[Pages S6030-S6037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3767. Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end add the following:

 DIVISION E--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

     SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the 
     ``Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2026''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of content for this 
     division is as follows:

 DIVISION E--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

Sec. 5001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 5002. Definitions.

                      TITLE LXI--WORKFORCE MATTERS

Sec. 5101. Report on vetting of Foreign Service Institute instructors.
Sec. 5102. Training limitations.
Sec. 5103. Language incentive pay for civil service employees.
Sec. 5104. Options for comprehensive evaluations.
Sec. 5105. Job share and part-time employment opportunities.
Sec. 5106. Promoting reutilization of language skills in the Foreign 
              Service.
Sec. 5107. Requirement for Uyghur language training.

                TITLE LXII--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Sec. 5201. Periodic briefings from Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
Sec. 5202. Support for congressional delegations.
Sec. 5203. Eliminating 1-year tours.
Sec. 5204. Notification requirements for authorized and ordered 
              departures.
Sec. 5205. Diplomats-in-Residence.
Sec. 5206. Strengthening enterprise governance.
Sec. 5207. Report to Congress on diplomatic reserve corps within the 
              Department of State.
Sec. 5208. Establishing and expanding the Regional China Officer 
              program.
Sec. 5209. Foreign affairs manual changes.
Sec. 5210. Report required before closure of diplomatic posts.
Sec. 5211. Notification of intent to reduce personnel at covered 
              diplomatic posts.

         TITLE LXIII--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5301. Supporting Department of State data analytics.
Sec. 5302. Post Data Pilot Program.
Sec. 5303. Authorization to use commercial cloud enclaves overseas.
Sec. 5304. Reports on technology transformation projects at the 
              Department of State.
Sec. 5305. Foreign commercial spyware.
Sec. 5306. Security review of science and technology agreement with the 
              People's Republic of China.

                      TITLE LXIV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5401. Foreign information manipulation and interference strategy.
Sec. 5402. Lifting the prohibition on use of Federal funds for World's 
              Fair pavilions and exhibits.

          TITLE LXV--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY AND CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Sec. 5501. Report concerning Department of State consular officers 
              joining Coast Guard and Navy missions to Pacific island 
              countries.
Sec. 5502. Report on security conditions in Damascus, Syria, required 
              for the reopening of the United States diplomatic 
              mission.
Sec. 5503. Embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic installations 
              return to standards report.
Sec. 5504. Passport and visa operations report.

                       TITLE LXVI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 5551. Submission of federally funded research and development 
              center reports to Congress.
Sec. 5552. Quarterly report on diplomatic pouch access.
Sec. 5553. Report on utility of instituting a processing fee for ITAR 
              license applications.
Sec. 5554. HAVANA Act payment fix.
Sec. 5555. Establishing an inner Mongolia section within the United 
              States embassy in Beijing.
Sec. 5556. Report on United States Mission Australia staffing.
Sec. 5557. Facilitating regulatory exchanges with allies and partners.
Sec. 5558. Pilot program to audit barriers to commerce in developing 
              partner countries.
Sec. 5559. Strategy for promoting supply chain diversification.
Sec. 5560. Extensions.
Sec. 5561. Permitting for international bridges and land ports of 
              entry.

     SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS.

       In this division:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of State.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of State.

                      TITLE LXI--WORKFORCE MATTERS

     SEC. 5101. REPORT ON VETTING OF FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE 
                   INSTRUCTORS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
     execution of requirements under section 6116 of the 
     Department of State Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2023 (22 
     U.S.C. 4030) that includes--
       (1) a description of all steps taken to date to carry out 
     that section;
       (2) a detailed explanation of the suitability or fitness 
     reviews, background investigations, and periodic background 
     checks or re-investigations, as applicable, of relevant 
     Foreign Service Institute instructors who provide language 
     instructions; and
       (3) a description of planned additional steps required to 
     execute such section.

     SEC. 5102. TRAINING LIMITATIONS.

       The Department shall require the explicit approval of the 
     Secretary for each instance in which a long-term training 
     assignment is curtailed or a long-term training position is 
     eliminated.

     SEC. 5103. LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY FOR CIVIL SERVICE 
                   EMPLOYEES.

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

     SEC. 5104. OPTIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS.

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

     SEC. 5105. JOB SHARE AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and publish 
     a Department policy on job share and part-time employment 
     opportunities. The policy shall include a template for job-
     sharing arrangements, a database of job share and part-time 
     employment opportunities, and a point of contact in the 
     Bureau of Global Talent Management.
       (b) Designation of Eligible Positions.--The Secretary shall 
     designate at least 2 percent of domestic Department of State 
     positions as eligible for job share or part-time employment 
     arrangements.
       (c) Workplace Flexibility Training.--The Secretary shall 
     incorporate training on workplace flexibility, including the 
     availability of job share and part-time employment 
     opportunities, into employee onboarding and every level of 
     supervisory training.
       (d) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on workplace 
     flexibility at the Department, including data on the number 
     of employees utilizing job share or part-time employment 
     arrangements.
       (e) Exception for the Bureau of Intelligence and 
     Research.--The policy described in subsection (a) shall not 
     apply to officers and employees of the Bureau of Intelligence 
     and Research.

     SEC. 5106. PROMOTING REUTILIZATION OF LANGUAGE SKILLS IN THE 
                   FOREIGN SERVICE.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) foreign language skills are essential to effective 
     diplomacy, particularly in high-priority positions, such as 
     Chinese- and Russian-language designated positions focused on 
     Communist China and Russia;
       (2) reutilization of acquired language skills creates 
     efficiencies through the reduction of

[[Page S6031]]

     language training overall and increases regional expertise;
       (3) often, investments in language skills are not 
     sufficiently utilized and maintained throughout the careers 
     of members of the Foreign Service following an initial 
     assignment after language training;
       (4) providing incentives such as an ``out-year bid'' on 
     priority language-designated assignments would decrease 
     training costs overall and encourage more expertise in 
     relevant priority areas; and
       (5) incentives for members of the Foreign Service to not 
     only acquire and retain, but reuse, foreign language skills 
     in priority assignments would reduce training costs in terms 
     of both time and money and increase regional expertise to 
     improve abilities in those areas deemed high priority by the 
     Secretary.
       (b) Incentives to Reutilize Language Skills.--Section 
     704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
     4024(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``and reutilize'' after 
     ``to acquire or retain proficiency in''.

     SEC. 5107. REQUIREMENT FOR UYGHUR LANGUAGE TRAINING.

       (a) Uyghur Language Training and Staffing.--The Secretary 
     shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that--
       (1) Uyghur language training is available to Foreign 
     Service officers, as appropriate; and
       (2) efforts are made to ensure that at least 1 Uyghur-
     speaking member of the Service (as defined in section 103 of 
     the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3903)) is assigned 
     to United States diplomatic posts in the People's Republic of 
     China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
     following 2 years, the Foreign Service Institute shall submit 
     a report to the appropriate congressional committees that 
     outlines all of the steps that have been taken to implement 
     subsection (a).

                TITLE LXII--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

     SEC. 5201. PERIODIC BRIEFINGS FROM BUREAU OF INTELLIGENCE AND 
                   RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and at least every 90 days 
     thereafter for at least the next 3 years, the Secretary shall 
     offer to the appropriate committees of Congress a joint 
     briefing facilitated by the Bureau of Intelligence and 
     Research and including other bureaus, as appropriate, on--
       (1) any topic requested by one or more of the appropriate 
     congressional committees;
       (2) any topic of current importance to the national 
     security of the United States; and
       (3) any other topic the Secretary considers necessary.
       (b) Location.--The briefings required under subsection (a) 
     shall be held at a secure facility that is suitable for 
     review of information that is classified at the level of 
     ``Top Secret/SCI''.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
       (2) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 5202. SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS.

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

     SEC. 5203. ELIMINATING 1-YEAR TOURS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that tours of 
     duty for service abroad shall be at least 2 years in length, 
     except for personnel on temporary duty and Department 
     fellows. Any tour lasting less than 2 years shall be 
     considered temporary duty.
       (b) Waiver.--The Secretary may issue a nondelegable waiver 
     on a case-by-case basis exempting personnel from the 
     restrictions established in subsection (a) if the Secretary 
     determines that doing so serves United States national 
     security interests, provided the Secretary submits a 
     justification to the appropriate congressional committees not 
     later than 15 days prior to issuing the waiver that contains 
     the following:
       (1) A description of the factors considered by the 
     Secretary when evaluating whether to issue the waiver.
       (2) A compelling justification as to why issuing the waiver 
     is in the national security interests of the United States.

     SEC. 5204. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZED AND 
                   ORDERED DEPARTURES.

       (a) Departures Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a 
     report to the appropriate congressional committees listing 
     every instance of an authorized or ordered departure during 
     the 5-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (2) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in the report 
     required under paragraph (1)--
       (A) the name of the post and the date of the announcement 
     of the authorized or ordered departure;
       (B) the reason for the authorized or ordered departure; and
       (C) the number of chief of mission personnel that departed, 
     categorized by agency, as well as family members, if 
     available.
       (b) Congressional Notification Requirement.--Any instance 
     of an authorized or ordered departure shall be notified to 
     appropriate committees not later than 3 days after the 
     Secretary authorized an authorized or ordered departure. The 
     details in the notification shall include--
       (1) the information described in subsection (a)(2);
       (2) the mode of travel for chief of mission personnel who 
     departed;
       (3) the estimated cost of the authorized or ordered 
     departure, including travel and per diem costs; and
       (4) the destination of all departed personnel and changes 
     to their work activities due to the departure.
       (c) Termination.--This requirements under this section 
     shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 5205. DIPLOMATS-IN-RESIDENCE.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     Diplomats-in-Residence play a critical role within the 
     Foreign Service by facilitating engagement between the 
     American people and the diplomats who represent their 
     interests around the world. United States students of all 
     geographic areas who are interested in diplomacy and serving 
     their Nation should have reasonable access to the Department 
     of State and its Diplomats-in-Residence Program.
       (b) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
       (1) increase the number of diplomats in the Diplomats-in-
     Residence Program from 17 to 40; and
       (2) in doing so, assign Diplomats-in-Residence in a manner 
     that guarantees no population within the United States is 
     located more than 300 miles from a Diplomat-in-Residence.

     SEC. 5206. STRENGTHENING ENTERPRISE GOVERNANCE.

       (1) Organization.--The Chief Information Officer and the 
     Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the 
     Department of State shall report directly to the Deputy 
     Secretary of State for Management and Resources or, in the 
     event such position is vacant, to the Deputy Secretary of 
     State for Policy.
       (2) Adjudication of unresolved budget and management 
     decisions.--Adjudication of unresolved budget and management 
     decisions shall be made by the Deputy for Management and 
     Resources in consultation, as appropriate, with the Deputy 
     Secretary of State for Policy.

     SEC. 5207. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON DIPLOMATIC RESERVE CORPS 
                   WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

       (a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting 
     forth a comprehensive proposal for the establishment and 
     maintenance within the Department of a diplomatic reserve 
     corps.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (1) A description of the role of the proposed diplomatic 
     reserve corps in assisting the Department in the discharge of 
     the diplomatic functions and activities of the United States 
     Government.
       (2) An assessment of the strength of the proposed 
     diplomatic reserve corps.
       (3) The personnel authorities required for the maintenance 
     of the proposed diplomatic reserve corps, including 
     authorities relating to recruitment, appointment, and 
     retention, training, and mobilization and demobilization.
       (4) A description of the compensation and other benefits to 
     be afforded personnel for service in the proposed diplomatic 
     reservice corps.
       (5) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate to fully inform the appropriate congressional 
     committees of the role, structure, and functions of the 
     proposed diplomatic reserve corps and the authorities to 
     apply to the corps.

     SEC. 5208. ESTABLISHING AND EXPANDING THE REGIONAL CHINA 
                   OFFICER PROGRAM.

       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be established at 
     the Department a Regional China Officer (RCO) program to 
     support regional posts and officers with reporting, 
     information, and policy tools, and to enhance

[[Page S6032]]

     expertise related to strategic competition with the Peoples 
     Republic of China. RCOs shall, to the greatest extent 
     possible, have fluency in Mandarin Chinese and experience 
     serving in China or Taiwan.
       (2) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
     through 2029 to the Department of State to expand the RCO 
     program, including for--
       (A) the placement of Regional China Officers at United 
     States missions to the United Nations and United Nations 
     affiliated organizations;
       (B) the placement of additional Regional China Officers in 
     Africa and Latin America;
       (C) the hiring of locally employed staff to support 
     Regional China Officers serving abroad; and
       (D) the establishment of full-time equivalent positions to 
     assist in managing and facilitating the RCO program.
       (3) Program funds.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     $50,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for each 
     Regional China Officer to support programs and public 
     diplomacy activities of the Regional China Officer.

     SEC. 5209. FOREIGN AFFAIRS MANUAL CHANGES.

        Section 5318 of the Department of State Authorization Act 
     of 2021 (22 U.S.C. 2658a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``5 years'' and 
     inserting ``8 years''; and
       (2) adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Notice; Consultation; Briefing.--Before effectuating 
     any significant change in the Foreign Affairs Manual, the 
     Secretary of State shall--
       ``(1) provide notice to, and consult with, the appropriate 
     congressional committees in writing, not later than 30 days 
     before such changes are scheduled to take effect; and
       ``(2) provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional 
     committees regarding the proposed changes.
       ``(e) Definitions.--`Significant change' means any 
     reduction in staff of more than 10 personnel per bureau or 
     more than 25 personnel Department-wide, or changes that 
     affect the employment, benefits, management, review, 
     promotion, or rights of personnel.''.

     SEC. 5210. REPORT REQUIRED BEFORE CLOSURE OF DIPLOMATIC 
                   POSTS.

       Section 48 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 
     1965 (22 U.S.C. 2720) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (d) or in 
     accordance with subsections (b) and (c)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (e) or in accordance with subsections (b) and 
     (d)'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as 
     subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after the subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Report.--Before carrying out a proposed closure of a 
     United States diplomatic post, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report on--
       ``(1) the diplomatic presence of the People's Republic of 
     China in the country where the post would be closed, 
     including--
       ``(A) the number of diplomatic posts currently maintained 
     by People's Republic of China in the country; and
       ``(B) the number of personnel at each post in the country; 
     and
       ``(2) the impact such closure will have on United States 
     national security interests and the ability of the United 
     States to compete with the People's Republic of China.''; and
       (4) in amending subsection (f), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (2), to read as follows:
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     `appropriate committees of Congress' means--
       ``(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of 
     the Senate; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
       ``(2) Consular or diplomatic post.--The term `consular or 
     diplomatic post' does not include a post to which only 
     personnel of agencies other than the Department of State are 
     assigned.''.

     SEC. 5211. NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO REDUCE PERSONNEL AT 
                   COVERED DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), not 
     later than 90 days before the date on which the Secretary of 
     State carries out a reduction in United States personnel of 
     at least 10 percent or 8 personnel at a covered diplomatic 
     post, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     Congressional committees a notification of the intent to 
     carry out such a reduction, which shall include a 
     certification by the Secretary that such reduction will not 
     negatively impact the ability of the United States to compete 
     with the People's Republic of China or the Russian 
     Federation.
       (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply in the case 
     of a security risk to personnel at a covered diplomatic post.
       (c) Covered Diplomatic Post Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``covered diplomatic post'' means a United States 
     diplomatic post in a country in which the People's Republic 
     of China or the Russian Federation also have a diplomatic 
     post.

         TITLE LXIII--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

     SEC. 5301. SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE DATA ANALYTICS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 to the 
     Secretary for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the ``Bureau 
     Chief Data Officer Program''.

     SEC. 5302. POST DATA PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Post Data Pilot Program.--
       (1) Establishment.--The Secretary is authorized to 
     establish a program, which shall be known as the ``Post Data 
     Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''), 
     overseen by the Department's Chief Data and Artificial 
     Intelligence Officer. The data officers hired under this 
     Program shall report to their respective Chiefs of Mission.
       (2) Goals.--The goals of the Program shall include the 
     following:
       (A) Cultivating a data culture at diplomatic posts 
     globally, including data fluency and data collaboration.
       (B) Promoting data integration with Department of State 
     headquarters.
       (b) Implementation Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees an implementation plan 
     that outlines strategies for--
       (A) advancing the goals described in subsection (a)(2);
       (B) hiring data officers at United States diplomatic posts; 
     and
       (C) allocation of necessary resources to sustain the 
     Program.
       (2) Annual reporting requirement.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
     thereafter for the following 3 years, the Secretary shall 
     submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     regarding the status of the implementation plan required 
     under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 5303. AUTHORIZATION TO USE COMMERCIAL CLOUD ENCLAVES 
                   OVERSEAS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Department of State shall 
     issue internal guidelines that authorize and track the use of 
     enclaves deployed in overseas commercial cloud regions for 
     OCONUS systems categorized at the Federal Information 
     Security Management Act (FISMA) high baseline.
       (b) Consistency With Federal Cybersecurity Regulations.--
     The enclave deployments shall be consistent with existing 
     Federal cybersecurity regulations as well as best practices 
     established across National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology standards and ISO 27000 security controls.
       (c) Briefing.-- Not later than 90 days after the enactment 
     of the Act, and before issuing the new internal guidelines 
     required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall brief the 
     appropriate committees of Congress on the proposed new 
     guidelines, including--
       (1) relevant risk assessments; and
       (2) any security challenges regarding implementation.
       (d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
       (2) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 5304. REPORTS ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS AT 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Technology.--The term ``technology'' includes--
       (A) artificial intelligence and machine learning systems;
       (B) cybersecurity modernization tools or platforms;
       (C) cloud computing services and infrastructure;
       (D) enterprise data platforms and analytics tools;
       (E) customer experience platforms for public-facing 
     services; and
       (F) internal workflow automation or modernization systems.
       (3) Technology transformation project.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``technology transformation 
     project'' means any new or significantly modified technology 
     deployed by the Department with the purpose of improving 
     diplomatic, consular, administrative, or security operations.
       (B) Exclusions.--The term ``technology transformation 
     project'' does not include a routine software update or 
     version upgrade, a security patch or maintenance of an 
     existing system, a minor configuration change, a business-as-
     usual information technology operation, or a support 
     activity.
       (b) Semiannual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for 
     5 years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report on all technology 
     transformation projects completed during the two fiscal years 
     preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted.

[[Page S6033]]

       (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) For each project, the following:
       (i) A summary of the objective, scope, and operational 
     context of the project.
       (ii) An identification of the primary technologies and 
     vendors used, including artificial intelligence models, cloud 
     providers, cybersecurity platforms, and major software 
     components.
       (iii) A report on baseline and post-implementation 
     performance and adoption metrics for the project, including 
     with respect to--

       (I) operational efficiency, such as reductions in 
     processing time, staff hours, or error rates;
       (II) user impact, such as improvements in end-user 
     satisfaction scores and reliability;
       (III) security posture, such as enhancements in threat 
     detection, incident response time;
       (IV) cost performance, including budgeted costs versus 
     actual costs and projected cost savings or cost avoidance;
       (V) interoperability and integration, including level of 
     integration achieved with existing systems of the Department 
     of State;
       (VI) artificial intelligence (if applicable); and
       (VII) adoption, including, if applicable--

       (aa) an estimate of the percentage of eligible end-users 
     actively using the system within the first 3, 6, and 12 
     months of deployment;
       (bb) the proportion of staff trained to use the system;
       (cc) the frequency and duration of use, disaggregated by 
     bureau or geographic region if relevant;
       (dd) summarized user feedback, including pain points and 
     satisfaction ratings; and
       (ee) a description of the status of deprecation or 
     reduction in use of legacy systems, if applicable.
       (iv) A description of key challenges encountered during 
     implementation and any mitigation strategies employed.
       (v) A summary of contracting or acquisition strategies 
     used, including information on how the vendor or development 
     team supported change management and adoption, including user 
     testing, stakeholder engagement, and phased rollout.
       (B) For any project where adoption metrics fell below 50 
     percent within 6 months of launch:
       (i) A remediation plan with specific steps to improve 
     adoption, including retraining, user experience improvements, 
     or outreach.
       (ii) An assessment of whether rollout should be paused or 
     modified.
       (iii) Any plans for iterative development based on feedback 
     from employees.
       (3) Public summary.--Not later than 60 days after 
     submitting a report required by paragraph (1) to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress, the Secretary of State 
     shall publish an unclassified summary of the report on the 
     publicly accessible website of the Department of State, 
     consistent with national security interests.
       (c) Government Accountability Office Evaluation.--Not later 
     than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     and biennially thereafter, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress a report--
       (1) evaluating--
       (A) the extent to which the Department has implemented and 
     reported on technology transformation projects in accordance 
     with the requirements under this section;
       (B) the effectiveness and reliability of the Department's 
     performance and adoption metrics for such projects;
       (C) whether such projects have met intended goals related 
     to operational efficiency, security, cost-effectiveness, user 
     adoption, and modernization of legacy systems; and
       (D) the adequacy of oversight mechanisms in place to ensure 
     the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence and 
     other emerging technologies; and
       (2) including any recommendations to improve the 
     Department's management, implementation, or evaluation of 
     technology transformation efforts.

     SEC. 5305. FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SPYWARE.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) there is a national security need for the legitimate 
     and responsible procurement and application of cyber 
     intrusion capabilities, including efforts related to 
     counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and countertrafficking;
       (2) the growing commercial market for sophisticated cyber 
     intrusion capabilities has enhanced state and non-state 
     actors' ability to target and track journalists, human rights 
     defenders, and civil society groups for nefarious purposes;
       (3) the proliferation of commercial spyware presents 
     significant and growing risks to United States national 
     security, including to the safety and security of United 
     States Government personnel; and
       (4) ease of access into and lack of transparency in the 
     commercial spyware market raises the probability of spreading 
     potentially destructive or disruptive cyber capabilities to a 
     wider range of malicious actors.
       (b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States--
       (1) to oppose the misuse of foreign commercial spyware to 
     target journalists, human rights defenders, journalists, and 
     civil society groups;
       (2) to coordinate with allies and partners to prevent the 
     export of commercial spyware tools to end-users likely to use 
     them for malicious activities;
       (3) to maintain robust information-sharing with trusted 
     allies and partners on commercial spyware proliferation and 
     misuse, including to better identify and track these tools; 
     and
       (4) to work with private industry to identify and counter 
     the abuse and misuse of commercial spyware technology; and
       (5) to work with allies and partners to establish robust 
     guardrails to ensure that the use of commercial spyware tools 
     are consistent with respect for internationally recognized 
     human rights, and the rule of law.

     SEC. 5306. SECURITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
                   AGREEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

       (a) Security Review.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a security 
     review of the United States-China Science and Technology 
     Cooperation Agreement (STA). The review shall include the 
     following elements:
       (1) An assessment of the potential risks of maintaining the 
     STA agreement, including the transfer under such agreement of 
     technology or intellectual property capable of harming the 
     national security interests of the United States.
       (2) An assessment of the Secretary of State's ability to 
     monitor compliance of the People's Republic of China's 
     commitments established under the STA agreement.
       (3) An evaluation of the benefits of the STA agreement to 
     the economy, military, and industrial base of the People's 
     Republic of China and the United States.
       (4) An evaluation of the value of the information and data 
     the United States Government receives under the STA related 
     to the People's Republic of China that the United States 
     otherwise would not have access to should it withdraw its 
     participation in the STA.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 30 days after completion of the 
     security review of the STA agreement required in subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees 
     of Congress a report detailing the findings of the security 
     review. The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, 
     but may include a classified annex.
       (c) Certification.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     certify to the appropriate committees of Congress whether it 
     is in the national security interest of the United States to 
     maintain its participation in the STA agreement through its 
     current duration.
       (d) Guidance.--If Secretary certifies that it is no longer 
     in the national security interest of the United States to 
     maintain its participation in the STA agreement, the 
     Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after submitting the 
     certification, and in coordination with the heads of relevant 
     Federal agencies, promulgate guidance on United States 
     Federal agency interactions with counterpart agencies in the 
     People's Republic of China.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science of Technology, and the Committee on 
     Judiciary of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Judiciary of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (2) STA agreement.--The term ``STA Agreement'' means 
     Agreement between the Government of the United States of 
     America and the Government of the People's Republic of China 
     on Cooperation in Science and Technology, signed in 
     Washington January 31, 1979, its protocols, and any 
     subagreements entered into pursuant to such Agreement on or 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.

                      TITLE LXIV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

     SEC. 5401. FOREIGN INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE 
                   STRATEGY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
     with other relevant agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a comprehensive strategy to combat 
     foreign manipulation and interference, which shall be carried 
     out by the Department.
       (b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following elements:
       (1) Conducting analysis of foreign state and non-state 
     actors' foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and 
     techniques, including those originating from United States 
     nation-state adversaries, including the Russian Federation, 
     the People's Republic of China, and Iran.
       (2) Working together with allies and partners to expose and 
     counter foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and 
     techniques, including those originating in the Russian 
     Federation, the People's Republic of China and Iran.
       (3) Supporting non-state actors abroad, including 
     independent media and civil society groups, which are working 
     to expose and counter foreign malign influence narratives, 
     tactics, and techniques, including those originating in the 
     Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, or Iran.

[[Page S6034]]

       (4) Coordinating efforts to expose and counter foreign 
     information manipulation and interference across Federal 
     departments and agencies.
       (5) Protecting the First Amendment rights of United States 
     citizens.
       (6) Creating guardrails to ensure the Department of State 
     does not provide grants to organizations engaging in partisan 
     political activity in the United States.
       (c) Coordination.--The strategy required under subsection 
     (a) shall be led and implemented by the Under Secretary for 
     Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in coordination with 
     relevant bureaus and offices at the Department of State.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report that includes--
       (1) actions the Department has taken to preserve the 
     institutional capability to counter foreign nation-state 
     influence operations from the People's Republic of China, 
     Iran, and the Russian Federation since the termination of the 
     Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/
     FIMI) hub;
       (2) a list of active and cancelled Countering PRC Influence 
     Fund (CPIF) and Countering Russian Influence Fund (CRIF) 
     projects since January 21, 2025;
       (3) actions the Department has taken to improve Department 
     grantmaking processes related to countering foreign influence 
     operations from nation-state adversaries; and
       (4) an assessment of recent foreign adversarial information 
     operations and narratives related to United States foreign 
     policy since January 21, 2025, from the People's Republic of 
     China, Iran, and the Russian Federation.

     SEC. 5402. LIFTING THE PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS 
                   FOR WORLD'S FAIR PAVILIONS AND EXHIBITS.

       Section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan 
     Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 
     2001 (22 U.S.C. 2452b) is hereby repealed.

          TITLE LXV--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY AND CONSULAR AFFAIRS

     SEC. 5501. REPORT CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONSULAR 
                   OFFICERS JOINING COAST GUARD AND NAVY MISSIONS 
                   TO PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Pacific island countries, especially, but not limited 
     to, the Freely Associated States, include close United States 
     partners located across highly strategic waters critical for 
     United States national security;
       (2) it is in the national security interests of the United 
     States to maintain and strengthen relations with the 
     governments and the citizens of Pacific island countries; and
       (3) many citizens of these countries face difficulties in 
     accessing United States consular services because of the 
     remote location of the Pacific islands, only some of which 
     host United States embassies, and a paucity of flights, 
     making applying for United States visas and other consular 
     procedures difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, the 
     Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the 
     Chief of Naval Operations, shall submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report analyzing the feasibility of 
     attaching Department of State consular officers to Coast 
     Guard and Navy missions in the Pacific Island countries.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) an assessment of the current demand for consular 
     services from citizens of Pacific Island countries and 
     challenges that these citizens face in obtaining services;
       (B) an assessment of the approximate value, including in 
     time and resources saved, such an initiative could save 
     citizens of Pacific Island countries that do not host United 
     States embassies to have their United States visas 
     adjudicated or to receive other services;
       (C) an assessment of the cost for the Department of State, 
     United States Coast Guard, United States Indo-Pacific 
     Command, and United States Navy, including potential 
     alternative cost-effective options and recommendations for 
     providing consular services to Pacific Island countries;
       (D) an assessment of the frequency and duration of United 
     States Coast Guard and United States Navy deployments to 
     Pacific Island countries, including--
       (i) deployment frequency measured against desired number of 
     visits;
       (ii) amount of time typically spent in port for such 
     visits; and
       (iii) disruption to planned United States Coast Guard and 
     United States Navy missions in order to visit locations 
     needing consular assistance; and
       (E) an evaluation of the logistical issues to be addressed 
     including, including--
       (i) analysis of spacing requirements to host Department of 
     State personnel and equipment aboard United States Coast 
     Guard and United States Navy vessels;
       (ii) analysis of the information technology and 
     connectivity requirements to conduct consular affairs 
     activities;
       (iii) the feasibility of printing visas aboard United 
     States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels;
       (iv) maintaining physical security of consular officers and 
     relevant adjudication equipment, including computer systems 
     and visa foils, during such missions;
       (v) impacts to United States Coast Guard and United States 
     Navy vessels' operations and security; and
       (vi) the estimated amount of time that Consular Officers 
     would spend on board United States Coast Guard and United 
     States Navy vessels between visits to Pacific Island 
     countries.
       (3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the 
     Committee on Judiciary of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on 
     Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 5502. REPORT ON SECURITY CONDITIONS IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA, 
                   REQUIRED FOR THE REOPENING OF THE UNITED STATES 
                   DIPLOMATIC MISSION.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The United States has a national security interest in a 
     stable Syria free from the malign influence of Russia and 
     Iran, and which cannot be used by terrorist organizations to 
     launch attacks against the United States or United States 
     allies or partners in the region.
       (2) Permissive security conditions are necessary for the 
     reopening of any diplomatic mission.
       (b) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the 
     Syrian interim government's progress towards meeting the 
     security and governance related benchmarks described in 
     paragraph (2).
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following elements:
       (A) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's 
     progress to ensure that Syria never serves as a platform for 
     terrorist attacks against the United States or our partners.
       (B) An assessment of the security environment of the 
     location of the building of the United States embassy in 
     Damascus and the conditions necessary for the reopening of 
     the mission.
       (C) An analysis of the Syrian interim's government's 
     progress in identifying and rendering harmless the Assad 
     regime's chemical weapons stockpiles, research facilities, or 
     related sites.
       (D) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's 
     destruction of the Assad regime's captagon and other illicit 
     drug stockpiles, to include infrastructure.
       (E) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's 
     relationship with the Russian Federation and the Islamic 
     Republic of Iran, to include access, basing, overflight, 
     economic relationships, and impacts on United States national 
     security objectives.
       (F) A description of the Syrian interim government's 
     cooperation with the United States to locate and repatriate 
     United States citizens.
       (G) An assessment of the status of foreign terror groups 
     and militias and interim government efforts to eject these 
     groups.
       (H) A description of accountability efforts under the 
     interim Syrian government to include accountability for Assad 
     regime crimes against the Syrian people, the Alawite massacre 
     in northwest Syria, records preservation, and mass grave 
     documentation.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of 
     the Senate;
       (2) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 5503. EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, AND OTHER DIPLOMATIC 
                   INSTALLATIONS RETURN TO STANDARDS REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a 
     report to the appropriate committees of Congress that 
     includes the impacts of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's 
     initiative known as ``Return to Standards'' on the security 
     needs of United States embassies, consulates, and other 
     diplomatic installations outside the United States.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall describe the impacts of the Return to Standards 
     initiative and other reductions in staffing and resources 
     from the beginning of the initiative to the date of enactment 
     of this Act for all embassies, consulates, and other overseas 
     diplomatic installations, including detailed descriptions and 
     explanations of all reductions of personnel or other 
     resources, including their effects on--
       (1) securing facilities and perimeters;
       (2) transporting United States personnel into the foreign 
     country;
       (3) gathering actionable intelligence; and

[[Page S6035]]

       (4) executing any other relevant operations for which they 
     are responsible.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
       (2) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 5504. PASSPORT AND VISA OPERATIONS REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of the Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report on visa backlogs 
     and the feasibility of providing priority visas to nationals 
     of countries that are of strategic importance to the tourism 
     industry of the United States.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall address--
       (1) the status of visa backlogs and wait times, including 
     internal and external recommendations to streamline and 
     improve consular processes, as required by the joint 
     exploratory statement for the Department of State, Foreign 
     Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 
     (division F of Public Law 118-47), including the rationale 
     and justification for the implementation of each such 
     recommendation;
       (2) the impact of reductions in force on improvement of the 
     overall efficiency of consular operations, processing time, 
     and customer experience for applicants;
       (3) the extent to which non-consular Department personnel 
     have been used to improve the overall efficiency of consular 
     operations, processing time, and customer experience for 
     applicants during periods of high demand;
       (4) the viability of temporarily assigning non-consular 
     Department personnel during periods of high demand; and
       (5) the extent to which technology, including artificial 
     intelligence, can alleviate visa backlogs.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Judiciary of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

                       TITLE LXVI--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 5551. SUBMISSION OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT CENTER REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       Not later than 30 days after receiving a report or other 
     written product provided to the Department by federally 
     funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and 
     consultant groups that were supported by funds 
     congressionally appropriated to the Department, the Secretary 
     shall provide the appropriate committees the report or 
     written product, including the original proposal for the 
     report, the amount provided by the Department to the FFRDC, 
     and a detailed description of the value the Department 
     derived from the report.

     SEC. 5552. QUARTERLY REPORT ON DIPLOMATIC POUCH ACCESS.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and every 90 days thereafter for the next 3 years, 
     the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that describes--
       (1) a list of every overseas United States diplomatic post 
     where diplomatic pouch access is restricted or limited by the 
     host government;
       (2) an explanation as to why, in each instance where an 
     overseas United States diplomatic post has not been granted 
     diplomatic pouch access by the host government, the host 
     government has failed to do so; and
       (3) a detailed explanation outlining the steps the 
     Department is taking to gain diplomatic pouch access in each 
     instance where such access has been denied by the host 
     government.

     SEC. 5553. REPORT ON UTILITY OF INSTITUTING A PROCESSING FEE 
                   FOR ITAR LICENSE APPLICATIONS.

       No later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report on the feasibility and 
     effect of establishing an export licensing fee system for the 
     commercial export of defense items and services to partially 
     or fully finance the licensing costs of the Department, if 
     permitted by statute. The report should consider whether and 
     to what degree such an export license application fee system 
     would be preferable to relying solely on the existing 
     registration fee system and the feasibility of a tiered 
     system of fees, considering such options as volume per 
     applicant over time and discounted fees for small businesses.

     SEC. 5554. HAVANA ACT PAYMENT FIX.

       Section 901 of title IX of division J of the Further 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``January 1, 2016'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``of a'' and inserting ``of 
     an''.
       (3) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(4) Limitations.--
       ``(A) Appropriations required.--Payments under subsections 
     (a) and (b) in a fiscal year may only be made using amounts 
     appropriated in advance specifically for payments under such 
     paragraph in such fiscal year.
       ``(B) Matter of payments.--Payments under subsections (a) 
     and (b) using amounts appropriated for such purpose shall be 
     made on a first come, first serve, or pro rata basis.
       ``(C) Amounts of payments.--The total amount of funding 
     obligated for payments under subsections (a) and (b) may not 
     exceed the amount specifically appropriated for providing 
     payments under such paragraph during its period of 
     availability.''.

     SEC. 5555. ESTABLISHING AN INNER MONGOLIA SECTION WITHIN THE 
                   UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN BEIJING.

       (a) Inner Mongolia Section in United States Embassy in 
     Beijing, China.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary should consider establishing 
     an Inner Mongolian team within the United States Embassy in 
     Beijing, China, to follow political, economic, and social 
     developments in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and 
     other areas designated by the People's Republic of China as 
     autonomous for Mongolians, with due consideration given to 
     hiring Southern Mongolians as Locally Employed Staff.
       (2) Responsibilities.--Responsibilities of a team devoted 
     to Inner Mongolia should include reporting on internationally 
     recognized human rights issues, monitoring developments in 
     critical minerals mining, environmental degradation, and PRC 
     space capabilities, and access to areas designated as 
     autonomous for Mongolians by United States Government 
     officials, journalists, nongovernmental organizations, and 
     the Southern Mongolian diaspora.
       (3) Language requirements.--The Secretary should ensure 
     that the Department of State has sufficient proficiency in 
     Mongolian language in order to carry out paragraph (1), and 
     that the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, has 
     sufficient resources to hire Local Employed Staff proficient 
     in the Mongolian language, as appropriate.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on the staffing 
     described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 5556. REPORT ON UNITED STATES MISSION AUSTRALIA 
                   STAFFING.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Australia is one of the closest allies of the United 
     States and integral to United States national security 
     interests in the Indo-Pacific;
       (2) the United States-Australia alliance has seen 
     tremendous growth, including through AUKUS, as part of which, 
     the United States plans to rotate up to four Virginia-class 
     attack submarines out of the Australian port of Perth by 
     2027; and
       (3) current United States staffing and facilities across 
     United States Mission Australia do not appear adequately 
     resourced to support an expanding mission set and are no 
     longer commensurate with strategic developments, as the 
     United States will need to station many more United States 
     civilian and military personnel in western Australia to 
     support the maintenance and supply of these vessels.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report regarding staffing and 
     facility requirements at United States Mission Australia.
       (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) an assessment of how many Americans, which includes 
     United States Government personnel (including members of the 
     United States Armed Forces) and their family members and 
     dependents, the Department of State expects in the Perth area 
     and across Australia in the next 2 years;
       (B) an assessment of what requirements those Americans will 
     have, including housing, schooling, and office space;
       (C) a description of how many staff are currently in the 
     United States Consulate in Perth and their roles;
       (D) information regarding any discussions or decisions at 
     the Department of State about transferring staff from 
     elsewhere within Mission Australia to increase staffing in 
     Perth and the tradeoffs of such personnel moves;
       (E) a status update on the interagency process begun in 
     2024 to assess the needs of Mission Australia;
       (F) an assessment of the impact the Department of State re-
     organization and workforce reduction is having on the 
     staffing contemplated by that process; and
       (G) an estimated total cost of expanding Perth staffing to 
     sufficiently serve the increased presence of United States 
     citizens in the area and to achieve any other United States 
     foreign policy objectives.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.

[[Page S6036]]

  


     SEC. 5557. FACILITATING REGULATORY EXCHANGES WITH ALLIES AND 
                   PARTNERS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
     heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, 
     should establish and develop a voluntary program to 
     facilitate and encourage regular dialogues between interested 
     United States Government regulatory and technical agencies 
     and their counterpart organizations in allied and partner 
     countries, both bilaterally and in relevant multilateral 
     institutions and organizations--
       (1) to promote best practices in regulatory formation and 
     implementation;
       (2) to collaborate to achieve optimal regulatory outcomes 
     based on scientific, technical, and other relevant 
     principles;
       (3) to seek better harmonization and alignment of 
     regulations and regulatory practices; and
       (4) to build consensus around industry and technical 
     standards in emerging sectors that will drive future global 
     economic growth and commerce.
       (b) Prioritization of Activities.--In facilitating expert 
     exchanges under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     prioritize--
       (1) bilateral coordination and collaboration with countries 
     where greater regulatory coherence, harmonization of 
     standards, or communication and dialogue between technical 
     agencies is achievable and best advances the economic and 
     national security interests of the United States;
       (2) multilateral coordination and collaboration where 
     greater regulatory coherence, harmonization of standards, or 
     dialogue on other relevant regulatory matters is achievable 
     and best advances the economic and national security 
     interests of the United States, including with the members 
     of--
       (A) the European Union;
       (B) the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation;
       (C) the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);
       (D) the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
     Development (OECD);
       (E) the Pacific Alliance; and
       (F) multilateral development banks; and
       (3) regulatory practices and standards-setting bodies 
     focused on key economic sectors and emerging technologies.
       (c) Participation by Nongovernmental Entities.--With regard 
     to the program described in subsection (a), the Secretary may 
     facilitate the participation of relevant organizations and 
     individuals with relevant expertise, as appropriate and to 
     the extent that such participation advances the goals of such 
     program.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--The authorities provided by this 
     section are intended solely to provide United States embassy 
     and related Department support for dialogues which may occur 
     outside the United States, on a strictly voluntary basis and 
     as agreed to by the relevant United States Federal department 
     or agency with their foreign counterparts, and are not 
     intended to obligate in any way the participation of any 
     other Federal department or agency in such dialogues.

     SEC. 5558. PILOT PROGRAM TO AUDIT BARRIERS TO COMMERCE IN 
                   DEVELOPING PARTNER COUNTRIES.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with 
     relevant Federal departments and agencies as determined by 
     the Secretary, is authorized to establish a pilot program--
       (1) to identify and evaluate barriers to commerce in 
     developing countries that are allies and partners of the 
     United States; and
       (2) to provide assistance to promote economic development 
     and commerce to those countries.
       (b) Purposes.--Under the pilot program established under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in partnership with the 
     countries selected under subsection (c)(1)--
       (1) seek to identify possible barriers in those countries 
     that limit international commerce with the goal of setting 
     priorities for the efficient use of United States economic 
     assistance;
       (2) focus relevant United States economic assistance on 
     building self-sustaining institutional capacity for expanding 
     commerce with those countries, consistent with their 
     international obligations and commitments; and
       (3) further the national interests of the United States 
     by--
       (A) expanding prosperity through the elimination of foreign 
     barriers to commercial exchange;
       (B) assisting such countries to identify and reduce 
     commercial restrictions, including through the deployment of 
     targeted foreign assistance, as appropriate, to increase 
     international commerce and investment;
       (C) assisting each selected country in undertaking reforms 
     that will promote economic growth, and promote conditions 
     favorable for business and commercial development and job 
     growth in the country; and
       (D) assisting private sector entities in those countries to 
     engage in reform efforts and enhance productive global supply 
     chain partnerships with the United States and allies and 
     partners of the United States.
       (c) Selection of Countries.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall select countries for 
     participation in the pilot program established under 
     subsection (a) from among developing countries--
       (A) that are allies and partners of the United States;
       (B) the governments of which have clearly demonstrated a 
     willingness to make appropriate legal, policy, and regulatory 
     reforms that are proven to stimulate economic growth and job 
     creation, consistent with international trade rules and 
     practices; and
       (C) that meet such additional criteria as may be 
     established by the Secretary, in consultation with, as 
     appropriate, the heads of other Federal departments and 
     agencies as determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Considerations for additional criteria.--In 
     establishing additional criteria under paragraph (1)(C), the 
     Secretary shall--
       (A) identify and address structural weaknesses, systemic 
     flaws, or other impediments within countries that may be 
     considered for participation in the pilot program under 
     subsection (a) that impact the effectiveness of United States 
     assistance to and make recommendations for addressing those 
     weaknesses, flaws, and impediments;
       (B) set priorities for commercial development assistance 
     that focus resources on countries where the provision of such 
     assistance can deliver the best value in identifying and 
     eliminating commercial barriers; and
       (C) developing appropriate performance measures and 
     establishing annual targets to monitor and assess progress 
     toward achieving those targets, including measures to be used 
     to terminate the provision of assistance determined to be 
     ineffective.
       (3) Number and deadline for selections.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 
     years, the Secretary should select countries for 
     participation in the pilot program.
       (B) Number.--The Secretary should select for participation 
     in the pilot program under subsection (a) not fewer than 3 
     countries during the 1-year period beginning on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (4) Prioritization based on recommendations from chiefs of 
     mission.--In selecting countries under paragraph (1) for 
     participation in the pilot program under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall prioritize--
       (A) countries recommended by chiefs of mission--
       (i) that will be able to substantially benefit from 
     expanded commercial development assistance; and
       (ii) the governments of which have demonstrated the 
     political will to effectively and sustainably implement such 
     assistance; or
       (B) groups of countries, including groups of geographically 
     contiguous countries, including as recommended by chiefs of 
     mission, that meet the criteria under subparagraph (A) and as 
     a result of expanded United States commercial development 
     assistance, will contribute to greater intra-regional 
     commerce or regional economic integration.
       (d) Plans of Action.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall lead in engaging 
     relevant officials of each country selected under subsection 
     (c)(1) to participate in the pilot program under subsection 
     (a) with respect to the development of a plan of action to 
     identify and evaluate barriers to economic and commercial 
     development that then informs United States assistance.
       (2) Analysis required.--The development of a plan of action 
     under paragraph (1) shall include a comprehensive analysis of 
     relevant legal, policy, and regulatory constraints to 
     economic and job growth in that country.
       (3) Elements.--A plan of action developed under paragraph 
     (1) for a country shall include the following:
       (A) Priorities for reform agreed to by the government of 
     that country and the United States.
       (B) Clearly defined policy responses, including regulatory 
     and legal reforms, as necessary, to achieve improvement in 
     the business and commercial environment in the country.
       (C) Identification of the anticipated costs to establish 
     and implement the plan.
       (D) Identification of appropriate sequencing and phasing of 
     implementation of the plan to create cumulative benefits, as 
     appropriate.
       (E) Identification of best practices and standards.
       (F) Considerations with respect to how to make the policy 
     reform investments under the plan long-lasting.
       (G) Appropriate consultation with affected stakeholders in 
     that country and in the United States.
       (e) Termination.--The pilot program established under 
     subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 8 years 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 5559. STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING SUPPLY CHAIN 
                   DIVERSIFICATION.

       (a) Strategy.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Commerce and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     departments and agencies, as determined by the Secretary, 
     shall develop, implement, and submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a diplomatic strategy to support 
     efforts to increase supply chain resiliency and security by 
     promoting and strengthening efforts to incentivize the 
     relocation of supply chains from the People's Republic of 
     China.
       (b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) be informed by consultations with the governments of 
     allies and partners of the United States;
       (2) provide a description of how supply chain 
     diversification can be pursued in a complementary fashion to 
     strengthen the national interests of the United States;
       (3) include an assessment of--

[[Page S6037]]

       (A) the status and effectiveness of current efforts by 
     governments, multilateral development banks, and the private 
     sector to attract investment by private entities who are 
     seeking to diversify from reliance on the People's Republic 
     of China;
       (B) major challenges hindering those efforts; and
       (C) how the United States can strengthen the effectiveness 
     of those efforts;
       (4) identify United States allies and partners with 
     comparative advantages for sourcing and manufacturing 
     critical goods and countries with the greatest opportunities 
     and alignment with United States values;
       (5) identify how activities by the International Trade 
     Administration and other relevant Federal agencies, as 
     determined by the Secretary, can effectively be leveraged to 
     strengthen and promote supply chain diversification, 
     including nearshoring to Latin America and the Caribbean as 
     appropriate;
       (6) advance diplomatic initiatives to secure specific 
     national commitments by governments in Latin America and the 
     Caribbean to undertake efforts to create favorable conditions 
     for nearshoring in the region, including commitments--
       (A) to develop formalized national strategies to attract 
     investment from the United States;
       (B) to address corruption and rule of law concerns;
       (C) to modernize digital and physical infrastructure of 
     these nations;
       (D) to improve ease of doing business; and
       (E) to finance and incentivize nearshoring initiatives that 
     transfer supply chains from the People's Republic of China to 
     the nations of the Americas;
       (7) advance, in coordination with the National Institute of 
     Standards [and] Technology, diplomatic initiatives towards 
     mutually beneficial dialogues on standards and regulations; 
     and
       (8) in coordination with the International Trade 
     Administration, develop and implement assistance programs to 
     finance, incentivize, or otherwise promote supply chain 
     diversification in accordance with the assessments and 
     identifications made pursuant to paragraphs (3), (4), and 
     (5), including, at minimum, programs--
       (A) to help develop physical and digital infrastructure;
       (B) to promote transparency in procurement processes;
       (C) to provide technical assistance in implementing 
     national nearshoring strategies;
       (D) to help mobilize private investment; and
       (E) to pursue commitments by private sector entities to 
     relocate supply chains from the People's Republic of China.
       (c) Coordination With Multilateral Development Banks.--In 
     implementing the strategy required under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary of State and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     departments and agencies, as determined by the Secretary, 
     should, as appropriate, cooperate with the World Bank Group 
     and the regional development banks through the Secretary of 
     the Treasury.
       (d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 5560. EXTENSIONS.

       (a) Support to Enhance the Capacity of International 
     Monetary Fund Members to Evaluate the Legal and Financial 
     Terms of Sovereign Debt Contracts.--Title XVI of the 
     International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262p et 
     seq.) is amended in section 1630(c) by striking ``5-year 
     period'' and inserting ``10-year period''.
       (b) Inspector General Annuitant Waiver.--The authorities 
     provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-212; 124 Stat. 2332) 
     shall remain in effect through September 30, 2031.
       (c) Extension of Authorizations to Support United States 
     Participation in International Fairs and Expos.--Section 
     9601(b) of the Department of State Authorizations Act of 2022 
     (division I of Public Law 117-263; 136 6 Stat. 3909) is 
     amended by striking ``fiscal years 2023 and 2024'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 
     2028''.

     SEC. 5561. PERMITTING FOR INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND LAND 
                   PORTS OF ENTRY.

       Section 6 of the International Bridge Act of 1972 (33 
     U.S.C. 535d) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``December 31, 2024,'' and inserting ``December 31, 2035,''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A) An international bridge between the United States and 
     Mexico.
       ``(B) An international bridge between the United States and 
     Canada.
       ``(C) A port of entry on the international land border 
     between the United States and Mexico.
       ``(D) A port of entry on the international land border 
     between the United States and Canada.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by inserting ``or land port of 
     entry'' after ``international bridge'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or land port of 
     entry'' after ``international bridge'';
       (3) in subsection (c)(2)--
       (A) by inserting ``sole'' before ``basis''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or land port of entry'' after 
     ``international bridge'';
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) No compilation or consideration of documents.--The 
     Secretary shall not compile or take into consideration any 
     environmental document pursuant to Public Law 91-190 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a Presidential permit 
     for an application under subsection (b).''; and
       (5) in subsection (f), by inserting ``or land port of 
     entry'' after ``international bridge'' each place it appears.
                                 ______