Division E — Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

119th Congress · Approved Dec 18, 2025 · 139 Stat. 718

DIVISION E Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

SEC. 5001. Short Title; Table of Contents.

(a)

Short Title.— This division may be cited as the “Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026”.

(b)

Table of Contents.— The table of contents for this division is as follows:

Sec. 5001. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 5002. Definitions.

TITLE I—ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Subtitle A—Management and Consular Affairs

Sec. 5111. Under Secretary for Management.

Sec. 5112. Office of Medical Services.

Sec. 5113. Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Sec. 5114. Bureau of Administration.

Sec. 5115. Office of the Historian.

Sec. 5116. Chief information officer for diplomatic technology.

Sec. 5117. Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.

Sec. 5118. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.

Sec. 5119. Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Sec. 5120. Sense of Congress regarding modernization and realignment of consular systems.

Sec. 5121. Fee for use of diplomatic reception rooms.

Subtitle B—Human Resources

Sec. 5131. Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

Sec. 5132. Bureau of Human Resources.

Sec. 5133. Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program.

Sec. 5134. Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program.

Sec. 5135. Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program.

Sec. 5136. Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program.

Sec. 5137. Matters relating to the Foreign Service Institute.

Sec. 5138. Fees for use of the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Subtitle C—Political Affairs

Sec. 5141. Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

Sec. 5142. Congressional notification regarding changes to bureau jurisdiction.

Sec. 5143. Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic.

Sec. 5144. Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian Ocean region.

Sec. 5145. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Sec. 5146. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Sec. 5147. Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs in Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Sec. 5148. Countering PRC Influence Fund Unit.

Sec. 5149. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs.

Sec. 5150. Bureau of African Affairs.

Sec. 5151. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs.

Sec. 5152. Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

Sec. 5153. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.

Sec. 5154. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

Sec. 5155. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Sec. 5156. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Sec. 5157. Office of Haitian Affairs.

Sec. 5158. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Sec. 5159. Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

Sec. 5160. Countering Russian Influence Fund Unit.

Sec. 5161. Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs.

Sec. 5162. Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

Subtitle D—Other Matters

Sec. 5171. Periodic briefings from Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

Sec. 5172. Support for congressional delegations.

Sec. 5173. Notification requirements for authorized and ordered departures.

Sec. 5174. Strengthening enterprise governance.

Sec. 5175. Establishing and expanding the Regional China Officer program.

Sec. 5176. Report on China’s diplomatic posts.

Sec. 5177. Notification of intent to reduce personnel at covered diplomatic posts.

Sec. 5178. Foreign affairs manual changes.

TITLE II—WORKFORCE MATTERS

Sec. 5201. Report on vetting of Foreign Service Institute language instructors.

Sec. 5202. Training limitations.

Sec. 5203. Language incentive pay for civil service employees.

Sec. 5204. Options for comprehensive evaluations.

Sec. 5205. Job share and part-time employment opportunities.

Sec. 5206. Promoting reutilization of language skills in the Foreign Service.

TITLE III—INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5301. Post Data Pilot Program.

Sec. 5302. Authorization to use commercial cloud enclaves overseas.

Sec. 5303. Reports on technology transformation projects at the Department.

Sec. 5304. Commercial spyware.

TITLE IV—PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5401. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.

Sec. 5402. Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Sec. 5403. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Sec. 5404. Foreign information manipulation and interference strategy.

Sec. 5405. Repeal of limitation on use of funds for international expositions.

TITLE V—DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

Sec. 5501. Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security.

Sec. 5502. Special agents.

Sec. 5503. Modification of congressional notification requirement relating to embassy reopening.

Sec. 5504. Counter-intelligence training for certain diplomatic security agents.

Sec. 5505. Expansion of counter-intelligence personnel security program to include nonsecurity staff.

Sec. 5506. Report on security conditions in Damascus, Syria, required for the reopening of the United States diplomatic mission.

Sec. 5507. Embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic installations return to standards report.

Sec. 5508. Reauthorization of overtime pay for protective services.

TITLE VI—MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 5601. Submission of federally funded research and development center reports to Congress.

Sec. 5602. Quarterly report on diplomatic pouch access.

Sec. 5603. Report on utility of instituting a processing fee for ITAR license applications.

Sec. 5604. HAVANA Act payment fix.

Sec. 5605. Establishing an inner Mongolia section within the United States Mission in China.

Sec. 5606. Report on United States Mission Australia staffing.

Sec. 5607. Extensions.

Sec. 5608. Updating counterterrorism reports.

SEC. 5002. Definitions.

Except as otherwise provided, in this division—

(1)

the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(2)

the term “Department” means the Department of State;

(3)

the term “Deputy Secretary” means the Deputy Secretary of State; and

(4)

the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of State.

TITLE I Organization and Operations

Subtitle A Management and Consular Affairs

SEC. 5111. Under Secretary for Management.

(a)

In General.— Section 1(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(b)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

“(4) Under secretary for management.—

“(A) In general.—There shall be in the Department of State, among the Under Secretaries authorized by paragraph (1), an Under Secretary for Management who shall assist the Secretary of State and the Deputy Secretary of State on matters related to the management and administration of the Department, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described in subparagraph (A), the Under Secretary for Management shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to the management, development, and administration of the Department of State in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

“(i) acquisitions and asset management;

“(ii) human resources and personnel management;

“(iii) matters related to the clinical, occupational, and mental health programs of the Department;

“(iv) information technology and communications systems, including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department;

“(v) domestic and overseas facilities, property, equipment, vehicle fleets, and other material resources;

“(vi) security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources; and

“(vii) consular affairs and services.”

(b)

Protection of Historic and Artistic Furnishings of Reception Areas of the Department of State Building.— Section 41 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2713) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by inserting “ , acting through the Under Secretary for Management,” after “ The Secretary of State”; and

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (2), by inserting “ , acting through the Under Secretary for Management,” after “ Whenever the Secretary of State”; and

(B)

in paragraph (3), by inserting “ , acting through the Under Secretary for Management,” after “ The Secretary of State”.

SEC. 5112. Office of Medical Services.

Section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(p) Office of Medical Services.—There shall be in the Department of State a Chief Medical Officer, to be appointed by the Secretary of State, who—

“(1) shall lead the Office of Medical Services; and

“(2) as required by section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4084), shall be responsible to the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, for matters relating to the clinical and mental health programs of the Department and all related activities, in accordance with the needs of the Department.”

SEC. 5113. Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (17); and

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

“(5) Assistant secretary for administration.—

“(A) In general.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Administration who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, for matters relating to enterprise logistics, knowledge management, acquisition, and other operational services worldwide in support of United States foreign policy, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described in subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for Administration shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to administrative matters of the Department of State in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

“(i) providing global logistics and support for the people and programs of United States Missions, including policies and procedures to administer government-wide allowances;

“(ii) managing the Department’s domestic safety, occupational health, multimedia services, general services, and global publishing;

“(iii) providing planning, training, and exercises of emergency management to ensure preparedness for the Department’s leadership and workforce; and

“(iv) ensuring the Department safeguards privacy and promotes transparency through compliance, advice, training, collaboration, and records management, including public requests to access Department records.”

SEC. 5114. Bureau of Administration.

Section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as amended by section 5112, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(q) Other Bureaus.—

“(1) Bureau of administration.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Administration, which shall perform such functions related to support programs for the Department and United States embassies and consulates, including enterprise logistics, knowledge management, and other worldwide operational services, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall be at the head of the Bureau of Administration.”

SEC. 5115. Office of the Historian.

There shall be in the Bureau of Administration of the Department described in subsection (q)(1) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114, a Historian of the Department of State, who shall be the head of the Office of the Historian.

SEC. 5116. Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology.

(a)

Establishment.— There shall be in the Department a Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology who shall be responsible to the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, for—

(1)

matters relating to the information technology, cybersecurity workforce, and digital infrastructure of the Department; and

(2)

such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

(b)

Responsibilities.— In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to diplomatic technology in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

(1)

enterprise planning and governance, including—

(A)

managing information technology budget formulation and execution, acquisitions, and inventory management; and

(B)

determining the Department’s information technology strategic goals and priorities;

(2)

cybersecurity and risk management;

(3)

technology operations and innovation; and

(4)

customer experience.

SEC. 5117. Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(2) Bureau of diplomatic technology.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, which shall perform such functions related to the strategy, planning, performance monitoring and assessment, programming, budget formulation and execution, acquisition, governance, cybersecurity, information technology workforce planning, integration, modernization, and oversight of the Department’s information technology, systems, and communications infrastructure as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Chief Information Officer shall be the head of the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.”

SEC. 5118. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5113, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:

“(6) Assistant secretary for consular affairs.—

“(A) In general.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, for matters relating to consular affairs, including, as appropriate, leading the coordination of programs carried out by Federal departments and agencies overseas, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to consular functions in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

“(i) formulating and implementing policy relating to immigration, provision of consular services, and determination of United States citizenship;

“(ii) developing, revising, implementing, and directing policies, procedures, and regulations, including—

“(I) the adjudication and issuance of passports, visas, and related services;

“(II) the protection and welfare of United States citizens and interests abroad;

“(III) the provision of consular services by third countries in the absence of a United States consular presence; and

“(IV) the determination of United States citizenship or nationality;

“(iii) providing guidance and recommendations on related consular issues to Department principals and United States embassies and consulates;

“(iv) ensuring responsive and efficient provision of consular services in the United States and overseas;

“(v) overseeing and directing the Passport Office and Visa Office; and

“(vi) maintaining the security of official consular documentation, in collaboration with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.”

SEC. 5119. Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Section 1(g) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(g)) is amended to read as follows:

“(g) Bureau of Consular Affairs.—

“(1) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Consular Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to consular functions performed by United States consular officers as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.

“(2) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.”

SEC. 5120. Sense of Congress Regarding Modernization and Realignment of Consular Systems.

It is the sense of Congress that the Department should—

(1)

align consular information systems modernization with enterprise-wide information technology strategy and cybersecurity policies;

(2)

improve integration, reduce redundancy, and enhance efficiency across Department-wide systems; and

(3)

ensure that consular systems benefit from unified management, architecture, and modernization.

SEC. 5121. Fee for Use of Diplomatic Reception Rooms.

Section 54 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2726) is amended in the first sentence by striking “ The Secretary” and inserting “ The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management,”.

Subtitle B Human Resources

SEC. 5131. Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5118, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

“(7) Assistant secretary for human resources.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, for matters relating to human resources, the management and development of the workforce of the Department, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described in subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to human capital, workforce development and management in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

“(i) personnel management, including recruitment, development, evaluation retention, promotion, and retirement;

“(ii) the Department of State’s training and development institutions, programs, and responsibilities;

“(iii) managing employee experience, relations, and benefits, including addressing grievances, ensuring accessibility, managing accommodations, and administering the Department’s benefits and annuities;

“(iv) domestic and overseas assignments policy and administration;

“(v) presidential appointments; and

“(vi) such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.

“(C) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to conflict with or otherwise overlap with the authorities and responsibilities of the Director General of the Foreign Service as set forth in section 208 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3928).”

SEC. 5132. Bureau of Human Resources.

(a)

In General.— Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5117, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(3) Bureau of human resources.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Human Resources, which shall perform such functions related to the recruitment, training, and retirement of personnel of the Department as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall be the head of the Bureau of Human Resources.”

(b)

References.— Any reference in any statute, reorganization plan, Executive order, regulation, agreement, determination, or other official document or proceeding to—

(1)

the Director of Global Talent shall be deemed to refer to the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources; and

(2)

the Bureau of Global Talent Management shall be deemed to refer to the Bureau of Human Resources.

SEC. 5133. Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program.

(a)

In General.— There shall be in the Department a Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “VIP Fellowship Program”).

(b)

Finding.— Congress finds that the VIP Fellowship Program plays a vital role in providing veterans with professional experience, training, and pathways to careers in international affairs, while strengthening the Department’s recruitment of skilled, diverse, and service-minded personnel.

(c)

Objectives.— The program required by subsection (a) shall—

(1)

expand opportunities for veterans to gain professional experience in diplomacy, development, and international cooperation;

(2)

leverage the skills, leadership, and expertise of veterans to enhance the work of the Department and other participating agencies; and

(3)

support the transition of veterans into public service careers, particularly in foreign affairs.

(d)

Administration.— The program required by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Department, consistent with existing law and regulations, and in coordination with relevant Federal departments and agencies and veteran-serving organizations.

SEC. 5134. Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program.

(a)

Authorization.— There shall be in the Department a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program.

(b)

Purpose.— The program required by subsection (a) shall continue to provide financial assistance, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to graduate students who commit to pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the United States.

(c)

Administration.— The program required by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Department, consistent with existing law and regulations.

SEC. 5135. Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program.

(a)

Authorization.— There shall be in the Department a Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program.

(b)

Purpose.— The program required by subsection (a) shall continue to recruit and support outstanding individuals from diverse backgrounds to prepare them for careers in the Foreign Service.

(c)

Administration.— The program required by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Department, consistent with existing law and regulations.

SEC. 5136. Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program.

(a)

Authorization.— There shall be in the Department a Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program.

(b)

Purpose.— The program required by subsection (a) shall continue to provide financial assistance, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to individuals pursuing careers in development.

(c)

Administration.— The program required by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Department, consistent with existing law and regulations.

SEC. 5137. Matters Relating to the Foreign Service Institute.

(a)

Director Line of Reporting.— The Director of the Foreign Service Institute shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources for all matters pertaining to the management, execution, and strategy of the training and instruction required by section 701 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4021).

(b)

Schools of Instruction.— The Foreign Service Institute shall consist of at least four schools of instruction, which shall provide instruction consistent with the requirements set forth in chapter 7 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.). The schools of instruction shall be as follows:

(1)

The School of Professional and Area Studies, which shall provide job-specific orientation, tradecraft, and area studies, as well as new-hire orientation programs.

(2)

The School of Leadership and Management Studies, which shall provide leadership and crisis management training.

(3)

The School of Applied Information Technology Studies, which shall provide instruction to ensure information technology professionals have the up-to-date knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain the complex computer and technology systems employed by the Department.

(4)

The School of Foreign Languages, which shall be responsible for providing language instruction as prescribed by law and at the direction of the Secretary.

SEC. 5138. Fees for Use of the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Section 53 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2725) is amended in the first sentence by striking “ The Secretary” and inserting “ The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management”.

Subtitle C Political Affairs

SEC. 5141. Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

Section 1(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(b)), as amended by section 5111, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

“(5) Under secretary for political affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State, among the Under Secretaries authorized by paragraph (1), an Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs who shall assist the Secretary of State and the Deputy Secretary of State on matters relating to regional and bilateral diplomacy, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Political Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to the implementation of the foreign policy of the United States, including, as appropriate, coordinating with the other Under Secretaries of State in implementing foreign policy.”

SEC. 5142. Congressional Notification Regarding Changes to Bureau Jurisdiction.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management and the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, shall, not later than 60 days before making any change to the geographic or functional jurisdiction of any bureau of the Department, including by adding or removing countries or otherwise changing the scope of responsibilities under the purview of such bureau, submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of such proposed change, including—

(1)

a justification for such change;

(2)

a description of the expected operational, programmatic, or policy implications for any bureau affected by such change;

(3)

any proposed or anticipated staffing changes as a result of such change; and

(4)

the anticipated cost or savings of such change.

(b)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5143. Ambassador-At-Large for the Arctic.

(a)

Establishment.— There is authorized to be in the Department an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic who shall be responsible to the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

(1)

matters relating to the Arctic region; and

(2)

such other related duties as such the Secretary may from time to time designate.

(b)

Appointment.— The Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c)

Duties and Responsibilities.—

(1)

In general.— The Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic shall—

(A)

advance United States interests in the Arctic region;

(B)

engage with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, the Arctic Council, and other international or multilateral organizations of which the United States is a member or has observer status and which advance United States interests in the Arctic region;

(C)

facilitate the development and coordination of United States foreign policy and programs in the Arctic region;

(D)

coordinate with relevant offices, bureaus, and interagency partners on efforts to counter the malign influence of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in Arctic countries and Arctic multilateral fora and organizations;

(E)

coordinate the diplomatic objectives with respect to the activities described in subparagraph (A), and, as appropriate, represent the United States within multilateral fora that address international cooperation and foreign policy matters in the Arctic region;

(F)

help inform, in coordination with the Bureau of Economic Affairs, transnational commerce and commercial maritime transit in the Arctic region;

(G)

ensure, in coordination with the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, that scientific data, environmental monitoring, and scientific research cooperation is consistent with regional security planning programs and research security best practices in the Department and other relevant Federal departments and agencies;

(H)

consult, as appropriate, with Arctic indigenous communities, including by ensuring equal application and full protection of laws relating to investment screening, foreign influence, and other relevant national security regulations and statutes;

(I)

ensure that all actions taken to perform the duties described in this subsection are consistent with the Arctic Region Security Policy in accordance with subsection (f); and

(J)

use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to encourage other countries and international multilateral organizations to support the principles of the Arctic Region Security Policy implemented pursuant to subsection (f).

(2)

Areas of responsibility.— The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs is authorized to maintain continuous observation and coordination on matters related to the following:

(A)

Institutions for cooperation among the Arctic countries.

(B)

Scientific monitoring and research on local, regional, and global environmental issues.

(C)

Responsible natural resource management and economic development.

(3)

Additional duties.— In addition to the duties and responsibilities specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall also carry out such other relevant duties as the Secretary may assign.

(d)

Arctic Watcher Program.— The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall establish and carry out a program to be known as the “Arctic Watcher Program”, to—

(1)

monitor the Arctic region across the security, military, economic, natural resource, cyber, scientific, and political sectors in foreign countries;

(2)

monitor and combat the People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, and other malign influence campaigns across the Arctic region that impact United States national security, European security, and Indo-Pacific security that pose a threat to the rules-based order, and undermine United States interests in the region;

(3)

strengthen the capacity of the United States to engage with foreign countries and regional and international organizations that are engaged in Arctic affairs; and

(4)

strengthen United States energy security, cyber security, and economic interests in the Arctic, including in the critical minerals and natural resources sectors.

(e)

Expansion of Regional China Officer and Russia Watcher Positions to the Arctic Region.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary shall expand the number of Regional China Officer and Russia Watcher positions to include the following:

(A)

At least three posts in European countries with significant interests in the Arctic region.

(B)

At least one post in North American countries with significant interests in the Arctic region.

(2)

Position composition.— One-half of the positions described in paragraph (1) shall be part of the Regional China Officer program and one-half of such positions shall be Russia Watchers.

(3)

Notification.— The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall notify the appropriate congressional committees upon assigning an individual to a position described in paragraph (1).

(f)

Arctic Region Security Policy.—

(1)

Lead bureau.— The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs shall be the lead bureau for developing and implementing the Arctic Region Security Policy of the United States, in coordination with other relevant regional and functional bureaus and offices of the Department and other relevant Federal departments and agencies, to advance United States national security interests.

(2)

Duties and responsibilities.— The Arctic Region Security Policy shall advance United States national security interests by assessing, developing, budgeting for, and implementing plans, policies, and actions—

(A)

to bolster the diplomatic presence of the United States in Arctic countries, including through enhancements to diplomatic missions and facilities, participation in regional and bilateral dialogues that advance United States interests related to Arctic security, and coordination of United States initiatives and assistance programs across agencies to protect the national security of the United States and its allies and partners;

(B)

to enhance the resilience of Arctic countries that are United States allies and partners with respect to the economic, environmental, and security effects that may result from increased accessibility of the Arctic region;

(C)

to assess specific added risks to the Arctic region and Arctic countries that—

(i)

are vulnerable to the changing Arctic environment; and

(ii)

are strategically significant to the United States;

(D)

to advance principles of good governance by encouraging and cooperating with Arctic countries on collaborative approaches—

(i)

to responsibly manage natural resources in the Arctic region;

(ii)

to share the burden of ensuring maritime safety in the Arctic region;

(iii)

to address challenges posed by the militarization of the Arctic region by the Russian Federation;

(iv)

to address growing security cooperation in the Arctic region by the Russian Federation and People’s Republic of China and the implications for United States national security interests and Arctic security;

(v)

to develop multilateral policies among Arctic countries on the management of maritime transit routes through the Arctic region and work cooperatively on the transit policies for access to and transit in the Arctic Region by non-Arctic countries; and

(vi)

to facilitate the development of Arctic Region Security Action Plans to ensure effective implementation of the objectives identified in the Arctic Region Security Policy;

(E)

to evaluate the vulnerability, security, survivability, and resiliency of United States interests in the Arctic region;

(F)

to counter malign influence from the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in Arctic countries and Arctic multilateral fora, including through the exploitation or manipulation of—

(i)

science and research partnerships or organizations;

(ii)

economic development projects in strategic sectors, including transportation, energy, and telecommunications;

(iii)

educational, cultural, and religious organizations; and

(iv)

engagements with subnational and indigenous governance structures; and

(G)

to increase coordination among Arctic countries that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on the protection of critical infrastructure, including energy, telecommunications, and scientific infrastructure.

(g)

Restrictions and Requirements.—

(1)

Scope of authority.— The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs and any other personnel assigned to the Ambassador-at-Large shall not have any authority or role in decision-making on United States domestic policy issues beyond those directly related to United States foreign policy with international partners and stakeholders in the Arctic region.

(2)

Briefings requirement.— The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees periodic briefings on diplomatic engagements in the Arctic.

(3)

Guidance related to attendance and participation at arctic conferences and multilateral fora.— The Secretary shall disseminate guidance, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and relevant interagency partners, for the attendance and participation of United States Government officials at Arctic conferences and multilateral fora, taking into consideration—

(A)

the potential for United States Government attendance to advance United States national security and foreign policy objectives; and

(B)

the degree to which the organization hosting or funding a conference or other event is funded, controlled, or advances the interests of the Russian Federation or People’s Republic of China.

(h)

Report.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on Russian and Chinese malign influence in the Arctic region.

(2)

Contents.— The report required by paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

examine the Arctic strategies of Russia and China and the impact of such strategies on United States national security, scientific, and foreign policy interests in the Arctic region;

(B)

examine Russian and Chinese cooperation in the Arctic region and implications of any such cooperation for the United States;

(C)

examine the efforts of Russia and China to advance the strategic interests of such countries in the Arctic region through exploiting, manipulating, or co-opting non-governmental and international organizations in the Arctic region;

(D)

provide a list of multilateral engagements and conferences attended by the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs during the reporting period and an explanation of how such engagements countered Russian and Chinese influence and advanced United States national security and foreign policy interests;

(E)

examine Russian and Chinese efforts to gain control and influence over key sectors in the Arctic region, including critical minerals, energy, transportation, and fishing;

(F)

assess Russian and Chinese efforts to exploit scientific and academic research in the Arctic, including through research partnerships with academic institutions in the United States and other Arctic countries; and

(G)

assess the tools, resources, and funding available to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic region.

(3)

Form.— The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.

(4)

Sunset.— The reporting requirement in this subsection shall expire on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(i)

Definitions.— In this section—

(1)

the term “Arctic countries” means those countries that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, are permanent members of the Arctic Council; and

(2)

the term “Arctic region” means—

(A)

the geographic region north of the 66.56083 parallel latitude north of the equator;

(B)

all the United States territory north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers;

(C)

all contiguous seas, including the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas; and

(D)

the Aleutian Chain.

SEC. 5144. Ambassador-At-Large for the Indian Ocean Region.

(a)

Establishment.— There is authorized to be in the Department an Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian Ocean Region who shall be responsible to the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

(1)

matters relating to the Indian Ocean region; and

(2)

such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

(b)

Appointment.— The ambassador described in subsection (a) may only be established if appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c)

Responsibilities.—

(1)

In general.— The responsibilities of the Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian Ocean Region may include—

(A)

ensuring harmonization and continuity of United States diplomatic efforts and assistance programs across Indian Ocean region countries;

(B)

identifying the diplomatic, military, economic, and development lines of effort that are of greatest United States strategic interest in Indian Ocean region countries and reinforcing United States diplomatic and interagency engagement with respect to such lines of effort; and

(C)

identifying and reinforcing United States diplomatic and interagency engagement to counter malign People’s Republic of China influence activities in the Indian Ocean region and Indian Ocean region countries that are contrary to United States interests.

(2)

Indian ocean region countries defined.— In this subsection, the term “Indian Ocean region countries” means—

(A)

the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean; and

(B)

such other countries as the Secretary may determine, after consultation with the appropriate congressional committees.

SEC. 5145. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5131, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:

“(8) Assistant secretary for east asian and pacific affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to East Asia and the Pacific region; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in East Asia and the Pacific.”

SEC. 5146. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5132, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(4) Bureau of east asian and pacific affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy to East Asia and the Pacific as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

“(C) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term ‘East Asia and the Pacific’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.”

SEC. 5147. Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs in Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

(a)

Authorization.— There shall be in the Department a Director who shall oversee an Office of Multilateral Affairs in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

(b)

Duties.— The Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs should—

(1)

coordinate and support diplomatic engagement in East Asia-focused regional fora and organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Association of Southeast Nations, ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, the Lower Mekong Initiative, and any other East Asia-focused multilateral fora determined by the Secretary; and

(2)

provide staff and logistic support to the United States Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the United States Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Nations.

(c)

Sunset.— This section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5148. Countering Prc Influence Fund Unit.

(a)

Establishment.— The Secretary shall establish and maintain a Countering the PRC Influence Fund Unit (in this section referred to as the “CPIF Unit”) in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

(b)

Personnel.—

(1)

Composition.— The CPIF Unit may be comprised of a Director, Deputy Director, and additional staff as appropriate, including a Budget Analyst, a Grant Officer, a Program Assistant, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist.

(2)

Staffing.— The CPIF Unit shall be comprised of personnel with expertise or experience in performing the following functions:

(A)

Grants Officer.

(B)

Program Assistant.

(C)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist.

(3)

Director.— The Director of the CPIF Unit shall fulfill the following responsibilities:

(A)

Identify on an annual basis specific strategic priorities for the CPIF Unit consistent with United States national security priorities and objectives.

(B)

In coordination with the head of the Office of Foreign Assistance and other relevant officials of the Department, coordinate, select, and approve all CPIF Unit programming, such as geographic and functional areas of focus, based on criteria that the program directly counters malign activities by the People’s Republic of China.

(C)

Ensure that all CPIF Unit programming advances United States foreign policy and national security interests.

(D)

Conduct oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the effectiveness of all CPIF Unit programming to ensure that it advances United States foreign policy and national security interests and degrades the ability of the People’s Republic of China or entities acting on the behalf of the People’s Republic of China to conduct malign influence operations.

(E)

Ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all CPIF Unit programming is carried out in coordination with other Federal activities to counter PRC malign influence.

(F)

On a quarterly basis, brief the appropriate congressional committees on the development of annual strategic priorities and CPIF Unit project selection and implementation.

(G)

Provide a written list of CPIF Unit projects approved for each fiscal year to—

(i)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(ii)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(4)

Deputy director.— The Deputy Director of the CPIF Unit may have responsibility for policy and programming to assist the Director, particularly with respect to CPIF Unit activities handled by other United States departments and agencies.

(c)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activities.— The Director of the CPIF Unit may—

(1)

direct monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to assess programmatic outcomes, maximize government efficiency, and reduce the risks of fraud and waste;

(2)

conduct regular research and evaluation of CPIF Unit programs and activities to improve ongoing and future activities, including by implementing a process to ensure monitoring, evaluation, and learning results are considered in funding decisions; and

(3)

make available to the appropriate congressional committees the findings of any research or evaluation conducted under paragraph (2).

(d)

PRC Malign Influence Defined.— In this section, the term “PRC malign influence” means activities by the Government of the People’s Republic of China or an entity acting on the behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China that—

(1)

undermines a free and open international order;

(2)

utilizes covert or overt information operations, corruption, political interference, cultural pressure, or economic coercion and dependency to influence the political, military, economic, or other policies of a foreign country to advance the strategic objectives of the People’s Republic of China;

(3)

undermines the national security, territorial integrity, or sovereignty of the United States or other country; or

(4)

undermines the political and economic security of the United States or other country, including by facilitating corruption or elite capture, distorting markets, and advancing coercive economic practices, including theft of intellectual property, and engaging in foreign information operations.

(e)

Termination.— The CPIF Unit established under this section shall terminate on the date that is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5149. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5145, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:

“(9) Assistant secretary for african affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa.”

SEC. 5150. Bureau of African Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5146, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(5) Bureau of african affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of African Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of African Affairs.

“(C) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term ‘sub-Saharan Africa’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau of African Affairs.”

SEC. 5151. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5149, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

“(10) Assistant secretary for near eastern affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to the Middle East and North Africa; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.”

SEC. 5152. Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5150, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(6) Bureau of near eastern affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy to the Middle East and North Africa as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

“(C) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term ‘Middle East and North Africa’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.”

SEC. 5153. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.

(a)

In General.— Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5151, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:

“(11) Assistant secretary for south and central asian affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to South and Central Asia; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in South and Central Asia.”

(b)

Conforming Amendment Repealing Previous Position.— Section 122 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (22 U.S.C. 2652) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 5154. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5152, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(7) Bureau of south and central asian affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy to South and Central Asia as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

“(C) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term ‘South and Central Asia’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs.”

SEC. 5155. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5153, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:

“(12) Assistant secretary for western hemisphere affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to the Western Hemisphere; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of American foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere.”

SEC. 5156. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5154, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(8) Bureau of western hemisphere affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy to the Western Hemisphere as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

“(C) Western hemisphere defined.—In this paragraph, the term ‘Western Hemisphere’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.”

SEC. 5157. Office of Haitian Affairs.

(a)

Establishment.— There is established in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the Department an Office of Haitian Affairs, which shall be headed by a Director.

(b)

Duties.— The Director of the Office of Haitian Affairs shall be responsible for—

(1)

developing and implementing policy for United States diplomatic, political, economic, humanitarian, development, consular, and security engagement with the Republic of Haiti;

(2)

leading interagency coordination with respect to such engagement;

(3)

liaising with United States diplomatic and consular posts in Haiti;

(4)

representing the Department in bilateral and multilateral settings on matters relating to Haiti; and

(5)

overseeing strategic initiatives of the Department related to governance, public safety, internationally recognized human rights, migration, and rule of law in Haiti.

SEC. 5158. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5155, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:

“(13) Assistant secretary for european and eurasian affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for—

“(i) matters relating to Europe and Eurasia; and

“(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia.”

SEC. 5159. Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5156, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(9) Bureau of european and eurasian affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy to Europe and Eurasia as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

“(C) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term ‘Europe and Eurasia’ means the region of countries that the Secretary of State designates as within the responsibility of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.”

SEC. 5160. Countering Russian Influence Fund Unit.

(a)

Establishment.— The Secretary shall establish and maintain a Countering Russian Influence Fund Unit (in this section referred to as the “CRIF Unit”) in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the Department.

(b)

Personnel.—

(1)

Composition.— The CRIF Unit may be comprised of a Director, Deputy Director, and additional staff as appropriate, including a budget analyst, a grant officer, a program assistant, and a monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialist.

(2)

Staffing.— The CRIF Unit shall be comprised of personnel with expertise or experience in performing the following functions:

(A)

Grants officer.

(B)

Program assistant.

(C)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning specialist.

(3)

Director.— The Director of the CRIF Unit shall fulfill the following responsibilities:

(A)

Identify on an annual basis specific strategic priorities for the CRIF Unit consistent with United States foreign policy and national security priorities and objectives described in section 254 of the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 9543).

(B)

In coordination with the head of the Office of Foreign Assistance and other relevant officials, provide policy guidance, coordinate, select, and approve all CRIF Unit programming, based on criteria that the program directly counters malign activities by the Russian Federation in accordance with the use of funds described in such section 254.

(C)

Ensure that all CRIF Unit programming advances United States foreign policy and national security interests, including efforts to counter Russian aggression against sovereign countries and other nefarious kinetic and hybrid Russian activities in countries that are United States allies or partners that affect, threaten, or undermine United States interests.

(D)

Conduct oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the effectiveness of all CRIF Unit programming to ensure that it advances United States foreign policy and national security interests and degrades the ability of the Russian Federation or entities acting on the behalf of the Russian Federation to conduct malign influence operations.

(E)

Ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all CRIF Unit programming is carried out in coordination with other Federal activities to counter Russian malign influence.

(F)

On a quarterly basis, brief the appropriate congressional committees on the development of annual strategic priorities and CRIF Unit project selection and implementation.

(G)

Provide a written list of CRIF Unit projects approved for each fiscal year to the appropriate congressional committees.

(4)

Deputy director.— The Deputy Director may have responsibility for policy and programming to assist the Director, particularly with respect to CRIF Unit activities handled by other Federal departments or agencies.

(5)

Appropriate congressional committee defined.— In this subsection, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(c)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activities.— The Director of the CRIF Unit may—

(1)

direct monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to assess programmatic outcomes, maximize government efficiency, and reduce the risks of fraud and waste;

(2)

conduct regular research and evaluation of CRIF Unit programs and activities to improve ongoing and future activities, including by implementing a process to ensure monitoring, evaluation, and learning results are considered in funding decisions; and

(3)

make available to Congress the findings of any research or evaluation conducted under paragraph (2).

(d)

Definition.— In this section, the term “Russian malign influence” means activities by the Russian Federation or an entity acting on the behalf of the Russian Federation that—

(1)

advance an alternative, repressive international order that bolsters the hegemonic ambitions of the Russian Federation;

(2)

utilize covert or overt information operations, corruption, political interference, or economic coercion and dependency to influence the political, military, economic, or other policies of a foreign country and advance the strategic objectives of the Russian Federation;

(3)

undermine the national security, territorial integrity, or sovereignty of the United States or other country; or

(4)

undermine the political and economic security of the United States or other country, including by facilitating corruption or elite capture, distorting markets, and advancing coercive economic practices, including theft of intellectual property, and engaging in malign information operations.

(e)

Termination.— The CRIF Unit established under this section shall terminate on the date that is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5161. Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5158, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:

“(14) Assistant secretary for international organization affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for leading and coordinating the development and implementation of United States multilateral policy with respect to international organizations, with a particular emphasis on matters relating to organizations that are a part of the United Nations system, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to the plans and activities of international organizations in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—

“(i) coordinating and collaborating with the United States Mission to the United Nations, as well as relevant functional bureaus in the Department, to implement United States multilateral policy;

“(ii) managing the disbursement and payment of appropriated United States assessed and discretionary contributions to the United Nations and international organizations;

“(iii) managing the disbursement and payment of appropriated United States assessed and discretionary contributions for United Nations peacekeeping operations;

“(iv) working with United Nations member states through the United Nations Fifth Committee to seek to reduce the financial obligation of the United States in the form of assessed contributions to the United Nations;

“(v) working with United Nations member states through the United Nations Fifth Committee to seek to reduce the financial obligation of the United States in the form of assessed contributions in the peace operations budget of the United Nations; and

“(vi) coordinating activities relating to increasing the employment of United States citizens and the citizens of like-minded countries by international organizations, including—

“(I) advocating for the employment of United States citizens in all international organizations of which the United States is a member, including throughout the United Nations system;

“(II) coordinating interagency support for non-United States candidates for leadership or oversight roles in such international organizations when—

“(aa) no United States citizen candidate has been nominated for election to such a leadership role; and

“(bb) providing such support is in the interest of the United States;

“(III) developing and maintaining a publicly accessible database of open positions at such international organizations;

“(IV) providing details on how United States citizens may submit applications for such positions;

“(V) communicating regularly with Members of Congress to solicit the names of qualified candidates for such positions;

“(VI) maintaining a comprehensive and current list of all United States citizens employed by such international organizations;

“(VII) regularly reporting to Congress on the number of such citizens and identifying any discrimination, prejudice, or perceived bias against such citizens seeking to secure such employment;

“(VIII) coordinating all nominations by the relevant agencies of the Federal Government for election in the United Nations system; and

“(IX) working to increase the number of Junior Professional Officer positions sponsored by the United States in the United Nations system over the number of such positions so sponsored as of the date of the enactment of this Act.”

SEC. 5162. Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

Subsection (q) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a), as added by section 5114 and amended by section 5159, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(10) Bureau of international organization affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of International Organization Affairs which shall perform such functions related to multilateral diplomacy in international organizations as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.

“(B) Head.—The Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

“(C) Responsibilities.—The Bureau of International Organization Affairs is authorized to lead, coordinate, develop, and implement policy for the United States in line with United States strategic interests, to be executed in international organizations, including providing guidance and support for activities related to—

“(i) United States participation in international organizations;

“(ii) peacekeeping;

“(iii) multilateral humanitarian operations, internationally recognized human rights, economic and social affairs, and international development;

“(iv) United States participation in technical and specialized United Nations agencies; and

“(v) United States citizen employment in international organizations.

“(D) Coordination.—All other bureaus of the Department of State shall coordinate, as appropriate, with the Bureau of International Organization Affairs on all matters arising within those bureaus that relate to international organizations.”

Subtitle D Other Matters

SEC. 5171. Periodic Briefings from Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall offer to the appropriate congressional committees regular, quarterly briefings by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, in coordination with other bureaus as appropriate, on—

(1)

any topic requested by one or more of the appropriate congressional committees;

(2)

any topic of current importance to the national security of the United States; and

(3)

any other topic the Secretary considers necessary.

(b)

Location.— The briefings required under subsection (a) shall be held at a secure facility that is suitable for review of information that is classified at the level of “Top Secret/SCI”.

(c)

No Limitation on Other Briefings.— Any briefings pursuant to subsection (a) shall be in addition to any briefings provided to the appropriate congressional committees, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the provision of any other briefings to the committees described in this subsection.

SEC. 5172. Support for Congressional Delegations.

(a)

Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

congressional travel is essential to fostering international relations, understanding global issues first-hand, and jointly advancing United States interests abroad; and

(2)

only in close coordination and thanks to the dedication of personnel at United States embassies, consulates, and other missions abroad can the success of these vital trips be possible.

(b)

In General.— Consistent with applicable laws and the Secretary’s security responsibilities, the Secretary shall reaffirm to all diplomatic posts the importance of congressional travel and shall direct all such posts to support congressional travel by members and staff of the appropriate congressional committees, when authorized by applicable congressional travel procedures to include the congressional authorization letter and congressional travel legislation and policies. The Secretary shall reaffirm the Department’s policies to support such travel by members and staff of the appropriate congressional committees, by making such support available on any day of the week, including Federal and local holidays when required to complete congressional responsibilities and, to the extent practical, requiring the direct involvement of mid-level or senior officers.

(c)

Exception for Simultaneous High-level Visits.— The requirement under subsection (b) does not apply in the case of a simultaneous visit from the President, the First Lady or First Gentleman, the Vice President, the Secretary, or the Secretary of Defense.

(d)

Training.— The Secretary shall require all designated control officers to have been trained on supporting congressional travel at posts abroad prior to the assigned congressional visit.

SEC. 5173. Notification Requirements for Authorized and Ordered Departures.

(a)

Departures Report.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees listing every instance that an authorized or ordered departure was issued for the five-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Contents.— The Secretary shall include in the report required under paragraph (1)—

(A)

the name of the post and the date of the approval of the authorized or ordered departure;

(B)

the basis for the authorized or ordered departure; and

(C)

the number of chief of mission personnel that departed, categorized by agency, as well as their eligible family members, if available.

(b)

Congressional Notification Requirement.— Any instance of an authorized or ordered departure shall be notified to appropriate congressional committees not later than three days after the Secretary authorized an authorized or ordered departure. The details in the notification shall include—

(1)

the information described in subsection (a)(2);

(2)

the mode of travel for chief of mission personnel who departed;

(3)

the estimated cost of the authorized or ordered departure, including travel and per diem costs; and

(4)

the destination of all departed personnel and changes to their work activities due to the departure.

(c)

Establishment of a Database.— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a database with the information required by subsections (a)(2) and (b) and shall make such database available on a regular basis to the appropriate congressional committees.

(d)

Termination.— The congressional notification requirement under this section shall terminate following the establishment of the database required by subsection (c).

(e)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5174. Strengthening Enterprise Governance.

(a)

Organization.— The Chief Information Officer and the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the Department should work collaboratively on strengthening enterprise governance of the Department and report directly to the Deputy Secretary.

(b)

Adjudication of Unresolved Budget and Management Decisions.— Adjudication of unresolved budget and management decisions should be made by the Deputy Secretary.

SEC. 5175. Establishing and Expanding the Regional China Officer Program.

(a)

In General.— There is authorized to be established at the Department a Regional China Officer (RCO) program to support regional posts and officers with reporting, information, convening, and policy tools, and to enhance expertise related to strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China.

(b)

Authorization.— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to the Department to expand the RCO program, including for—

(1)

one Director;

(2)

locally employed staff to support Regional China Officers serving abroad; and

(3)

not fewer than 20 forward-deployed Foreign Service Officers assigned to United States diplomatic or consular posts or detailed to the foreign ministry of an ally, to be known as Regional China Officers (in this section referred to as “RCOs”), who shall be responsible for—

(A)

monitoring and reporting on activities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the region of his or her responsibility, including in the commercial, development, finance, critical infrastructure, technology, and military domains, including projects associated with the PRC’s Belt and Road Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Development Initiative; and

(B)

advising and sharing knowledge with United States embassy personnel, diplomatic allies and partners, and host countries on PRC activities locally, regionally, and globally.

(c)

Director.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint a Director to oversee the RCO program from among career members of the Foreign Service.

(d)

Limitation on Position.— The establishment of the position of the Director of the RCO program pursuant to subsection (c) shall not result in an increase in the overall full-time equivalent positions within the Department.

(e)

Responsibilities.— The Director shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the activities of RCOs in order to—

(1)

improve United States monitoring and responsiveness to activities, strategies and tactics of the PRC that undermine United States interests;

(2)

ensure that RCO program activities are aligned with United States strategic interests and priorities for strategic competition with the PRC;

(3)

oversee RCO program activities, including the development of standardized monitoring, evaluation, and learning metrics that inform effective United States Government responses to PRC activities;

(4)

identify gaps in United States engagements regarding PRC cross-cutting activities that impact United States interests; and

(5)

manage hiring for RCO positions, including individuals with the appropriate proficiency in Mandarin.

(f)

Regional China Officers.—

(1)

Qualifications.— The Secretary shall select and assign RCOs from among Foreign Service Officers who have expertise related to the PRC, including in the forms of prior experience working in or on the PRC, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and proficiency in Mandarin language.

(2)

Geographic placement.— Of the total number of RCOs in the Unit, there shall be no fewer than two Regional China Officers assigned to United States diplomatic posts associated with each of the following bureaus of the Department:

(A)

The Bureau of African Affairs.

(B)

The Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

(C)

The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

(D)

The Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

(E)

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

(F)

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

(G)

The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

(g)

Sunset Provision.— The requirement to maintain the Regional China Officer Program under subsection (a) shall expire on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(h)

Ally Defined.— In this section, the term “ally” means—

(1)

a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; or

(2)

a country designated as a major non-NATO ally pursuant to the authorities provided by section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321k).

SEC. 5176. Report on China’s Diplomatic Posts.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter for the next five years, the Secretary shall submit to appropriate congressional committees a report on the diplomatic presence of the People’s Republic of China worldwide and how that presence compares to the diplomatic presence of the United States, including—

(1)

the number of diplomatic posts currently maintained by People’s Republic of China and the United States in each country; and

(2)

the estimated number of diplomatic personnel of the People’s Republic of China and the United States stationed abroad in each country.

(b)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Appropriate committees of congress.— The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

(2)

Diplomatic post.— The term “diplomatic post”, with respect to the United States, does not include a post to which only personnel of agencies other than the Department are assigned.

SEC. 5177. Notification of Intent to Reduce Personnel at Covered Diplomatic Posts.

(a)

In General.— Except as provided in subsection (b), not later than 30 days before the date on which the Secretary carries out a reduction in United States Foreign Service personnel of at least 10 percent at a covered diplomatic post, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of the intent to carry out such a reduction, which shall include a certification by the Secretary that such reduction will not negatively impact the ability of the United States to compete with the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Russian Federation.

(b)

Exception.— Subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a security risk to personnel at a covered diplomatic post.

(c)

Definitions.— In this section—

(1)

the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2)

the term “covered diplomatic post” means a United States diplomatic post in a country in which the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Russian Federation also have a diplomatic post.

SEC. 5178. Foreign Affairs Manual Changes.

Section 5318(c)(1) of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2021 (22 U.S.C. 2658a(c)(1)) is amended by striking “ 5 years” and inserting “ 8 years”.

TITLE II Workforce Matters

SEC. 5201. Report on Vetting of Foreign Service Institute Language Instructors.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the execution of requirements under section 6116 of the Department of State Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2023 (22 U.S.C. 4030) that includes—

(1)

a description of all steps taken to date to carry out that section;

(2)

a detailed explanation of the suitability or fitness reviews, background investigations, and post-employment vetting, as applicable, of relevant Foreign Service Institute instructors who provide language instructions; and

(3)

a description of planned additional steps required to carry out such section.

SEC. 5202. Training Limitations.

The Department shall require the approval of the Secretary for eliminations of long-term training assignments.

SEC. 5203. Language Incentive Pay for Civil Service Employees.

The Secretary may provide special monetary incentives to acquire or retain proficiency in foreign languages to civil service employees who serve in domestic positions requiring critical language skills that are located in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and non-foreign areas (the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and other United States territories and possessions). The amounts of such incentives should be similar to the language incentive pay provided to members of the Foreign Service pursuant to section 704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)), as amended by section 5206.

SEC. 5204. Options for Comprehensive Evaluations.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall assess options for integrating 360-degree reviews in personnel files for promotion panel consideration.

(b)

Evaluation Systems.— The assessment required by subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

one or more options to integrate 360-degree reviews, references, or evaluations by superiors, peers, and subordinates, including consideration of automated reference requests; and

(2)

other modifications or systems the Secretary considers relevant.

(c)

Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the assessment required by subsection (a) that shall describe, with respect to each evaluation system included—

(1)

any legal constraints or considerations;

(2)

the timeline required for implementation;

(3)

any starting and recurring costs in comparison to current processes;

(4)

the likely or potential implications for promotion decisions and trends; and

(5)

the impact on meeting the personnel needs of the Foreign Service.

SEC. 5205. Job Share and Part-Time Employment Opportunities.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall establish and publish a Department policy on job share and part-time employment opportunities. The policy shall include a template for job-sharing arrangements, a database of job share and part-time employment opportunities, and a point of contact in the Bureau of Human Resources.

(b)

Workplace Flexibility Training.— The Secretary shall incorporate training on workplace flexibility, including the availability of job share and part-time employment opportunities, into employee onboarding.

(c)

Annual Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on workplace flexibility at the Department, including data on the number of employees utilizing job share or part-time employment arrangements.

(d)

Exception for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.— The policy described in subsection (a) shall not apply to officers and employees of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

SEC. 5206. Promoting Reutilization of Language Skills in the Foreign Service.

(a)

Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

foreign language skills are essential to effective diplomacy, particularly in high-priority positions, such as Chinese- and Russian-language designated positions focused on the People’s Republic of China and Russia;

(2)

reutilization of acquired language skills creates efficiencies through the reduction of language training overall and increases regional expertise;

(3)

often, investments in language skills are not sufficiently utilized and maintained throughout the careers of members of the Foreign Service following an initial assignment after language training;

(4)

providing incentives or requirements to select “out-year bidders” for priority language-designated assignments would decrease training costs overall and encourage more expertise in relevant priority areas; and

(5)

incentives for members of the Foreign Service to not only acquire and retain, but reuse, foreign language skills in priority assignments would reduce training costs in terms of both time and money and increase regional expertise to improve abilities in those areas deemed high priority by the Secretary.

(b)

Incentives to Reutilize Language Skills.— Section 704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)) is amended by inserting “ and reutilize” after “ to acquire or retain proficiency in”.

TITLE III Information Security and Cyber Diplomacy

SEC. 5301. Post Data Pilot Program.

(a)

Post Data and AI Pilot Program.—

(1)

Establishment.— The Secretary is authorized to establish a program, which shall be known as the “Post Data Program” (referred to in this section as the “Program”), that shall be overseen by the Department’s Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer.

(2)

Goals.— The goals of the Program shall include the following:

(A)

Cultivating a data and artificial intelligence culture at diplomatic posts globally, including data fluency and data collaboration.

(B)

Promoting data integration with Department of State Headquarters.

(C)

Creating operational efficiencies, supporting innovation, and enhancing mission impact.

(b)

Implementation Plan.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an implementation plan that outlines strategies for—

(A)

advancing the goals described in subsection (a)(2);

(B)

hiring data and artificial intelligence officers at United States diplomatic posts; and

(C)

allocation of necessary resources to sustain the Program.

(2)

Annual reporting requirement.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following three years, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the status of the implementation plan required under paragraph (1).

(c)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5302. Authorization to Use Commercial Cloud Enclaves Overseas.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department shall issue internal guidelines that authorize and track the use of enclaves deployed in overseas commercial cloud regions for OCONUS systems categorized at the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) high baseline.

(b)

Consistency With Federal Cybersecurity Regulations.— The enclave deployments shall be consistent with existing Federal cybersecurity regulations as well as best practices established across National Institute of Standards and Technology standards and ISO 27000 security controls.

(c)

Briefing.— Not later than 90 days after the enactment of the Act, and before issuing the new internal guidelines required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the proposed new guidelines, including—

(1)

relevant risk assessments; and

(2)

any security challenges regarding implementation.

(d)

Appropriate Congressional Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 5303. Reports on Technology Transformation Projects at the Department.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees.— The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(2)

Technology.— The term “technology” includes—

(A)

artificial intelligence and machine learning systems;

(B)

cybersecurity modernization tools or platforms;

(C)

cloud computing services and infrastructure;

(D)

enterprise data platforms and analytics tools;

(E)

customer experience platforms for public-facing services; and

(F)

internal workflow automation or modernization systems.

(3)

Technology transformation project.—

(A)

In general.— The term “technology transformation project” means any new or significantly modified technology deployed by the Department with the purpose of improving diplomatic, consular, administrative, or security operations.

(B)

Exclusions.— The term “technology transformation project” does not include a routine software update or version upgrade, a security patch or maintenance of an existing system, a minor configuration change, a business-as-usual information technology operation, a support activity, or a project that costs less than $1,000,000.

(b)

Annual Report.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on all technology transformation projects completed during the preceding two fiscal years.

(2)

Elements.— Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

(A)

For each project, the following:

(i)

A summary of the objective, scope, and operational context of the project.

(ii)

An identification of the primary technologies and vendors used, including artificial intelligence models, cloud providers, cybersecurity platforms, and major software components.

(iii)

A report on baseline and post-implementation performance and adoption metrics for the project, including (if applicable) with respect to—

(I)

operational efficiency, such as reductions in processing time, staff hours, or error rates;

(II)

user impact, such as improvements in end-user satisfaction scores and reliability;

(III)

security posture, such as enhancements in threat detection, incident response time;

(IV)

cost performance, including budgeted costs versus actual costs and projected cost savings or cost avoidance;

(V)

interoperability and integration, including level of integration achieved with existing systems of the Department;

(VI)

artificial intelligence, if applicable; and

(VII)

adoption, including, if applicable—

(aa)

an estimate of the percentage of eligible end-users actively using the system within the first three, six, and 12 months of deployment;

(bb)

the proportion of staff trained to use the system;

(cc)

the frequency and duration of use, disaggregated by bureau or geographic region if relevant;

(dd)

summarized user feedback, including pain points and satisfaction ratings; and

(ee)

a description of the status of deprecation or reduction in use of legacy systems, if applicable.

(iv)

A description of key challenges encountered during implementation and any mitigation strategies employed.

(v)

A summary of contracting or acquisition strategies used, including information on how the vendor or development team supported change management and adoption, including user testing, stakeholder engagement, and phased rollout.

(B)

For any project where adoption metrics fell below 50 percent of estimated usage within six months of launch, the following:

(i)

A remediation plan with specific steps to improve adoption, including retraining, user experience improvements, or outreach.

(ii)

An assessment of whether rollout should be paused or modified.

(iii)

Any plans for iterative development based on feedback from employees.

(3)

Public summary.— Not later than 60 days after submitting a report required by paragraph (1) to the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary shall publish an unclassified summary of the report on the publicly accessible website of the Department, consistent with national security interests.

(c)

Government Accountability Office Evaluation.— Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report—

(1)

evaluating—

(A)

the extent to which the Department has implemented and reported on technology transformation projects in accordance with the requirements under this section;

(B)

the effectiveness and reliability of the Department’s performance and adoption metrics for such projects;

(C)

whether such projects have met intended goals related to operational efficiency, security, cost-effectiveness, user adoption, and modernization of legacy systems; and

(D)

the adequacy of oversight mechanisms in place to ensure the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; and

(2)

including any recommendations to improve the Department’s management, implementation, or evaluation of technology transformation efforts.

SEC. 5304. Commercial Spyware.

(a)

Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

there is a national security need for the legitimate and responsible procurement and application of cyber intrusion capabilities, including efforts related to counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and countertrafficking;

(2)

the growing commercial market for sophisticated cyber intrusion capabilities has enhanced state and non-state actors’ abilities to target and track for nefarious purposes individuals, such as journalists, defenders of internationally recognized human rights, members of civil society groups, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and others for exercising their internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, or the family members of these targeted individuals;

(3)

the proliferation of commercial spyware presents significant and growing risks to United States national security, including to the safety and security of United States Government personnel; and

(4)

ease of access into and lack of transparency in the commercial spyware market raises the probability of spreading potentially destructive or disruptive cyber capabilities to a wider range of malicious actors.

(b)

Statement of Policy.— It is the policy of the United States—

(1)

to oppose the misuse of commercial spyware to target individuals, including journalists, defenders of internationally recognized human rights, and members of civil society groups, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and others for exercising their internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, or the family members of these targeted individuals;

(2)

to coordinate with allies and partners to prevent the export of commercial spyware tools to end-users likely to use them for malicious activities;

(3)

to maintain robust information-sharing with trusted allies and partners on commercial spyware proliferation and misuse, including to better identify and track these tools;

(4)

to work with private industry to identify and counter the abuse and misuse of commercial spyware technology; and

(5)

to work with allies and partners to establish robust guardrails to ensure that the use of commercial spyware tools are consistent with respect for internationally recognized human rights, and the rule of law.

TITLE IV Public Diplomacy

SEC. 5401. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.

Section 1(b)(3) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(b)(3)) is amended—

(1)

in the first sentence of the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—

(A)

by striking “ United States” before “ public diplomacy”; and

(B)

by striking “ , information, and international broadcasting”;

(2)

in subparagraph (E), by striking “ and” at the end;

(3)

in subparagraph (F)(v), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following:

“(G) lead and direct public diplomacy activities;

“(H) lead, synchronize, and coordinate efforts to recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign information manipulation and malign activities, including through efforts to limit the foreign propaganda and disinformation efforts of adversaries, and coordinate those efforts across Federal departments and agencies;

“(I) support global access to free information and internet freedom, in coordination with other relevant bureaus, in countries where the government has limited access to free and open internet by restricting access to internet browsers, websites, or other means of accessing the internet;

“(J) oppose censorship by foreign adversaries;

“(K) ensure implementation of the annual strategic plan for public diplomacy in collaboration with overseas posts and regional and functional bureaus of the Department;

“(L) serve as chair of interagency meetings on public diplomacy to align messaging, and lead and coordinate with members of the Group of Seven;

“(M) ensure that educational and cultural affairs programming shall be nonpolitical in character and shall be balanced and representative of the diversity of American political, social, and cultural life and that academic and cultural programs maintain scholarly integrity and meet the highest standards of academic excellence or artistic achievement;

“(N) support non-state actors abroad, including independent media and civil society groups, that are working to expose and counter foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and techniques, including those originating in the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, or Iran; and

“(O) ensure the Department does not fund organizations engaging in partisan political activity in the United States.”

SEC. 5402. Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5162, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:

“(15) Assistant secretary for educational and cultural affairs.—

“(A) Establishment.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, for matters described in section 112 of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2460), and other relevant matters pertaining to the development, implementation, and oversight of all educational, cultural, and professional exchange programs, as well as related initiatives and activities, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.

“(B) Responsibilities.—In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs shall be responsible for—

“(i) aligning exchange programming with broader global public diplomacy planning when consistent with the purposes of such exchange programing; and

“(ii) ensuring clear foreign policy outcomes in accordance with the objectives and requirements described in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.”

SEC. 5403. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

(a)

Establishment.— There shall be in the Department a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs described in section 112 of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2460), which shall be responsible for the functions described in such section and such other relevant functions related to academic, cultural, and professional exchanges as the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy may prescribe.

(b)

Head of Bureau.— The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

SEC. 5404. Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Strategy.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive strategy to combat foreign information manipulation and interference.

(b)

Elements.— The strategy required by subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

(1)

Conducting analysis of foreign state and non-state actors’ foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and techniques, including those originating from United States nation-state adversaries, including the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, and Iran.

(2)

Working together with allies and partners to expose and counter foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and techniques, as well as to counter censorship, including those originating in the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, and Iran.

(3)

Supporting non-state actors abroad, including independent media and civil society groups, which are working to expose and counter foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and techniques, including those originating in the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, and Iran.

(4)

Coordinating efforts to expose and counter foreign information manipulation and interference across Federal departments and agencies.

(5)

Protecting the First Amendment rights of United States citizens.

(6)

Creating guardrails to ensure the Department does not provide grants to organizations engaging in partisan political activity in the United States.

(c)

Coordination.— The strategy required by subsection (a) shall be led and implemented by the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy in coordination with relevant bureaus and offices at the Department.

(d)

Report.— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes—

(1)

actions the Department has taken to preserve the institutional capability to counter foreign nation-state influence operations from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and Iran since the termination of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI) hub;

(2)

a list of active and cancelled Countering PRC Influence Fund and Countering Russian Influence Fund projects since January 21, 2025;

(3)

actions the Department has taken to improve Department grantmaking processes related to countering foreign influence operations from nation-state adversaries; and

(4)

an assessment of recent foreign adversarial information operations and narratives related to United States foreign policy since January 21, 2025, from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and Iran.

(e)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5405. Repeal of Limitation on Use of Funds for International Expositions.

Section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 (22 U.S.C. 2452b) (as enacted into law by section 1000(a)(7) of the Public Law 106–113 and contained in appendix G of that Act; 113 Stat. 1501A–486)) is repealed.

TITLE V Diplomatic Security

SEC. 5501. Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security.

Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)), as amended by section 5402, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:

“(16) Assistant secretary for diplomatic security.—There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through Under Secretary for Management, for matters relating to the management, direction, and strategic execution of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.”

SEC. 5502. Special Agents.

Section 37(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2709(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting “ , in consultation with Under Secretary of Management,” after “ Secretary of State”.

SEC. 5503. Modification of Congressional Notification Requirement Relating to Embassy Reopening.

Section 105(b)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4804(b)(2)) is amended by inserting “ , detailing the national security value of reopening such post” after “ the decision to open or reopen such post”.

SEC. 5504. Counter-Intelligence Training for Certain Diplomatic Security Agents.

(a)

In General.— Title IV of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4851 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 418. COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR CERTAIN DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENTS.

“(a) In General.—Diplomatic Security special agents who are assigned to positions with a primary counterintelligence role or a diplomatic post rated as High or Critical for Human Intelligence on the Department of State’s Security Environment Threat List shall receive specific and substantive mandatory counter-intelligence training that is developed and conducted in consultation with the heads of relevant elements of the intelligence community.

“(b) Intelligence Community Defined.—In this section, the term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).”

(b)

Clerical Amendment.— The table of contents of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–399) is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the following:

“Sec. 418. Counter-intelligence training for certain Diplomatic Security special agents.”.

SEC. 5505. Expansion of Counter-Intelligence Personnel Security Program to Include Nonsecurity Staff.

Section 155 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. 4802 note) is amended—

(1)

in the section heading by striking “ high intelligence threat countries” and inserting “ critical human intelligence threat countries”;

(2)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ high intelligence threat countries who are responsible for security at those posts” and inserting “ critical human intelligence threat countries and countries designated by the Under Secretary of State for Management”; and

(B)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ high intelligence threat countries” and inserting “ critical human intelligence threat countries”;

(3)

in subsection (c), by striking “ high intelligence threat country” and inserting “ critical human intelligence threat country” each place it appears;

(4)

by redesignating subsection (c), as so amended, as subsection (d); and

(5)

by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

“(c) Country-specific Threat Training Required.—Personnel assigned to posts in critical human intelligence threat countries shall receive country-specific threat training informed by assessments from relevant elements of the intelligence community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), at the appropriate classification level.”

SEC. 5506. Report on Security Conditions in Damascus, Syria, Required for the Reopening of the United States Diplomatic Mission.

(a)

Findings.— Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

The United States has a national security interest in a stable Syria free from the malign influence of Russia and Iran, and which cannot be used by terrorist organizations to launch attacks against the United States or United States allies or partners in the region.

(2)

Permissive security conditions are necessary for the reopening of any diplomatic mission.

(b)

Report.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the Syrian Government’s progress towards meeting the security related benchmarks described in paragraph (2).

(2)

Elements.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

(A)

An assessment of the Syrian Government’s progress on counterterrorism, especially as it relates to United States designated terrorist organizations that threaten to attack the United States or our allies and partners.

(B)

An assessment of the security environment of the potential sites for a future building of the United States Embassy in Damascus and the conditions necessary for resuming embassy operations in Damascus.

(C)

An analysis of the Syrian Government’s progress in identifying and destroying any remnants of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons program, including any stockpiles, production facilities, or related sites.

(D)

An assessment of the Syrian Government’s destruction of the Assad regime’s captagon and other illicit drug stockpiles, to include infrastructure.

(E)

An assessment of the Syrian Government’s relationship with the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, to include access, basing, overflight, economic relationships, and impacts on United States national security objectives.

(F)

A description of the Syrian Government’s cooperation with the United States to locate and repatriate United States citizens.

(c)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 5507. Embassies, Consulates, and Other Diplomatic Installations Return to Standards Report.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the impacts of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s initiative known as “Return to Standards” on the security needs of United States embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic installations outside the United States.

(b)

Elements.— The report required under subsection (a) shall describe the impacts of the Return to Standards initiative and other reductions in staffing and resources from the beginning of the initiative to the date of enactment of this Act for all embassies, consulates, and other overseas diplomatic installations, including detailed descriptions and explanations of all reductions of personnel or other resources, including their effects on—

(1)

securing facilities and perimeters;

(2)

transporting United States personnel into the foreign country; and

(3)

executing any other relevant operations for which they are responsible.

(c)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5508. Reauthorization of Overtime Pay for Protective Services.

Section 6232(g) of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118–31; 5 U.S.C. 5547 note) is amended by striking “ 2025” and inserting “ 2027”.

TITLE VI Miscellaneous

SEC. 5601. Submission of Federally Funded Research and Development Center Reports to Congress.

Not later than 30 days after receiving a report or other written product provided to the Department by federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and consultant groups that were supported by funds congressionally appropriated to the Department, the Secretary shall provide the appropriate congressional committees—

(1)

the report or written product, including the original proposal for the report;

(2)

the amount provided by the Department to the FFRDC; and

(3)

a detailed description of the value the Department derived from the report.

SEC. 5602. Quarterly Report on Diplomatic Pouch Access.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter for the next three years, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes—

(1)

a list of every overseas United States diplomatic post where diplomatic pouch access is restricted or limited by the host government;

(2)

an explanation as to why, in each instance where an overseas United States diplomatic post is restricted or limited by the host government, the host government has restricted or limited the diplomatic pouch access of the United States diplomatic post; and

(3)

a detailed explanation outlining the steps the Department is taking to gain diplomatic pouch access in each instance where such access has been restricted or limited by the host government.

SEC. 5603. Report on Utility of Instituting a Processing Fee for Itar License Applications.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the feasibility and effect of establishing an export licensing fee system for the commercial export of defense items and services to partially or fully finance the licensing costs of the Department, if permitted by statute. The report should consider whether and to what degree such an export license application fee system would be preferable to relying solely on the existing registration fee system and the feasibility of a tiered system of fees, considering such options as volume per applicant over time and discounted fees for small businesses.

SEC. 5604. Havana Act Payment Fix.

Section 901 of title IX of division J of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b) is amended—

(1)

by striking “ January 1, 2016” each place it appears and inserting “ September 11, 2001”;

(2)

in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ of a” and inserting “ of an”; and

(3)

in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(4) Limitations.—

“(A) Appropriations required.—Payments under subsections (a) and (b) in a fiscal year may only be made using amounts appropriated in advance specifically for payments under such paragraph in such fiscal year.

“(B) Matter of payments.—Payments under subsections (a) and (b) using amounts appropriated for such purpose shall be made on a first come, first serve, or pro rata basis.

“(C) Amounts of payments.—The total amount of funding obligated for payments under subsections (a) and (b) may not exceed the amount specifically appropriated for providing payments under such paragraph during its period of availability.”

SEC. 5605. Establishing an Inner Mongolia Section Within the United States Mission in China.

(a)

Inner Mongolia Section in the United States Mission in China.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary may establish an Inner Mongolia team within the United States Mission in China, to follow political, economic, and social developments in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and other areas designated by the People’s Republic of China as autonomous for Mongolians, with due consideration given to hiring Mongolians as Locally Employed Staff.

(2)

Responsibilities.— Responsibilities of a team devoted to Inner Mongolia should include reporting on internationally recognized human rights issues, monitoring developments in critical minerals mining, environmental degradation, and PRC space capabilities, and access to areas designated as autonomous for Mongolians by United States Government officials, journalists, nongovernmental organizations, and the Mongolian diaspora.

(3)

Language requirements.— The Secretary should ensure that the Department has sufficient proficiency in the Mongolian language in order to carry out paragraph (1), and that the United States Mission in China has sufficient resources to hire Local Employed Staff proficient in the Mongolian language, as appropriate.

(b)

Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the staffing described in subsection (a).

SEC. 5606. Report on United States Mission Australia Staffing.

(a)

Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

Australia is one of the closest allies of the United States and integral to United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific;

(2)

the United States-Australia alliance has seen tremendous growth, including through AUKUS, as part of which, the United States plans to rotate up to four Virginia-class attack submarines out of the Australian port of Perth by 2027; and

(3)

current United States staffing and facilities across United States Mission Australia do not appear adequately resourced to support an expanding mission set and are no longer commensurate with strategic developments.

(b)

Report.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding staffing and facility requirements at United States Mission Australia to provide administrative and operational support for all United States Government personnel under Chief of Mission Authority of the head of the United States Mission in Australia.

(2)

Contents.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A)

an assessment of how many United States civilian and military personnel and their dependents the Department expects across Australia in the next five years;

(B)

an assessment of what requirements those United States personnel will have, including housing, schooling, and office space;

(C)

a status update on anticipated interagency growth plans across Australia and the interagency process begun in 2024 to assess the needs of Mission Australia;

(D)

an assessment of the impact of the Department reorganization and workforce reduction on the staffing contemplated by that process;

(E)

an analysis of resource gaps that could undermine mission capacity and United States foreign policy objectives, including advancing the United States-Australia alliance and AUKUS;

(F)

a recommendation for additional facilities, staffing, and resources needed to execute on mission growth; and

(G)

an estimated total cost of expanding staffing to sufficiently serve the increased presence of United States personnel in the area and to achieve any other United States foreign policy objectives.

(3)

Classified annex.— The report shall contain a classified annex as necessary.

(c)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 5607. Extensions.

(a)

Support to Enhance the Capacity of International Monetary Fund Members to Evaluate the Legal and Financial Terms of Sovereign Debt Contracts.— Section 6103(c) of title LXI of division F of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81) is amended by striking “ 5-year period” and inserting “ 10-year period”.

(b)

Inspector General Annuitant Waiver.— The authorities provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–212; 124 Stat. 2332) shall remain in effect through September 30, 2031.

(c)

Extension of Authorizations to Support United States Participation in International Fairs and Expos.— Section 9601(b) of the Department of State Authorizations Act of 2022 (division I of Public Law 117–263; 136 6 Stat. 3909) is amended by striking “ fiscal years 2023 and 2024” and inserting “ fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028”.

SEC. 5608. Updating Counterterrorism Reports.

Section 140(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. 2656f(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “ April 30” and inserting “ October 31”.