Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Strategic Communications Act of 2008

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; (B)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; (C)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (D)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2)

Center

The term Center means the National Center for Strategic Communication established under section 5(a). (3)

Director

The term Director means the Director of Strategic Communication of the Center appointed under section 5(b). (4)

National strategic communications strategy

The term national strategic communications strategy means the comprehensive strategy for strategic communication developed under section 6. (5)

Strategic communications

The term strategic communications means engaging foreign audiences through coordinated and truthful communications programs that create, preserve, or strengthen conditions favorable to the advancement of the national interests of the United States.

Sense of Congress

It is the Sense of Congress that— (1)radical Islamists deny these moral principles and use terrorism to achieve their ideological ends; (2)radical Islamists seek to— (A)morally delegitimize democracy; and (B)forcefully impose a universal political order that denies and suppresses the unalienable rights of human beings; (3)although military force may sometimes be necessary, military force alone cannot defeat the threat posed by Islamist extremism; (4)the founding principles of the United States, including freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, must be advanced and defended against those who— (A)deny the truth of such principles; and (B)seek to overthrow such principles; (5)the United States, out of a decent respect to the opinions of mankind, owes an explanation of its founding principles and the purposes of democratic, constitutional, and political order; and (6)the United States Government needs an organization whose mission is to engage foreign audiences in ways that advance the national interests of the United States, including— (A)advancing understanding and appreciation for the founding principles of the United States; and (B)defeating the ideas that are inimical to the founding principles of the United States.

Broadcasting Board of Governors

(a)

Abolishment of Broadcasting Board of Governors

The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.) is repealed on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b)

Special immigrant status

Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) is amended by striking for the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, or for a grantee of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and inserting for the National Center for Strategic Communication. (c)

Dissemination abroad of information about the United States

Title V of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1461) is amended— (1)in the title heading, by striking

abroad

; (2)by striking subsection (a); and (3)in subsection (b), by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subsections (a), (b), and (c). (d)

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 repealed on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e)

Conforming amendments

(1)

United states information and educational exchange act of 1948

The United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended— (A)in title V (22 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.)— (i)by striking section 505; and (ii)in section 506, by striking subsection (c); and (B)in title VIII (22 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), by striking section 802(b)(4). (2)

State department basic authorities act of 1956

Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended— (A)in section 23(a), by striking , the Broadcasting Board of Governors,; (B)in section 25(f), by striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Board and the Agency and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Agency; (C)in section 26(b), by striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Board and the Agency and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Agency; (D)in section 32, by striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to their respective agencies and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Agency; and (E)by amending section 60(b)(2) to read as follows:

(2)develop— (A)a comprehensive and coherent strategy for the use of public diplomacy resources; and (B)long-term measurable objectives for United States public diplomacy.

National Center for Strategic Communication

(a)

Establishment

There is established the National Center for Strategic Communication. (b)

Director

(1)

Appointment

The Center shall be headed by the Director of Strategic Communication, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (2)

Simultaneous service prohibited

The Director may not simultaneously serve in any other capacity in the Executive Branch. (3)

Reporting requirement

The Director shall regularly report to the President of the United States with respect to matters described in subsection (d). (c)

Deputy Director

(1)

Appointment

The Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (2)

Duties

The Deputy Director shall— (A)perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Director may prescribe; and (B)act for, and exercise the powers of, the Director when the Director is disabled or the position of Director is vacant. (d)

Matters To be reported to the President

The matters described in this subsection are— (1)the budget and programs of the Center; (2)the conduct of strategic communications implemented by the Center and by other elements of the United States Government; and (3)the planning and progress of joint strategic communications. (e)

Primary missions

The primary missions of the Center are— (1)to serve as the primary organization in the United States Government for conducting strategic communications, including information, educational, and cultural activities that are designed— (A)to influence the opinions of foreign audiences in support of American ideals and in opposition to violent extremism; (B)to dissuade foreign audiences from supporting violence; (C)to provide other peoples with a better understanding of the policies, values, institutions and culture of the United States; (D)to support other peoples who share the values of the United States, including those who seek to advance freedom and oppose violent extremism; and (E)to promote the founding principles of the United States abroad, especially inalienable individual rights, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law; (2)to develop and oversee the execution of the national strategic communications strategy; (3)to encourage private institutions in the United States to develop their own exchange activities, and provide assistance for those exchange activities which are in the broadest national interest; (4)to ensure that international informational, educational, and cultural activities conducted or planned by other departments and agencies of the United States Government are consistent with the national strategic communications strategy; (5)to promote United States participation in international events relevant to the mission of the Agency; (6)to direct and coordinate foreign broadcasting by the United States Government; and (7)to research and analyze— (A)global public opinion; (B)media trends and influences on audiences; (C)existing and emerging information technologies; and (D)the implications of all source intelligence assessments. (f)

General authorization

Subject to the direction of the President, the Director may design and implement programs and activities intended to achieve the missions described in subsection (e) through— (1)the dissemination of truthful information across all forms of information media; (2)information centers and instructors located outside of the United States; (3)cooperative efforts with private, nonprofit, and nongovernmental organizations; (4)joint initiatives with other agencies of the United States Government, as appropriate; and (5)exchange programs. (g)

Duties and responsibilities of the Director

(1)

In general

The Director shall— (A)serve as the principal advisor to the President on strategic communications; (B)provide guidance for strategic communications conducted across the United States Government, and for the effective integration of strategic communications across agency boundaries within and outside the United States; (C)advise the President on the extent to which the strategic communications recommendations and budget proposals of the departments, agencies, and elements of the United States Government— (i)conform to the priorities established by the President; and (ii)are consistent with the national strategic communications strategy; (D)coordinate the strategic communications efforts of all Federal agencies, as appropriate; (E)oversee United States’ foreign broadcasts, including Voice of America and surrogate broadcast programs; (F)ensure the design and implementation of appropriate program evaluation methodologies; (G)ensure that United States Agency for International Development programs are accompanied by appropriate strategic communications efforts; (H)have primary responsibility to assist and advise the President in the formation and implementation of United States strategic communication policies and activities, including international educational and cultural exchange programs, information, and international broadcasting; and (I)ensure the use of all relevant forms of Internet-based communication in support of the missions described in subsection (e) and the strategy described in section 6. (2)

Prohibition

The Director may not initiate, terminate, or manage any program or activity of any other component of the United States Government without the consent of the head of the relevant department or agency. (h)

Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications Corps

(1)

Appointment

The President shall appoint an Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications Corps, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate. (2)

Powers; duties

The Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications Corps shall— (A)assist the Director in overseeing and coordinating— (i)the implementation of the national strategic communication strategy on a regional and country-by-country basis; and (ii)the activities of all of the employees of the Center who are stationed overseas; (B)recommend ways to improve the national strategic communications strategy based on information received from the strategic communication officers; and (C)exercise such powers and perform such other duties prescribed by the Director. (3)

Strategic communications officers

The Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications Corps, in consultation with the Director, shall appoint strategic communications officers, who shall— (A)execute the missions of the Center, as directed by the Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications Corps; (B)be stationed at United States embassies and consulates selected by the Assistant Director, in consultation with the Secretary of State, based on their importance in implementing the national strategic communications strategy and serve as members of the country team; (C)work under the direction of the Assistant Director; (D)ensure the effective implementation of the national strategic communications strategy in the country or area in which they serve, by— (i)ensuring communication occurs in a manner relevant to, and consistent with, local social and cultural conditions; and (ii)working with local individuals and groups, as appropriate, to achieve the goals and mission of the Center; and (E)recommend ways to improve the national strategic communications strategy. (i)

Assistant Director for Information Operations

(1)

Appointment

The President shall appoint an Assistant Director for Information Operations, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate. (2)

Powers; duties

Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Director, the Assistant Director for Information Operations shall— (A)supervise all broadcasting activities conducted pursuant to this Act, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.), and Worldnet Television; (B)review and evaluate the mission and operation of, and assess the quality, effectiveness, and professional integrity of, all the activities described in subparagraph (A) within the context of the broad foreign policy objectives of the United States; (C)ensure that United States international broadcasting is conducted in accordance with the standards and principles contained in sections 8 and 9; (D)review, evaluate, and determine, at least annually, after consultation with the Director, the addition or deletion of language services; (E)make and supervise grants for broadcasting and related activities; (F)allocate funds appropriated for international broadcasting activities among the various elements of the International Broadcasting Bureau and grantees, subject to applicable reprogramming notification requirements for the reallocation of funds; (G)review engineering activities to ensure that all broadcasting elements receive the highest quality and cost-effective delivery services; (H)undertake such studies as may be necessary to identify areas in which broadcasting activities under the authority of the Center could be made more efficient and economical; (I)submit to an annual report to Congress and the President that— (i)summarizes and evaluates activities under this Act, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), and the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.); and (ii)places special emphasis on the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (B); and (iii)includes information on funds expended on administrative and managerial services by the International Broadcasting Bureau and by grantees and the steps the Center has taken to reduce unnecessary overhead costs for each of the broadcasting services; (J)provide for the use of United States Government transmitter capacity for relay of Radio Free Asia, to the extent the Assistant Director determines appropriate; (K)procure such goods and services from other departments or agencies for the Center and the International Broadcasting Bureau as the Assistant Director determines are appropriate; (L)administer the international information programs transferred from the Department of State under section 7; (M)ensure the transparency of the content of United States foreign broadcasts; and (N)exercise such powers and perform such other duties prescribed by the Director. (j)

Assistant Director for Global Networks

(1)

Appointment

The President shall appoint an Assistant Director for Global Networks, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate. (2)

Powers; duties

Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Director, the Assistant Director for Global Networks shall— (A)award grants to private and nonprofit organizations to perform information operations consistent with the missions of the Center and the national strategic communications strategy; (B)Administer the educational and cultural exchange programs transferred from the Department of State under section 7; and (C)perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Director may prescribe. (k)

Strategic Communications Board

(1)

Establishment

There is established within the Center a Strategic Communications Board, which shall be led by the Deputy Director, who shall— (A)report regularly to the Director on progress in implementing the national strategic communication strategy; (B)make recommendations on necessary adjustments to the strategy; and (C)inform the Director of the start or progress of information operations conducted by the department, office, or agency the liaison represents. (2)

Designation

Department heads shall designate officials of appropriate rank to serve as members of the Strategic Communications Board from— (A)the Department of State; (B)the Office of the Secretary of Defense; (C)the Joint Chiefs of Staff (D)the Department of Commerce; (E)the Department of the Treasury; (F)the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and (G)the United States Agency for International Development. (3)

Modification

The President, after notifying the appropriate congressional committees, may modify the composition of the Strategic Communications Board. (l)

International Broadcasting Bureau

(1)

Continuation

Notwithstanding section 4(a), the International Broadcasting Bureau, established by section 6206 of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–326), shall continue to carry out all nonmilitary international broadcasting activities supported by the United States Government. (2)

Director

The Director of the Bureau shall— (A)be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; (B)report to the Assistant Director for Information Operations appointed under subsection (i); (C)be entitled to receive compensation at the rate prescribed by law for level IV of the Executive Schedule; and (D)organize and chair a coordinating committee to examine and make recommendations to the Center on long-term strategies for the future of international broadcasting, including— (i)the use of new technologies; (ii)further consolidation of broadcast services; and (iii)consolidation of existing public affairs and legislative relations functions in the various international broadcasting entities. (3)

Coordinating committee

The coordinating committee shall include representatives of Radio Free Asia, RFE/RL, Incorporated, and, as appropriate, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, the Voice of America, and Worldnet. (m)

Detailees

The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director, shall ensure that at least 1 individual from each department or office is always detailed to the offices of the assistant directors appointed pursuant to subsections (h), (i) and (j).

Comprehensive strategy

(a)

Strategy

The Director, in consultation with the Strategic Communications Board established under section 5(k), shall develop a comprehensive interagency strategy for strategic communication. (b)

Contents

The national strategic communications strategy shall contain— (1)overall goals and objectives; (2)actions to be performed; and (3)benchmarks and timetables for the achievement of such goals and objectives. (c)

Components

The national strategic communications strategy shall include the following components: (1)Prioritizing the mission of supporting specific foreign policy and national security objectives, such as counterterrorism and efforts to combat extremist ideology, in parallel and in complement with, as appropriate, the missions of the Center described in section 5(e). (2)Improving coordination across departments and agencies of the Federal Government on— (A)strategic planning; (B)research activities, including research into the attitudes and behaviors of foreign audiences and assessments of past strategic communications efforts; and (C)the acquisition or development of editorial content, including content for Internet Web sites and print publications. (3)Developing a more rigorous, research-based, targeted approach to strategic communications efforts differentiated for specific target audiences in various countries and regions. (4)Developing rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. (5)Making greater use of participation from private sector entities, academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations in supporting strategic communications efforts. (6)Using all available forms of information technology. (d)

Reports

(1)

Initial report

Not later than 180 days after being confirmed by the Senate, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the strategy developed under this section. (2)

Subsequent reports

Not less than once every 2 years after the submission of the initial report under paragraph (1), the Director, after consultation with the liaison officials described in section 5(k), shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes— (A)the status of the implementation of the national strategic communications strategy; (B)progress made by the Center toward achievement of the benchmarks; and (C)any changes to the strategy since the submission of the previous report.

Transfer of functions and personnel

(a)

Functions transferred

All the functions of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, are transferred to the Director, except for the functions of the Bureau of Public Affairs and any office or component of such agency, under any statute, reorganization plan, Executive Order, or other provision of law. (b)

Personnel transferred

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all personnel and positions reporting to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (except the personnel and positions in the Bureau of Public Affairs) shall be transferred to the Center, not later than the date on which such Under Secretary position is repealed— (1)at the same grade or class; (2)at the same rate of basic pay or basic salary rate; and (3)with the same tenure held immediately preceding such transfer. (c)

Foreign Service Officers

(1)

In general

Any Foreign Service Officer transferred under subsection (b) shall retain status within the Foreign Service upon any return to employment at the Department of State. (2)

Savings provision

Nothing in this section may be construed to require that any position at the Center be filled by a Foreign Service Officer. (d)

Assignment authority

(1)

In general

Except as provided under paragraphs (2) through (4), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director, during the 6-month period beginning on the date of the transfer of personnel under subsection (b), is authorized to assign such personnel to any position or set of duties in the Center regardless of the position held or duties performed by such personnel before such transfer. (2)

Pay grade

An assignment under paragraph (1) shall not reduce the grade, class, or rate of basic pay or basic salary or change the tenure of any personnel subject to such assignment. (3)

Consultation requirement

The Director shall consult with the relevant exclusive representatives (as defined in section 1002 of the Foreign Service Act and in section 7103 of title 5, United States Code) with regard to the exercise of the authority under this subsection. (4)

Limitation

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize the Director to assign any individual to any position that by law requires appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Broadcasting standards and principles

(a)

Broadcasting standards

United States international broadcasting shall— (1)be consistent with the broad foreign policy objectives of the United States; (2)not duplicate the activities of private United States broadcasters; (3)be conducted in accordance with the highest professional standards of broadcast journalism; (4)be based on reliable information about its audience; and (5)promote respect for the founding principles of the United States, including freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. (b)

Broadcasting principles

United States international broadcasting shall include— (1)news which is consistently reliable, authoritative, accurate, and comprehensive; (2)clear and effective presentation of the policies of the United States Government and responsible discussion and opinion on those policies, including editorials, broadcast by the Voice of America, which present the views of the United States Government; (3)the capability to provide a surge capacity to support United States foreign policy objectives during crises abroad; (4)programming to meet needs which remain unserved by the totality of media voices available to the people of certain nations; (5)information about developments in each significant region of the world; (6)a variety of opinions and voices from within particular nations and regions prevented by censorship or repression from speaking to their fellow countrymen; (7)reliable research capacity to meet the criteria under this section; (8)adequate transmitter and relay capacity to support the activities described in this section; and (9)training and technical support for independent indigenous media through government agencies or private United States entities.

Voice of America

(a)

In general

The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the people of the world by radio. Voice of America can only be effective by winning the attention and respect of its listeners. (b)

Governing principles

To accomplish the objectives described in subsection (a), Voice of America shall present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, including presentations of responsible discussions and opinion regarding these policies.

10.

Reorganization report

(a)

Submission of plan and report

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a reorganization plan and report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding— (1)the termination of the authorities of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy; (2)the termination of the Broadcasting Board of Governors; (3)the transfer of public diplomacy functions and personnel from the Department of State to the Center; and (4)any recommendations to transfer other strategic communications functions to the Center from any part of the United States Government. (b)

Plan elements

The plan submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this section shall— (1)identify the functions of each agency that will be transferred to the Center under the plan; (2)specify the steps to be taken by the Director that will be required under the plan in order to permit the Center to carry out the functions transferred to it under the plan; (3)specify the funds that will be transferred to the Center as a result of the transfer of functions to the Center; (4)specify the proposed allocations within the Center of unexpended funds transferred in connection with the transfer of functions under the plan; and (5)specify the proposed disposition of the property, facilities, contracts, records, and other assets and liabilities in connection with the transfer of the functions to the Center. (c)

Modification of plan

The President may, on the basis of consultations with the appropriate congressional committees, modify or revise any part of the reorganization plan submitted under this section. (d)

Report

The report accompanying the reorganization plan submitted under this section shall contain a description of the implementation of the plan, including— (1)a detailed description of— (A)the actions necessary or planned to complete the reorganization; (B)the anticipated nature and substance of any orders, directives, and other administrative and operational actions which are expected to be required for completing or implementing the reorganization; and (C)any preliminary actions which have been taken in the implementation process; (2)the number of personnel and positions of each covered agency (including civil service personnel, Foreign Service personnel, and detailees) that are expected to be— (A)transferred to the Center; (B)separated from service with such agency; or (C)eliminated under the plan; (3)a projected schedule for the transfers, separations, and terminations referred to in paragraph (2); (4)the number of personnel and positions of the Department of State (including civil service personnel, Foreign Service personnel, and detailees) that are expected to be transferred within the Department, separated from service with the Department, or eliminated under the plan, and a projected schedule for such transfers, separations, and terminations; (5)a projected schedule for completion of the implementation process; and (6)recommendations, if any, for legislation that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act relating to personnel and incidental transfers.