[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13272-13282]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS REFORM ACT OF 2014

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4490) to enhance the missions, objectives, and effectiveness of 
United States international communications, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4490

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United 
     States International Communications Reform Act of 2014''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and declarations.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Broadcasting standards.
Sec. 6. Eligible broadcast areas.

  TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE UNITED 
               STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY

     Subtitle A--Establishment of the United States International 
                         Communications Agency

Sec. 101. Existence within the Executive Branch.
Sec. 102. Establishment of the board of the United States International 
              Communications Agency.
Sec. 103. Authorities and duties of the board of the United States 
              International Communications Agency.
Sec. 104. Establishment of the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
              States International Communications Agency.
Sec. 105. Authorities and duties of the Chief Executive Officer of the 
              United States International Communications Agency.

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Sec. 106. Role of the Secretary of State.
Sec. 107. Role of the Inspector General.
Sec. 108. Enhanced coordination between United States International 
              Communications Agency and the Freedom News Network; 
              program content sharing; grantee independence.
Sec. 109. Enhanced coordination among the United States International 
              Communications Agency, the Freedom News Network, and the 
              Department of State; Freedom News Network independence.
Sec. 110. Grants to the Freedom News Network.
Sec. 111. Other personnel and compensation limitations.
Sec. 112. Reporting requirements of the United States International 
              Communications Agency.

                    Subtitle B--The Voice of America

Sec. 121. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 122. Principles of the Voice of America.
Sec. 123. Duties and responsibilities of the Voice of America.
Sec. 124. Limitation on voice of America news, programming, and 
              content; exception for broadcasting to Cuba.
Sec. 125. Director of Voice of America.

                     Subtitle C--General Provisions

Sec. 131. Federal agency coordination in support of United States 
              public diplomacy.
Sec. 132. Federal agency assistance and coordination with the United 
              States International Communications Agency and the 
              Freedom News Network during international broadcast 
              surges.
Sec. 133. Freedom News Network right of first refusal in instances of 
              Federal disposal of radio or television broadcast 
              transmission facilities or equipment.
Sec. 134. Repeal of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 
              1994.
Sec. 135. Effective date.

                   TITLE II--THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK

Sec. 201. Sense of Congress.

      Subtitle A--Consolidation of Existing Grantee Organizations

Sec. 211. Formation of the Freedom News Network from existing grantees.
Sec. 212. Mission of the Freedom News Network.
Sec. 213. Standards and principles of the Freedom News Network.

          Subtitle B--Organization of the Freedom News Network

Sec. 221. Governance of the Freedom News Network.
Sec. 222. Budget of the Freedom News Network.
Sec. 223. Assistance from other government agencies.
Sec. 224. Reports by the Office of the Inspector General of the 
              Department of State; audits by GAO.
Sec. 225. Amendments to the United States Information and Educational 
              Exchange Act of 1948.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Preservation of United States National Security objectives.
Sec. 302. Requirement for authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.

       Congress finds and declares the following:
       (1) United States international broadcasting exists to 
     advance the United States interests and values by presenting 
     accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and information, 
     which is the foundation for democratic governance, to 
     societies that lack a free media.
       (2) Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
     states that ``[e]veryone has the right to freedom of opinion 
     and expression'', and that ``this right includes freedom to 
     hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and 
     impart information and ideas through any media and regardless 
     of frontiers''.
       (3) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     on January 23, 2013, that the Broadcasting Board of Governors 
     (BBG) ``is practically a defunct agency in terms of its 
     capacity to be able to tell a message around the world. So 
     we're abdicating the ideological arena and need to get back 
     into it.''.
       (4) The BBG, which was created by Congress to oversee the 
     United States international broadcasting in the wake of the 
     Cold War, has, because of structural and managerial issues, 
     had limited success to date in both coordinating the various 
     components of the international broadcasting framework and 
     managing the day-to-day operations of the Federal components 
     of the international broadcasting framework.
       (5) The lack of regular attendance by board members and a 
     periodic inability to form a quorum have plagued the BBG and, 
     as a result, it has been functionally incapable of running 
     the agency.
       (6) The board of governors has only achieved the full slate 
     of all nine governors for seven of its 17 years of existence, 
     which highlights the difficulties of confirming and retaining 
     governors under the current structure.
       (7) Both the Department of State's Office of Inspector 
     General and the Government Accountability Office have issued 
     reports which outline a severely dysfunctional organizational 
     structure of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
       (8) The Inspector General of the Department of State 
     concluded in its January 2013 report that dysfunction of the 
     BBG stems from ``a flawed legislative structure and acute 
     internal dissension''.
       (9) The Inspector General of the Department of State also 
     found that the BBG's structure of nine part-time members 
     ``cannot effectively supervise all United States Government-
     supported, civilian international broadcasting'', and its 
     involvement in day-to-day operations has impeded normal 
     management functions.
       (10) The Government Accountability Office report determined 
     that there was significant overlap among the BBG's languages 
     services, and that the BBG did not systematically consider 
     the financial cost of overlap.
       (11) According to the Office of the Inspector General, the 
     BBG's Office of Contracts is not in compliance with the 
     Federal Acquisition Regulation, lacks appropriate contract 
     oversight, and violates the Anti-Deficiency Act. The Office 
     of the Inspector General also determined that the 
     Broadcasting Board of Governors has not adequately performed 
     full and open competitions or price determinations, has 
     entered into hundreds of personal service contracts without 
     statutory authority, and contractors regularly work without 
     valid contracts in place.
       (12) The size and make-up of the BBG workforce should be 
     closely examined, given the agency's broader broadcasting and 
     technical mission, as well as changing media technologies.
       (13) The BBG should be structured to ensure that more 
     taxpayer dollars are dedicated to the substantive, 
     broadcasting, and information-related elements of the 
     agency's mission.
       (14) The lack of a coherent and well defined mission of the 
     Voice of America has led to programming that duplicates the 
     efforts of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, 
     RFE/RL, Incorporated, and the Middle East Broadcasting 
     Networks, Incorporated that results in inefficient use of 
     tax-payer funding.
       (15) The annual survey conducted by the ``Partnership for 
     Public Service'' consistently ranks the Broadcasting Board of 
     Governors at or near the bottom of all Federal agencies in 
     terms of ``overall best places to work'' and ``the extent to 
     which employees feel their skills and talents are used 
     effectively''. The consistency of these low scores point to 
     structural, cultural, and functional problems at the 
     Broadcasting Board of Governors.
       (16) The Federal and non-Federal organizations that 
     comprise the United States international broadcasting 
     framework have different, yet complementary, missions that 
     necessitate coordination at all levels of management.
       (17) The Broadcasting Board of Governors has an 
     overabundance of senior civil service positions, defined here 
     as full-time employees encumbering GS-14 and GS-15 positions 
     on the General Schedule pay scale.
       (18) United States international broadcasting should seek 
     to leverage public-private partnerships, including the 
     licensing of content and the use of technology owned or 
     operated by non-governmental sources, where possible to 
     expand outreach capacity.
       (19) Shortwave broadcasting has been an important method of 
     communication that should be utilized in regions as a 
     component of United States international broadcasting where a 
     critical need for the platform exists.
       (20) Congressional action is necessary at this time to 
     improve international broadcasting operations, strengthen the 
     United States public diplomacy efforts, enhance the grantee 
     surrogate broadcasting effort, restore focus to news, 
     programming, and content, and maximize the value of Federal 
     and non-Federal resources that are dedicated to public 
     diplomacy and international broadcasting.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are as follows:
       (1) To provide objective, accurate, credible, and 
     comprehensive news and information to societies that lack 
     freedom of expression and information.
       (2) To improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and 
     flexibility of United States international broadcasting to 
     allow it to adapt to constantly changing political and media 
     environments through clarification of missions, improved 
     coordination, and organizational restructuring.
       (3) To coordinate the complementary efforts of the 
     Department of State and United States international 
     broadcasting.
       (4) To create a United States international broadcasting 
     framework that more effectively leverages the broadcasting 
     tools available and creates specialization of expertise in 
     mission oriented programming, while minimizing waste and 
     inefficiency.

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       (5) To improve United States international broadcasting 
     workforce effectiveness, security, and satisfaction.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
       (2) Grantee.--The term ``grantee'' means the non-Federal 
     organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) 
     of such Code as of day before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act that receives Federal funding from the Broadcasting 
     Board of Governors, and includes Radio Free Asia, RFE/RL, 
     Incorporated, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, 
     Incorporated.
       (3) Freedom news network.--The term ``Freedom News 
     Network'' refers to the non-Federal organization described in 
     section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
     exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code that would 
     receive Federal funding and be responsible for promoting 
     democratic freedoms and free media operations for foreign 
     audiences in societies that lack freedom of expression and 
     information, and consisting of the consolidation of the 
     grantee in accordance with section 211.
       (4) Public diplomacy.--The term ``public diplomacy'' means 
     the effort to achieve broad United States foreign policy 
     goals and objectives, advance national interests, and enhance 
     national security by informing and influencing foreign 
     publics and by expanding and strengthening the relationship 
     between the people and Government of the United States and 
     citizens of other countries.

     SEC. 5. BROADCASTING STANDARDS.

       United States international broadcasting shall incorporate 
     the following standards into all of its broadcasting efforts:
       (1) Be consistent with the broad foreign policy objectives 
     of the United States.
       (2) Be consistent with the international telecommunications 
     policies and treaty obligations of the United States.
       (3) Not duplicate the activities of private United States 
     broadcasters.
       (4) Be conducted in accordance with the highest 
     professional standards of broadcast journalism while 
     remaining consistent with and supportive of the broad foreign 
     policy objectives of the United States.
       (5) Be based on reliable, research-based information, both 
     quantitative and qualitative, about its potential audience.
       (6) Be designed so as to effectively reach a significant 
     audience.
       (7) Promote freedom of expression, religion, and respect 
     for human rights and human equality.

     SEC. 6. ELIGIBLE BROADCAST AREAS.

       (a) In General.--The Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency and the Board of the 
     Freedom News Network, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     State, shall ensure that United States international 
     broadcasting is conducted only to countries and regions 
     that--
       (1) lack democratic rule, or the indicia of democratic 
     rule, such as demonstrable proof of free and fair elections;
       (2) lack the legal and political environment that allows 
     media organizations and journalists to operate free from 
     government-led or permitted harassment, intimidation, 
     retribution, and from economic impediments to the 
     development, production, and dissemination of news and 
     related programming and content;
       (3) lack established, domestic, and widely accessible media 
     that provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and 
     related programming and content; and
       (4) by virtue of the criteria described in this subsection, 
     would benefit the national security and related interests of 
     the United States, and the safety and security of United 
     States citizens at home and abroad.
       (b) Exception.--The United States International 
     Communications Agency and the Freedom News Network may 
     broadcast to countries that fall outside of the criteria 
     described in subsection (a) if the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the Agency and the Freedom News Network, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of State, determine it is in the national 
     security interest of the United States, or in the interests 
     of preserving the safety and security of United States 
     citizens at home and abroad, to do so.

  TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE UNITED 
               STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY

     Subtitle A--Establishment of the United States International 
                         Communications Agency

     SEC. 101. EXISTENCE WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

       There is hereby established a single Federal organization 
     consisting of the Voice of America and the offices that 
     constitute the International Broadcasting Bureau and referred 
     to hereafter as the ``United States International 
     Communications Agency'', which shall exist within the 
     executive branch of Government as an independent 
     establishment described in section 104 of title 5, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD OF THE UNITED STATES 
                   INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY.

       (a) Composition of the Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency.--
       (1) In general.--The Board (in this section referred to as 
     the ``Board'') of the United States International 
     Communications Agency shall consist of nine members, as 
     follows:
       (A) Eight voting members who shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       (B) The Secretary of State, who shall also be a voting 
     member.
       (2) Chair.--The President shall appoint one member (other 
     than the Secretary of State) as Chair of the Board, by and 
     with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       (3) Political affiliation.--Exclusive of the Secretary of 
     State, not more than four members of the Board shall be of 
     the same political party.
       (4) Retention of existing bbg members.--The presidentially-
     appointed and Senate-confirmed members of the Broadcasting 
     Board of Governors serving as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act shall constitute the Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency and hold office the 
     remainder of their original terms of office without 
     reappointment to the Board.
       (b) Term of Office.--The term of office of each member of 
     the Board shall be three years, except that the Secretary of 
     State shall remain a member of the Board during the 
     Secretary's term of service. Of the other eight voting 
     members, the initial terms of office of two members shall be 
     one year, and the initial terms of office of three other 
     members shall be two years, as determined by the President. 
     The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate, Board members to fill vacancies 
     occurring prior to the expiration of a term, in which case 
     the members so appointed shall serve for the remainder of 
     such term. Members may not serve beyond their terms. When 
     there is no Secretary of State, the Acting Secretary of State 
     shall serve as a member of the Board until a Secretary is 
     appointed.
       (c) Selection of Board.--Members of the Board shall be 
     citizens of the United States who are not regular full-time 
     employees of the United States Government. Such members shall 
     be selected by the President from among citizens 
     distinguished in the fields of public diplomacy, mass 
     communications, print, broadcast media, or foreign affairs.
       (d) Compensation.--Members of the Board, while attending 
     meetings of the Board or while engaged in duties relating to 
     such meetings or in other activities of the Board pursuant to 
     this section (including travel time) shall be entitled to 
     receive compensation equal to the daily equivalent of the 
     compensation prescribed for level IV of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. 
     While away from their homes or regular places of business, 
     members of the Board may be allowed travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
     section 5703 of such title for persons in the Government 
     service employed intermittently. The Secretary of State shall 
     not be entitled to any compensation under this chapter.
       (e) Decisions.--Decisions of the Board shall be made by 
     majority vote, a quorum being present. A quorum shall consist 
     of a majority of members then serving at the time a decision 
     of the Board is made.
       (f) Transparency.--The Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency shall adhere to the 
     provisions specified in the Government in the Sunshine Act 
     (Public Law 94-409).

     SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF THE UNITED 
                   STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY.

       The Board of the United States International Communications 
     Agency shall have the following authorities:
       (1) To review and evaluate the mission and operation of, 
     and to assess the quality, effectiveness, and professional 
     integrity of, all programming produced by the United States 
     International Communications Agency to ensure alignment with 
     the broad foreign policy objectives of the United States.
       (2) To ensure that broadcasting of the United States 
     International Communications Agency is conducted in 
     accordance with the standards specified in section 5.
       (3) To review, evaluate, and recommend to the Chief 
     Executive of the United States International Communications 
     Agency, at least annually, in consultation with the Secretary 
     of State, the necessity of adding or deleting of language 
     services of the Agency.
       (4) To submit to the President and Congress an annual 
     report which summarizes and evaluates activities of the 
     United States International Communications Agency described 
     in this title.

     SEC. 104. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE 
                   UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 
                   AGENCY.

       (a) In General.--There shall be a Chief Executive Officer 
     of the United States International Communications Agency, 
     appointed by the Board of the Agency for a five-year term, 
     renewable at the Board's discretion,

[[Page 13275]]

     and subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     governing appointments, classification, and compensation.
       (b) Qualifications.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be 
     selected from among United States citizens with two or more 
     of the following qualifications:
       (1) A distinguished career in managing a large organization 
     or Federal agency.
       (2) Experience in the field of mass communications, print, 
     or broadcast media.
       (3) Experience in foreign affairs or international 
     relations.
       (4) Experience in directing United States public diplomacy 
     programs.
       (c) Termination and Transfer.--Immediately upon appointment 
     of the Chief Executive Officer under subsection (a), the 
     Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau shall be 
     terminated, and all of the responsibilities and authorities 
     of the Director shall be transferred to and assumed by the 
     Chief Executive Officer.
       (d) Removal of Chief Executive Officer.--The Chief 
     Executive Officer under subsection (a) may be removed upon a 
     two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Board of the 
     United States International Communications Agency then 
     serving.
       (e) Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer.--Any Chief 
     Executive Officer of the United States International 
     Communications Agency hired after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, shall be eligible to receive compensation up to 
     an annual rate of pay equivalent to level I of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
                   OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 
                   COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY.

       (a) Duties.--The Chief Executive Officer under section 104 
     shall direct operations of the United States International 
     Communications Agency and shall have the following non-
     delegable authorities, subject to the supervision of the 
     Board of the United States International Communications 
     Agency:
       (1) To supervise all Federal broadcasting activities 
     conducted pursuant to title V of the United States 
     Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 
     1461 et seq.) and the Voice of America as described in 
     subtitle B of title I of this Act.
       (2) To make and ensure compliance with the terms and 
     conditions of the grant agreement in accordance with section 
     110.
       (3) To review engineering activities to ensure that all 
     broadcasting elements receive the highest quality and cost-
     effective delivery services.
       (4) To undertake such studies as may be necessary to 
     identify areas in which broadcasting activities under the 
     authority of the United States International Communications 
     Agency could be made more efficient and economical.
       (5) To the extent considered necessary to carry out the 
     functions of the Board, procure supplies, services, and other 
     personal property, as well as procurement pursuant to section 
     1535 of title 31, United States Code (commonly referred to as 
     the ``Economy Act''), of such goods and services from other 
     Federal agencies for the Board as the Board determines are 
     appropriate.
       (6) To appoint such staff personnel for the Board as the 
     Board may determine to be necessary, subject to the 
     provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
     appointments in the competitive service, and to fix their 
     compensation in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 
     and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates.
       (7) To obligate and expend, for official reception and 
     representation expenses, such amounts as may be made 
     available through appropriations Acts.
       (8) To make available in the annual reports required under 
     section 103 information on funds expended on administrative 
     and managerial services by the Board of the United States 
     Communications Agency, and the steps the Board has taken to 
     reduce unnecessary overhead costs for each of the 
     broadcasting services.
       (9) To provide for the use of United States Government 
     broadcasting capacity to the Freedom News Network.
       (10)(A) To procure temporary and intermittent personal 
     services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 
     of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the 
     daily equivalent of the rate provided for positions 
     classified above grade GS-15 of the General Schedule under 
     section 5108 of such title.
       (B) To allow those individuals providing such services, 
     while away from their homes or their regular places of 
     business, travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence) as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for persons in the Government service employed 
     intermittently, while so employed.
       (11) To utilize the provisions of titles III, IV, V, VII, 
     VIII, IX, and X of the United States Information and 
     Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), 
     and section 6 of Reorganization Plan Number 2 of 1977, as in 
     effect on the day before the effective date of title XIII of 
     the Foreign Affairs Agencies Consolidation Act of 1998, to 
     the extent the Board considers necessary to carry out the 
     provisions and purposes of this Act.
       (12) To utilize the authorities of any other statute, 
     reorganization plan, executive order, regulation, agreement, 
     determination, or other official document or proceeding that 
     had been available to the Director of the United States 
     Information Agency, the International Broadcasting Bureau, or 
     the Board of the Broadcasting Board of Governors before the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (13)(A) To provide for the payment of primary and secondary 
     school expenses for dependents of personnel stationed in the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) at a cost 
     not to exceed expenses authorized by the Department of 
     Defense for such schooling for dependents of members of the 
     Armed Forces stationed in the Commonwealth, if the Board 
     determines that schools available in the Commonwealth are 
     unable to provide adequately for the education of the 
     dependents of such personnel.
       (B) To provide transportation for dependents of such 
     personnel between their places of residence and those schools 
     for which expenses are provided under subparagraph (A), if 
     the Board determines that such schools are not accessible by 
     public means of transportation.
       (b) Consultations.--The Chief Executive Officer of the 
     United States International Communications Agency shall 
     regularly consult with the Chief Executive Officer of the 
     Freedom News Network and the Secretary of State as described 
     in sections 108 and 109.

     SEC. 106. ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

       To assist the Board of the United States International 
     Communications Agency in carrying out its functions, the 
     Secretary of State shall provide to the Board information in 
     accordance with section 109(b), as well as guidance on United 
     States foreign policy and public diplomacy priorities, as the 
     Secretary determines appropriate.

     SEC. 107. ROLE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

       (a) In General.--The Inspector General of the Department of 
     State shall exercise the same authorities with respect to the 
     United States International Communications Agency and the 
     Freedom News Network as the Inspector General exercises with 
     respect to the Department.
       (b) Journalist Integrity.--The Inspector General of the 
     Department of State shall respect the journalistic integrity 
     of all the broadcasters covered by this Act and may not 
     evaluate the philosophical or political perspectives 
     reflected in the content of the broadcasts of such 
     broadcasters.

     SEC. 108. ENHANCED COORDINATION BETWEEN UNITED STATES 
                   INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY AND THE 
                   FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK; PROGRAM CONTENT SHARING; 
                   GRANTEE INDEPENDENCE.

       (a) Meetings.--The chair of the Board and Chief Executive 
     Officer of the United States International Communications 
     Agency shall meet at least on a quarterly basis with the 
     chair and Chief Executive Officer, as identified in section 
     221, of the Freedom News Network to discuss mutual issues of 
     concern, including the following:
       (1) The strategic direction of their respective 
     organizations, including target audiences.
       (2) Languages of information transmission.
       (3) Prioritization of funding allocations.
       (4) Areas for greater collaboration.
       (5) Elimination of programming overlap.
       (6) Efficiencies that can be realized through best 
     practices and lessons learned.
       (7) Sharing of program content.
       (b) Information Sharing.--The Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Broadcasting Agency and the 
     Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom News Network shall 
     share all strategic planning documents, including the 
     following:
       (1) Results monitoring and evaluation.
       (2) Annual planning documents.
       (3) Audience surveys conducted.
       (4) Budget formulation documents.
       (c) Program Content Sharing.--The United States 
     International Communications Agency and the Freedom News 
     Network shall make all original content available to each 
     other through a shared platform in accordance with section 
     112(a)(3).
       (d) Independence of Freedom News Network.--The United 
     States International Communications Agency, while conducting 
     management of the grant described in section 110, shall avoid 
     even the appearance of involvement in daily operations, 
     decisions, and management of the Freedom News Network, and 
     ensure that the distinctions between the United States 
     International Communications Agency and Freedom News Network 
     remain in accordance with this Act.

     SEC. 109. ENHANCED COORDINATION AMONG THE UNITED STATES 
                   INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, THE 
                   FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   STATE; FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK INDEPENDENCE.

       (a) Coordination Meetings.--The Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency and the 
     Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom News Network shall 
     meet, at least on a quarterly basis, with the Secretary of 
     State to--
       (1) review and evaluate broadcast activities;
       (2) eliminate overlap of programming; and
       (3) determine long-term strategies for international 
     broadcasting to ensure such strategies are in accordance with 
     the broad foreign policy interests of the United States.

[[Page 13276]]

       (b) Strategic Planning Documents.--The Chief Executive 
     Officer of the United States International Communications 
     Agency, the Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom News 
     Network, and the Secretary of State shall share all relevant 
     unclassified strategic planning documents produced by the 
     Agency, the Freedom News Network, and the Department of 
     State.
       (c) Freedom News Network Independence.--The Department of 
     State, while coordinating with the Freedom News Network in 
     accordance with subsection (a), shall avoid even the 
     appearance of involvement in the daily operations, decisions, 
     and management of the Freedom News Network.

     SEC. 110. GRANTS TO THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK.

       (a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer of the United 
     States International Communications Agency shall make grants 
     to RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, or the Middle East 
     Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated only after the Chief 
     Executive Officer of the Agency and the Chief Executive 
     Officer of Freedom News Network certify to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that the headquarters of the Freedom 
     News Network and its senior administrative and managerial 
     staff are in a location which ensures economy, operational 
     effectiveness, and accountability, and the following 
     conditions have been satisfied:
       (1) RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle 
     East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated have submitted to 
     the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency a plan for consolidation 
     and reconstitution as described in section 211 under the new 
     corporate name ``Freedom News Network'' with a single 
     organizational structure and management framework, as 
     described in section 221.
       (2) The necessary steps towards the consolidation described 
     in paragraph (1) have been completed, including the selection 
     of a Board, Chair, and Chief Executive Officer for the 
     Freedom News Network, the establishment of bylaws to govern 
     the Freedom News Network, and the filing of articles of 
     incorporation.
       (3) A plan for content sharing has been developed in 
     accordance with section 112(a)(3).
       (4) A strategic plan for programming implementation has 
     been developed in accordance with section 222(c).
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency shall submit to Congress 
     a report on the status of any grants made to the Freedom News 
     Network.
       (c) Alternative Grantee.--If the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency, after 
     consultation with the Board of the Agency and the appropriate 
     congressional committees, determines at any time that the 
     Freedom News Network is not carrying out the mission 
     described in section 212 and adhering to the standards and 
     principles described in section 213 in an effective and 
     economical manner for which a grant has been awarded, the 
     Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, upon approval of the 
     Board, may award to another entity the grant at issue to 
     carry out such functions after soliciting and considering 
     applications from eligible entities in such manner and 
     accompanied by such information as the Board may require.
       (d) Not a Federal Entity.--Nothing in this Act may be 
     construed to make the Freedom News Network a Federal agency 
     or instrumentality.
       (e) Authority.--Grants authorized under this section for 
     the United States International Communications Agency shall 
     be available to make annual grants to the Freedom News 
     Network for the purpose of carrying out the mission described 
     in section 212 and adhering to the standards and principles 
     described in section 213.
       (f) Grant Agreement.--Grants authorized under this section 
     to the Freedom News Network by the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency shall 
     only be made in accordance with a grant agreement. Such grant 
     agreement shall include the following provisions:
       (1) A grant shall be used only for activities in accordance 
     with carrying out the mission described in section 212 and 
     adhering to the standards and principles described in section 
     213.
       (2) The Freedom News Network shall comply with the 
     requirements of this section.
       (3) Failure to comply with the requirements of this section 
     may result in suspension or termination of a grant without 
     further obligation by the United States International 
     Communications Agency or the United States.
       (4) Use of broadcasting technology owned and operated by 
     the United States International Communications Agency shall 
     be made available through an International Cooperative 
     Administrative Support Service (ICASS) agreement or 
     memorandum of understanding.
       (5) The Freedom News Network shall, upon request, provide 
     to the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency documentation which 
     details the expenditure of any grant funds.
       (6) A grant may not be used to require the Freedom News 
     Network to comply with any requirements other than the 
     requirements specified in this Act.
       (7) A grant may not be used to allocate resources within 
     the Freedom News Network in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with the Freedom News Network strategic plan described in 
     section 222(c).
       (g) Prohibitions on the Use of Grants.--Grants authorized 
     under this section may not be used for the following 
     purposes:
       (1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), to 
     pay any salary or other compensation, or enter into any 
     contract providing for the payment of salary or compensation, 
     in excess of the rates established for comparable positions 
     under title 5, United States Code, or the foreign relations 
     laws of the United States, except that no employee may be 
     paid a salary or other compensation in excess of the rate of 
     pay payable for level II of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5315 of such title.
       (B) Salary and other compensation limitations under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any employee 
     covered by a union agreement requiring a salary or other 
     compensation in excess of such limitations before the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (C) Notwithstanding the limitations specified in 
     subparagraph (A), grants authorized under this section may be 
     used by the Freedom News Network to pay up to six employees 
     employed in the Washington, D.C. area, salary or other 
     compensation not to exceed the rate of pay payable for level 
     I of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, 
     United States Code, except that such shall not apply to the 
     Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom News Network in 
     accordance with section 221(d).
       (2) For any activity intended to influence the passage or 
     defeat of legislation being considered by Congress.
       (3) To enter into a contract or obligation to pay severance 
     payments for voluntary separation for employees hired after 
     December 1, 1990, except as may be required by United States 
     law or the laws of the country where such an employee is 
     stationed.
       (4) For first class travel for any employee of the Freedom 
     News Network, or the relative of any such employee.

     SEC. 111. OTHER PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION LIMITATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the organizational and 
     personnel restrictions described in subsection (c), the Chief 
     Executive Officer of the United States International 
     Communications Agency shall have the discretion to determine 
     the distribution of all personnel within the Agency, subject 
     to the approval of the Board of the Agency.
       (b) Limitation on Compensation.--
       (1) In general.--No employee of the United States 
     International Communications Agency, other than the Chief 
     Executive Officer or Director of the Voice of America, shall 
     be eligible to receive compensation at a rate in excess of 
     step 10 of GS-15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 
     of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Exception.--The limitation described in paragraph (1) 
     does not apply in the case of members of the Board in 
     accordance with section 102(d) or affect the rights of 
     employees covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
       (c) Prohibition on Certain New Employment.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and ending on the date that is five years after such 
     date, the United States International Communications Agency 
     may not fill any currently unfilled full-time or part-time 
     position compensated at an annual rate of basic pay for grade 
     GS-14 or GS-15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of 
     title 5, United States Code, including any currently filled 
     position in which the incumbent resigns, retires, or 
     otherwise leaves such position during the such five year 
     period.
       (2) Waiver.--The Chief Executive Officer of the United 
     States International Communications Agency may waive the 
     prohibition specified in paragraph (1) if the position is 
     determined essential to the functioning of the Agency and 
     documented as such in the report required under section 
     112(a), or necessary for the acquisition of skills or 
     knowledge not sufficiently represented in the current 
     workforce of the Agency. The Chief Executive Officer of the 
     Agency shall consult with the appropriate congressional 
     committees before issuing a waiver under this paragraph.
       (d) Continuation of Federal Status.--Nothing in this Act 
     may be interpreted to change the Federal status or rights of 
     employees of the Voice of America or the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau by the consolidation and establishment of 
     the United States International Communications Agency.

     SEC. 112. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES 
                   INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY.

       (a) Reorganization Report.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive 
     Officer of the United States International Communications 
     Agency shall submit to the appropriate Congressional 
     committees a report that includes the following:

[[Page 13277]]

       (1) A plan to assess and provide recommendations on the 
     appropriate size and necessity of all current offices and 
     positions (also referred to as a ``staffing pattern'') within 
     the Agency, including full-time employee positions rated at 
     the Senior Executive Service (SES) level or at GS-14 or GS-15 
     on the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United 
     States Code. Such plan shall include a detailed 
     organizational structure that delineates lines of authority 
     and reporting between junior staff, management, and 
     leadership.
       (2) A plan to consolidate the Voice of America and the 
     International Broadcasting Bureau into a single Federal 
     entity identified as the ``United States International 
     Communications Agency'', and how the structure and alignment 
     of resources support the fulfillment of the Agency's mission 
     and standards and principles as described in sections 5 and 
     122.
       (3) A plan for developing a platform to share all 
     programming content between the United States International 
     Communications Agency and the Freedom News Network, including 
     making available for distribution all programming content 
     licensed or produced by the Agency and the Freedom News 
     Network, and expanding the functionality of the platforms 
     already in existence, such as the web content management 
     system ``Pangea''.
       (4) A joint plan written with the Chief Executive Officer 
     of the Freedom News Network to coordinate the transition of 
     language services between the United States International 
     Communications Agency and the Freedom News Network in 
     accordance with sections 6, 123, 124, 212, and 214.
       (b) Contracting Report.--The Chief Executive Officer of the 
     United States International Communications Agency shall 
     annually submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report on the Agency's compliance with the Federal 
     Acquisition Regulation (the ``FAR'') and the Anti-Deficiency 
     Act, including a review of contracts awarded on a non-
     competitive basis, compliance with the FAR requirement for 
     publicizing contract actions, the use of any personal service 
     contracts without explicit statutory authority, and processes 
     for contract oversight in compliance with the FAR.
       (c) Listenership Report.--The Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency shall 
     annually submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report that details the transmission capacities, market 
     penetration, and audience listenership of all mediums of 
     international communication deployed by the United States 
     International Communications Agency, including a plan for how 
     target audiences can be reached if the first medium of 
     delivery is unavailable.
       (d) Gao Report.--Every five years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that reviews the effectiveness of content 
     sharing between the United States International 
     Communications Agency and the Freedom News Network and makes 
     recommendations on how content sharing can be improved.
       (e) Language Report.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive 
     Officer of the United States International Communications 
     Agency and the Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom News 
     Network shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a joint report detailing--
       (1) information outlining the criteria and analysis used to 
     determine broadcast recipient countries and regions; and
       (2) an initial list of broadcast countries and regions.

                    Subtitle B--The Voice of America

     SEC. 121. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Voice of America has been an indispensable element 
     of United States foreign policy and public diplomacy efforts 
     since 1942, and should remain the flagship brand of the 
     United States International Communications Agency;
       (2) the Voice of America has been a reliable source of 
     accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and related 
     programming and content for the millions of people around the 
     world who cannot obtain such news and related programming and 
     content from indigenous media outlets;
       (3) the Voice of America's success over more than seven 
     decades has created valuable brand identity and international 
     recognition that justifies the maintenance of the Voice of 
     America;
       (4) the Voice of America's public diplomacy mission remains 
     essential to broader United States Government efforts to 
     communicate with foreign populations; and
       (5) despite its tremendous historical success, the Voice of 
     America would benefit substantially from a recalibration of 
     Federal international broadcasting agencies and resources, 
     which would provide the Voice of America with greater mission 
     focus and flexibility in the deployment of news, programming, 
     and content.

     SEC. 122. PRINCIPLES OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA.

       The Voice of America shall adhere to the following 
     principles in the course of fulfilling its duties and 
     responsibilities:
       (1) Serving as a consistently reliable and authoritative 
     source of news on the United States, its policies, its 
     people, and the international developments that affect the 
     United States.
       (2) Providing accurate, objective, and comprehensive 
     information, with the understanding that these three values 
     provide credibility among global news audiences.
       (3) Presenting the official policies of the United States, 
     and related discussions and opinions about those policies, 
     clearly and effectively.
       (4) Representing the whole of the United States, and shall 
     accordingly work to produce programming and content that 
     presents a balanced and comprehensive projection of the 
     diversity of thought and institutions of the United States.

     SEC. 123. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOICE OF 
                   AMERICA.

       The Voice of America shall have the following duties and 
     responsibilities:
       (1) Producing accurate, objective, and comprehensive news 
     and related programming that is consistent with and promotes 
     the broad foreign policies of the United States.
       (2) Producing news and related programming and content that 
     accurately represents the diversity of thoughts and 
     institutions of the United States as a whole.
       (3) Presenting the law and policies of the United States 
     clearly and effectively.
       (4) Promoting the civil and responsible exchange of 
     information and differences of opinion regarding policies, 
     issues, and current events.
       (5) Making all of its produced news and related programming 
     and content available to the Freedom News Network for use and 
     distribution.
       (6) Producing or otherwise allowing editorials, commentary, 
     and programming, in consultation with the Department of 
     State, that present the official views of the United States 
     Government and its officials.
       (7) Maximizing foreign national information access through 
     both the use of existing broadcasting tools and resources and 
     the development and dissemination of circumvention 
     technology.
       (8) Providing training and technical support for 
     independent indigenous media and journalist enterprises in 
     order to facilitate or enhance independent media environments 
     and outlets abroad.
       (9) Reaching identified foreign audiences in local 
     languages and dialects when possible, particularly when such 
     audiences form a distinct ethnic, cultural, or religious 
     group within a country critical to United States national 
     security interests.
       (10) Being capable of providing a broadcasting surge 
     capacity under circumstances where overseas disasters, 
     crises, or other events require increased or heightened 
     international public diplomacy engagement.

     SEC. 124. LIMITATION ON VOICE OF AMERICA NEWS, PROGRAMMING, 
                   AND CONTENT; EXCEPTION FOR BROADCASTING TO 
                   CUBA.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
     Voice of America shall be limited to providing reporting in 
     accordance with the principles specified in section 122. 
     Nothing in this section may preclude the Voice of America 
     from broadcasting programming content produced by the Freedom 
     News Network.
       (b) Exception for Broadcasting to Cuba.--Radio Marti and 
     Television Marti, which constitute the Office of Cuba 
     Broadcasting, shall continue programming and content 
     production consistent with the mission and activities as 
     described in the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (Public Law 
     98-111) and the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act (Public 
     Law 101-246), and continue existing within the Voice of 
     America of the United States International Communications 
     Agency, established in section 101.

     SEC. 125. DIRECTOR OF VOICE OF AMERICA.

       (a) Establishment.--There shall be a Director of the Voice 
     of America, who shall be responsible for executing the duties 
     and responsibilities of the Voice of America described in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Duties and Responsibilities.--The Director of the Voice 
     of America shall, subject to the final approval of the Chief 
     Executive Officer of the United States International 
     Communications Agency carry out the following duties and 
     responsibilities:
       (1) Determine the organizational structure of, and 
     personnel allocation or relocation within, the Voice of 
     America, subject to section 105.
       (2) Make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency 
     regarding the production, development, and termination of 
     Voice of America news programming and content.
       (3) Make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Communications Agency about 
     the establishment, termination, prioritization, and 
     adjustments of language services utilized by the Voice of 
     America to reach its international audience.
       (4) Allocate funding and material resources under the 
     jurisdiction of the Voice of America for the furtherance of 
     the other duties and responsibilities established under this 
     subsection.

[[Page 13278]]

       (5) Oversee the daily operations of the Voice of America, 
     including programming content.
       (c) Appointment and Qualifications of Director.--
       (1) In general.--The position of Director of the Voice of 
     America shall be filled by a person who shall serve at the 
     pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency.
       (2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to be appointed Director 
     of the Voice of America, a person shall have at least two of 
     the following qualifications:
       (A) Prior, extensive experience managing or operating a 
     private-sector media or journalist enterprise.
       (B) Prior, extensive experience managing or operating a 
     large organization.
       (C) Prior, extensive experience engaged in mass media or 
     journalist program development, including the development of 
     circumvention technologies.
       (D) Prior, extensive experience engaged in international 
     journalism or other related activities, including the 
     training of international journalists and the promotion of 
     democratic institutional reforms abroad.
       (3) Compensation.--Any Director who is hired after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act shall be entitled to receive 
     compensation at a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay 
     for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
     title 5, United States Code.

                     Subtitle C--General Provisions

     SEC. 131. FEDERAL AGENCY COORDINATION IN SUPPORT OF UNITED 
                   STATES PUBLIC DIPLOMACY.

       (a) In General.--The Board of the United States 
     International Communications Agency and the Freedom News 
     Network shall conduct periodic, unclassified consultations 
     with the Department of State, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, the Department of Defense, and the 
     Office of the Director of National Intelligence, for the 
     purpose of assessing the following:
       (1) Progress toward democratization, the development of 
     free and independent media outlets, and the free flow of 
     information in countries that receive programming and content 
     from the United States International Communications Agency 
     and the Freedom News Network.
       (2) Foreign languages that have increased or decreased in 
     strategic importance, and the factors supporting such 
     assessments.
       (3) Any other international developments, including 
     developments with regional or country-specific significance, 
     that might be of value in assisting the United States 
     International Communications Agency and the Freedom News 
     Network in the development of their programming and content.
       (b) Guidance.--The Board of the United States International 
     Communications Agency shall use the unclassified 
     consultations required under subsection (a) as guidance for 
     its distribution and calibration of Federal resources in 
     support of United States public diplomacy.

     SEC. 132. FEDERAL AGENCY ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION WITH THE 
                   UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 
                   AGENCY AND THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK DURING 
                   INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SURGES.

       (a) In General.--Subject to a formal request from the Chair 
     of the Board of the United States International 
     Communications Agency, Federal agency heads shall assist and 
     coordinate with the Agency to facilitate a temporary 
     broadcasting surge or enhance transmission capacity for such 
     a temporary broadcasting surge for the Agency, the Freedom 
     News Network, or both.
       (b) Actions.--In accordance with subsection (a), Federal 
     agency heads shall assist or coordinate with the United 
     States International Communications Agency by--
       (1) supplying or facilitating access to, or use of--
       (A) United States Government-owned transmission capacity, 
     including the use of transmission facilities, equipment, 
     resources, and personnel; and
       (B) other non-transmission-related United States 
     Government-owned facilities, equipment, resources, and 
     personnel;
       (2) communicating and coordinating with foreign host 
     governments on behalf of, or in conjunction with, the Agency 
     or the Freedom News Network;
       (3) providing, or assisting in the obtaining of, in-country 
     security services for the safety and protection of Agency or 
     Freedom News Network personnel; and
       (4) providing or facilitating access to any other United 
     States Government-owned resources.
       (c) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, neither Federal agency heads nor their agencies shall 
     receive any reimbursement or compensatory appropriations for 
     complying with implementing this section.

     SEC. 133. FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL IN 
                   INSTANCES OF FEDERAL DISPOSAL OF RADIO OR 
                   TELEVISION BROADCAST TRANSMISSION FACILITIES OR 
                   EQUIPMENT.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, it shall be the policy of the United States 
     International Communications Agency to, in the event it 
     intends to dispose of any radio or television broadcast 
     transmission facilities or equipment, provide the Freedom 
     News Network with the right of first refusal with respect to 
     the acquisition of such facilities and equipment.
       (b) Transfer and Disposal.--Pursuant to subsection (a)--
       (1) in the event the Freedom News Network is willing to 
     accept the facilities and equipment referred to in such 
     subsection, the United States International Communications 
     Agency shall transfer to the Freedom News Network such 
     facilities and equipment at no cost to the Freedom News 
     Network; or
       (2) in the event the Freedom News Network opts to not 
     accept such facilities and equipment, the United States 
     International Communications Agency may sell such facilities 
     and equipment at market price, and retain any revenue from 
     such sales.
       (c) Rules Regarding Certain Funds.--Pursuant to subsections 
     (b) and (c), any revenues that the United States 
     International Communications Agency shall derive from such 
     sales shall be used entirely for the purposes or research, 
     development, and deployment of innovative broadcasting or 
     circumvention technology.

     SEC. 134. REPEAL OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 
                   BROADCASTING ACT OF 1994.

       The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 
     (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; title III of Public Law 103-236) is 
     repealed (and the items relating to title III in the table of 
     contents of such Public Law are struck).

     SEC. 135. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                   TITLE II--THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK

     SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that RFE/RL, Incorporated, 
     Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, 
     Incorporated share a common mission with distinct geographic 
     foci, and should therefore be merged into a single 
     organization, with distinct marketing brands to provide the 
     news and related programming and content in countries where 
     free media are not established.

      Subtitle A--Consolidation of Existing Grantee Organizations

     SEC. 211. FORMATION OF THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK FROM EXISTING 
                   GRANTEES.

       (a) In General.--When the conditions specified in section 
     110 are satisfied, the Freedom News Network, comprised of the 
     consolidation of RFE/RL Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and 
     the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated, shall 
     exist to carry out all international broadcasting activities 
     supported by the United States Government, in accordance with 
     sections 212 and 213.
       (b) Maintenance of the Existing Individual Grantee 
     Brands.--RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and the 
     Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated shall remain 
     brand names under which news and related programming and 
     content may be disseminated by the Freedom News Network. 
     Additional brands may be created as necessary.

     SEC. 212. MISSION OF THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK.

       The Freedom News Network established under section 211 
     shall--
       (1) provide uncensored local and regional news and analysis 
     to people in societies where a robust, indigenous, 
     independent, and free media does not exist;
       (2) strengthen civil societies by promoting democratic 
     values and promoting equality and the rights of the 
     individual, including for marginalized groups, such as women 
     and minorities;
       (3) help countries improve their indigenous capacity to 
     enhance media professionalism and independence, and develop 
     partnerships with local media outlets, as appropriate; and
       (4) promote access to uncensored sources of information, 
     especially via the internet, and use all effective and 
     efficient mediums of communication to reach target audiences.

     SEC. 213. STANDARDS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE FREEDOM NEWS 
                   NETWORK.

       The broadcasting of the Freedom News Network shall--
       (1) be consistent with the broad foreign policy objectives 
     of the United States;
       (2) be consistent with the international telecommunications 
     policies and treaty obligations of the United States;
       (3) be conducted in accordance with the highest 
     professional standards of broadcast journalism;
       (4) be based on reliable information about its potential 
     audience;
       (5) be designed so as to effectively reach a significant 
     audience; and
       (6) prioritize programming to populations in countries 
     without independent indigenous media outlets.

          Subtitle B--Organization of the Freedom News Network

     SEC. 221. GOVERNANCE OF THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK.

       (a) Board of the Freedom News Network.--A board shall 
     oversee the Freedom News Network and consist of nine 
     individuals with a demonstrated background in

[[Page 13279]]

     media or the promotion of democracy and experience in 
     measuring media impact.
       (b) Composition of First Board of the Freedom News 
     Network.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Presidents of RFE/RL Incorporated, 
     Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks 
     shall--
       (1) identify, in consultation with the appropriate 
     congressional committees, candidates for the first board of 
     the Freedom News Network;
       (2) direct the appointment of board members; and
       (3) select the first chair of the board of the Freedom News 
     Network.
       (c) Congressional Consultation Regarding the First Board of 
     the Freedom News Network.--The individuals appointed pursuant 
     to subsection (b) shall serve as members of the first board 
     of the Freedom News Network unless a joint resolution of 
     disapproval is enacted.
       (d) Operations of the First Board of the Freedom News 
     Network.--
       (1) In general.--The board of the Freedom News Network 
     shall have nine members charged with the sole responsibility 
     to operate the Freedom News Network within the legal 
     jurisdiction of its state of incorporation. The board of the 
     Freedom New Network shall exercise due diligence, and execute 
     its fiduciary duties to the corporation without conflict of 
     interests and consistent with section 212. At no time may the 
     United States International Communications Agency add 
     requirements to a grant agreement with the Freedom News 
     Network that could be construed as inappropriate supervision, 
     oversight, or management under chapter 63 of title 31, United 
     States Code. Nothing in this title may be construed to make 
     the Freedom News Network an agency, establishment, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government, or to make 
     the members of the board of Freedom News Network, or the 
     officers or employees of Freedom News Network, officers of 
     employees of the United States Government.
       (2) Bylaws.--The first board of the Freedom News Network 
     shall write the bylaws of the organization.
       (3) Oversight.--The Freedom News Network shall be subject 
     to the appropriate oversight procedures of Congress.
       (4) Term limits.--The board members of the first board of 
     the Freedom News Network may not serve more than a three-year 
     term, and shall be replaced in accordance with the bylaws 
     referred to in paragraph (2) and the succession process 
     described in paragraph (5).
       (5) Succession of board members.--The board members of the 
     first board of the Freedom News Network and all subsequent 
     boards shall fill vacancies on the board due to death, 
     resignation, removal, or term expiration through an election 
     process described in the bylaws referred to in paragraph (2) 
     and in accordance with the principle of a ``self-
     replenishing'' body.
       (6) Selection of board members.--The board members of the 
     Freedom News Network may not be current employees or officers 
     of RFE/RL Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, the Middle East 
     Broadcasting Networks, or the United States International 
     Communications Agency.
       (e) Compensation of Board and Officers of the Freedom News 
     Network.--Members of the board of the Freedom News Network 
     may not receive any fee, salary, or remuneration of any kind 
     for their service as members, except that such members may be 
     reimbursed for reasonable expenses, such as board-related 
     travel, incurred with approval of the board upon presentation 
     of vouchers. No officers of the Freedom News Network, other 
     than the Chief Executive Officer, shall be eligible to 
     receive compensation at a rate in excess of the annual rate 
     of basic pay for level II on the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
       (f) Abolishment of Existing Boards.--The boards of 
     directors of RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and the 
     Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated in existence 
     on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act shall 
     be abolished on the date of the first official meeting of the 
     first board of the Freedom News Network.
       (g) Chief Executive Officer.--The Chief Executive Officer 
     of the Freedom News Network shall serve at the pleasure of 
     the board of the Freedom News Network, and be responsible for 
     the day-to-day management and operations of the Freedom News 
     Network, including the selection of individuals for 
     management positions, ensuring compliance with all applicable 
     rules, regulations, laws, and circulars, providing strategic 
     vision for the execution of its mission as specified in 
     section 212, and carrying out such other responsibilities as 
     set forth in the laws of the State of its incorporation.
       (h) Plan for Consolidation of Existing Individual 
     Grantees.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the first official meeting of the first board of the Freedom 
     News Network, the chair of the board of the Freedom News 
     Network shall submit a report to, and consult with, the 
     appropriate congressional committees on the plan to 
     consolidate RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and the 
     Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated into a single 
     non-Federal grantee organization.
       (2) Components.--The consolidation plan referred to in 
     paragraph (1) shall include the following components:
       (A) The location and distribution of employees, including 
     administrative, managerial, and technical staff, of the 
     Freedom News Network that will be located within and outside 
     the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C.
       (B) An organizational chart identifying the managerial and 
     supervisory lines of authority among all employees of the 
     Freedom News Network, including the members of the board and 
     chair.
       (3) Time for implementation.--Not later than three years 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the chair of the 
     board of the Freedom News Network shall fully implement the 
     consolidation plan referred to in paragraph (1) after 
     consultation with the appropriate congressional committees.
       (4) Report.--Not later than five years after the date on 
     which initial funding is provided for the purpose of 
     operating the Freedom News Network, the chair of the board of 
     the Freedom News Network shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report that details the following:
       (A) Whether the Freedom News Network is technically sound 
     and cost-effective.
       (B) Whether the Freedom News Network consistently meets the 
     standards for quality and impact established by this title.
       (C) Whether the Freedom News Network is receiving a 
     sufficient audience to warrant its continued operation.
       (D) The extent to which the Freedom News Network's 
     programming and content is already being received by the 
     target audience from other credible indigenous or external 
     sources.
       (E) The extent to which the broad foreign policy and 
     national security interests of the United States are being 
     served by maintaining operations of the Freedom News Network.

     SEC. 222. BUDGET OF THE FREEDOM NEWS NETWORK.

       (a) In General.--The annual budget of the Freedom News 
     Network shall consist of the following:
       (1) A grant described in section 110, consisting of the 
     total grants to RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free Asia, and 
     the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated before 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Any grants or transfers from other Federal agencies.
       (3) Other funds described in subsection (b).
       (b) Other Sources of Funding.--The Freedom News Network 
     may, to the extent authorized by its board and in accordance 
     with applicable laws and the mission of the Freedom News 
     Network under section 212 and eligible broadcast areas under 
     section 6, collect and utilize non-Federal funds, except that 
     the Freedom News Network may not accept funds from the 
     following:
       (1) Any foreign governments or foreign government 
     officials.
       (2) Any agents, representatives, or surrogates of any 
     foreign government or foreign government official.
       (3) Any foreign-owned corporations or any subsidiaries of 
     any foreign-owned corporation, regardless of whether such 
     subsidiary is United States-owned.
       (4) Any foreign national or individual who is not either a 
     citizen or a legal permanent resident of the United States.
       (c) Annual Strategic Plan of the Freedom News Network.--The 
     Freedom News Network shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and the United States International 
     Communications Agency an annual strategic plan to satisfy the 
     requirements specified in section 110. Each such strategic 
     plan shall outline the following:
       (1) The strategic goals and objectives of the Freedom News 
     Network for the upcoming fiscal year.
       (2) The alignment of the Freedom News Network's resources 
     with the strategic goals and objectives referred to in 
     paragraph (1).
       (3) Clear benchmarks that establish the progress made 
     towards achieving the strategic goals and objectives referred 
     to in paragraph (1).
       (4) A plan to monitor and evaluate the success of the 
     Freedom News Network's broadcasting efforts.
       (5) A reflective analysis on the activities on the past 
     fiscal year.
       (6) Any changes to facility leases, contracts, or ownership 
     that would result in the relocation of staff or personnel.
       (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     administrative and managerial costs for operation of the 
     Freedom News Network should be kept to a minimum and, to the 
     maximum extent feasible, should not exceed the costs that 
     would have been incurred if RFE/RL, Incorporated, Radio Free 
     Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Incorporated 
     had been operated as independent grantees or as a Federal 
     entity within the Voice of America.

[[Page 13280]]

     SEC. 223. ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

       (a) Surplus Properties.--In order to assist the Freedom 
     News Network in carrying out the provisions of this title, 
     any agency or instrumentality of the United States may sell, 
     loan, lease, or grant property (including interests therein) 
     to the Freedom News Network as necessary.
       (b) Facilities and Broadcasting Infrastructure.--The United 
     States International Communications Agency and the Freedom 
     News Network shall negotiate an International Cooperative 
     Administrative Support Service (ICASS) agreement or 
     memorandum of understanding permitting the continued use of 
     technological infrastructure for broadcasting and information 
     dissemination, except that the Freedom News Network may 
     choose to procure such services through negotiated contracts 
     with private-sector providers.

     SEC. 224. REPORTS BY THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; AUDITS BY GAO.

       (a) IG Reports.--The Inspector General of the Department of 
     State shall, as appropriate, submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees reports on management practices of 
     the Freedom News Network, including financial reports on 
     unobligated balances.
       (b) GAO Audits.--
       (1) In general.--Financial transactions of the Freedom News 
     Network, as such relate to functions carried out under this 
     Act, may be audited by the Government Accountability Office 
     in accordance with such principles and procedures and under 
     such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the 
     Comptroller General of the United States. Any such audit 
     shall be conducted at the place or places where accounts of 
     the Freedom News Network are normally kept.
       (2) Access.--Representatives of the Government 
     Accountability Office shall have access to all books, 
     accounts, records, reports, files, papers, and property 
     belonging to or in use by the Freedom News Network pertaining 
     to the financial transactions referred to in paragraph (1) 
     and necessary to facilitate an audit in accordance with such 
     paragraph. All such books, accounts, records, reports, files, 
     papers, and property of the Freedom News Network shall remain 
     in the possession and custody of the Freedom News Network.
       (c) Transfer of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, one percent of the funds made available by the United 
     States International Communications Agency shall be 
     transferred to the Inspector General of the Department of 
     State to cover the expenses of carrying out the activities of 
     the Inspector General under this section.

     SEC. 225. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES INFORMATION AND 
                   EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE ACT OF 1948.

       The United States Information and Educational Exchange Act 
     of 1948 is amended--
       (1) in title V (22 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Communications Agency'' each place it 
     appears;
       (2) by amending paragraph (1) of section 501(b) (22 U.S.C. 
     1461(b)) to read as follows:
       ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     and the United States International Communications Agency 
     may, upon request and reimbursement of the reasonable costs 
     incurred in fulfilling such a request, make available, in the 
     United States, motion pictures, films, video, audio, and 
     other materials disseminated abroad pursuant to this Act. Any 
     reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph shall be credited to 
     the applicable appropriation account of the Department of 
     State or the United States International Communications 
     Agency, as appropriate. The Secretary and the United States 
     International Communications Agency shall issue necessary 
     regulations.'';
       (3) by repealing sections 504 and 505 (22 U.S.C. 1464 and 
     1464a);
       (4) by redesignating section 506 (22 U.S.C. 1464b) as 
     section 504;
       (5) in section 504, as so redesignated, in subsection (c), 
     in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Board'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``Agency'';
       (6) in clause (iii) of section 604(d)(1)(A) (22 U.S.C. 
     1469(d)(1)(A)), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of 
     Governors'' and inserting ``United States International 
     Communications Agency'';
       (7) in paragraph (3) of section 801 (22 U.S.C. 1471), by 
     striking ``Director of the United States Information Agency'' 
     and inserting ``Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency'';
       (8) in subsection (b) of section 802 (22 U.S.C. 1472)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``Director of the 
     United States Information Agency'' and inserting ``Chief 
     Executive Officer of the United States International 
     Communications Agency''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``Broadcasting Board 
     of Governors'' and inserting ``United States International 
     Communications Agency''; and
       (9) in paragraph (1) of section 804 (22 U.S.C. 1474), by 
     striking ``Director of the United States Information Agency'' 
     and inserting ``Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency'';
       (10) in section 810(b) (22 U.S.C. 1475e(b))--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``United States Information Agency'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Communications Agency''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``International 
     Broadcasting Bureau'' and inserting ``United States 
     International Communications Agency''; and
       (11) in subsection (a) of section 1011 (22 U.S.C. 1442), by 
     striking ``Director of the United States Information Agency'' 
     and inserting ``Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency''.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 301. PRESERVATION OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY 
                   OBJECTIVES.

       The Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Communications Agency and the Chief Executive 
     Officer of the Freedom News Network shall each establish 
     procedures to vet and monitor employees of each such agency 
     for affiliations to terrorist organizations, foreign 
     governments, or agents of foreign governments to protect 
     against espionage, sabotage, foreign propaganda messaging, 
     and other subversive activities that undermine United States 
     national security objectives.

     SEC. 302. REQUIREMENT FOR AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Limitation on Obligation and Expenditure of Funds.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the fiscal 
     year 2015 and for each subsequent fiscal year, any funds 
     appropriated for the purposes of broadcasting subject to 
     supervision of the Board of the United States International 
     Communications Agency shall not be available for obligation 
     or expenditure--
       (1) unless such funds are appropriated pursuant to an 
     authorization of appropriations; or
       (2) in excess of the authorized level of appropriations.
       (b) Subsequent Authorization.--The limitation under 
     subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the extent 
     that an authorization of appropriations is enacted after such 
     funds are appropriated.
       (c) Application.--The provisions of this section--
       (1) may not be superseded, except by a provision of law 
     which specifically repeals, modifies, or supersedes the 
     provisions of this section; and
       (2) shall not apply to, or affect in any manner, permanent 
     appropriations, trust funds, and other similar accounts which 
     are authorized by law and administered under or pursuant to 
     this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the world has been watching eastern Ukraine following 
the downing of a civilian passenger plane by Russian-backed 
separatists. We have watched as families have grieved. We have watched 
as thugs have blocked access to the crash site.
  I say ``thugs'' because a lot of these individuals are recruited in 
the Russian-speaking world on these social Web sites and, frankly, 
every malcontent, every skinhead that they could enlist in this cause 
has been given a weapon, and their behavior, as we have watched on 
television, is really unconscionable.
  What isn't so well known is the information battle that is being 
waged and that we are losing. We are losing on this front in the 
information war.

                              {time}  1545

  Listen to what The Economist magazine says: ``Russia has again become 
a place in which truth and falsehood are no longer distinct, and facts 
are put into the service of the government. Mr. Putin sets himself up 
as a patriot, but he is a threat--to international norms, to his 
neighbors, and to the Russians, themselves, who are intoxicated by his 
hysterical brand of anti-Western propaganda.''
  That analysis followed Russia's latest lie, that Malaysian Airlines 
Flight 17 was shot down by the Ukrainian military.

[[Page 13281]]

  Look, I was in eastern Ukraine. I had an opportunity to talk to many 
Russian-speaking Ukrainians. I will tell you what they shared with me--
and this was whether they were civil rights groups, the local governor 
Dnepropetrovsk, minority groups, women's groups, the Jewish community 
there, which is a very vibrant community; they all share the same 
concern.
  They felt that this crisis was being engineered by President Vladimir 
Putin and that he was sending in and recruiting malcontents and trying 
to create a crisis. And they felt that the reason he was doing it was 
to try to break off eastern Ukraine to become part of Russia. And they 
resisted this. They felt it was very important that elections go 
forward.
  Now you have a new government in Ukraine that is trying to push a 
peace plan and, instead, you have got the propaganda every night. And 
the question is, who is going to offset that propaganda? Our best 
weapon in this information battle, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, 
the BBG, is totally defunct.
  This is not just my observation. Former Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton and others have observed that that is the world we live in now. 
We have known this for years, based on report after report from the 
Government Accountability Office and the Office of the Inspector 
General.
  This has real consequences. One newspaper rightly noted: ``The BBG 
has greatly diminished America's capacity to fight the Putin propaganda 
machine.'' If we don't put the truth out there, if we don't put our 
reality out there, if there isn't a surrogate free radio and television 
for people to listen to, all they are going to hear is the 
conspiratorial note of propaganda.
  Former BBG governors, Voice of America directors, staff, and those 
that follow international broadcasting have repeatedly called on 
Congress to step up and reform the BBG. We must act with urgency.
  Yes, Russia's propaganda machine is saturating the airwaves with 
false information designed to incite violence, designed to stoke 
sectarian fears and create a pretext for Russian military engagement in 
Ukraine.
  But I will share with you that, in the Middle East, Hezbollah's 
television station, Al-Manar, continues to broadcast lies and 
propaganda and incitement designed to destabilize the region and build 
support for a terror war on Israel and on democracy there.
  China's CCTV now broadcasts to over 100 countries and recently 
established its new Africa bureau in Nairobi, Kenya.
  You know, there was a time when the U.S. dominated the international 
airwaves. Now we are a voice among many, but that voice is really on 
the defensive and, in many places, is no longer heard.
  Our competitors highlight our failings. They minimize our successes. 
They are working 24/7 to discredit America in a well-orchestrated game 
of chess, and we have a part-time broadcasting board.
  This legislation, the United States International Communications 
Reform Act of 2014, is a bipartisan effort to reform the BBG and make 
it more effective and efficient in efforts to confront this propaganda. 
The legislation cuts the bureaucracy so that more funding is spent 
fighting foreign propaganda instead of paying inflated salaries in 
Washington. The bill brings accountability to our international 
broadcasters, installing a full-time CEO empowered to make decisions. 
The current dysfunctional board of nine part-time Presidential 
appointees is reduced to an appropriate advisory capacity.
  The Voice of America is, once again, an integral part of foreign 
policy, with a mission that makes clear that all three parts of the 
charter must be emphasized. Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and the 
Middle East Broadcasting Network--the so-called ``surrogates''--have a 
different mission; that is, to provide uncensored local news and 
information to people in closed societies and to be ``a megaphone for 
internal advocates of freedom.'' Whether it is in Iran, North Korea, or 
elsewhere, our surrogate broadcasters will be at the tip of the spear 
in this information battle and are given a global mandate to go after 
the most despotic regimes, exposing their abuses, their violence, their 
hypocrisy, and telling the story of what is really going on in the 
country.
  And these critical reforms come with the benefit of a cost savings to 
the American taxpayers here. H.R. 4490 will result in a cost savings of 
$160 million over 5 years.
  The legislation mandates that no future funding will be provided 
unless cost-saving reforms are implemented, including administrative 
consolidation, right-sizing, and leveraged public-private partnerships. 
Ripping away the bureaucracy will reduce administrative overlap and 
allow both organizations to strive.
  To be clear, this legislation isn't about creating a U.S. Government 
propaganda effort. VOA is not being turned into a version of Russia's 
RT or China's CCTV.
  This bill is about communicating America's message of pluralism, 
tolerance, and transparency to foreign audiences. There was a time when 
we did that really well, but we have lost it. This bill gets us back on 
track. We can't afford anything but high performance with the world's 
crises seemingly multiplying.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 4490, the United States International 
Communications Reform Act.
  I want to congratulate, again, Chairman Royce and Ranking Member 
Eliot Engel on the bipartisan legislation before us today to reform the 
Broadcasting Board of Governors.
  I am pleased to join them in cosponsoring these commonsense reforms 
that will result in a more clearly defined mission for the Broadcasting 
Board of Governors and its components, and a more efficient operation 
on behalf of the taxpayers.
  Like many of my colleagues, I was troubled to hear former Secretary 
of State Clinton tell the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the 
Broadcasting Board of Governors had become ``practically a defunct 
agency in terms of its capacity to be able to tell a message around the 
world.'' And as the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee 
just said, we need that ability right now, given the events that are 
going on in Russia and the Ukraine.
  As my colleagues know, this bill responds to critical reports issued 
early last year by the Government Accountability Office and the State 
Department Office of Inspector General, which were the subject of a 
hearing before our committee last June. Those reports highlighted 
structural deficiencies and overlapping functions within the 
Broadcasting Board of Governors' federally operated programs Voice of 
America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and the private but 
federally funded broadcasters Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the 
Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio Free Asia.
  This legislation also clarifies the mission statements of the Federal 
and non-Federal broadcasters. Voice of America, for example, will now 
confine itself to its public diplomacy mission to foster positive 
relationships between the United States and the rest of the world.
  There were concerns about mission creep within the Voice of America, 
blurring the lines between it and the mission of the international 
broadcasters to provide uncensored and objective news and analysis on a 
local and regional level in those places lacking a free press.
  The bill also includes necessary structural reforms, including a new 
International Communications Agency with a CEO to manage the day-to-day 
operations of VOA and other federally run operations.
  As we learned during last year's hearing, there was growing concern 
of micromanagement by the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the 
challenge of achieving a quorum at the board meetings needed to make 
operational decisions. This will put the Board of Governors in a more 
advisory role.
  Further, the bill will consolidate the non-Federal broadcasters under 
the

[[Page 13282]]

same umbrella, known as the Freedom News Network, achieving economies 
of scale, saving money, as the chairman has indicated, and allowing for 
closer collaboration on other more global efforts.
  Importantly, this legislation maintains the requirement that U.S. 
Federal programs serve as an objective source of news and information 
and not as a mouthpiece for U.S. foreign policy.
  This bill has been a collaborative effort that included outreach and 
input from key stakeholders, including the board itself, the 
broadcasters, and agency staff. This is the kind of bipartisan 
oversight on which we should be focusing. I wish more committees in 
this body would follow this example.
  Once again, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for 
their bipartisan leadership and for bringing our committee, once again, 
together on this very important piece of legislation.
  Having no further speakers on this side, Mr. Speaker, I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I just will close with this because we had 
testimony before the Foreign Affairs Committee last summer by the 
former BBG Governor, Enders Wimbush. And I wanted to quote what he 
said:

       Today's problem is not enough information but the opposite. 
     Most places, even some enduring the repression of nasty 
     regimes, get plenty, much of it junk. This is the new 
     competitive landscape for U.S. international broadcasting. 
     Our competitors, too, have multiplied, while our allies have 
     retreated. One would think that American strategists would 
     sharpen their spears to compete in this world. Yet the 
     opposite seems to be happening, again, due in large part to 
     the incoherence of the BBG. It is incapable of articulating a 
     set of media strategies, and it has no way to attach whatever 
     measures it does adapt to larger U.S. national objectives.

  So as you can tell, the current bureaucratic umbrella overseeing U.S. 
international broadcasters is deeply flawed. That is why this bill is 
so important. We need our international broadcasters to succeed in 
their missions. We want the Voice of America to--I am going to quote 
President Kennedy here--``tell America's story to the world.'' We want 
our surrogate broadcasters to tell the stories to people in closed 
societies that their own governments won't tell them. And we want the 
American taxpayers to see a return on the generous investment they have 
been making in international broadcasting. This legislation does that, 
and I urge all of the Members to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4490, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________