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Title IV — Resourcing for success

S. 4528 · 116th Congress · Aug 13, 2020 · Lineage

IV Resourcing for success

Sec. 401 Appointment of China Engagement Officers at United States embassies in the Western Hemisphere

(a)
In general— The Secretary of State shall direct the Chiefs of Mission at United States Embassies and Consulates in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to designate a China Engagement Officer, from among existing staff at the Post, to monitor and report on Chinese activities related to diplomatic engagement, economic investment, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, surveillance technology, digital infrastructure, military and security presence and trainings, intelligence activities, educational and cultural exchanges, education, and corruption in the respective countries.
(b)
Annual meeting— The Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs shall convene an annual meeting (either in person or by video conference call) of all of the China Engagement Officers designated pursuant to subsection (a)—
(1)
to discuss and compare developments in their individual countries;
(2)
to identify trends in Chinese activities in Latin America and the Caribbean and its subregions; and
(3)
to recommend potential strategies to mitigate or compete with Chinese activities in the region.
(c)
Briefing requirement— Concurrent with the annual meeting described in subsection (b), China Engagement Officers serving in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, shall brief—
(1)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(d)
Consultation— The Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs and the China Engagement Officers designated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be available for consultations with the staff of the congressional committees referred to in subsection (c).

Sec. 402 Assessing staffing needs at United States embassies in Latin America and the Caribbean

(a)
Staffing assessment— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit the assessments and accompanying reports, if necessary, described in subsections (b) and (c) to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(b)
Foreign commercial service assessment—
(1)
In general— The Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and the Secretary of Commerce shall prepare a written assessment that—
(A)
determines whether the current staffing levels of the United States Foreign Commercial Service at all United States embassies, diplomatic, and development offices in Latin America and the Caribbean are sufficient to successfully advance United States economic policy in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(B)
specifically details the results for each United States embassy, diplomatic, and development office in Latin America and the Caribbean.
(2)
Accompanying report— If the assessment under paragraph (1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit an accompanying report that—
(A)
identifies the costs associated with increasing the overseas presence of United States Foreign Commercial Service officers in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(B)
includes a timeline and strategy for increasing such staffing levels.
(c)
Public diplomacy assessment—
(1)
In general— The Secretary of State shall prepare a written assessment that—
(A)
determines whether the current staffing levels of Foreign Service public diplomacy officers at all United States embassies and diplomatic offices in Latin America and the Caribbean are sufficient—
(i)
to successfully advance United States national interests; and
(ii)
to counter misinformation and disinformation efforts by the Government of China and the Government of Russia; and
(B)
specifically details the results for each United States embassy and diplomatic office in Latin America and the Caribbean.
(2)
Accompanying report— If the assessment under paragraph (1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of State shall submit an accompanying report that—
(A)
identifies the costs associated with increasing the overseas presence of Foreign Service public diplomacy officers in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(B)
includes a timeline and strategy for increasing such staffing levels.