[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7886-H7893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PEACE CORPS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022

  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1456) to amend the Peace Corps Act to reauthorize the Peace 
Corps, better support current and returned volunteers, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1456

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Peace 
     Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations; integration of information age 
              Peace Corps volunteer opportunities.
Sec. 3. Readjustment allowances; expedited re-enrollment and transition 
              assistance.
Sec. 4. Health care continuation for Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 5. Access to antimalarial drugs and menstrual products for Peace 
              Corps volunteers.
Sec. 6. Codification of Executive Order 11103.
Sec. 7. Volunteers providing virtual services for the Peace Corps.
Sec. 8. Protection of Peace Corps volunteers against reprisal or 
              retaliation.
Sec. 9. Comprehensive illegal drug use policy with respect to Peace 
              Corps volunteers.
Sec. 10. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
Sec. 11. Peace Corps volunteers serving within the United States at the 
              request of another agency.
Sec. 12. Use of official seal, emblem, and name of the Peace Corps.
Sec. 13. Clarification regarding eligibility of United States 
              nationals.
Sec. 14. Memorandum of Agreement with Bureau of Diplomatic Security of 
              the Department of State.
Sec. 15. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 16. Workers compensation for Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 17. Technical and conforming edits.
Sec. 18. Determination of budgetary effects.

[[Page H7887]]

  


     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; INTEGRATION OF 
                   INFORMATION AGE PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER 
                   OPPORTUNITIES.

       Section 3 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$270,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2000, $298,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, 
     $327,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $365,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2003'' and inserting ``$430,500,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2023 and 2024'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (e); and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) In recognition of the transformative power of 
     internet access in international development efforts, and, as 
     exemplified by its virtual service pilot initiative, the 
     Peace Corps shall be administered to--
       ``(1) give particular attention to the expansion of those 
     programs, projects, training, and other activities that 
     leverage the internet, as appropriate, for development, 
     education, and social and economic mobility; and
       ``(2) develop positions for Peace Corps volunteers that 
     include such programs, projects, training, and other 
     activities.''.

     SEC. 3. READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES; EXPEDITED RE-ENROLLMENT AND 
                   TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Volunteers.--Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2504) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by inserting 
     ``, safety,'' after ``health'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``$125'' and 
     inserting ``$375'';
       (B) by striking ``his'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``the volunteer's''; and
       (C) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the volunteer'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (e) through (p) as 
     subsections (d) through (o), respectively;
       (4) by amending subsection (e), as so redesignated--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and Mental 
     Health Care'' after ``Prescription of Medications''; and
       (B) by inserting ``concerning the mental health care 
     provided to volunteers during their service,'' after 
     ``experts licensed in the field of mental health,'';
       (5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsequent'';
       (6) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``he'' and inserting ``the Director'';
       (7) in subsection (m), as so redesignated--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``subsection (e)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``subsection (d)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the President''; 
     and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``subsection (1)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (k)'';
       (8) in subsection (n), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``his'' each place it appears and inserting ``the 
     volunteer's''; and
       (9) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(p) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
     with respect to Peace Corps volunteers and trainees whose 
     service ended involuntarily as a result of an emergency, 
     suspension of operations, or otherwise through no fault of 
     the volunteer or trainee, the Director of the Peace Corps 
     shall--
       ``(1) waive such non-medical or non-security application 
     requirements as the Director may determine for the re-
     enrollment of each such volunteer and trainee during the 2-
     year period beginning on the date of such involuntary end of 
     service;
       ``(2) prioritize the medical clearance for each such 
     volunteer and trainee to facilitate re-enrollment; and
       ``(3) permit each such volunteer and trainee, to the extent 
     practicable and in consideration of the needs of overseas 
     posts and the suitability of the volunteer or trainee to meet 
     those needs, to resume the activity of each such volunteer 
     and trainee at the time of the involuntary end of service.
       ``(q) The Director of the Peace Corps may authorize 
     separation allowances, in amounts determined by the Director, 
     to Peace Corps volunteers and trainees whose service ended 
     involuntarily as a result of an emergency, suspension of 
     operations, or otherwise through no fault of the volunteer or 
     trainee.''.
       (b) Volunteer Leaders.--Section 6 of the Peace Corps Act 
     (22 U.S.C. 2505) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$125'' and inserting 
     ``$375''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the Director''; and
       (B) by striking ``in section 5(e)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``in section 5(d)''.

     SEC. 4. HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

       Subsection (d) of section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2504), as redesignated pursuant to section 4, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) Volunteers and trainees shall receive such health 
     care (including, if necessary, for volunteers and trainees, 
     services under section 8B) during their service, as the 
     Director of the Peace Corps may determine to be necessary or 
     appropriate.
       ``(2) Applicants for enrollment shall receive such health 
     examinations preparatory to their service, applicants for 
     enrollment who have accepted an invitation to begin a period 
     of training under section 8(a) shall receive, preparatory to 
     their service, such immunization, dental care, and 
     information on prescription options and potential 
     interactions, as necessary and appropriate and in accordance 
     with subsection (e).
       ``(3) Returned volunteers shall receive such health 
     examinations within six months after termination of their 
     service, including services provided in accordance with 
     section 8B (except that the six-month limitation shall not 
     apply in the case of such services).
       ``(4) Subject to such conditions as the President may 
     prescribe, such health care may be provided in any facility 
     of any agency of the United States Government, and in such 
     cases the appropriation for maintaining and operating such 
     facility shall be reimbursed from appropriations available 
     under this Act. Health care may not be provided under this 
     subsection in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide 
     Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-12).
       ``(5) Returned volunteers, including those whose period of 
     service is subject to early termination as the result of an 
     emergency, shall receive upon termination of their service 
     with the Peace Corps two months of short-term non-service-
     related health insurance for transition and travel (SHIFTT), 
     to provide coverage for a 60-day period within which such 
     volunteer will be advised to obtain qualifying health 
     insurance, and an opportunity to extend for an additional 1 
     month such SHIFTT insurance, at the expense of such 
     volunteer.
       ``(6) Not later than 30 days before the date on which the 
     period of service of a volunteer or trainee terminates, or 30 
     days after the date of such termination if such termination 
     is the result of an emergency, the Director of the Peace 
     Corps, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, shall provide detailed information to such 
     volunteer or trainee on options for health care after 
     termination other than health care provided by the Peace 
     Corps, including--
       ``(A) where additional, detailed information, including on 
     the application process and eligibility requirements for 
     medical assistance through State plans under title XIX of the 
     Social Security Act (or waiver of State plans), may be 
     obtained, including through external health care `navigators' 
     or health care option identification services available 
     within the public and private sectors;
       ``(B) where detailed information on qualified health plans 
     may be obtained, including through external health care 
     `navigators' or health care option identification services 
     available within the public and private sectors; and
       ``(C) if such volunteer or trainee is 25 years of age or 
     younger, detailed information regarding the eligibility of 
     such volunteer or trainee to enroll as a dependent child in a 
     group health plan or health insurance coverage in which the 
     parent of such volunteer or trainee is enrolled if such plan 
     or coverage offers such dependent coverage.''.

     SEC. 5. ACCESS TO ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS AND MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS 
                   FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

       Section 5A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (c) and (e);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
       (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(c) Antimalarial Drugs.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
     consult with experts at the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention regarding recommendations for prescribing malaria 
     prophylaxis, and implement such recommendations to the extent 
     practicable, in order to provide the best standard of care 
     within the context of the Peace Corps environment.
       ``(2) Certain training.--The Director of the Peace Corps 
     shall ensure that each Peace Corps medical officer serving in 
     a malaria-endemic country receives training in the 
     recognition of the side effects of such medications.
       ``(d) Access to Menstrual Products.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this subsection, the Director of the 
     Peace Corps shall establish a comprehensive policy to ensure 
     Peace Corps volunteers who require menstrual products are 
     able to access such products by--
       ``(A) increasing stipends for such volunteers to purchase 
     such products; or
       ``(B) providing such volunteers with such products in the 
     generic product types selected by such volunteer, if 
     available in the country of service.
       ``(2) Consideration.--The policy required under paragraph 
     (1) shall take into consideration the availability for 
     purchase locally of menstrual products, the price of such 
     products, and cultural norms regarding menstruation.
       ``(3) Cost.--If stipends are increased pursuant to the 
     policy required under paragraph (1), the Director of the 
     Peace Corps shall ensure that such increase is sufficient to 
     cover the average cost within the country of service of 
     menstrual products required by volunteers.''; and
       (4) in paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (e), as so 
     redesignated, by inserting ``, patient confidentiality 
     standards'' before ``, and guidelines''.

[[Page H7888]]

  


     SEC. 6. CODIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11103.

       The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after section 
     5A (22 U.S.C. 2504a) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 5B. CODIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11103.

       ``(a) Executive Order 11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; 28 Fed. 
     Reg. 3571; relating to Providing for the Appointment of 
     Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career 
     Services), as amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 
     1055; relating to the Civil Service Commission and Labor-
     Management in the Federal Service), as in effect on the day 
     before the date of the enactment of this section, shall 
     remain in effect and have the full force and effect of law, 
     consistent with subsection (b).
       ``(b)(1) The period of eligibility for noncompetitive 
     appointment to the civil service provided to an individual by 
     operation of subsection (a), including any individual who is 
     so eligible on the date of the enactment of this section, 
     shall be extended by the total number of days that, during 
     such period--
       ``(A) a hiring freeze for civilian employees of the 
     Executive branch is in effect by order of the President with 
     respect to any Executive agency at which the individual has 
     applied for employment;
       ``(B) there is a lapse in appropriations with respect to 
     any Executive agency at which the individual has applied for 
     employment; or
       ``(C) the individual is receiving disability compensation 
     under section 8142 of title 5, United States Code, based on 
     their service as a Peace Corps volunteer, retroactive to the 
     date the individual applied for such compensation.
       ``(2) The period of eligibility for noncompetitive 
     appointment status to the civil service by operation of 
     subsection (a) shall apply to a Peace Corps volunteer--
       ``(A) whose service ended involuntarily as the result of a 
     suspension of volunteer operations by the Director of the 
     Peace Corps, but shall not last longer than 12 months from 
     the date on which such service ended involuntarily; or
       ``(B) who re-enrolls as a volunteer in the Peace Corps 
     after completion of a term of service.
       ``(3) In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `hiring freeze' means any memorandum, 
     Executive order, or other action by the President that 
     prohibits an Executive agency from filling vacant Federal 
     civilian employee positions or creating new such positions.
       ``(B) The term `Executive agency' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, and 
     includes the United States Postal Service and the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission, but does not include the Government 
     Accountability Office.
       ``(c) Subject to subsection (b), Executive Order 11103 (22 
     U.S.C. 2504 note; 28 Fed. Reg. 3571; relating to Providing 
     for the Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the 
     Civilian Career Services), as amended by Executive Order 
     12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the Civil Service 
     Commission and Labor-Management in the Federal Service), as 
     in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
     section, shall, except as set forth herein, remain in effect 
     and have the full force and effect of law. In the event of a 
     conflict between the language herein and Executive Order 
     11103, the language herein shall prevail.
       ``(d) Any volunteer whose service terminated after January 
     1, 2020, and who has been certified by the Director as having 
     served satisfactorily as a volunteer under the Act may, for 
     two years after their separation from the Peace Corps, be 
     appointed to a position in any United States department, 
     agency, or establishment in the competitive service under 
     title 5, United States Code without competitive examination 
     and in accordance with such regulations and conditions 
     consistent with this subsection as may be prescribed by the 
     Director of the Office of Personnel Management.''.

     SEC. 7. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR THE PEACE 
                   CORPS.

       The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after section 
     5B, as added by section 6 of this Act, the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 5C. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR THE 
                   PEACE CORPS.

       ``(a) Declaration of Policy.--Congress declares that the 
     Peace Corps has a demonstrated ability to deliver 
     information, training, and technical assistance virtually 
     through the internet and other electronic means to 
     communities abroad.
       ``(b) Authority.--The Director of the Peace Corps is 
     authorized to recruit individuals, who may be located within 
     the United States or third countries, to provide services 
     virtually by electronic means to communities in host 
     countries to flexibly meet the expressed needs of those 
     countries.
       ``(c) Administrative Provisions.--The Director of the Peace 
     Corps--
       ``(1) may recruit, train, and accept, on such terms and 
     conditions as the Director may determine necessary or 
     appropriate, the services of individuals, especially those 
     individuals who face barriers to serving physically in a host 
     country, who shall serve on a part-time basis as virtual 
     service volunteers to meet the expressed needs of host 
     countries, such as information, training, and technical 
     assistance, through the internet or other electronic or 
     virtual means; and
       ``(2) may provide for incidental expenses of such 
     individuals, as determined by the Director to be appropriate 
     for the nature of the assignments.
       ``(d) Individuals Not to Be Considered Volunteers.--An 
     individual who provides services under the authority of this 
     section shall not be considered to be a volunteer for 
     purposes of section 5 unless the Director of the Peace Corps 
     requires the individual to physically serve in the host 
     country on a temporary basis.
       ``(e) Individuals Not to Be Considered Federal Employees.--
     An individual who provides services under the authority of 
     this section shall not be considered a Federal employee 
     except for the purposes described in section 5(h).''.

     SEC. 8. PROTECTION OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS AGAINST REPRISAL 
                   OR RETALIATION.

       Section 8G of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507g) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Prohibition Against Reprisal or Retaliation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
     take all reasonable measures, including through the 
     development and implementation of a comprehensive policy, to 
     prevent and address reprisal or retaliation against a 
     volunteer by any Peace Corps officer or employee, or any 
     other person with supervisory authority over the volunteer 
     during the volunteer's period of service.
       ``(2) Reporting and investigation; relief.--
       ``(A) In general.--A volunteer may report a complaint or 
     allegation of reprisal or retaliation--
       ``(i) directly to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps, 
     and the Inspector General may conduct such investigations and 
     make such recommendations with respect to the complaint or 
     allegation as the Inspector General considers appropriate; 
     and
       ``(ii) through other channels provided by the Peace Corps, 
     including through the process for confidential reporting 
     required in subsection (a).
       ``(B) Relief.--The Director of the Peace Corps--
       ``(i) may order any relief for an affirmative finding of a 
     proposed or final resolution of a complaint or allegation of 
     reprisal or retaliation in accordance with policies, rules, 
     and procedures of the Peace Corps; and
       ``(ii) shall ensure such relief is promptly provided to the 
     volunteer.
       ``(3) Appeal.--
       ``(A) In general.--A volunteer may appeal to the Director 
     of the Peace Corps any proposed or final resolution of a 
     complaint or allegation of reprisal or retaliation.
       ``(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may 
     be construed to affect any other right of recourse a 
     volunteer may have under any other provision of law.
       ``(4) Notification of rights and remedies.--The Director of 
     the Peace Corps shall ensure that volunteers are informed in 
     writing of the rights and remedies provided under this 
     section.
       ``(5) Dispute mediation.--The Director of the Peace Corps 
     shall offer the opportunity for volunteers to resolve 
     disputes concerning a complaint or allegation of reprisal or 
     retaliation through mediation in accordance with procedures 
     developed by the Peace Corps.
       ``(6) Staff member and volunteer cooperation.--The Director 
     of the Peace Corps may take such disciplinary or other 
     administrative action, including termination of service or 
     finding of ineligibility for re-employment or reinstatement, 
     with respect to a staff member or volunteer who unreasonably 
     refuses to cooperate with an investigation conducted by the 
     Inspector General of the Peace Corps into a complaint or 
     allegation of reprisal or retaliation.
       ``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Reprisal or retaliation.--The term `reprisal or 
     retaliation' means taking, threatening to take, or initiating 
     adverse administrative action against a volunteer because the 
     volunteer made a report pursuant to subsection (a) or 
     otherwise disclosed to a covered official or office any 
     information pertaining to waste, fraud, abuse of authority, 
     misconduct, mismanagement, violations of law, or a 
     significant threat to health and safety, whenever the 
     activity or occurrence complained of is based upon the 
     reasonable belief of the volunteer that it has taken place.
       ``(B) Covered official or office.--The term `covered 
     official or office' means any of the following:
       ``(i) Any Peace Corps employee, including an employee of 
     the Office of Inspector General.
       ``(ii) A Member of Congress or a representative of a 
     committee of Congress.
       ``(iii) An Inspector General (other than the Peace Corps 
     Inspector General).
       ``(iv) The Government Accountability Office.
       ``(v) An authorized official of the Department of Justice 
     or other law enforcement agency.
       ``(vi) A United States court or grand jury.''.

     SEC. 9. COMPREHENSIVE ILLEGAL DRUG USE POLICY WITH RESPECT TO 
                   PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

       The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after section 
     8I (22 U.S.C. 2507i) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 8J. COMPREHENSIVE ILLEGAL DRUG USE POLICY WITH RESPECT 
                   TO PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director shall develop and implement 
     a comprehensive drug

[[Page H7889]]

     use policy with respect to Peace Corps volunteers. Such 
     policy shall--
       ``(1) establish a zero tolerance policy regarding volunteer 
     or trainee involvement with illegal drugs; and
       ``(2) require that every case of volunteer or trainee 
     illegal drug involvement be brought immediately to the 
     attention of relevant Peace Corps leadership, including the 
     Director, and be reported expeditiously by the Peace Corps to 
     the Office of the Inspector General.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In developing the policy described in 
     subsection (a), the Director may consult with and 
     incorporate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of 
     experts in the field of substance abuse, and shall consult 
     with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate.
       ``(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     on the illegal drug use policy required to be developed and 
     implemented under this section.''.

     SEC. 10. PEACE CORPS NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

       Section 12 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2511) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the President and'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``conduct on-site inspections, and make examinations, of the 
     activities of the Peace Corps in the United States and in 
     other countries in order to'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (C)--

       (I) by striking ``the President, the Director of the Peace 
     Corps, and, as the Council considers appropriate, the 
     Congress,'' and inserting ``the Director and, as the Council 
     considers appropriate, the Congress''; and
       (II) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;

       (iii) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph 
     (G); and
       (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(D) make recommendations for utilizing the expertise of 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers in fulfilling the goals of 
     the Peace Corps;
       ``(E) make recommendations for increasing recruitment of 
     volunteers from diverse backgrounds and better supporting 
     such volunteers during their training and enrollment in the 
     Peace Corps;
       ``(F) make recommendations to reduce any financial barriers 
     to application, training, or enrollment in the Peace Corps, 
     including a volunteer's medical expenses and other out-of-
     pocket costs; and'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) in the first sentence--

       (aa) by striking ``fifteen'' and inserting ``seven''; and
       (bb) by striking ``the President, by and with the advice 
     and consent of the Senate'' and inserting ``the Director of 
     the Peace Corps''; and

       (II) by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
     following new sentence: ``At least four of such members shall 
     be returned Peace Corps volunteers, and not more than four of 
     such members may be members of the same political party.'';

       (ii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
       ``(C) No member of the Council appointed under this 
     paragraph may be an officer or employee of the Peace 
     Corps.'';
       (iii) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
       ``(D) The members of the Council shall be appointed to 2-
     year terms.''; and
       (iv) by striking subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), (H), and (I); 
     and
       (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) The Director of the Peace Corps shall designate one 
     of the members of the Council as Chair, who shall serve in 
     such capacity for a term of two years.'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking ``his or her'' and 
     inserting ``the member's'';
       (4) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``At its first 
     meeting and at its first regular meeting in each calendar 
     year thereafter'' and inserting ``At its first meeting each 
     calendar year''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by inserting before the period 
     at the end the following: ``, and each shall serve in that 
     capacity for a term of two years. The Director of the Peace 
     Corps may renew, not more than once per member, the term of a 
     voting member appointed as Chair of the Council under the 
     preceding sentence'';
       (5) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``The Council'' and 
     all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     the following: ``The Council shall hold a regular meeting 
     during each calendar quarter at a date and time to be 
     determined by the Chair of the Council or at the call of the 
     Director of the Peace Corps.'';
       (6) in subsection (i)--
       (A) by striking ``the President and'' (including in the 
     subsection heading) each place such term appears;
       (B) by striking ``the President shall'' and inserting ``the 
     Director shall''; and
       (C) by striking ``the President or''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(k) Independence of Inspector General.--None of the 
     activities or functions of the Council under subsection 
     (b)(2) may undermine the independence or supersede the duties 
     of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps.
       ``(l) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
       ``(m) Funding of the Council.--The Council shall be fully 
     funded from amounts made available to the Peace Corps to 
     carry out this Act.''.

     SEC. 11. PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS SERVING WITHIN THE UNITED 
                   STATES AT THE REQUEST OF ANOTHER AGENCY.

       (a) Declaration of Policy.--Congress declares that the 
     Peace Corps provided emergency disaster relief in response to 
     Hurricane Katrina in 2006 and provided COVID-19 relief in 
     2021 at the request of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency and therefore it is the policy of the United States 
     that the Peace Corps be authorized to recruit volunteers to 
     serve within the United States at the request of another 
     agency.
       (b) Recruitment of Domestic Volunteers.--The Peace Corps 
     Act is amended by inserting after section 14 (22 U.S.C. 2513) 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 14A. PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS SERVING WITHIN THE UNITED 
                   STATES AT THE REQUEST OF ANOTHER AGENCY.

       ``The Director may recruit, train, and accept, for limited 
     periods of time, on such terms and conditions as the Director 
     may determine necessary or appropriate, the services of 
     individuals who are not then serving outside the United 
     States as volunteers or trainees (unless such appointment is 
     made with the consent of the volunteer or trainee serving 
     outside the United States as an extension of such service), 
     who shall serve without compensation as domestic volunteers 
     within the United States to provide assistance at the request 
     of any Federal Government agency with authority to do so. 
     Such service within the United States may be initiated by the 
     Director following the request from the other agency and a 
     determination by the Director that such action is in the best 
     interests of the United States and the Peace Corps. Domestic 
     volunteers shall not be considered volunteers under section 5 
     and shall not be deemed a Federal employee except for the 
     purposes described in section 5(h). The Director may provide 
     for incidental expenses of domestic volunteers, as determined 
     by the Director to be appropriate for the nature of the 
     assignments.''.

     SEC. 12. USE OF OFFICIAL SEAL, EMBLEM, AND NAME OF THE PEACE 
                   CORPS.

       Section 19 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2518) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``The President'' and inserting ``The 
     Director of the Peace Corps''; and
       (B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the Director''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the 
     end the following: ``, except that the official seal or 
     emblem and the name `Peace Corps' may be used on any death 
     announcement, gravestone, plaque, or other grave marker of 
     any person who served as a volunteer or as an officer or 
     employee of the Peace Corps under such rules as may be 
     prescribed by the Director''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), in the first sentence, by inserting 
     ``or in accordance with the exception specified in paragraph 
     (1),'' before ``shall be fined''.

     SEC. 13. CLARIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBILITY OF UNITED STATES 
                   NATIONALS.

       The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 7(a)(5), by striking ``United States 
     citizens'' each place such term appears and inserting 
     ``nationals of the United States'';
       (2) in section 8(b), by striking ``citizens'' and inserting 
     ``nationals'';
       (3) in section 10(b), by striking ``citizen or resident'' 
     and inserting ``national'';
       (4) in section 12(g), by striking ``citizens'' and 
     inserting ``nationals''; and
       (5) in section 26--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as 
     paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) The term `national of the United States' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 101(a)(22) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)).''.

     SEC. 14. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC 
                   SECURITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and at least once every five years 
     thereafter, the Director of the Peace Corps, in coordination 
     with the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic 
     Security, shall review the Memorandum of Agreement between 
     the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State 
     and the Peace Corps relating to security support and 
     protection of Peace Corps volunteers and staff members abroad 
     and update such Memorandum of Agreement, as appropriate.
       (b) Notification.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps and the 
     Assistant Secretary of State

[[Page H7890]]

     for Diplomatic Security shall jointly submit to the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a written 
     notification relating to an update to the Memorandum of 
     Agreement made pursuant to subsection (a).
       (2) Timing of notification.--A written notification 
     submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted not 
     later than 30 days before the update referred to in such 
     paragraph shall take effect.

     SEC. 15. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) Amendments.--The Peace Corps Act is amended--
       (1) in section 8E (22 U.S.C. 2507e)--
       (A) by striking ``President'' and inserting ``Director'' 
     each place it appears;
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``September 30, 2023'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2025''; and
       (C) in subsection (d)(1)(A), by striking ``September 30, 
     2018'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''; and
       (2) in section 8I (22 U.S.C. 2507i)--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 30, 2018'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2025''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``President'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``Director''.
       (b) GAO Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations of the Senate a report relating to the 
     post-service health care delivery and insurance coverage 
     pursuant to subsection (d) of section 5 of the Peace Corps 
     Act (22 U.S.C. 2504), as amended by section 4 of this Act, 
     and section 8B of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507b).
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) Information relating to examinations, counseling, and 
     other mental health care services provided by the Peace Corps 
     to returned volunteers in the six months following the end of 
     the term of service of such volunteers.
       (B) Recommendations relating to--
       (i) better protection of patient confidentiality for 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers for mental health care 
     services;
       (ii) improved access to mental health providers that will 
     accept payment from the Peace Corps; and
       (iii) whether such mental health care services for returned 
     volunteers would be better provided under the Short-term 
     Health Insurance For Transition and Travel (SHIFTT) plan or a 
     similar commercially available insurance plan to be paid for 
     by the Peace Corps.
       (c) Report on Mental Health Evaluation Standards.--Not 
     later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     on the guidelines and standards used to evaluate the mental 
     health of Peace Corps applicants prior to service. Such 
     report shall include--
       (1) a detailed description of mental health screening 
     guidelines and evaluation standards used by the Peace Corps 
     to determine medical eligibility of applicants for service, 
     including a description of the most common mental health 
     conditions of applicants;
       (2) specific standards in the mental health screening 
     process that could lead to an applicant's disqualification 
     from service, and a description of how these determinations 
     are made;
       (3) a description of any expedited mental health clearance 
     process for severe or recent symptom presentation;
       (4) a description of periods of stability related to 
     certain mental health conditions and symptoms recommended 
     prior to an applicant's clearance to serve;
       (5) an assessment of the impact of updated mental health 
     evaluation guidance, including a comparison of mental health 
     related volunteer medevacs in years before and after updated 
     guidelines were implemented; and
       (6) a review of these screening guidelines, conducted by a 
     panel of certified and qualified medical professionals in the 
     United States, that evaluates these standards based on 
     scientific evidence and mental health research and proposes 
     relevant updates or additions to current guidance.
       (d) Report on Volunteer Medical Evacuations.--Not later 
     than the first May 1 occurring after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, 
     the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on 
     volunteer medical and mental health evacuations. Such report 
     shall include--
       (1) the number of Peace Corps volunteer medical and mental 
     health evacuations during the previous year;
       (2) a breakdown of these evacuations into medical and 
     mental health evacuation categories; and
       (3) the estimated cost of these evacuations for each year, 
     including a breakdown of costs between medical and mental 
     health evacuation categories.
       (e) Report and Extension of the Sexual Assault Advisory 
     Council.--Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507d) 
     is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d) Reports.--On an annual basis for the duration of its 
     mandate, the Council shall submit to the Director, the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a report on its findings based on the reviews 
     conducted pursuant to subsection (c) and shall include 
     relevant recommendations. Such reports shall be made publicly 
     available.''; and
       (2) in subsection (g), by striking ``October 1, 2023'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2025''.
       (f) Report on Pacific Islands Region.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on--
       (1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands 
     region; and
       (2) a strategy to expand such presence, as practicable, 
     including--
       (A) outcomes of consultations with regional allies and 
     partners on areas in which cooperation can reduce factors 
     limiting Peace Corps expansion; and
       (B) timelines for expanding and reopening country programs 
     in the Pacific Islands region.

     SEC. 16. WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 8142 of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``GS-7'' and inserting 
     ``GS-7, step 5'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively; and
       (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``subsection (c)(3)'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (c)(2)''.
       (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection 
     (a)(1)(A) shall apply to any volunteer (as that term is 
     defined in subsection (a) of section 8142 of title 5, United 
     States Code) with respect to whom benefits under chapter 81 
     of such title commence, by operation of such section, on or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 17. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING EDITS.

       The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by amending section 1 to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       ``(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the `Peace 
     Corps Act'.
       ``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     Act is as follows:

                       ``TITLE I--THE PEACE CORPS

``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
``Sec. 2. Declaration of purpose.
``Sec. 2A. Peace Corps as an independent agency.
``Sec. 3. Authorization.
``Sec. 4. Director of the Peace Corps and delegation of functions.
``Sec. 5. Peace Corps volunteers.
``Sec. 5A. Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts.
``Sec. 5B. Codification of Executive Order 11103.
``Sec. 5C. Volunteers providing virtual services for the Peace Corps.
``Sec. 6. Peace Corps volunteer leaders.
``Sec. 7. Peace Corps employees.
``Sec. 8. Volunteer training.
``Sec. 8A. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training.
``Sec. 8B. Sexual assault policy.
``Sec. 8C. Office of victim advocacy.
``Sec. 8D. Establishment of sexual assault advisory council.
``Sec. 8E. Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review.
``Sec. 8F. Establishment of a policy on stalking.
``Sec. 8G. Establishment of a confidentiality protection policy.
``Sec. 8H. Removal and assessment and evaluation.
``Sec. 8I. Reporting requirements.
``Sec. 8J. Comprehensive illegal drug use policy with respect to Peace 
              Corps volunteers.
``Sec. 9. Participation of foreign nationals.
``Sec. 10. General powers and authorities.
``Sec. 11. Reports.
``Sec. 12. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
``Sec. 13. Experts and consultants.
``Sec. 14. Detail of personnel to foreign governments and international 
              organizations.
``Sec. 14A. Peace corps volunteers serving within the United States at 
              the request of another agency.
``Sec. 15. Utilization of funds.
``Sec. 16. Foreign currency fluctuations account.
``Sec. 17. Use of foreign currencies.
``Sec. 18. Activities promoting Americans' understanding of other 
              peoples.
``Sec. 19. Exclusive right to seal and name.
``Sec. 20. [Reserved.]
``Sec. 21. [Reserved.]
``Sec. 22. Security investigations.
``Sec. 23. Universal military training and service act.
``Sec. 24. Foreign language proficiency act.
``Sec. 25. Nonpartisan appointments.
``Sec. 26. Definitions.
``Sec. 27. Construction.
``Sec. 28. Effective date.

 ``TITLE II--AMENDMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

``Sec. 201. [Reserved.]
``Sec. 202. [Reserved.]

[[Page H7891]]

        ``TITLE III--ENCOURAGEMENT OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAMS

``Sec. 301. Voluntary Service Programs.'';
       (2) in subsection (a) of section 2--
       (A) by striking ``men and women'' and inserting 
     ``individuals'';
       (B) by striking ``help the peoples'' and inserting 
     ``partner with the peoples''; and
       (C) by striking ``trained manpower'' and inserting 
     ``trained individuals'';
       (3) in subsection (e) of section 3 (as so redesignated by 
     section 2 of this Act), by striking ``disabled people'' and 
     inserting ``people with disabilities'' each place it appears;
       (4) in subsection (b) of section 4--
       (A) by striking ``him'' and inserting ``the President'';
       (B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the Director''; and
       (C) by striking ``of his subordinates'' and all that 
     follows through ``functions.'' and inserting ``subordinate of 
     the Director the authority to perform any such functions.'';
       (5) in section 7--
       (A) in subsection (a), by moving the margins of paragraphs 
     (7) and (8) two ems to the left;
       (B) in the second sentence of subsection (c), by striking 
     ``in his discretion'' and inserting ``in the President's 
     discretion''; and
       (C) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b);
       (6) in section 8A--
       (A) in subsection (c), by striking ``his or her'' and 
     inserting ``the volunteer's'';
       (B) in paragraph (2) of subsection (d), by inserting 
     ``the'' before ``information''; and
       (C) in subsection (f)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2), by striking ``his 
     or her'' and inserting ``the volunteer's'' each place it 
     appears; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4), by striking 
     ``his or her'' and inserting ``that person's'';
       (7) in section 8C, in the heading of subsection (a), by 
     striking ``Victims'' and inserting ``Victim'';
       (8) in section 8E--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (c),'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (c)''; and
       (B) in subsection (e)(1)(F), by striking ``Corp's'' and 
     inserting ``Corps'';
       (9) in section 9--
       (A) by striking ``Act proceedings'' and inserting ``Act. 
     Removal proceedings'';
       (B) by striking ``under which he'' and inserting ``under 
     which that person''; and
       (C) by striking ``for which he'' and inserting ``for which 
     that person'';
       (10) in section 10--
       (A) in subsection (b) (as amended by section 13 of this 
     Act), by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the President''; and
       (B) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 3709'' and all 
     that follows through ``1949'' and inserting ``sections 
     3101(a), 3101(c), 3104, 3106, 3301(b)(2), and 6101 of title 
     41, United States Code'';
       (11) in section 14--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``his'' after ``of'' and 
     before ``agency'' and inserting ``that''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``preserving his'' and inserting 
     ``preserving the''; and
       (ii) by striking ``he'' after ``assigned, and'';
       (12) in section 15--
       (A) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``that Act'' and inserting ``such subchapter''; and
       (B) in subsection (d)(7), by striking ``his designee'' and 
     inserting ``the Director's designee'';
       (13) in section 23, by striking ``Universal Military 
     Training and Service Act'' and inserting ``Military Selective 
     Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.)'';
       (14) in section 24, by striking--
       (A) ``his'' and inserting ``the volunteer's''; and
       (B) ``he'' each place it appears and inserting ``the 
     volunteer'';
       (15) in section 26 (as amended by section 13 of this Act)--
       (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``which he or she'' and 
     inserting ``which the medical officer'';
       (B) by further redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) (as 
     so redesignated by section 13) as paragraphs (3) through 
     (10), respectively;
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(2) The term `Director' means the Director of the Peace 
     Corps.'';
       (D) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``5(m)'' and inserting ``5(n)''; and
       (E) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated--
       (i) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs 
     (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such subparagraphs, as 
     so redesignated, 2 ems to the left; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``section 5(f)'' and inserting ``section 5(e)''; and
       (16) in section 301, by striking ``Sec. 301. (a) The 
     Congress'' and inserting the following:


                      ``voluntary service programs

       ``Sec. 301. 
       ``(a) The Congress''.

     SEC. 18. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Malinowski) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 1456, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Peace Corps 
Reauthorization Act, and I thank Mr. Garamendi for authoring this 
important bill.
  This week marks 61 years in which President Kennedy signed the bill 
creating the Peace Corps into law, with the mission of promoting world 
peace and friendship. The Peace Corps has fulfilled this vision and has 
evolved into a vital diplomatic tool for U.S. foreign policy.
  Since 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps 
volunteers in 143 countries, conducting people-to-people diplomacy and 
development in partnership with communities in some of the poorest 
countries of the world.
  Volunteers work in sectors that include education, agriculture, 
environment, health, youth, and community economic development. From 
incorporating agroforestry technologies in Zambia's farming system, to 
promoting volunteerism in Georgia, there is no doubt about the profound 
impact that the Peace Corps has had on the world's developing nations.
  In addition to changing lives of people all over the world, the Peace 
Corps has also shaped the next generation of American and foreign 
leaders and changemakers, by fostering cross-cultural immersion and 
collaboration.
  After 61 years of success, we think it is time to further strengthen 
the Peace Corps' global mission by providing additional resources to 
better the agency and to support its volunteers. Congress last 
authorized the Peace Corps in 1999. For this reason, the bill is 
timely, provides a much-needed update to benefits for volunteers that 
include readjustment allowance, re-enrollment priority, transition 
assistance, health insurance, noncompetitive eligibility for Federal 
employment, and updated workers' compensation.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for 
moving this legislation forward in a bipartisan way. The bill will 
enhance the ability of the Peace Corps to make strong and strategic 
investments to meet the challenges of today and continue to be a 
transformative force for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to vote in support of this 
critical legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. 
Garamendi and Mr. Graves for their bipartisan work on the Peace Corps 
Reauthorization Act.
  Last year, the Peace Corps celebrated its 60th anniversary. The Peace 
Corps has played an important role in America's foreign assistance 
efforts, and I thank the volunteers who have selflessly given their 
time to do work abroad.
  The Peace Corps faced many challenges during the pandemic, but I am 
pleased that volunteers are finally returning to their important tasks 
overseas. As they return, volunteer safety must continue to be the 
agency's top priority.
  Tragically, the number of volunteers reporting sexual assault during 
their service has risen. This is devastating, and we must continue to 
hold the Peace Corps accountable for maximizing the safety and welfare 
of our volunteers.
  This bill reinforces and builds on key reforms made by Congress in 
2011, including extending the mandate of the Sexual Assault Advisory 
Council.

[[Page H7892]]

  


                              {time}  1415

  It also expedites the reenrollment process for volunteers whose 
service was cut short by the pandemic, and it directs the Peace Corps 
to establish a zero-tolerance policy on volunteers' drug use.
  This bill is an important step toward exercising our oversight 
responsibilities and driving reforms that will protect the Peace Corps 
volunteers that we all represent.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Garamendi).
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today, I am excited to join my colleagues 
as we consider the first reauthorization of the Peace Corps in two 
decades and also celebrate the 61st anniversary of the establishment of 
this extraordinary American invention.
  This week, we celebrate the anniversary of President John F. 
Kennedy's signing of the Peace Corps Act into law on September 22, 
1961. My wife, Patti, and I began our careers in public service when we 
joined the Peace Corps as young married graduates fresh out of UC 
Berkeley.
  Our post was to a remote village in western Ethiopia. We taught the 
seventh and eighth grades and engaged in community development. Like so 
many Americans of every age and background, we answered JFK's call to 
service.
  Over the 60 years since the first volunteers arrived in Liberia, more 
than 240,000 Americans have served in 143 countries. Their tasks were 
to assist in the economic and social development in those countries.
  JFK gave the call to service: ``Ask not what your country can do for 
you--ask what you can do for your country.'' By 1962, Peace Corps 
volunteers were in-country. They were bringing advanced agricultural 
production techniques. They were teaching and providing medical 
education and healthcare services. They were creating cooperatives. 
They were building roads. They were bringing every conceivable skill 
that every nation needed.
  When the Soviet Union collapsed, Peace Corps volunteers were asked by 
13 newly independent states to come and bring the best of America with 
them. Americans young and old with every skill arrived. Since 1992, 
3,552 American Peace Corps volunteers have served in Ukraine.
  Prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Peace Corps volunteers served 
in 61 countries. For 60 years, the benefits of these Peace Corps 
volunteers' work at home and abroad were undeniable.
  Over the decades, many Members and former volunteers have had the 
honor of co-chairing the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus. I thank my 
co-chair, Garret Graves, as we lead congressional understanding and 
support for this essential element of America's international 
engagement and also the indelible impact that the Peace Corps service 
has had on the lives of so many around the world and in our own 
country.
  The COVID-19 pandemic shut down Peace Corps programs around the 
world. Today, the Peace Corps is diligently returning its volunteers to 
this essential work. The agency has set an ambitious goal of surpassing 
10,000 volunteers annually serving abroad. Volunteers are now in 27 
countries, and every month, another country is restarting its program.
  My bill, the bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1456, 
builds upon the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 
and the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.
  It does make many important reforms, which have already been 
discussed here on the floor. I would only add that it does guarantee 
additional health insurance coverage for returned volunteers 
immediately following their service and requires the Peace Corps to 
facilitate long-term public and private health insurance coverage 
opportunities for returning volunteers. As mentioned, the workers' 
compensation rate has increased.
  This bill strengthens the protection of volunteers against reprisals 
or retaliation for reporting wrongdoing within the agency and overseas.
  In total, this bill would provide the necessary Federal resources to 
support international programs, and current, returning, and former 
Peace Corps volunteers, by authorizing an annual appropriation of 
$430,500,000. This current, critical legislation will reinvigorate the 
Peace Corps and ensure that its essential work can continue to shape 
and inspire people around the world for years to come.
  In 1961, President Kennedy understood that the Peace Corps would 
``permit our people to exercise more fully their responsibilities in 
the great common cause of world development.''
  He set out three goals. To paraphrase, first, unpack your bag and 
live with and help meet the needs in your new community. Second, in 
your new community, work to create a better understanding of America by 
being the real face of America. Third, bring an understanding of the 
world back home.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentleman.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better way to honor 
JFK's vision than for this Congress to pass the bipartisan Peace Corps 
Reauthorization Act and advance the Peace Corps into the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this important bill.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. In the more 
than two decades since the Peace Corps was last authorized, the agency 
and its volunteers have done great work around the world on behalf of 
the American people, but the agency still has work to do.
  By building on key reforms as volunteers go back into the field, this 
legislation will ensure that the Peace Corps is prepared to meet the 
challenges of tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1456, the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act, as 
amended, would significantly upgrade the Peace Corps and better support 
Americans who are ready to serve their Nation and make the world a 
better place.
  I thank Mr. Garamendi for his service to the Peace Corps in Ethiopia 
and for this bill. It is clear from Mr. Garamendi and from many other 
Americans--we all know how their Peace Corps service has transformed 
their lives and the lives of those with whom they volunteered.
  All of this has contributed to a stronger American image abroad, 
reaffirming our conviction in the enduring value of the Peace Corps. 
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1456.
  I won't mince words: H.R. 1456 includes a Peace Corps payout.
  Section 16 of this bill gives injured Peace Corps Volunteers an 
arbitrary increase in Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) 
benefits--increasing the current deemed pay level that is used to 
calculate benefits from GS-7, step 1, to GS-7, step 5.
  No one has put forward a rationale for why this increase is necessary 
or appropriate for Peace Corps Volunteers.
  Not a single hearing has been held to discuss or examine this issue.
  In fact, the increased benefit level in H.R. 1456 is out of line with 
deemed pay rates for other volunteers.
  For example, Job Corps Volunteers have a deemed pay level of GS-2 and 
AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers are deemed GS-5.
  I would also note that tens of thousands of federal workers are at 
GS-7, step 1, or lower on the federal pay scale. But again, no one has 
explained why Peace Corps Volunteers should be deemed to have a higher 
GS level than these federal workers.
  Furthermore, this bill sets a terrible precedent for other programs 
that will inevitably ask for an increase in FECA benefits. Congress 
will have no basis to reject their requests if this proposal passes.
  And guess who will be breaking out their checkbooks to foot the bill 
of these benefit increases?
  Hardworking taxpayers.
  And I'm willing to bet they won't get an explanation either.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this Peace Corps payout and vote no on 
H.R. 1456.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by

[[Page H7893]]

the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1456, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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