[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 304 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 304
To establish an independent nonpartisan review panel to assess how the
Department of State can best fulfill its mission in the 21st century
and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 30, 2001
Mr. Thornberry introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an independent nonpartisan review panel to assess how the
Department of State can best fulfill its mission in the 21st century
and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE DEPARTMENT REVIEW PANEL.
(a) Findings and Purpose.--The Congress makes the following
findings:
(1) The Department of State, established in 1789, is
responsible for representing the worldwide interests of the
United States and its citizens and for advancing the policies
of the United States Government.
(2) The Department operates 288 posts in more than 160
countries throughout the world, has approximately 24,000 full-
time staff, and spends a budget of approximately
$7,061,000,000.
(3) There have been dramatic changes in the world in which
the Department must function, including changes in technology,
changes in religious, ethnic, and regional conflicts, and
changes in economic, political, and military relationships.
Yet, there has been little change in the organization and
structure of the Department or its posts throughout the world.
(4) The Department and all United States diplomatic efforts
should be the subject of a comprehensive review by an
independent panel to assess how the Department can best fulfill
its mission in the 21st century and meet the challenges of a
rapidly changing world.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than December 1, 2001, the Congress
shall establish a nonpartisan independent panel to be known as the
Department of State Review Panel (in this section referred to as the
``Panel''). The Panel shall have the duties set forth in this section.
(c) Membership.--
(1) The Panel shall be composed of 10 members who are
individuals in the private sector who are recognized experts in
matters relating to foreign affairs and the national security
of the United States.
(2) Members of the Panel shall be appointed as follows:
(A) 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
(B) 3 members appointed by the Majority Leader of
the Senate.
(C) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives.
(D) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of
the Senate.
(3) The Panel shall have a chairman who shall be selected
by the members of the panel from among the members.
(d) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the appointment of the
last member to the Panel, the Panel shall prepare and submit to the
Congress a comprehensive report. The report shall include the
following:
(1) A review of current structures of the Department of
State and related agencies, including the organization and
operation of the embassies and consulates of the United States
abroad, to determine how best to efficiently and effectively--
(A) represent the interests of the United States
throughout the world;
(B) advance the policies of the United States;
(C) cooperate and integrate with other government
agencies and departments, including the Department of
Defense, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of
the United States Trade Representative, the Agency for
International Development (AID), and the intelligence
agencies of the United States; and
(D) meet the anticipated roles and missions of such
entities in the future.
(2) Recommendations on any structural reorganization at the
Department of State and United States embassies and consulates,
including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) Whether any geographical desks should be added,
combined, or eliminated, including an examination of
whether an ``American Affairs'' desk should be
established within the Office of the Under Secretary
for Political Affairs.
(B) Whether any of the Under or Assistant
Secretaries of State should be combined, eliminated, or
created, including an examination of whether an Under
Secretary for ``Future Affairs'' needs to be
established to analyze and assess future challenges for
the Department.
(C) Whether a member of the Armed Forces should be
stationed at each embassy and whether a member of any
other department should be stationed at all or specific
embassies worldwide.
(D) Whether Members of the Foreign Service serving
in other Federal agencies should be merged into the
Department of State.
(3) Suggestions for changes in organization and process to
ensure that future United States diplomatic efforts are
successful.
(4) Suggestions for changes in structures to better
formulate and implement the foreign policy of the United
States.
(5) An independent assessment of the challenges the
Department of State may face through the year 2020 and beyond.
(6) A comprehensive review of how the Department of State,
the embassies and consulates of the United States, and
diplomatic and other personnel and delegations are organized to
handle efficiently future risks, including any recommended
structural or internal changes that may be necessary to meet
future challenges to the national interest of the United
States.
(7) The planning assumptions used in the Panel's review,
including, but not limited to, assumptions relating to
cooperation, communication with allies, levels of risk, real-
time situational awareness, and instantaneous communication.
(8) An examination of the Department of State's forward
presence and pre-positioning necessary for negotiation and
conflict deterrence in response to anticipated threats and
conflicts.
(9) An examination of the current information
infrastructure and technologies at the Department of State and
recommendations on how these technologies need to be updated,
changed, or replaced for optimum utilization by the year 2005
and beyond.
(10) The vulnerability of United States technology to
nontraditional threats, such as information warfare, and the
effect of this vulnerability on Department of State operations
and missions.
(11) Future scenarios requiring a Department of State
response, including scenarios in response to nontraditional
threats.
(e) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Panel may secure
directly from the Department of State and from any other Federal
department and agency such information as the Panel considers necessary
to carry out its duties under this section. The head of the department
or agency concerned shall ensure that information requested by the
Panel under this subsection is promptly provided.
(f) Personnel Matters.--
(1) Each member of the Panel shall be compensated at a rate
equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section
5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including
travel time) during which such member is engaged in the
performance of the duties of the Panel.
(2) The members of the Panel shall be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates
authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from
their homes or regular places of business in the performance of
services for the Panel.
(3)(A) The chairman of the Panel may, without regard to the
civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an
executive director, and a staff of not more than 4 additional
individuals, if the Panel determines that an executive director
and staff are necessary in order for the Panel to perform its
duties effectively. The employment of an executive director
shall be subject to confirmation by the Panel.
(B) The chairman may fix the compensation of the executive
director without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code,
relating to classification of positions and General Schedule
pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive
director may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(4) Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the
Panel without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without
interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. The
Secretary shall ensure that sufficient personnel are detailed
to the Panel to enable the Panel to carry out its duties
effectively.
(5) To the maximum extent practicable, the members and
employees of the Panel shall travel on government aircraft,
ships, vehicles, or other conveyances when travel is necessary
in the performance of a duty of the Panel, except that no such
aircraft, ship, vehicle, or other conveyance may be scheduled
primarily for the transportation of any such member or employee
when the cost of commercial transportation is less expensive.
(g) Administrative Provisions.--
(1) The Panel may use the United States mails and obtain
printing and binding services in the same manner and under the
same conditions as other departments and agencies of the
Federal Government.
(2) The Secretary of State shall furnish the Panel any
administrative and support services requested by the Panel.
(3) The Panel may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
(h) Payment of Panel Expenses.--The compensation, travel expenses,
and per diem allowances of members and employees of the Panel shall be
paid out of funds available to the Department of State for the payment
of compensation, travel allowances, and per diem allowances,
respectively, of civilian employees of the Department. The other
expenses of the Panel shall be paid out of funds available to the
Department for the payment of similar expenses incurred by the
Department.
(i) Sunset Provision.--The Panel shall terminate 6 months after the
submission of a final report to the Congress under subsection (d).
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