H.R. 4691 — Responsive Counterterrorism Policy Act

This section directs the Secretary of State to require the Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism to develop and maintain a written counterterrorism strategy for each country or region with a significant terrorist threat or ongoing U.S. counterterrorism engagement, distinct from the department's annual Country Reports on Terrorism and intended as a forward-looking operational planning document. Each strategy must (1) identify specific threats, objectives, coordinated actions with interagency and international partners, and metrics for progress; (2) describe coordination mechanisms, including roles and responsibilities; (3) account for local political, economic, and social dynamics while aligning with broader U.S. foreign policy goals; and (4) designate the Bureau of Counterterrorism as the lead entity. Strategies must be reviewed and updated annually, or more frequently if threat dynamics or policy priorities change. The Bureau of Counterterrorism must brief Congress within 90 days of enactment on planned strategies and prioritization criteria, and provide annual briefings thereafter on strategy development, implementation, updates, and their influence on programmatic funding and diplomatic engagement.