted authorization. To obtain more information, The Washington Post had to file a lawsuit against the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and State Department in federal court.