[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 30, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5611-S5620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3206. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

 DIVISION F--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

     SEC. 9001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the 
     ``Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2025''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     division is as follows:

 DIVISION F--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

Sec. 9001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 9002. Definitions.

                       TITLE I--WORKFORCE MATTERS

Sec. 9101. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Rogers Act; 
              creation of the Department of State.
Sec. 9102. Workforce modernization efforts.
Sec. 9103. Training float of the Department of State for Civil and 
              Foreign Service personnel.
Sec. 9104. Competitive local compensation plan.
Sec. 9105. Language incentive pay for civil service employees.
Sec. 9106. Strategy for targeted recruitment of civil servants.
Sec. 9107. Electronic medical records.
Sec. 9108. Options for comprehensive evaluations.
Sec. 9109. Portability of professional licenses.
Sec. 9110. Expanding opportunities for Department-paid student 
              internship program.
Sec. 9111. Career intermission program adjustment to enhance retention.
Sec. 9112. Professional counseling services.
Sec. 9113. Assignment process modernization.
Sec. 9114. Report on modifying consular tour and first tours 
              requirements.
Sec. 9115. Comprehensive policy on vetting and transparency.
Sec. 9116. Efficiency in employee survey creation and consolidation.
Sec. 9117. Per diem allowance for newly hired members of the Foreign 
              Service.
Sec. 9118. Termination of residential or motor vehicle leases and 
              telephone service contracts for members of the Foreign 
              Service.
Sec. 9119. Needs-based childcare subsidies enrollment period.
Sec. 9120. Comptroller General report on Department traveler 
              experience.
Sec. 9121. Quarterly report on global footprint.
Sec. 9122. Report on former Federal employees advising foreign 
              governments.
Sec. 9123. Job share and part-time employment opportunities.
Sec. 9124. Expansion of special rules for certain monthly workers' 
              compensation payments and other payments for personnel 
              under chief of mission authority.
Sec. 9125. Authority to provide or reimburse for certain security 
              services.

                 TITLE II--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Sec. 9201. State-of-the-art building facilities.
Sec. 9202. Presence of chiefs of mission at diplomatic posts.
Sec. 9203. Periodic Inspector General reviews of chiefs of mission.
Sec. 9204. Special Envoy for Sudan.
Sec. 9205. Special Envoy for Belarus.
Sec. 9206. National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Sec. 9207. Authority to establish Negotiations Support Unit within 
              Department of State.
Sec. 9208. Restrictions on the use of funds for solar panels.
Sec. 9209. Responsiveness to Congressional Research Service inquiries.
Sec. 9210. Mission in a box.
Sec. 9211. Report on United States Consulate in Chengdu, People's 
              Republic of China.
Sec. 9212. Personnel reporting.
Sec. 9213. Support co-location with allied partner nations.
Sec. 9214. Streamline qualification of construction contract bidders.

          TITLE III--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

Sec. 9301. Supporting Department of State data analytics.
Sec. 9302. Realigning the Regional Technology Officer Program.
Sec. 9303. Measures to protect Department devices from the 
              proliferation and use of foreign commercial spyware.
Sec. 9304. Report on cloud computing in Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Sec. 9305. Information technology pilot projects.
Sec. 9306. Leveraging approved technology for administrative 
              efficiencies.
Sec. 9307. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging 
              Technology.

                       TITLE IV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 9401. Africa broadcasting networks.
Sec. 9402. United States Agency for Global Media.
Sec. 9403. Extension of authorizations to support United States 
              participation in international fairs and expos.
Sec. 9404. Research and scholar exchange partnerships.
Sec. 9405. Waiver of United States residency requirement for children 
              of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty employees.

                      TITLE V--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

Sec. 9501. Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act 
              requirements.
Sec. 9502. Congressional notification for Serious Security Incidents.
Sec. 9503. Notifications regarding security decisions at diplomatic 
              posts.
Sec. 9504. Security clearance suspension pay flexibilities.
Sec. 9505. Modification to notification requirement for security 
              clearance suspensions and revocations.

      TITLE VI--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 9601. Personal service agreement authority for the United States 
              Agency for International Development.
Sec. 9602. Crisis operations and disaster surge staffing.
Sec. 9603. Education allowance while on military leave.
Sec. 9604. Inclusion in the pet transportation exception to the Fly 
              America Act.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 9701. Authorization of appropriations to promote United States 
              citizen employment at the United Nations and 
              international organizations.
Sec. 9702. Amendment to Rewards for Justice program.
Sec. 9703. Passport automation modernization.
Sec. 9704. Extension of certain payment in connection with the 
              International Space Station.
Sec. 9705. Support for congressional delegations.
Sec. 9706. Electronic communication with visa applicants.
Sec. 9707. Electronic transmission of visa information.
Sec. 9708. Inclusion of cost associated with producing reports.
Sec. 9709. Extensions.

     SEC. 9002. DEFINITIONS.

       In this division:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development.
       (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

[[Page S5612]]

       (3) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of State.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of State.
       (5) USAID.--The term ``USAID'' means the United States 
     Agency for International Development.

                       TITLE I--WORKFORCE MATTERS

     SEC. 9101. COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROGERS 
                   ACT; CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

        Congress recognizes and honors those who have served, or 
     are presently serving, in the diplomatic corps of the United 
     States, in commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Act 
     entitled, ``An Act for the reorganization and improvement of 
     the Foreign Service of the United States, and for other 
     purposes'' (43 stat. 140, chapter 182), commonly known as the 
     ``Rogers Act of 1924'', which on May 24, 1924, established 
     what has come to be known as the Foreign Service. Today, the 
     Department of State includes more than 13,000 Foreign Service 
     personnel working alongside more than 11,000 civil service 
     personnel and 45,000 locally engaged staff at more than 270 
     embassies and consulates.

     SEC. 9102. WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION EFFORTS.

        The Secretary should prioritize efforts to further 
     modernize the Department, including--
       (1) making workforce investments, including increasing 
     wages for locally employed staff and providing other non-cash 
     benefits, and hiring up to 100 new members of the Foreign 
     Service above projected attrition to reduce overseas 
     vacancies and mid-level staffing gaps;
       (2) utilizing authorities that allow the Department to 
     acquire or build and open new embassy compounds quicker and 
     at significantly less cost to get diplomats on the front 
     lines of strategic competition; and
       (3) modernizing legacy systems and human resource 
     processes.

     SEC. 9103. TRAINING FLOAT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR 
                   CIVIL AND FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a strategy 
     to establish and maintain a ``training float'' by January 1, 
     2027, to allow for a minimum of 8 percent and up to 10 
     percent of members of the Civil and Foreign Service to 
     participate in long-term training at any given time. The 
     strategy shall include--
       (1) a proposal to ensure that personnel in the training 
     float remain dedicated to training or professional 
     development activities;
       (2) recommendations to maintain, and an assessment of the 
     feasibility of maintaining, a minimum of 8 percent of 
     personnel in the float at any given time; and
       (3) any additional resources and authorities needed to 
     maintain a training float contemplated by this section.
       (b) Monitoring.--For any established training float, not 
     later than 120 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall ensure that personnel in such training float 
     remain dedicated to training or professional development 
     activities.

     SEC. 9104. COMPETITIVE LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the effectiveness and stability of United States 
     foreign missions are linked to the dedication and expertise 
     of locally employed staff; and
       (2) ensuring competitive compensation packages benchmarked 
     against the local market is essential not only to retain 
     valuable talent but also to reflect a commitment to 
     employment practices abroad.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $47,500,000 for fiscal year 2025 to 
     support implementation of a global baseline for prevailing 
     wage rate goal for Local Compensation Plan positions at the 
     75th percentile.

     SEC. 9105. LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY FOR CIVIL SERVICE 
                   EMPLOYEES.

       The Secretary and Administrator may provide special 
     monetary incentives to acquire or retain proficiency in 
     foreign languages to civil service employees who serve in 
     domestic positions that require critical language skills. The 
     amounts of such incentives should be similar to the language 
     incentive pay provided to members of the Foreign Service 
     under the Foreign Service pursuant to section 704(b)(3) of 
     the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)).

     SEC. 9106. STRATEGY FOR TARGETED RECRUITMENT OF CIVIL 
                   SERVANTS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives a strategy for targeted and 
     proactive recruitment to fill open civil service positions, 
     focusing on recruiting from schools or organizations, and on 
     platforms targeting those with relevant expertise related to 
     such positions.

     SEC. 9107. ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Foreign Service personnel at the Department serve with 
     distinction in austere places and under challenging 
     conditions around the world with limited healthcare 
     availability;
       (2) the use of paper medical records, which require Foreign 
     Service personnel to carry files containing protected health 
     information from post to post, limits the availability of 
     their health information to Department medical personnel 
     during critical health incidents;
       (3) electronic medical records are necessary, particularly 
     as the Department opens new embassies in the South Pacific, 
     thousands of miles from the nearest Department medical 
     officer, who may not have access to up-to-date personnel 
     medical files;
       (4) the lack of electronic medical records is even more 
     important for mental health records, as the Department only 
     has a small number of regional medical officer psychiatrists 
     and relies heavily on telehealth for most Foreign Service 
     personnel; and
       (5) due to the critical need for electronic medical 
     records, it is imperative that the Department address the 
     situation quickly and focus on secure commercially available 
     or other successful systems utilized by public and private 
     sector organizations with a track record of successfully 
     implementing large-scale projects of this type.
       (b) Electronic Medical Records Requirement.--Not later than 
     December 31, 2027, the Secretary shall have fully implemented 
     an electronic medical records process or system for all 
     Foreign Service personnel and their Eligible Family Members 
     that eliminates reliance on paper medical records and 
     includes appropriate safeguards to protect personal privacy.
       (c) Report on Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the progress made towards meeting 
     the requirement under subsection (b).
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following elements:
       (A) An updated timeline for implementation.
       (B) An estimated completion date.
       (C) The amounts expended to date on the required electronic 
     medical records system.
       (D) The estimated amount needed to complete the system.
       (3) Termination of requirement.--The reporting requirement 
     under paragraph (1) shall cease upon notification to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that electronic medical 
     records have been completely implemented for all Foreign 
     Service personnel.

     SEC. 9108. OPTIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on options for 
     integrating 360-degree reviews in personnel files for 
     promotion panel consideration.
       (b) Evaluation Systems.--The report required by subsection 
     (a) shall include--
       (1) one or more options to integrate confidential 360-
     degree reviews, references, or evaluations by superiors, 
     peers, and subordinates, including consideration of automated 
     reference requests; and
       (2) other modifications or systems the Secretary considers 
     relevant.
       (c) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     describe, with respect to each evaluation system included in 
     the report--
       (1) any legal constraints or considerations;
       (2) the timeline required for implementation;
       (3) any starting and recurring costs in comparison to 
     current processes;
       (4) the likely or potential implications for promotion 
     decisions and trends; and
       (5) the impact on meeting the personnel needs of the 
     Foreign Service.

     SEC. 9109. PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 9 of the Foreign Service Act of 
     1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by adding after 
     section 908 (22 U.S.C. 4088) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 909. PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.

       ``(a) In General.--In any case in which a member of the 
     Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign 
     Service has a covered United States license and such member 
     of the Foreign Service or spouse relocates his or her 
     residency because of an assignment or detail to a location 
     that is not in the jurisdiction of the licensing authority 
     that issued the covered license, such covered license shall 
     be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in the 
     discipline applied for in the jurisdiction of such new 
     residency for the duration of such an assignment or detail if 
     such member of the Foreign Service or spouse--
       ``(1) provides a copy of the member's notification of 
     assignment to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in 
     which the new residency is located;
       ``(2) remains in good standing with--
       ``(A) the licensing authority that issued the covered 
     license; and
       ``(B) every other licensing authority that has issued to 
     the member of the Foreign Service or spouse a license valid 
     at a similar

[[Page S5613]]

     scope of practice and in the discipline applied in the 
     jurisdiction of such licensing authority; and
       ``(3) submits to the authority of the licensing authority 
     in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of 
     practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing 
     education requirements.
       ``(b) Interstate Licensure Compacts.--If a member of the 
     Foreign Service or spouse of a member of the Foreign Service 
     is licensed and able to operate in multiple jurisdictions 
     through an interstate licensure compact, with respect to 
     services provided in the jurisdiction of the interstate 
     licensure compact by a licensee covered by such compact, the 
     member of the Foreign Service or spouse of a member of the 
     Foreign Service shall be subject to the requirements of the 
     compact or the applicable provisions of law of the applicable 
     State and not this section.
       ``(c) Covered License Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `covered license' means a professional license or 
     certificate--
       ``(1) that is in good standing with the licensing authority 
     that issued such professional license or certificate;
       ``(2) that the member of the Foreign Service or spouse of a 
     member of the Foreign Service has actively used during the 
     two years immediately preceding the relocation described in 
     subsection (a); and
       ``(3) that is not a license to practice law.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
     of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 908 the following new 
     item:

``Sec. 909. Portability of professional licenses.''.

     SEC. 9110. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEPARTMENT-PAID 
                   STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 9201 of the Department of State 
     Authorization Act of 2022 (22 U.S. 2737) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting ``or have 
     graduated from such an institution within the six months 
     preceding application to the Program'' after ``paragraph 
     (1)'';
       (2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``and gives preference 
     to individuals who have not previously completed internships 
     within the Department of State and the United States Agency 
     for International Development'' after ``career in foreign 
     affairs''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following subsections:
       ``(k) Work Hours Flexibility.--Students participating in 
     the Program may work fewer than 40 hours per week and a 
     minimum of 24 hours per week to accommodate their academic 
     schedules, provided that the total duration of the internship 
     remains consistent with program requirements.
       ``(l) Mentorship Program.--The Secretary and Administrator 
     are authorized to establish a mentoring and coaching program 
     that pairs Foreign Service or Civil Service employees with 
     interns who choose to participate throughout the duration of 
     their internship.''.

     SEC. 9111. CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM ADJUSTMENT TO ENHANCE 
                   RETENTION.

       (a) Authority to Extend Federal Employee Health Benefit 
     Coverage.--The Secretary and Administrator are authorized to 
     offer employees the option of extending Federal Employee 
     Health Benefit coverage during pre-approved leave without pay 
     for up to 3 years.
       (b) Responsibility for Premium Payments.--If an employee 
     elects to continue coverage pursuant to subsection (a) for 
     longer than 365 days, the employee shall be responsible for 
     100 percent of the premium (employee share and government 
     share) during such longer period.

     SEC. 9112. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to increase the 
     number of professional counselors, including licensed 
     clinical social workers, providing services for employees 
     under chief of mission authority. These positions may be 
     filled under Limited Non-Career Appointment terms.
       (b) Employment Targets.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this division, the Secretary shall 
     seek to employ not fewer than 4 additional professional 
     counselors, including licensed clinical social workers, in 
     the Bureau of Medical Services to work out of regional 
     medical centers abroad.

     SEC. 9113. ASSIGNMENT PROCESS MODERNIZATION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall modernize the 
     Foreign Service bidding process, and specifically implement 
     the following elements:
       (1) A stable-pair matching, preference-ranking system for 
     non-directed Foreign Service employees and hiring bureaus, 
     allowing for a more strategic alignment of workforce and 
     resources.
       (2) Incorporation of lessons learned from the previous 
     stable-pair matching bidding pilot framework referred to as 
     ``iMatch'', but applied more expansively to include non-
     directed assignments up through FS-01 positions, taking 
     advantage of efficiency benefits such as tandem assignment 
     functionalities.
       (3) Mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency, 
     effectiveness, accountability, and flexibility in the 
     assignment process, while maintaining equal opportunities for 
     all officers.
       (4) An independent auditing process to ensure adherence to 
     established rules, effectiveness in meeting the Department's 
     needs, and prevention of bias or manipulation, including 
     through the use of protected categories in making assignment 
     decisions.
       (b) Consideration of Certain Promotion Issues.--In parallel 
     with assignment process modernization efforts, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) assess whether any point systems tied to promotion 
     incentives should consider service in hard-to-fill or 
     critical positions; and
       (2) assess whether the practice of dividing the assignment 
     process into winter and summer cycles is necessary or 
     efficient compared to stable matching processes.
       (c) Reporting and Oversight.--Not later than 18 months 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall provide the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report on the implementation of the assignment process under 
     this section, including--
       (1) data on match rates, including in filling critical or 
     priority positions, officer and hiring office satisfaction, 
     and the impact on tandem placements;
       (2) recommendations for further modifications to the 
     bidding process;
       (3) an overview of the strategy used to communicate any 
     changes to the workforce; and
       (4) results of analysis into additional transparency 
     efforts, including those described in subsection (a)(3).

     SEC. 9114. REPORT ON MODIFYING CONSULAR TOUR AND FIRST TOURS 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report that evaluates 
     the feasibility of--
       (1) reducing, removing, and adding flexibility to the 
     directed consular tours requirements for non-consular-coned 
     generalist members of the Foreign Service; and
       (2) requiring that first tours for members of the Foreign 
     Service be assigned in the National Capital Region.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include a description of resources required to 
     implement the changes described in such subsection, a 
     timeline for implementation, and an assessment of the 
     benefits and consequences of such changes, including any 
     obstacles.

     SEC. 9115. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON VETTING AND TRANSPARENCY.

       (a) Comprehensive Policy on Vetting and Transparency.--Not 
     later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary shall develop a consistent and enhanced 
     vetting process to ensure that individuals with substantiated 
     claims of discrimination or harassment against them, to 
     include when administrative or disciplinary actions are 
     taken, are not considered for assignments to senior positions 
     or promotions to senior grades within the Foreign Service.
       (b) Elements of Comprehensive Vetting Policy.--Following 
     the conclusion of any investigation into an allegation of 
     discrimination or harassment, the Office of Civil Rights, 
     Office of Global Talent Management, and other offices with 
     responsibilities related to the investigation reporting 
     directly to the Secretary shall jointly or individually 
     submit a written summary of any findings of substantiated 
     allegations, along with a summary of findings to the 
     committee responsible for assignments to senior positions 
     prior to such committee rendering a recommendation for 
     assignment.
       (c) Response.--The Secretary shall develop a process for 
     candidates to respond to any allegations that are 
     substantiated and presented to the committee responsible for 
     assignments to senior positions.
       (d) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 
     years, the Secretary shall submit to the Department workforce 
     and the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
     number of candidates confirmed for senior diplomatic posts 
     against whom there were substantiated allegations described 
     in subsection (a).
       (e) Senior Positions Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``senior positions'' means Chief of Mission, Under Secretary, 
     Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deputy Chief 
     of Mission, and Principal Officer (i.e., Consuls General) 
     positions.

     SEC. 9116. EFFICIENCY IN EMPLOYEE SURVEY CREATION AND 
                   CONSOLIDATION.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     employee surveys are crucial for understanding the needs and 
     concerns of the workforce, and are most effective when they 
     are strategically designed, collected, and the results 
     transparent where possible.
       (b) Consolidated Resource Requirement.--The Department 
     shall provide a consolidated resource of survey methods, best 
     practices, and a repository of survey data to avoid survey 
     fatigue, minimize duplicating surveys, increase confidence in 
     survey data, and facilitate data-informed decision-making.
       (c) Timing.--The Secretary should determine the overall 
     timing and administration of mandated surveys to ensure 
     maximum participation and robust data sets.

     SEC. 9117. PER DIEM ALLOWANCE FOR NEWLY HIRED MEMBERS OF THE 
                   FOREIGN SERVICE.

       (a) Per Diem Allowance.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any 
     newly hired Foreign Service employee who is in initial 
     orientation training, or any other training expected to

[[Page S5614]]

     last less than 6 months in the Washington, D.C. area before 
     transferring to the employee's first assignment overseas or 
     domestically outside the Washington, D.C. area shall, for the 
     duration of such training, receive a per diem allowance at 
     the levels prescribed under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Limitation on lodging expenses.--A newly hired Foreign 
     Service employee may not receive any lodging expenses under 
     the applicable per diem allowance pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     if that employee--
       (A) has a permanent residence in the Washington, D.C., area 
     (not including government-supplied housing during such 
     orientation training or other training); and
       (B) does not vacate such residence during such orientation 
     training or other training.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``per diem allowance'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 5701 of title 5, United States Code; and
       (2) the term ``Washington, D.C., area'' means the 
     geographic area within a 50-mile radius of the Washington 
     Monument.

     SEC. 9118. TERMINATION OF RESIDENTIAL OR MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES 
                   AND TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR MEMBERS OF 
                   THE FOREIGN SERVICE.

       Section 907 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 ( 22 U.S.C. 
     4087) is amended by striking ``Service who are posted abroad 
     at a Foreign Service post'' and inserting ``Foreign Service 
     who are posted in the United States or posted abroad''.

     SEC. 9119. NEEDS-BASED CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Department and USAID shall--
       (1) issue and maintain guidance on how to apply for any 
     program authorized under section 630 of the Treasury and 
     General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107-
     67; 115 Stat. 552); and
       (2) consider using maximum flexibilities to accept 
     applications throughout the year or in accordance with 
     Qualifying Life Event changes (as defined by the Federal 
     Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)).

     SEC. 9120. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON DEPARTMENT TRAVELER 
                   EXPERIENCE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct a review and submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on the effect 
     of section 40118 of title 49, United States Code (commonly 
     referred to as the ``Fly America Act'') on Department 
     travelers.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include an analysis of the extent to which the Fly 
     America Act--
       (1) disproportionately impacts Department personnel;
       (2) impacts travelers, including their ability to find 
     suitable flights and the ability to complete their travel in 
     a timely and effective manner;
       (3) increases or decreases costs to the United States 
     Government;
       (4) produces overly burdensome restrictions in times of 
     urgent travel such as Emergency Visitation Travel and 
     Ordered/Authorized Departure; and
       (5) a description of other relevant issues the Comptroller 
     General determines appropriate.

     SEC. 9121. QUARTERLY REPORT ON GLOBAL FOOTPRINT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter for 5 
     years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the global footprint of 
     the Department.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include, for each diplomatic post--
       (1) the number and type of Department employees assigned to 
     the post; and
       (2) the number of allocated positions that remain unfilled.
       (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
     be submitted in classified form.

     SEC. 9122. REPORT ON FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ADVISING 
                   FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 
     years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees, the Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the Senate, and the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence a report that identifies former 
     United States Government senior officials who have been 
     approved by the Secretary to advise foreign governments.
       (b) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.

     SEC. 9123. JOB SHARE AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and publish 
     a Department policy on job share and part-time employment 
     opportunities. The policy shall include a template for job 
     sharing arrangements, a database of job share and part-time 
     employment opportunities, and a point of contact in the 
     Bureau of Global Talent Management.
       (b) Workplace Flexibility Training.--The Secretary shall 
     incorporate training on workplace flexibility, including the 
     availability of job share and part-time employment 
     opportunities, into employee onboarding and every level of 
     supervisory training.
       (c) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
     following 5 years, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on workplace 
     flexibility at the Department, including data on the number 
     of employees utilizing job share or part-time employment 
     arrangements.

     SEC. 9124. EXPANSION OF SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN MONTHLY 
                   WORKERS' COMPENSATION PAYMENTS AND OTHER 
                   PAYMENTS FOR PERSONNEL UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION 
                   AUTHORITY.

       Section 901 of title IX of division J of the Further 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A)--
       (i) by striking ``of a'' and inserting ``of an''; and
       (ii) by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``September 11, 2001'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``September 11, 2001''; and
       (2) in subsection (h)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' 
     and inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' 
     and inserting ``September 11, 2001''.

     SEC. 9125. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OR REIMBURSE FOR CERTAIN 
                   SECURITY SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary and the Administrator are 
     authorized to provide or reimburse for appropriate security 
     services to mitigate risks to certain employees or members of 
     their households resulting from or related to the employee's 
     official duties or affiliation with the Department or USAID. 
     These security equipment or services may include security 
     cameras and services to de-prioritize or remove internet 
     search results revealing personally identifiable information.
       (b) Required Policy.--Prior to providing or reimbursing 
     services pursuant to subsection (a), the Department shall 
     establish a policy that--
       (1) outlines the requirements for qualifying for provision 
     or reimbursement of services;
       (2) identifies the office responsible for vetting requests 
     for provision or reimbursement of services; and
       (3) mandates expeditious consideration of such requests.
       (c) Protection of Personal Information.--The Secretary and 
     the Administrator shall not collect personally identifiable 
     information on any United States citizens while undertaking 
     the activities described in subsection (a) unless the 
     collection is authorized by a court as part of a criminal 
     investigation.

                 TITLE II--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

     SEC. 9201. STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING FACILITIES.

       The Secretary should use existing waiver authorities to 
     expedite upgrades and critical maintenance for the Harry S. 
     Truman Federal Building, with the goal of having at least 85 
     percent of construction and upgrades completed by December 
     31, 2027.

     SEC. 9202. PRESENCE OF CHIEFS OF MISSION AT DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

       (a) Requirement for Arrival at Diplomatic Post Within 60 
     Days.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall require that to be 
     eligible for payment of travel expenses for initial arrival 
     at the assigned post, a chief of mission must arrive at the 
     post not later than 60 days after the date on which the chief 
     of mission was confirmed by the Senate.
       (2) Exceptions.--The restriction under paragraph (1) shall 
     not apply to a chief of mission who arrives later than 60 
     days after confirmation by the Senate if the delay was caused 
     by one or more of the following:
       (A) A flight delay that was outside of the control of the 
     chief of mission or the Department.
       (B) A natural disaster, global health emergency, or other 
     naturally occurring event that prevented the chief of mission 
     from entering the country of the assigned post.
       (C) Delay or refusal by the government of the host country 
     to accept diplomatic accreditation.
       (D) Family or medical emergency.
       (E) Extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the 
     chief of mission.
       (3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement under 
     paragraph (1) upon a determination that extenuating 
     circumstances warrant such a waiver and upon submission of a 
     brief description of the determination to the appropriate 
     congressional committees.
       (4) Notification required.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, and in each case that 
     a chief of mission arrives at an assigned post more than 60 
     days after confirmation, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report identifying any 
     chief of mission who arrived at the assigned post

[[Page S5615]]

     more than 60 days after confirmation by the Senate, and 
     includes a description of the justification.
       (b) Notifications on Departures of Chiefs of Mission.--
     Beginning on April 1, 2025, for 5 years, the Secretary shall 
     notify the appropriate congressional committees of any chief 
     of mission who has permanently departed from the assigned 
     post within 90 days of the departure.

     SEC. 9203. PERIODIC INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEWS OF CHIEFS OF 
                   MISSION.

       (a) In General.--Beginning on April 1, 2025, and for a 3-
     year period thereafter, the Inspector General of the 
     Department of State shall conduct management reviews of 
     chiefs of mission, charge d'affaires, and other principal 
     officers assigned overseas during inspection visits, when 
     those officers have been at post more than 180 days.
       (b) Disposition.--Reviews conducted pursuant to subsection 
     (a) shall be provided to the rating officer for formal 
     discussion as part of the performance evaluation process. The 
     management review shall remain in the employee's personnel 
     file unless otherwise required by law. The subject of a 
     review conducted pursuant to subsection (a) shall have the 
     opportunity to respond to and comment on the review, and the 
     response shall be included in the employee's file for 
     promotion panel review.
       (c) Notification Requirement in Case of Serious Management 
     Concerns.--The Inspector General of the Department of State 
     shall notify the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and the 
     appropriate congressional committees within 30 days of any 
     review in which serious management concerns are raised and 
     substantiated, and which is not otherwise submitted as part 
     of the periodic inspection or report.

     SEC. 9204. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN.

       (a) Establishment.--The President shall, with the advice 
     and consent of the Senate, appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan 
     at the Department (in this section referred to as the 
     ``Special Envoy''). The Special Envoy shall report directly 
     to the Secretary and should not hold another position in the 
     Department while holding the position of Special Envoy.
       (b) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall--
       (1) lead United States diplomatic efforts to support 
     negotiations and humanitarian response efforts related to 
     alleviating the crisis in Sudan;
       (2) be responsible for coordinating policy development and 
     execution related to ending the conflict and a future path to 
     national recovery and democratic transition in Sudan across 
     all bureaus in the Department and coordinating with 
     interagency partners; and
       (3) consult regularly with the appropriate congressional 
     committees, and keep such committees fully and currently 
     informed on the status of diplomatic efforts and 
     negotiations.
       (c) Staffing.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     Special Envoy is staffed with personnel approved by the 
     envoy, including through reassignment of positions 
     responsible for issues related to Sudan that currently exist 
     within the Department, encouraging details or assignment of 
     employees of the Department from regional and functional 
     bureaus with expertise relevant to Sudan, or through request 
     for interagency details of individuals with relevant 
     experience from other United States Government departments or 
     agencies, including the Department of Treasury.
       (2) Briefing requirements.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department should 
     brief the appropriate congressional committees on the number 
     of full-time equivalent positions supporting the Special 
     Envoy and the relevant expertise and duties of any employees 
     of the Department serving as detailees.
       (d) Sunset.--The position of the Special Envoy for Sudan 
     shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 9205. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BELARUS.

       Section 6406(d) of the Department of State Authorization 
     Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C. 5811 
     note) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Role.--The position of Special Envoy--
       ``(1) shall only exist while United States diplomatic 
     operations in Belarus at the United States Embassy in Minsk, 
     Belarus are suspended; and
       ``(2) shall oversee the operations and personnel of the 
     Belarus Affairs Unit.''.

     SEC. 9206. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.

       Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 
     1956 is amended by adding after section 64 (22 U.S.C. 2735a) 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 65. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.

       ``(a) Activities.--
       ``(1) Support authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to 
     provide, by contract, grant, or otherwise, for the 
     performance of appropriate museum visitor and educational 
     outreach services and related events, including--
       ``(A) organizing programs and conference activities;
       ``(B) creating, designing, and installing exhibits; and
       ``(C) conducting museum shop services and food services in 
     the public exhibition and related physical and virtual space 
     utilized by the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
       ``(2) Recovery of costs.--The Secretary of State is 
     authorized to retain the proceeds obtained from customary and 
     appropriate fees charged for the use of facilities, including 
     venue rental for events consistent with the activities 
     described in subsection (a)(1) and museum shop services and 
     food services at the National Museum of American Diplomacy. 
     Such proceeds shall be retained as a recovery of the costs of 
     operating the Museum, credited to a designated Department 
     account that exists for the purpose of funding the Museum and 
     its programs and activities, and shall remain available until 
     expended.
       ``(b) Disposition of Documents, Artifacts, and Other 
     Articles.--
       ``(1) Property.--All historic documents, artifacts, or 
     other articles acquired by the Department of State for the 
     permanent museum collection and determined by the Secretary 
     of State to be suitable for display by the National Museum of 
     American Diplomacy shall be considered to be the property of 
     the United States Government and shall be subject to 
     disposition solely in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Sale, trade, or transfer.--Whenever the Secretary of 
     State makes a determination described in paragraph (3) with 
     respect to a document, artifact, or other article described 
     in paragraph (1), taking into account considerations such as 
     the Museum's collections management policy and best 
     professional museum practice, the Secretary may sell at fair 
     market value, trade, or transfer such document, artifact, or 
     other article without regard to the requirements of subtitle 
     I of title 40, United States Code. The proceeds of any such 
     sale may be used solely for the advancement of the activities 
     described in subsection (a)(1) of the National Museum of 
     American Diplomacy and may not be used for any purpose other 
     than the acquisition and direct care of the collections of 
     the Museum.
       ``(3) Determinations prior to sale, trade, or transfer.--
     The determination described in this paragraph with respect to 
     a document, artifact, or other article described in paragraph 
     (1) is a determination that--
       ``(A) the document, artifact, or other article no longer 
     serves to further the mission of the National Museum of 
     American Diplomacy as set forth in the collections management 
     policy of the Museum;
       ``(B) the sale at a fair market price based on an 
     independent appraisal or trade or transfer of the document, 
     artifact, or other article would serve to maintain or enhance 
     the Museum collection; and
       ``(C) the sale, trade, or transfer of the document, 
     artifact, or other article would be in the best interests of 
     the United States.
       ``(4) Loans.--In addition to the authorization under 
     paragraph (2) relating to the sale, trade, or transfer of 
     documents, artifacts, or other articles described in 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary of State may--
       ``(A) loan the documents, artifacts, or other articles to 
     other institutions, both foreign and domestic, for repair, 
     study, or exhibition when not needed for use or display by 
     the National Museum of American Diplomacy; and
       ``(B) borrow documents, artifacts, or other articles from 
     other institutions or individuals, both foreign and domestic, 
     for activities consistent with subsection (a)(1).''.

     SEC. 9207. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH NEGOTIATIONS SUPPORT UNIT 
                   WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) there is a need for the United States Government to 
     maintain a permanent institutional hub for technical 
     expertise, strategic advice, and knowledge management in 
     negotiations, mediation, and peace processes in order to 
     prioritize and invest in diplomacy;
       (2) the United States plays a role in enabling and 
     supporting peace processes and complex political 
     negotiations, the success of which is essential to stability 
     and democracy around the world;
       (3) the meaningful engagement of conflict-affected 
     communities, particularly women, youth, and other impacted 
     populations, is vital to durable, implementable, and 
     sustainable peace;
       (4) negotiation requires a specific technical and 
     functional skillset, and thus institutional expertise in this 
     practice area should include trained practitioners and 
     subject matter experts;
       (5) such skills should continue to be employed as the 
     United States Government advises and contributes to peace 
     processes, including those where the United States plays a 
     supporting role or is led by multilateral and international 
     partners; and
       (6) training programs for United States diplomats should 
     draw upon this expertise and United States lessons learned to 
     help equip diplomats with skills to respond to peace 
     processes and complex political negotiations, and how to 
     request support.
       (b) Negotiations Support Unit.--Section 1 of the State 
     Department Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(p) Negotiations Support Unit.--
       ``(1) Authority to establish.--The Secretary of State may 
     establish within the Department of State a unit to be known 
     as the `Negotiations Support Unit' responsible for carrying 
     out the functions described in paragraph (2), as appropriate.
       ``(2) Functions.--The functions described in this paragraph 
     are the following:

[[Page S5616]]

       ``(A) Serving as a permanent institutional hub and resource 
     for negotiations and peace process expertise and knowledge 
     management.
       ``(B) Advising the Secretary of State, other relevant 
     senior officials, members of the Foreign Service, and 
     employees of the Department of State on the substance, 
     process, and strategy of negotiations, mediation, peace 
     processes, and other complex political negotiations from 
     strategy and planning to implementation.
       ``(C) Supporting the development and implementation of 
     United States policy related to complex political 
     negotiations and peace processes, including those led by 
     multilateral and international partners.
       ``(D) Advising on mediation and negotiations programs to 
     implement United States policy.
       ``(E) Supporting training for Foreign Services Officers and 
     civil servants on tailored negotiation and mediation skills.
       ``(F) Working with other governments, international 
     organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, as 
     appropriate, to support the development and implementation of 
     United States policy on peace processes and complex political 
     negotiations.
       ``(G) Any additional duties the Secretary of State may 
     prescribe.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 for the 
     establishment of the Negotiations Support Unit under 
     paragraph (1).''.

     SEC. 9208. RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUNDS FOR SOLAR PANELS.

       The Department may not use Federal funds to procure any 
     solar energy products that were manufactured in the Xinjiang 
     Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China or 
     other regions in the country, which are known to be produced 
     with forced labor.

     SEC. 9209. RESPONSIVENESS TO CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
                   INQUIRIES.

       (a) Findings.-- The Congressional Research Service is 
     charged with rendering effective and efficient service to 
     Congress and responding expeditiously, effectively, and 
     efficiently to the needs of Congress.
       (b) Responses.--The Secretary and Administrator shall 
     ensure that for any inquiry or request from the Congressional 
     Research Service related to its support of Members of 
     Congress and congressional staff--
       (1) an initial answer responsive to the request is sent 
     within 14 days of receipt of the inquiry;
       (2) a complete answer responsive to the request is sent 
     within 90 days of receipt of the inquiry, together with an 
     explanation as to why the request was delayed; and
       (3) Congressional Research Service staff shall be treated 
     as congressional staff for any informal discussions or 
     briefings.

     SEC. 9210. MISSION IN A BOX.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Increasing the United States' global diplomatic 
     footprint is imperative to advance United States' national 
     security interests, particularly in the face of a massive 
     diplomatic expansion of our strategic competitors.
       (2) Opening or re-opening diplomatic missions, often in 
     small island nations where there is no United States 
     Government presence, but one is needed to advance United 
     States strategic objectives.
       (3) Diplomatic missions should be resourced and equipped 
     for success upon opening to allow diplomats to focus on 
     advancing United States national interests in-country.
       (4) The United States can and should move more swiftly to 
     open new diplomatic missions and provide United States 
     diplomats and locally employed staff with a workplace that 
     meets locally appropriate quality, safety, and security 
     standards.
       (5) To do this, the Department must streamline and support 
     the process of opening new posts to identify efficiencies and 
     removing obstacles that are unduly complicating the opening 
     of new diplomatic missions, particularly in small island 
     states and similarly situated locations.
       (b) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on how the 
     Department is creating a ``mission in a box'' concept to 
     provide new such diplomatic missions the needed resources and 
     authorities to quickly and efficiently stand up and operate a 
     mission from the moment United States personnel arrive, or 
     even before the opening of a new mission, particularly in 
     small island nations.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) a list of authorities and processes related to the 
     opening of new diplomatic missions;
       (B) a list of authorities and processes related to the 
     opening of new diplomatic missions that the Department can 
     waive to expediently stand up new diplomatic missions;
       (C) essential functions that each new diplomatic mission 
     should be able to carry out independently upon opening;
       (D) a description of functions that another post or support 
     center will need to carry out to support the new mission;
       (E) a list of essential equipment and access to facilities, 
     including to support secure communications, that should be 
     provided to each new diplomatic mission, the approval of 
     which should be handled prior to or shortly after the opening 
     of the new diplomatic mission, including arrangements for 
     basic office equipment, vehicles, and housing;
       (F) the number of recommended locally engaged staff and 
     United States direct hires resident in-country;
       (G) the number of non-resident support staff who are 
     assigned to the new diplomatic mission, such as from another 
     post or regional support center;
       (H) a description of how medical and consular support 
     services could be provided;
       (I) procedures for requesting an expansion of the post's 
     functions or physical platform after opening, should that be 
     needed;
       (J) any other authorities or processes that may be required 
     to successfully and quickly stand up a new diplomatic 
     mission, including any new authorities the Department may 
     need;
       (K) a list of incentives, in addition to pay differentials, 
     being considered for such posts; and
       (L) a description of any specialized training, including 
     for management and security personnel supporting the 
     establishment of such new embassies that may be required.
       (c) Senior Official to Lead New Embassy Expansion.--
       (1) Designation.--The Secretary shall designate an 
     assistant secretary-level senior official to expedite and 
     make recommendations for the reform of procedures for opening 
     new diplomatic missions abroad, particularly in small island 
     states.
       (2) Responsibilities.--The senior official designated 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be responsible for proposing 
     policy and procedural changes to the Secretary to--
       (A) expediting the resourcing of new diplomatic missions by 
     waiving or reducing when possible mandatory processes 
     required to open new diplomatic missions, taking into account 
     the threat environment and circumstances in the host country;
       (B) when necessary, quickly adjudicating within the 
     Department any decision points that arise during the planning 
     and execution phases of the establishment of a new mission;
       (C) ensuring new missions receive the management and 
     operational support needed, including by designating such 
     support be undertaken by another post, regional support 
     center, or Department entities based in the United States; 
     and
       (D) ensuring that the authorities provided in the Secure 
     Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title 
     VI of division A of appendix G of Public Law 106-113), as 
     amended by the Secure Embassy Construction and 
     Counterterrorism Act of 2022 (section 9301 of Public Law 117-
     263; 136 Stat. 3879), are fully utilized in the planning for 
     all new diplomatic missions.
       (d) New Diplomatic Mission Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``new diplomatic mission'' means any bilateral 
     diplomatic mission opened since January 1, 2020, in a country 
     where there had not been a bilateral diplomatic mission since 
     the date that is 20 years before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (e) Sunset.--The authorities and requirements of this 
     section shall terminate 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 9211. REPORT ON UNITED STATES CONSULATE IN CHENGDU, 
                   PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

        Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report on the effect of the 
     suspension of operations at of the United States Consulate 
     General in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, on July 27, 
     2020, on diplomatic and consular activities of the United 
     States in Southwestern China, including the provision of 
     consular services to United States citizens, and on relations 
     with the people of Southwestern China, including in areas 
     designated by the Government of the People's Republic of 
     China as autonomous.

     SEC. 9212. PERSONNEL REPORTING.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and at least every 120 days thereafter for 5 years, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report--
       (1) describing the on-board personnel levels, hiring, and 
     attrition of the Civil Service, Foreign Service, eligible 
     family members, locally employed staff, and contractor 
     workforce of the Department, on an operating unit-by-
     operating unit basis; and
       (2) including a status update on progress toward fiscal 
     year hiring plans for Foreign Service and Civil Service.

     SEC. 9213. SUPPORT CO-LOCATION WITH ALLIED PARTNER NATIONS.

       The Secretary, following consultation with the appropriate 
     congressional committees, may alter, repair, and furnish 
     United States Government-owned and leased space for use by 
     the government of a foreign country to facilitate co-location 
     of such government in such space, on such terms and 
     conditions as the Secretary may determine, including with 
     respect to reimbursement of all or part of the costs of such 
     alteration, repair, or furnishing. Reimbursements or advances 
     of funds pursuant to this section may be credited to the 
     currently applicable appropriation and shall be available for 
     the purposes for which such appropriation is authorized.

     SEC. 9214. STREAMLINE QUALIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT 
                   BIDDERS.

       Section 402 of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and 
     Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4852) is amended--

[[Page S5617]]

       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``be awarded'' after ``joint venture 
     persons may'';
       (B) by striking ``bid on'' both places it appears; and
       (C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$10,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$25,000,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph 1, by striking ``two'' and inserting 
     ``three''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``at a United States 
     diplomatic or consular establishment abroad'' and inserting 
     ``on a Federal contract abroad'';
       (ii) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (G);
       (iii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph 
     (E); and
       (iv) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by clause (iii), 
     by striking ``80'' [both places it appears] and inserting 
     ``65''.

          TITLE III--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

     SEC. 9301. SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE DATA ANALYTICS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department 
     of State for fiscal year 2025 $3,000,000 for bureaus to hire 
     Chief Data Officers through the ``Bureau Chief Data Officer 
     Program'', consistent with section 6302 of the Department of 
     State Authorization Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 
     118-31; 22 U.S.C. 2651a note).

     SEC. 9302. REALIGNING THE REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 9508(a)(1) of the Department of State 
     Authorizations Act of 2022 (division I of Public Law 117-263; 
     22 U.S.C. 10305(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, and shall 
     be administered by the Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital 
     Policy'' before the period at the end.

     SEC. 9303. MEASURES TO PROTECT DEPARTMENT DEVICES FROM THE 
                   PROLIFERATION AND USE OF FOREIGN COMMERCIAL 
                   SPYWARE.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress''means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives.
       (1) Covered device.--The term ``covered device'' means any 
     electronic mobile device, including smartphones, tablet 
     computing devices, or laptop computing device, that is issued 
     by the Department for official use.
       (2) Foreign commercial spyware; spyware.--The terms 
     ``foreign commercial spyware'' and ``spyware'' have the 
     meanings given those terms in section 1102A of the National 
     Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3232a).
       (b) Protection of Covered Devices.--
       (1) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and 
     Infrastructure Security Agency--
       (A) issue standards, guidance, best practices, and policies 
     for Department and USAID personnel to protect covered devices 
     from being compromised by foreign commercial spyware;
       (B) survey the processes used by the Department and USAID 
     to identify and catalog instances where a covered device was 
     compromised by foreign commercial spyware over the prior 2 
     years and it is reasonably expected to have resulted in an 
     unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information; and
       (C) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
     report on the measures in place to identify and catalog 
     instances of such compromises for covered devices by foreign 
     commercial spyware, which may be submitted in classified 
     form.
       (2) Notifications.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     on which the Department becomes aware that a covered device 
     was seriously compromised by foreign commercial spyware, the 
     Secretary, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall 
     notify the appropriate committees of Congress of the facts 
     concerning such targeting or compromise, including--
       (A) the location of the personnel whose covered device was 
     compromised;
       (B) the number of covered devices compromised;
       (C) an assessment by the Secretary of the damage to the 
     national security of the United States resulting from any 
     loss of data or sensitive information; and
       (D) an assessment by the Secretary of any foreign 
     government or foreign organization or entity, and, to the 
     extent possible, the foreign individuals, who directed and 
     benefitted from any information acquired from the compromise.
       (3) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 
     years, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant agencies, 
     shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
     report regarding any covered device that was compromised by 
     foreign commercial spyware, including the information 
     described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (2).

     SEC. 9304. REPORT ON CLOUD COMPUTING IN BUREAU OF CONSULAR 
                   AFFAIRS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report on the status of the Bureau 
     of Consular Affairs adoption of cloud-based products and 
     services as well as options to require enterprise-wide 
     adoption of cloud computing, including for all consular 
     operations.

     SEC. 9305. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROJECTS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Chief Information Officer of the Department of 
     State should, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of 
     the Bureau of Consular Affairs, prioritize information 
     technology systems with high potential to accelerate the 
     passport renewal processes, reduce processing times, and 
     reduce dependency on legacy systems.

     SEC. 9306. LEVERAGING APPROVED TECHNOLOGY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE 
                   EFFICIENCIES.

       The Secretary and Administrator shall ensure appropriate 
     and secure technological solutions are authorized and 
     available for employee use, where feasible, to promote 
     technological fluency in the workforce, including the 
     integration of secure tools in the evaluation process to 
     ensure performance management standards while maximizing 
     efficiency.

     SEC. 9307. OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CRITICAL AND 
                   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office 
     of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Office''), which may be 
     located within the Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
       (b) Leadership.--
       (1) Special envoy.--The Office shall be headed by a Special 
     Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, who shall--
       (A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
     and consent of the Senate; and
       (B) have the rank and status of ambassador; and
       (C) report to the Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and 
     Digital Policy.
       (c) Membership.--The Office may include representatives or 
     expert detailees from other key Federal agencies or research 
     and technology-focused fellowship programs, as determined by 
     the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology and 
     with the consent of the Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace 
     and Digital Policy, in coordination with appropriate senior 
     officials of the Department and such agencies.
       (d) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office shall include--
       (1) establishing, in coordination with relevant bureaus, 
     offices and other Federal agencies, an interagency security 
     review process for proposals regarding United States 
     Government-funded international collaboration on certain 
     critical and emerging technologies and associated research;
       (2) establishing and coordinating an interagency strategy 
     to facilitate international cooperation with United States 
     allies and partners regarding the development, use, and 
     deployment of critical and emerging technologies and 
     associated standards and safeguards for research security, 
     intellectual property protection, and illicit knowledge 
     transfer;
       (3) facilitating technology partnerships with countries and 
     relevant political and economic unions that are committed 
     to--
       (A) the rule of law and respect for human rights, including 
     freedom of speech, and expression;
       (B) the safe and responsible development and use of certain 
     critical and emerging technologies and the establishment of 
     related norms and standards, including for research security 
     and the protection of sensitive data and technology;
       (C) a secure internet architecture governed by a multi-
     stakeholder model instead of centralized government control;
       (D) robust international cooperation to promote open and 
     interoperable technological products and services that are 
     necessary to freedom, innovation, transparency, and privacy; 
     and
       (E) multilateral coordination, including through diplomatic 
     initiatives, information sharing, and other activities, to 
     defend the principles described in subparagraphs (A) through 
     (D) against efforts by state and non-state actors to 
     undermine them;
       (4) supporting efforts to harmonize technology governance 
     regimes with partners, coordinating on basic and pre-
     competitive research and development initiatives, and 
     collaborating to pursue such opportunities in certain 
     critical and emerging technologies;
       (5) coordinating with other technology partners on export 
     control policies for certain critical and emerging 
     technologies, including countering illicit knowledge and data 
     transfer related to certain critical and emerging technology 
     research;
       (6) conducting diplomatic engagement, in coordination with 
     other bureaus, offices, and relevant Federal departments and 
     agencies, with allies and partners to develop standards and 
     coordinate policies designed to counter illicit knowledge and 
     data transfer in academia related to certain critical and 
     emerging technology research;
       (7) coordinating with allies, partners, and other relevant 
     Federal agencies to prevent the exploitation of research 
     partnerships related to certain critical and emerging 
     technologies;
       (8) sharing information regarding the threat posed by the 
     transfer of certain critical and emerging technologies to 
     authoritarian governments, including the People's

[[Page S5618]]

     Republic of China and the Russian Federation, and the ways in 
     which autocratic regimes are utilizing technology, including 
     for military and security purposes, to erode individual 
     freedoms and other foundations of open, democratic societies; 
     and
       (9) collaborating with private companies, trade 
     associations, and think tanks to realize the purposes 
     described in paragraphs (1) through (8).
       (e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
     following 5 years, the Secretary, in coordination with the 
     Director of National Intelligence and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress an unclassified 
     report, with a classified index, if necessary, regarding--
       (1) the activities of the Office related to paragraphs (1) 
     through (9) of subsection (d), including any cooperative 
     initiatives and partnerships pursued with United States 
     allies and partners, and the results of such activities, 
     initiatives, and partnerships;
       (2) the activities of the Government of the People's 
     Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and the 
     Russian Federation in sectors related to certain critical and 
     emerging technologies and the threats they pose to the United 
     States; and
       (3) an inventory of all international research and 
     development programs for certain critical and emerging 
     technologies funded by the Department or USAID that include 
     participation by institutions or organizations that are 
     affiliated with, or receive support from, the Government of 
     the People's Republic of China or the Government of the 
     Russian Federation.
       (f) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress''means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Certain critical and emerging technologies.--The term 
     ``certain critical and emerging technologies'' means the 
     technologies determined by the Secretary, in consultation 
     with other Federal agencies, from the critical and emerging 
     technologies list published by the National Science and 
     Technology Council (NSTC) at the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, as amended by subsequent updates to the 
     list issued by the NSTC.

                       TITLE IV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

     SEC. 9401. AFRICA BROADCASTING NETWORKS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     Agency for Global Media shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the resources and 
     timeline needed to establish within the Agency an 
     organization the mission of which shall be to promote 
     democratic values and institutions in Africa by providing 
     objective, accurate, and relevant news and information to the 
     people of Africa and counter disinformation from malign 
     actors, especially in countries in which a free press is 
     banned by the government or not fully established, about the 
     region, the world, and the United States through uncensored 
     news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

     SEC. 9402. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.

       Section 306 of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6205) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsection 
     (g) and (h), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Suspension and Debarment of Grantees.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a 
     grantee may not be debarred or suspended without consultation 
     with the Chief Executive Officer and a three-fourths majority 
     vote of the Advisory Board in support of such action.
       ``(2) Suspension.--
       ``(A) Criteria for suspension.--A grantee may not be 
     suspended unless the Advisory Board determines that the 
     criteria described in section 513.405 of title 22, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, have been met.
       ``(B) Suspending official.--The Advisory Board shall 
     collectively serve as the suspending official (as described 
     in section 513.105 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations).
       ``(3) Debarment.--
       ``(A) Criteria for debarment.--A grantee may not be 
     debarred unless the Advisory Board determines that one or 
     more of the causes described in section 513.305 of title 22, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, has been established.
       ``(B) Debarring official.--The Advisory Board shall 
     collectively serve as the debarring official (as described in 
     section 513.105 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations).''.

     SEC. 9403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATIONS TO SUPPORT UNITED 
                   STATES PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FAIRS AND 
                   EXPOS.

       Section 9601 of the Department of State Authorizations Act 
     of 2022 (division I of Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 3909) is 
     amended in subsection (b), by striking ``fiscal years 2023 
     and 2024'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 
     2026, and 2027''.

     SEC. 9404. RESEARCH AND SCHOLAR EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) it is in the strategic interest of the United States to 
     strengthen relations with Sub-Saharan African states to 
     promote shared interests in the areas of--
       (A) democracy and good governance;
       (B) education and human capital;
       (C) trade and economic development;
       (D) science and technology;
       (E) biodiversity, food, and agriculture; and
       (F) the preservation and management of natural resources, 
     including critical minerals; and
       (2) historically Black colleges and universities (referred 
     to in this section as ``HBCUs'') have a long history of--
       (A) cultivating diaspora relations with Sub-Saharan African 
     states; and
       (B) developing innovative solutions to some of the world's 
     most pressing challenges.
       (b) Strengthened Partnerships.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator should seek to strengthen and expand 
     partnerships and educational exchange opportunities, 
     including by working with HBCUs, which build the capacity and 
     expertise of students, scholars, and experts from Sub-Saharan 
     Africa in key development sectors.
       (d) Technical Assistance.--The Administrator is authorized 
     to--
       (1) provide technical assistance to HBCUs to assist in 
     fulfilling the goals of this section, including in developing 
     contracts, operating agreements, legal documents, and related 
     infrastructure; and
       (2) upon request, provide feedback to HBCUs, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, after a grant rejection from relevant 
     Federal programs in order to improve future grant 
     applications, as appropriate.

     SEC. 9405. WAIVER OF UNITED STATES RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR 
                   CHILDREN OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY 
                   EMPLOYEES.

       Section 320(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1431(a)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (1)(B), by striking ``; or'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (2) by adding at the end of the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) the child residing in the legal and physical custody 
     of a citizen parent who is residing abroad as a result of 
     employment with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.''.

                      TITLE V--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

     SEC. 9501. SECURE EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION AND COUNTERTERRORISM 
                   ACT REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe new 
     guidance and requirements consistent with the Secure Embassy 
     Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title VI of 
     division A of appendix G of Public Law 106-113), as amended 
     by the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act 
     of 2022 (section 9301 of Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 3879) 
     and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report detailing such guidance and requirements, including 
     the impact of implementation on United States diplomatic 
     facilities and construction projects.
       (b) Consequence for Noncompliance.--If the Secretary fails 
     to meet the requirement under subsection (a) no Federal funds 
     appropriated to the Department shall be used for official 
     travel by senior staff in the executive office of the 
     Diplomatic Security Service, including the Assistant 
     Secretary for Diplomatic Security, until such time as the 
     Secretary meets the requirement.
       (c) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the restriction in 
     subsection (b) to meet urgent and critical needs if the 
     Secretary provides written notification to the appropriate 
     congressional committees in advance of travel.

     SEC. 9502. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION FOR SERIOUS SECURITY 
                   INCIDENTS.

       Section 301(a) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and 
     Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4833(a)), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(2) Initial congressional notification.--The Secretary 
     shall notify the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the 
     Senate, and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of 
     Representatives not later than 8 days after a possible 
     Serious Security Incident has taken place. Such notification 
     shall include a preliminary description of the incident, of 
     an incident described in paragraph (1), including any known 
     individuals involved, when and where the incident took place, 
     and the next steps in the investigation.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of 
     this section, by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (3)''.

     SEC. 9503. NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING SECURITY DECISIONS AT 
                   DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

       Section 103(c) of section 103 of the Omnibus Diplomatic 
     Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4802(c)) is 
     amended--

[[Page S5619]]

       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
       (2) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) The 
     Secretary''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate 
     congressional committees within 10 days of any decision to 
     retain authority over or approve decisions at an overseas 
     post, including the movement of personnel.''.

     SEC. 9504. SECURITY CLEARANCE SUSPENSION PAY FLEXIBILITIES.

       Section 610(c)(6) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 
     U.S.C. 4010(c)(6)) is amended by striking ``paragraph 1(B)'' 
     and inserting ``this subsection''.

     SEC. 9505. MODIFICATION TO NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR 
                   SECURITY CLEARANCE SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS.

       Section 6710(a) of the Department of State Authorization 
     Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C. 2651a 
     note) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such 
     subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;
       (2) by striking ``In General.--With respect'' and inserting 
     the following: ``Notification.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect'';
       (3) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``revocation on'' and all that follows 
     through ``or revocation'' and inserting ``revocation on--
       ``(A) the present employment status of the covered official 
     and whether the job duties of the covered official have 
     changed since such suspension or revocation;
       ``(B) the reason for such suspension or revocation;
       ``(C) the investigation of the covered official and the 
     results of such investigation; and
       ``(D) any negative fallout or impacts for the Department of 
     State, the United States Government, or national security of 
     the United States as a result of the actions for which the 
     security clearance was suspended or revoked.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Submission to intelligence communities.--To the 
     extent the basis for any suspension or revocation of a 
     security clearance is premised on the unauthorized release of 
     intelligence (as defined by section 3(1) of the National 
     Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(1)), the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives shall be an appropriate congressional 
     committee for the purposes of this section.''.

      TITLE VI--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

     SEC. 9601. PERSONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE 
                   UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

        Section 636(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2396(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(17) employing individuals or organizations, by contract, 
     for services abroad for purposes of this Act and title II of 
     the Food for Peace Act, and individuals employed by contract 
     to perform such services shall not by virtue of such 
     employment be considered to be employees of the United States 
     Government (except that the Administrator of the United 
     States Agency for International Development may determine the 
     applicability to such individuals of section 5 of the State 
     Department Basic Authorities Act of 1965 (22 U.S.C. 2672) 
     regarding tort claims when such claims arise in foreign 
     countries in connection with United States operations abroad, 
     and of any other law administered by the Administrator 
     concerning the employment of such individuals abroad), and 
     such contracts are authorized to be negotiated, the terms of 
     the contracts to be prescribed, and the work to be performed, 
     where necessary, without regard to such statutory provisions 
     as relate to the negotiation, making, and performance of 
     contracts and performance of work in the United States.''.

     SEC. 9602. CRISIS OPERATIONS AND DISASTER SURGE STAFFING.

       Section 625 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2385) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(k) Crisis Operations and Disaster Surge Staffing.--(1) 
     The United States Agency for International Development is 
     authorized to appoint personnel in the excepted service using 
     funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made 
     available under the heading `Transition Initiatives' in an 
     Act making appropriations for the Department of State, 
     Foreign Operations, and Related Programs to carry out the 
     provisions of part I and chapter 4 of part II of this Act of 
     and section 509(b) of the Global Fragility Act of 2019 (title 
     V of division J of Public Law 116-94) to prevent or respond 
     to foreign crises and contexts with growing instability;
       ``(2) Funds authorized to carry out such purposes may be 
     made available for the operating expenses and administrative 
     costs of such personnel and may remain attributed to any 
     minimum funding requirement for which they were originally 
     made available.
       ``(3) The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development shall coordinate with the Office of 
     Personnel Management on implementation of the appointment 
     authority under paragraph (1).''.

     SEC. 9603. EDUCATION ALLOWANCE WHILE ON MILITARY LEAVE.

       Section 908 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
     4088) is amended by inserting ``or United States Agency for 
     International Development'' after ``A Department''.

     SEC. 9604. INCLUSION IN THE PET TRANSPORTATION EXCEPTION TO 
                   THE FLY AMERICA ACT.

       Section 6224(a)(1) of the Department of State Authorization 
     Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C. 
     4081a) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
       (1) by striking ``the Department is'' and inserting ``the 
     Department and the United States Agency for International 
     Development (USAID), and other United States Government 
     employees under chief of mission authority are''; and
       (2) by striking ``Department personnel'' and inserting 
     ``Department and USAID personnel, and other United States 
     Government employees under chief of mission authority''.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 9701. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO PROMOTE UNITED 
                   STATES CITIZEN EMPLOYMENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS 
                   AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

       (a) In General.--The President should direct United States 
     departments and agencies to, in coordination with the 
     Secretary --
       (1) fund and recruit Junior Professional Officers for 
     positions at the United Nations and related specialized and 
     technical organizations; and
       (2) facilitate secondments, details, and transfers to 
     agencies and specialized and technical bodies of the United 
     Nations.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated an additional $20,000,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2025 through 2031 for the Secretary to support 
     Junior Professional Officers, details, transfers, and interns 
     that advance United States interests at multilateral 
     institutions and international organizations, including to 
     recruit, train, and host events related to such positions, 
     and to promote United States citizen candidates for 
     employment and leadership positions at multilateral 
     institutions and international organizations.
       (c) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
       (d) Congressional Notification.--Not later than 15 days 
     prior to the obligation of funds authorized to be 
     appropriated under this section, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives a notification 
     outlining the amount and proposed use of such funds.

     SEC. 9702. AMENDMENT TO REWARDS FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM.

       Section 36(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act 
     of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2708(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(15) the restraining, seizing, forfeiting, or 
     repatriating of stolen assets linked to foreign government 
     corruption and the proceeds of such corruption.''.

     SEC. 9703. PASSPORT AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION.

       The Act entitled ``An Act to regulate the issue and 
     validity of passports, and for other purposes'', approved 
     July 3, 1926 (44 Stat. 887, 22 U.S.C. 211a), is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and through the use of Department of 
     State electronic systems,'' after ``the insular possessions 
     of the United States,''; and
       (2) by striking ``person'' and inserting ``entity''.

     SEC. 9704. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH 
                   THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

       Section 7(1) of Public Law 106-178 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     amended, in the undesignated matter following subparagraph 
     (B), by striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2030''.

     SEC. 9705. SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) congressional travel is essential to fostering 
     international relations, understanding global issues first-
     hand, and jointly advancing United States interests abroad; 
     and
       (2) only in close coordination and thanks to the dedication 
     of personnel at United States embassies, consulates, and 
     other missions abroad can the success of these vital trips be 
     possible.
       (b) In General.--The Secretary shall reaffirm to all 
     diplomatic posts the importance of Congressional travel and 
     shall require all such posts to support congressional travel 
     by members and staff of the appropriate congressional 
     committees fully, by making such support available on any day 
     of the week, including Federal and local holidays and, to the 
     extent practical, requiring the direct involvement of mid-
     level or senior officers.
       (c) Exception for Simultaneous High-level Visits.--The 
     requirement under subsection (a) does not apply in the case 
     of a simultaneous visit from the President, the

[[Page S5620]]

     First Lady or First Gentleman, the Vice President, the 
     Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Defense.
       (d) Training.--The Secretary shall require all designated 
     control officers to have been trained on supporting 
     congressional travel at posts abroad prior to the assigned 
     congressional visit.

     SEC. 9706. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION WITH VISA APPLICANTS.

       Section 833(a)(5)(A) of the International Marriage Broker 
     Regulation Act of 2005 (8 U.S.C. 1375a(a)(5)(A)) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(vi) Mailings under this subsection may be transmitted by 
     electronic means, including electronic mail. The Secretary of 
     State may communicate with visa applicants using personal 
     contact information provided to them or to the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security by the applicant, petitioner, or designated 
     agent or attorney.''.

     SEC. 9707. ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VISA INFORMATION.

       Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1202) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(i) Electronic Transmission.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of the immigration laws (as such term is defined in 
     section 101(a)(17) of this Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17)), all 
     requirements in the immigration laws for communications with 
     visa applicants shall be deemed satisfied if electronic 
     communications are sent to the applicant using personal 
     contact information at an address for such communications 
     provided by the applicant, petitioner, or designated agent or 
     attorney. The Secretary of State shall take appropriate 
     actions to allow applicants to update their personal contact 
     information and to ensure that electronic communications can 
     be securely transmitted to applicants.''.

     SEC. 9708. INCLUSION OF COST ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCING 
                   REPORTS.

       (a) Estimated Cost of Reports.--Beginning on October 1, 
     2026, and for the next three fiscal years, the Secretary 
     shall require that any report produced for external 
     distribution, including for distribution to Congress, include 
     the total estimated cost of producing such report and the 
     estimated number of personnel hours.
       (b) Annual Total Cost of Reports.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 
     2025, and for the next three fiscal years, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     an annual report listing the reports issued for the prior 
     fiscal year, the frequency of each report, the total 
     estimated cost associated with producing such report, and the 
     estimated number of personnel hours.

     SEC. 9709. EXTENSIONS.

       (a) USAID Civil Service Annuitant Waiver.--Section 
     625(j)(1)(B) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
     2385(j)(1)(B)) shall be applied by striking ``October 1, 
     2010'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
       (b) Overseas Pay Comparability and Limitation.--
       (1) In general.--The authority provided under section 1113 
     of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-
     32; 123 Stat. 1904) shall remain in effect through September 
     30, 2026.
       (2) Limitation.--The authority described in paragraph (1) 
     may not be used to pay an eligible member of the Foreign 
     Service (as defined in section 1113(b) of the Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32; 123 Stat. 1904)) 
     a locality-based comparability payment (stated as a 
     percentage) that exceeds two-thirds of the amount of the 
     locality-based comparability payment (stated as a percentage) 
     that would be payable to such member under section 5304 of 
     title 5, United States Code, if such member's official duty 
     station were in the District of Columbia.
       (c) Inspector General Annuitant Waiver.--The authorities 
     provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-212; 124 Stat. 
     2332)--
       (1) shall remain in effect through September 30, 2026; and
       (2) may be used to facilitate the assignment of persons for 
     oversight of programs in Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, 
     Venezuela, and Yemen.
       (d) Security Review Committees.--The authority provided 
     under section 301(a)(3) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security 
     and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4831(a)(3)) shall 
     remain in effect for facilities in Afghanistan and shall 
     apply to facilities in Ukraine through September 30, 2026, 
     except that the notification and reporting requirements 
     contained in such section shall include the appropriate 
     congressional committees, the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
     of Representatives.

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