Lawmakers have circulated the latest draft of the New Clarity Act, a bill that would make an existing ethics rule temporary. The move is a step toward a final version, but a core government-ethics provision remains under debate.
What the temporary rule means
The New Clarity Act would change the status of a specific ethics rule from permanent to temporary, according to the circulated text. Lawmakers have not disclosed which rule or the length of the temporary period. The draft is described as a start on the final draft, meaning further revisions are likely before the bill is ready for a vote.
The core piece still in dispute
Lawmakers are still debating a central government-ethics piece of the act. This provision is considered essential to the bill's purpose, but disagreements remain. The draft text leaves this section unresolved, indicating that negotiations are ongoing. The temporary ethics rule appears to be less contentious, but the core piece has stalled progress.
Next steps for the bill
The circulated draft is a starting point for the final version. Lawmakers are expected to continue discussions on the core government-ethics provision. The bill's sponsors have not set a deadline for a final vote. The next step is for lawmakers to resolve the disputed provision before the bill can advance to a vote.
