[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5244 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5244
To provide for the authorities of the Secretary of State.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 10, 2025
Mr. Mills introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the authorities of the Secretary of State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) except as otherwise provided, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(2) the term ``Department'' means the Department of State;
(3) the term ``Deputy Secretary'' means the Deputy
Secretary of State; and
(4) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State.
TITLE I--GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY.
The Secretary is authorized to establish in the Office of the
Secretary of State of the Department positions to support the
Secretary's situational awareness and decision-making in the management
of the Department. Such positions may include the following:
(1) Chief of Staff.
(2) Counselor.
(3) Executive Secretariat.
Subtitle B--United Nations
SEC. 111. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, shall appoint a representative of the
United States to the United Nations who shall have the rank and
status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and
shall hold office at the pleasure of the President. Such
representative shall represent the United States in the
Security Council of the United Nations and shall perform such
other functions in connection with the participation of the
United States in the United Nations as the President may, from
time to time, direct.
(2) Reporting and collaboration.--The United States
Ambassador to the United Nations shall report to and
collaborate closely with the Secretary of State through
direction by the President to implement a coherent and unified
strategic policy of the United States in the United Nations
system.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the United States Ambassador to the United
Nations shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all
matters pertaining to United States participation in the United Nations
system in the conduct of foreign policy, including--
(1) to identify, report, and hold accountable Member States
that engage in malign influence operations and United Nations
employees who act inconsistently with the principals of
impartiality enshrined in the United Nations Charter;
(2) to oppose the election as the head of any United
Nations entity of nationals from Member States that engage in
malign influence operations;
(3) to support Taiwan's membership or meaningful
participation, as appropriate, in relevant United Nations
entities in which Taiwan has expressed an interest in
participating; and
(4) to support Presidential actions in response to malign
influence operations.
(c) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``employee'' means a staff member who is
compensated in any form in the general services, professional
staff, or senior management of the United Nations system,
including a consultant, a contractor, or a subcontractor;
(2) the term ``malign influence operations'' means a
coordinated, integrated, and synchronized application by a
Member State of national diplomatic, informational, military,
economic, or other capabilities, to foster attitudes,
behaviors, or decisions by a United Nations entity, or within
the United Nations system, that furthers the national interests
and objectives of a Member State, in a manner inconsistent with
the United Nations Charter;
(3) the term ``Member State'' means a country that is a
Member State of the United Nations; and
(4) the term ``United Nations entity'' means--
(A) the United Nations General Assembly;
(B) the United Nations Economic and Social Council;
(C) the United Nations Security Council;
(D) the United Nations Secretariat;
(E) an organization related to any of the entities
referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (D);
(F) a specialized agency; or
(G) a subsidiary body.
SEC. 112. UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be a United States
Mission to the United Nations which shall be constituted by the United
States Ambassador to the United Nations, and representatives to the
principal organs and agencies of the United Nations appointed or
designated and included within the United States Mission to the United
Nations as designated pursuant to subsection (b), together with their
deputies, staffs, and offices.
(b) Representatives.--
(1) In general.--The President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, shall appoint additional persons with
appropriate titles, rank, and status to represent the United
States in the principal organs of the United Nations and in
such organs, commissions, or other bodies as may be created by
the United Nations with respect to nuclear energy or
disarmament (control and limitation of armament).
(2) Terms and oversight.--Such persons--
(A) shall serve at the pleasure of the President;
and
(B) are subject to the direction of the
Representative of the United States to the United
Nations.
(c) Coordination.--The United States Mission to the United Nations
shall coordinate closely with the Bureau of International Organization
Affairs of the Department and any bureau of the Department that
provides funding for United Nations agencies, programs, or
organizations at the Department and across the United States Government
to implement a coherent and unified strategic policy of the United
States in the United Nations system.
(d) Action by Representatives Voting in Accordance With
Presidential Instructions.--The representatives when representing the
United States in the respective organs and agencies of the United
Nations, shall, at all times, act in accordance with the instructions
of the President transmitted by the Secretary of State unless other
means of transmission is directed by the President, and such
representatives shall, in accordance with such instructions, cast any
and all votes under the Charter of the United Nations.
(e) Chief of Mission.--
(1) In general.--The United States Ambassador to the United
Nations shall be the Chief of Mission in charge of the United
States Mission to the United Nations.
(2) Coordination.--The Chief of Mission shall coordinate at
the seat of the United Nations the activities of the Mission in
carrying out the instructions of the President transmitted
either by the Secretary or by other means of transmission as
directed by the President.
(3) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in paragraph (2), the Chief of Mission--
(A) shall be responsible for the administration of
the Mission, including personnel, budget, obligation
and expenditure of funds, and the central
administrative services; and
(B) shall discharge responsibilities under this
subsection in accordance with such rules and
regulations as the Secretary may from time to time
prescribe.
Subtitle C--Bureaus, Offices, and Other Entities
SEC. 121. OFFICES AND BUREAUS OF THE SECRETARY AND DEPUTY SECRETARY.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be within the Department
the following bureaus and offices to support the Secretary's and Deputy
Secretary's situational awareness and decision-making in the management
of the Department:
(1) A Bureau of Legislative Affairs, in accordance with
section 122.
(2) A Bureau of Intelligence and Research, in accordance
with section 123.
(3) An Office of Policy Planning, in accordance with
section 124.
(4) An Office of the Legal Adviser, in accordance with
section 125.
(5) An Office of Protocol, in accordance with section 126.
(6) An Office of the Spokesperson, in accordance with
section 127.
(b) Delegation.--The Secretary may delegate the responsibilities
for the coordination of activities across the bureaus and offices
listed in subsection (a) to the Deputy Secretary to ensure that the
missions of such bureaus and offices are integrated into the
Department's broader goals.
SEC. 122. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs who shall be responsible--
(1) to the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary for matters
pertaining to Congress; and
(2) for such other related duties as the Secretary may from
time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary.--In addition to
the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Assistant
Secretary for Legislative Affairs shall maintain continuous observation
and coordination of all matters pertaining to engagement with Congress,
including, as appropriate--
(1) the presentation of the Department's legislative
program, including developing, preparing, and submitting
legislation to Congress;
(2) impartial coordination between the Department and
Congress on all legislative related matters;
(3) providing guidance and information to other Department
bureaus and offices on legislative matters;
(4) managing correspondence and reports to Congress, as
appropriate, except for--
(A) treaties and executive agreements, which the
Office of the Legal Adviser transmits;
(B) anti-deficiency notifications, which the Bureau
of Comptroller and Financial Services transmits;
(C) reprogramming notifications for the State
Operations Budget account, which the Under Secretary
for Management transmits; and
(D) other such communications as directed by law,
Executive order, or the Secretary; and
(5) supporting Congress in its official foreign travel and
the expenditure of congressional travel funds.
(c) Bureau of Legislative Affairs.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau
of Legislative Affairs, which shall perform such functions
related to the coordination of legislative activity,
congressional engagements, and the development of the
Department's positions on proposed legislation, as the
Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
shall be the head of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
(3) Deputy assistant secretary for house affairs.--The
Deputy Assistant Secretary for House Affairs shall be appointed
by the President of the United States.
(4) Deputy assistant secretary for senate affairs.--The
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Affairs shall be
appointed by the President of the United States.
SEC. 123. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTELLIGENCE AND RESEARCH.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research who shall be
responsible--
(1) to the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary for matters
pertaining to the intelligence and research functions of the
Department; and
(2) for such other related duties as the Secretary may from
time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence
and Research shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of
all matters pertaining to analysis and dissemination of intelligence
products in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) overseeing the Department's coordination with the
intelligence community (as such term is defined in section 3(4)
of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)));
(2) advocating for the Department's collection
requirements; and
(3) ensuing effective collaboration and information sharing
in the Department.
(c) Bureau of Intelligence and Research.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau
of Intelligence and Research, which shall perform such
functions related to overseeing the collection, analysis, and
dissemination of intelligence and research to inform and
implement United States foreign policy, as the Secretary may
prescribe.
(2) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and
Research shall be the head of the Bureau of Intelligence and
Research.
SEC. 124. DIRECTOR FOR POLICY PLANNING.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
Director of Policy Planning responsible to the Deputy Secretary and
Secretary of State for matters pertaining to independent policy
analysis, guidance, and counsel, and such other related duties as the
Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Director of Policy Planning shall
maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to the policymaking process of the Department, including, as
appropriate--
(1) supporting the Secretary's priorities, aligning them
with engagements, policy, and planning across the Department
and the interagency;
(2) leading and contributing to long-term planning
initiatives and functional policy reviews, agenda-setting, and
coordination across the Department, the interagency, and with
allies and partners through bilateral and multilateral policy
planning dialogues; and
(3) promoting the Secretary's strategic narrative on
related policy and diplomatic priorities in the Department and
across the interagency.
(c) Office of Policy Planning.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office
of Policy Planning, which shall perform such functions related
to the shaping, developing, and articulating the Secretary's
strategic policy and diplomatic priorities across the
Department, as the Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Head.--The Director of Policy Planning shall be the
head of the Office of Policy Planning.
SEC. 125. LEGAL ADVISER.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
Legal Adviser who shall be responsible--
(1) to the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary for providing
advice on all legal issues with respect to the mission of the
Department, including but not limited to formulating
international law; and
(2) for such other related duties as the Secretary may from
time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Legal Adviser shall maintain
continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to
legal implications of the Department's intentions and activities in the
conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) participating in international negotiations and
represent the United States in international conferences
related to legal issues, and serve as a member of delegation
and legal advisor to treaty implementation commissions;
(2) assisting the Department regarding legal matters at
interagency meetings, congressional hearings, and meetings of
private organizations; and
(3) provide consultation on behalf of the Department for
domestic litigation that involves the Department or its
interests, coordinating with other Departments when necessary,
and assisting the Department of Justice relating to relevant
litigation.
(c) Office of Legal Adviser.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish the
Office of the Legal Adviser, which shall perform such functions
related to representing and advising the Secretary and
Department-wide missions on all legal policy issues in
connection with United States foreign policy and the work of
the Department, as the Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Head.--The Legal Adviser shall be the head of the
Office of the Legal Adviser.
SEC. 126. UNITED STATES CHIEF OF PROTOCOL.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
United States Chief of Protocol who shall be responsible--
(1) to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary for matters
pertaining to diplomatic etiquette; and
(2) for providing guidance to the President, the Vice
President, the Secretary, and other high-ranking government
officials on matters of national and international protocol.
(b) Office of Protocol.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office
of Protocol, which shall perform functions related to ensuring
the Department's effective management of diplomatic and
consular protocols, including the planning and coordination of
official ceremonies, diplomatic visits, related diplomatic
engagements, and providing guidance on matters of diplomatic
etiquette, as the Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Head.--The United States Chief of Protocol shall be the
head of the Office of Protocol.
SEC. 127. SPOKESPERSON.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be a Spokesperson of the
Department of State who shall be responsible--
(1) to the Secretary for matters pertaining to domestic
communications; and
(2) for such other related duties as the Secretary may from
time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Spokesperson shall maintain continuous
observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to domestic
communications in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as
appropriate--
(1) directing all Department communication intended for
domestic consumption;
(2) communicating to the domestic press as the official
domestic audience spokesperson of the Department;
(3) advising the Secretary on all aspects of the
Department's conduct of domestic press relations; and
(4) supporting the Secretary in preparation for and during
domestic public media engagements.
(c) Office of the Spokesperson.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office
of the Spokesperson which shall perform such functions related
to domestic communications as the Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Head.--The Spokesperson of the Department of State
shall be the head of the Office of the Spokesperson.
SEC. 128. RED TEAM CAPABILITY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a Red Team
Capability to inform the Department's crisis response and contingency
planning.
(b) Meetings.--The individuals involved in the Red Team Capability
required by subsection (a) should be convened at the direction of--
(1) for general meetings, the Department's Policy Planning
Staff and the Department's Crisis Management and Strategy Unit;
and
(2) for specific reviews as needed, the Secretary or other
Department principals.
(c) Reporting.--Not later than 21 days after the individuals
involved in the Red Team Capability established pursuant to subsection
(a) are convened in accordance with subsection (b), such individuals
shall submit to the Department's Policy Planning Staff a report that
contains the findings relating to the exercise of such Red Team
Capability.
Subtitle D--Authorization of Appropriations
SEC. 131. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to receive all the
funds appropriated to the Department and allocate such funds to fulfill
missions and responsibilities for fiscal year 2026 and 2027.
(b) Allocations.--Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary under subsection (a)--
(1) the United States Ambassador to the United Nations
shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill the United States
Mission to the United Nations missions and responsibilities
under subtitle A for fiscal years 2026 and 2027;
(2) there is authorized to be made available to positions
described in subtitle B the funds necessary to fulfill position
missions and responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027;
and
(3) there is authorized to be made available to the heads
of the bureaus, offices, and other entities described in
subtitle C the funds necessary to fulfill bureau, office, and
other entity missions and responsibilities for fiscal years
2026 and 2027.
(c) Report on Unfunded Priorities of the Department.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 10 days after the date on
which the budget for any fiscal year is submitted by the
President to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on unfunded
priorities.
(2) Elements.--
(A) In general.--The report required by paragraph
(1) shall include, with respect to each unfunded
priority covered by such report--
(i) a summary description of such priority,
including the objectives to be achieved if such
priority is funded (whether in whole or in
part);
(ii) the additional amount of funds
recommended to be made available to achieve the
objectives referred to in clause (i); and
(iii) budget information with respect to
such priority, including--
(I) the appropriation account;
(II) the expenditure center; and
(III) the project and, if
applicable, any subprojects.
(B) Prioritization.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall present the unfunded priorities
covered by such report in overall order of urgency of
priority among unfunded priorities.
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection--
(A) the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(i) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
and
(B) the term ``unfunded priority'', with respect to
a fiscal year, means a program, activity, or mission
requirement of an element of the Department that--
(i) is not funded in the budget for such
fiscal year submitted by the President to
Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code;
(ii) is necessary to fulfill a foreign
policy or national security objective or to
satisfy an information requirement associated
with a goal or objective outlined in the Joint
Strategic Plan agreed upon by the Department;
and
(iii) would have been recommended for
funding by the Secretary if--
(I) additional resources had been
available for such budget to fund such
program, activity, or mission
requirement; or
(II) the program, activity, or
mission requirement has emerged since
such budget was formulated.
Subtitle E--United States Code Classification
SEC. 141. CLASSIFICATION IN UNITED STATES CODE.
The Office of Law Revision Counsel is directed to--
(1) utilize sections 6 through 35 of title 22, United
States Code, to classify the sections of this title; and
(2) maintain the legislative history, under editorial
notes, of repealed law which previously occupied the
corresponding sections of United States Code.
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