[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8561 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8561
To establish a commission to study how Federal laws and policies affect
United States citizens living in foreign countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 28, 2026
Ms. Titus (for herself, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Norton, Mr. Mullin, and Ms.
Craig) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the
Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House
Administration, Energy and Commerce, and Veterans' Affairs, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to study how Federal laws and policies affect
United States citizens living in foreign countries.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Americans Living
Abroad Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established in the executive branch a commission to be
known as the ``Commission on Americans Living Abroad'' (in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 10
members appointed by the President, of whom--
(1) two members shall be appointed from among individuals
recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) two members shall be appointed from among individuals
recommended by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(3) two members shall be appointed from among individuals
recommended by the majority leader of the Senate; and
(4) two members shall be appointed from among individuals
recommended by the minority leader of the Senate.
(b) Qualifications.--
(1) Limit on officers or employees of the united states.--
Not more than 6 members of the Commission may be officers or
employees of the United States.
(2) Political party affiliation.--Not more than 6 members
of the Commission may be of the same political party or
appointed by recommendation of individuals belonging to the
same party.
(3) Expertise.--
(A) Officers or employees of the united states.--
Members of the Commission who are officers or employees
of the United States shall be appointed from among
individuals whose employment is directly related to the
matters to be studied by the Commission under section
4(a)(2).
(B) Other members.--Members of the Commission who
are not officers or employees of the United States
shall be appointed from among individuals who--
(i) have lived in a foreign country for not
fewer than 5 years;
(ii) are members of organizations that
represent United States citizens living in
foreign countries; or
(iii) have other experience that is
relevant to the matters to be studied by the
Commission under section 4(a)(2).
(c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall be
filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers.
(d) Chairperson.--The President shall select a Chairperson for the
Commission from among its members.
(e) Meetings.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which all
members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall
hold its first meeting. The Commission shall subsequently meet at the
call of the Chairperson.
(f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
(a) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study on the following
matters:
(1) The manner and extent to which Federal laws and
policies affect United States citizens living in foreign
countries.
(2) The costs and burdens of such Federal laws and policies
on such overseas citizens.
(3) The lack of access to Federal benefits and health care
through the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans living
abroad compared to those veterans residing on United States
soil.
(4) Federal financial reporting requirements for a United
States citizen living in a foreign country, including the
requirements under section 5314 of title 31, United States
Code.
(5) Federal policies and requirements that affect the
ability of a United States citizen living in a foreign country
to access foreign and domestic financial institutions,
including requirements under chapter 4 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (commonly known as the ``Foreign Account Tax
Compliance Act'') and requirements affecting financial
institutions imposed by the Uniting and Strengthening America
by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and
Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act) (Public Law
107-56).
(6) Federal requirements for a spouse, child, or another
family member of a United States citizen living in a foreign
country who is not a United States citizen to become a United
States citizen.
(7) The ability of a United States citizen living in a
foreign country to vote in Federal, State, and local elections
in the United States, and the process for such a citizen to
vote in such elections.
(8) The processes by which a United States citizen living
in a foreign country interacts with Federal programs such as
Social Security and Medicare.
(9) Which Federal departments or agencies have jurisdiction
over each Federal program that serves United States citizens
who live in foreign countries and possible methods to improve
the collaboration of and coordination between such Federal
agencies.
(10) The impact of tax filing and information reporting
requirements on the ability of a United States citizen living
in a foreign country to save for retirement and use financial
products available in their country of residence.
(11) The impact of taxation and other Federal policies on
the ability of a United States citizen living in a foreign
country to send and receive remittances.
(12) The impact of Federal policy on the ability of United
States citizens living abroad to establish and conduct a small
to medium size business and own it outright for the benefit of
themselves, their family and their future.
(b) Consultation With Outside Organizations.--In conducting the
study under subsection (a), the Commission shall consult with
organizations that represent United States citizens living in foreign
countries.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than one year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the
President and the Congress, and transmit to the head of any
Federal department or agency identified in subsection (a)(9), a
report that contains a detailed statement of the findings and
conclusions of the Commission, together with any
recommendations for--
(A) reducing tax and compliance costs and burdens
for United States citizens who live overseas;
(B) increasing access to Federal services by such
citizens; and
(C) any appropriate legislative and administrative
actions to achieve the goals described under
subparagraph (A) and (B).
(2) Update.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the Commission submits the report under paragraph (1),
the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress,
and transmit to the head of any Federal department or agency
identified in subsection (a)(9), an update that describes any
administrative actions taken by the head of any Federal
department or agency pursuant to the recommendations in such
report.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
(c) Obtaining Official Data.--Subject to section 6103 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Commission may secure directly from
any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission
considers necessary to carry out this Act. Upon request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of such department or agency
shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is
not an officer or employee of the United States 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 Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or
employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in
addition to that received for their services as officers or employees
of the United States.
(b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission 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
Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may,
without regard to the civil service laws and regulations,
appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an
executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Commission.
(2) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Commission may
fix the compensation of the executive director and other
personnel without regard to 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 and
other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--Any United States employee may
be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail
shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates
for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 7. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSE.
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Commission
submits the report required by section 4(c)(1), the head of any Federal
department or agency that is affected by a recommendation in such
report shall submit to the President, the Congress, and the Commission
a response to such recommendation, including any plans to take
administrative action pursuant to such recommendation.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate on the date of the submission of the
update required by section 4(c)(2).
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission $2,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to carry out this Act.
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