H.R. 5300 — Department of State Policy Provisions Act

This section terminates ongoing reporting requirements to Congress by the Secretary or any officer, official, component, or element of the Department for reports established prior to September 30, 2025. This section does not affect reporting requirements established by this Act or on or after the date of enactment.

This section establishes a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" designation, which the Secretary of State—in consultation with other relevant federal agencies—may apply to a foreign country based on criteria including (1) an unlawful or wrongful detention of a U.S. national occurring there, (2) failure to release such a detainee within 30 days of Department of State notification, (3) government responsibility, complicity, or material support for such detention, or (4) actions by state or nonstate actors posing sufficient risk to U.S. nationals abroad. The Secretary may terminate a designation upon certifying to Congress that it serves the U.S. national interest and the country has released all such detainees, demonstrated policy changes on wrongful detention and hostage-taking, or provided assurances against future such acts; alternatively, Congress may terminate it via joint resolution of disapproval enacted within six months of designation. The section further requires the Secretary to publish and regularly update a public list of designated countries on the Department's website; conduct a review of existing punitive authorities (e.g., sanctions) to assess their applicability to designated countries for deterrence; and notify appropriate congressional committees within seven days of a designation with justification and descriptions of U.S. actions to deter such detentions. (As background, unlawful or wrongful detention refers to the arbitrary detention of U.S. nationals for leverage, often addressed under laws such as the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.) The section states that designation of a country does not imply every detained U.S. national there is wrongfully detained under existing law.

This section authorizes the Under Secretary of State for Management to establish a Center for Strategy and Solutions in the Office of the Under Secretary for Management. The Center is responsible for researching, designing, and implementing enterprise management solutions focused on (1) data analytics as a central data hub to expand data access and foster analytic expertise across domestic bureaus and overseas missions; (2) policies and platforms to strengthen strategic governance, accountability, and resource alignment for the Department's overseas presence; and (3) management consulting and advanced projects using leading-edge expertise for innovative solutions to enterprise challenges. The Under Secretary may designate a Director as the Department's central authority for change management, including rapid rollout of new technology, enterprise-wide changes mandated by legislation, and coordination of whole-of-government efforts.

This section establishes a policy for the Department to prioritize procurement of products, goods, and services produced, manufactured, or supplied by United States businesses (i.e., entities incorporated in the United States that conduct the majority of their operations and manufacturing there) and American-made products (i.e., substantially produced or manufactured in the United States from domestic articles, materials, or supplies), to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable trade agreements and law. The Secretary must ensure that (1) all procurement actions, including for equipment, machinery, and technology used domestically and abroad, give preference to American-made products and services if available at a reasonable cost and meeting applicable quality standards; and (2) the appropriate congressional committees are notified within seven days of awarding a contract to a foreign vendor, including an explanation of why a suitable American-made alternative was not selected. Not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary must submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing (1) the percentage of Department procurement contracts awarded to United States businesses in the preceding fiscal year; (2) categories of products, equipment, and services for which American-made alternatives were not used; and (3) barriers or challenges to increasing domestic procurement.

This section authorizes the Secretary of State to transfer relevant information technology professionals and related personnel from other bureaus and offices in the Department of State to the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology to improve coordination, eliminate duplication, and enhance enterprise-wide solutions.

This section authorizes the Secretary to realign the Regional Technology Officer Program to (1) optimally structure it to support the information technology and cybersecurity needs of U.S. diplomatic missions, (2) establish clear roles and responsibilities for Regional Technology Officers, (3) promote effective coordination between Regional Technology Officers and other relevant Department entities, and (4) ensure adequate resources to fulfill its mission.

This section requires the Secretary of State to notify the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days prior to obligating retained consular fees for any program, project, or activity that is not a consular function (i.e., not directly operated by the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs), including (1) the amount obligated, (2) a description of the programming, (3) the country, region, or locality of expenditure, (4) the fiscal year of fee collection, and (5) a justification for using retained fees rather than appropriated funds. The Secretary may delay notification if it risks human health, welfare, or national security, but must provide the required details plus an explanation within three days after obligation. It defines appropriate congressional committees as the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to contravene the visa eligibility policy for high-ranking officials of Taiwan established by section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note). (As background, that section deems such officials—i.e., the president, vice president, premier, foreign minister, and similar positions—eligible for A-1 diplomatic visas when conducting official business and A-2 visas otherwise, notwithstanding INA restrictions on issuing such visas to Taiwan representatives.)

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs to take appropriate steps to ensure that 80% of nonimmigrant visa applicants (i.e., for temporary purposes such as tourism, study, or work) are interviewed within three weeks of application receipt, with exceptions allowed for resource and security considerations and U.S. citizen consular services.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enforce or implement COVID-19 vaccination requirements for individuals traveling outside the United States.

This section directs the Secretary of State to require the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to update its guidance and procedures for the Information Facilities and Access Restriction (IFAR) process—used to limit Department of State personnel's access to classified information and facilities during security clearance suspensions—as follows: (1) establishing clear criteria for selecting the appropriate type of IFAR based on suspension circumstances; (2) specifying the scope of access permitted under each IFAR type, including continued access to Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information under a "Typical" IFAR; and (3) clarifying that an IFAR does not require full removal from sensitive duties and may permit access to substantial unclassified information.

This section establishes a two-year pilot program, beginning on the date of enactment, within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State to facilitate the recruitment, training, and hiring of members of the Armed Forces within one year of separation or retirement, leveraging their skills to meet the bureau's security and operational needs while providing a defined employment pathway. The Secretary of State must coordinate with the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor to inform eligible servicemembers through the Transition Assistance Program, identify candidates, and provide clearances, onboarding, and placement assistance following standard screening; submit to specified congressional committees, not later than 180 days after the program's conclusion, a report evaluating its effectiveness in expanding qualified candidates, the number of hires into permanent or contract positions, placements relative to workforce needs, lessons learned, and participant feedback. (The program does not create a separate non-competitive screening process.)

This section directs the Secretary of State to delegate to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security (DS) or Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security the pre-approval authority under 18 U.S.C. §2516 (which currently authorizes only specified Department of Justice officials to approve wiretap applications for listed serious offenses) for DS special agents to seek interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications in furtherance of DS protective duties under 22 U.S.C. §2709(a) (i.e., protection of the Secretary of State, U.S. diplomatic missions, and foreign officials in the United States). The section further requires the Secretary to revise section 221.5 of volume 12 of the Foreign Affairs Manual to reflect this delegation not later than 90 days after enactment.

This section requires foreign missions of covered countries—i.e., the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan while under Taliban control—to notify the Department of State at least 96 hours in advance of meetings between their officials or representatives and U.S. state or local officials, or official visits to U.S. educational or research institutions. Notifications must include the date, location, names of participating covered-country officials, and purpose; "officials or representatives" includes all members of the country's U.S. foreign missions or UN permanent mission and any officials traveling to the U.S. for official business. The section further requires the Secretary of State to submit monthly reports to the specified congressional committees (i.e., Senate Foreign Relations and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees; House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees) listing all notified meetings and visits, with the first report including Department-collected data since 2019. Additionally, not later than 54 months after enactment, the Secretaries of State, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence must jointly submit to the committees an unclassified threat assessment report (with possible classified annex) for each covered country, including policy recommendations for U.S. diplomats in those countries. The requirements sunset five years after enactment.

This section requires the Secretary of State to submit a written notification to the appropriate congressional committees (i.e., House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees) at least 30 days before opening, closing, permanently relocating, or initiating construction of any diplomatic post (i.e., any embassy, consulate, or other permanent U.S. government facility abroad serving diplomatic, consular, or official functions). Each notification must include (1) a justification addressing strategic value, threat environment, or foreign policy posture; (2) a detailed cost estimate for construction, maintenance, and operations; (3) an assessment of impacts on U.S. citizen services, consular functions, diplomatic engagement, and interagency operations; (4) a summary of consultations with Chiefs of Mission, Regional Security Officers, and affected agencies; and (5) an explanation of alignment with the Department's global presence framework. The section exempts exigent security-related closures or evacuations, requiring notification as soon as practicable but no later than 7 business days after the action.

This section limits flags authorized for display at Department of State installations to eight specified types—(1) the United States flag; (2) a Foreign Service flag pursuant to 2 FAM 154.2–1; (3) a POW/MIA flag; (4) a Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 904; (5) the flag of an American State, insular area, or the District of Columbia at domestic locations; (6) the flag of an Indian Tribal government; (7) an official branded flag of a United States agency; or (8) the sovereign flag of other countries—and prohibits all others.

This section prohibits the Secretary of State from constructing, causing to be constructed, or planning construction of a new embassy that does not conform to the Standard Embassy Design (i.e., a State Department blueprint for secure, cost-effective facilities). It allows a case-by-case exception if the Secretary submits to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations Committees a report with justification for the deviation and details of additional costs beyond the standard design.

This section directs the Secretary of State to avoid or minimize (1) acquiring or leasing covered buildings—defined as those used or intended for U.S. consular or diplomatic posts abroad—where a covered entity performed covered construction (i.e., construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or installation of building systems) on or after January 1, 1949, or holds an ownership interest; or (2) entering or renewing contracts with covered entities—defined as those significantly owned, controlled, or substantially influenced by the government of the People's Republic of China or its agents—for such construction. It further requires the Secretary to notify appropriate congressional committees at least seven days before any inconsistent action, including a determination of whether it serves the U.S. national security interest, the interest advanced, a detailed explanation, and mitigation measures for any vulnerabilities.

This section requires the Secretary of State to ensure that art installations, exhibits, cultural programming, and visual displays at U.S. embassies, consulates, and official residences of chiefs of mission reflect and promote U.S. history, values, ideals, and achievements, including by prominently featuring themes of American democracy, liberty, individual rights, the rule of law, free enterprise, notable events and figures in U.S. history and culture, and the United States as a force for global peace, prosperity, innovation, and human dignity. It prohibits such displays that primarily highlight foreign nations' history, culture, or policies from being the dominant focus unless part of a mutual cultural exchange or cooperative initiative approved by the Secretary and linked to U.S. foreign policy interests. The section further directs the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Office of the Chief of Protocol, to develop implementation guidelines and requires the Secretary to brief appropriate congressional committees not later than one year after enactment of this Act on compliance, including an inventory of existing displays, programming themes, and planned updates. It defines "official residence" as any U.S. government-owned or leased property used as a chief of mission's primary residence and applies the definition of "chief of mission" in section 102 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3902).

This section establishes requirements for the Department of State's Art in Embassies program, which displays artwork in U.S. diplomatic properties abroad to promote cultural diplomacy. Specifically, it (1) requires that any artwork purchased on or after enactment for the program's permanent collection be created, in whole or in part, by a U.S. citizen; (2) permits display of non-U.S. citizen artwork in U.S. embassies, consulates, or official residences abroad only if the artwork is part of a temporary loan collection or was purchased before enactment, was created by a citizen or resident of the host country, and is justified in writing by the chief of mission as supporting U.S. diplomatic engagement; (3) directs the Secretary of State, to the maximum extent practicable, to prioritize displaying U.S. citizens' artwork in all Department diplomatic facilities abroad; and (4) requires the Secretary to issue implementing regulations and guidance within 90 days of enactment.

This section requires the Secretary of State to submit to Congress, not later than one year after enactment, an initial report for each country hosting a U.S. mission that inventories all artworks displayed in Department of State overseas facilities (i.e., U.S. embassies, consulates, and chiefs of mission residences), including for each piece its ownership status (e.g., purchased, leased, insured, commissioned, or on loan), source of funds and acquisition cost, title, market value if available, date and year of acquisition or completion, medium, dimensions, and a brief description or image. Following the initial report, the section requires an updated report on any changes, additions, or removals not later than one year after each new Senate-confirmed U.S. Ambassador reaches post.

This section authorizes the Department of State to pay overseas comparability pay—up to two-thirds of the locality-based comparability payment payable under 5 U.S.C. 5304 for an official duty station in the District of Columbia—to eligible Foreign Service members designated class 1 or below under the Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) whose official duty stations are outside the continental United States or nonforeign areas (i.e., U.S. territories such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico). The payment is subject to Secretary regulations on phase-in, treatment as basic pay, and other limitations under 5 U.S.C. 5304.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, to create a program to facilitate and expedite hiring of qualified individuals for term-limited civil service positions in the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State. The section also requires the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, an unclassified report on the bureau's staffing challenges that includes (1) a comparative analysis of the bureau's direct-hire staffing relative to other regional bureaus, including authorized positions per embassy at comparable posts, domestic staff per mission, vacancies, and average bids per position; (2) the number of bureau posts qualifying for the Department's harshest operating environments compared to other regions; (3) an assessment of whether Department hardship incentives align with posts having the highest operating environment scores; (4) the number of bureau posts lacking key management personnel; (5) historic and ongoing efforts to address understaffing and vacancies and their success; and (6) a detailed plan for forthcoming actions to rectify consistent understaffing and vacancies.

This section requires the Secretary of State to (1) make Uyghur language training available to Foreign Service Officers as appropriate and (2) make every effort to assign at least one Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service to each U.S. diplomatic or consular post in the People's Republic of China. It further directs the Foreign Service Institute to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report outlining implementation steps not later than one year after enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for two years.

This section requires the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration to publish any Department of State-wide policy, procedure, or guidance applicable to department personnel or operations in the Foreign Affairs Manual and Foreign Affairs Handbook, except to the extent publication would disclose classified information or other material exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), within 30 days of issuance. It further requires public versions of those manuals to be updated within 30 days of any changes to their internal versions.

This section establishes in the Department a Chief Financial Officer for Financial Management, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for all departmental financial management services, programs, and systems on a global scale. The CFO shall head a new Bureau of Financial Management—which performs functions related to budgetary requests and resource planning, performance management, budgetary applications, financial management, and internal controls as prescribed by the Under Secretary—and carry out additional responsibilities, including establishing financial management policies and procedures, issuing operational guidance to promote transparency and accountability in Department funds, and coordinating budget, planning, and financial services for foreign policy. This section further authorizes necessary funds for the bureau's missions in FY2026 and FY2027 from amounts appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes in the Passport Act of 1926 (22 U.S.C. 211a et seq.) new authority for the Secretary of State to refuse to issue passports to, and to revoke passports held by, individuals who (1) have been charged with or convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. §§2339A (providing material support to terrorists) or 2339B (providing material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations), or (2) the Secretary determines knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designated under INA §219 (8 U.S.C. §1189). It provides limited exceptions to facilitate U.S. return travel or for humanitarian and emergency circumstances; authorizes hearings for affected individuals within 60 days of denial or revocation, with potential restoration if acquitted or determinations are changed; requires reports to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations within 30 days of refusals, revocations, issuances, or cancellations (in classified or unclassified form); defines "material support" to encompass property, services, etc. (e.g., currency, lodging, training, weapons; excluding medicine or religious materials); includes rules of construction preserving First Amendment rights and the Secretary's existing revocation authority; and provides for severability.

This section establishes a program for the utilization of multi-modal generative artificial intelligence (AI) language translation capabilities within the Department of State, to be administered by the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. The program must (1) provide user options for an automated human-in-the-loop review and verification process (i.e., AI translation reviewed by human linguists for accuracy) or a machine-only process (i.e., AI translation without human review); (2) enable real-time training and fine-tuning of translation models for specific geographic regions and Department mission areas; (3) operate on both unclassified and classified information technology networks; (4) generate original content in non-English languages; and (5) be available at all U.S. and overseas missions. The Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer must ensure the program's deployment adheres to Department policies on appropriate use of each process option.

This section establishes the Arctic Watcher Program, to be carried out by the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, to (1) monitor Arctic activities in foreign countries across security, military, economic, natural resource, cyber, scientific, and political sectors; (2) monitor and combat malign influence campaigns by the People's Republic of China, Russia, and others that affect U.S., European, and Indo-Pacific security or undermine U.S. interests; (3) strengthen U.S. engagement with foreign countries and Arctic organizations; and (4) advance U.S. energy, cyber, and economic security in the Arctic, including critical minerals and natural resources. The Ambassador must assign individuals, known as Arctic Watchers, to at least three posts in European countries with significant Arctic interests, at least one post in North American countries with such interests, and other posts as necessary, and notify appropriate congressional committees of assignments.

This section establishes a one-year pilot program directing the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism to notify the appropriate congressional committees, in addition to existing requirements, of specified information for each foreign assistance project (new or existing) requesting additional funds. The required notification elements for each project are: (1) working name; (2) country or countries of implementation; (3) funding mechanism (e.g., contract, grant); (4) total amount of new funding; (5) whether new, continuation, or expansion; (6) total funding over the program life; (7) expected performance period using the new funds; (8) total prior performance period; (9) implementer name and details (e.g., government or private, U.S.-based or international); (10) intended objectives; (11) key components or activities; (12) significant under-burn or over-burn based on spend rates; and (13) performance improvement plans or additional oversight.

This section repeals the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (ZDERA Act), which previously required the United States to oppose loans, credit, and debt relief for Zimbabwe from international financial institutions (e.g., IMF, World Bank) until Zimbabwe satisfied conditions on democratic practices, rule of law, and property rights. (As background, ZDERA sought to pressure Zimbabwe's government over land seizures and human rights abuses.) It further prohibits U.S. support for any new or expanded funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or World Bank (i.e., International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) for the Government of Zimbabwe unless that government commits, within 12 months of such funding's approval, to remit all outstanding arrears owed under the Global Compensation Deed—inflation adjusted to the date of enactment and not in the form of Zimbabwe-issued securities—with noncompliance triggering immediate cessation of all such U.S. support.

This section establishes the Strengthening Commercial Diplomacy in Africa Initiative within the Department of State to prioritize and coordinate U.S. government programs, activities, and diplomatic efforts aimed at increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa. The Initiative is led by a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs, who chairs an interagency leadership committee with representatives from relevant federal departments and agencies that meets at least four times each year to provide strategic guidance. The Initiative's leadership is responsible for convening agencies; planning information sharing and collaboration with agencies and the private sector; engaging U.S. and African private sector partners, civil society, NGOs, and the African diaspora; and establishing measurable goals. Subject to appropriations, the Initiative is supported by at least six full-time federal employees stationed in Africa— including personnel detailed from other agencies—dedicated to the Initiative or specified Africa-related provisions of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018, in compliance with the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019. It is further supported by "deal teams" of designated embassy staff in Africa, who identify commercial opportunities, advocate for business climate improvements, engage private sector partners, and report on activities, also in compliance with the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019.

This section directs the Secretary of State to consider, to facilitate travel to and investment in Somaliland by U.S. citizens and businesses, (1) establishing a representative office in Hargeisa, Somaliland, and (2) bifurcating travel advisory warnings between Somalia and Somaliland.

This section requires (1) a report to appropriate congressional committees within 180 days of enactment detailing personnel and equipment contributions to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) by each participating country, along with an overview of any mission shortcomings and rectification efforts; (2) the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs to maintain continuous observation and coordination of Department of State engagement with the MFO; (3) authorizes the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and subject to existing limitations (22 U.S.C. 3422), to provide U.S. civilian personnel as observers in the MFO, restricted to functions specified in the Egypt-Israel Treaty of Peace and Protocol; and (4) notification to Congress at least 15 days before any changes to U.S. contributions or participation in the MFO, including impacts on the mission. (The MFO monitors compliance with the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty in the Sinai Peninsula.)

This section directs the Secretary of State to develop and submit to appropriate congressional committees, within 180 days of enactment, a “Strategy for Pacific Partnership” that includes (1) overarching goals for U.S. diplomatic posts, defense posture, and economic engagement in the Pacific Islands region; (2) an assessment of risks to U.S. national interests from natural disasters, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, non-U.S. military presence, developmental challenges, economic coercion and corruption, and other direct threats; (3) a plan to address those risks; (4) an analysis of needs and goals expressed by Pacific Islands governments; (5) a plan for necessary U.S. resources; and (6) mechanisms for coordination with Pacific Island governments, regional partners such as the Pacific Islands Forum, civil society, and U.S. subnational governments in the Pacific. It further requires annual strategy updates through January 1, 2028, and an implementation plan with timelines and objectives, developed in coordination with other federal agencies, within 180 days of enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of State, acting through the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues or designee, to (1) collate information on Korean American families separated from North Korean relatives after the July 27, 1953, Korean War Armistice Agreement, in anticipation of future in-person and video reunions; and (2) establish a private internal national registry of such families' names and relevant information (A) to facilitate reunions in South Korea, the United States, or third countries and (B) to serve as a repository for information on such families and relatives, including deceased individuals.

This section directs the Secretary of State, not later than 180 days after enactment, to seek negotiations with Japan and the Republic of Korea for a written agreement establishing a United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue to facilitate cooperation on shared interests. Upon reaching such an agreement, the section establishes a United States Group of not more than eight Members of Congress—two appointed by the Speaker of the House (at least one from the Committee on Foreign Affairs), two by the House minority leader (at least one from Foreign Affairs), two by the Senate majority leader (at least one from the Committee on Foreign Relations), and two by the Senate minority leader (at least one from Foreign Relations)—to represent the United States, with two-year terms. The Group must meet annually (in person in the United States or abroad when Congress is not in session, or virtually) with parliamentary representatives from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and any other mutually agreed country; rotates the chairperson and vice chairperson between House and Senate delegations every Congress (with designations from Foreign Affairs or Foreign Relations Committee members based on odd- or even-numbered Congresses, serving one Congress); may accept private gifts or donations subject to ethics committee review; and provides for final certification of expenditures by House or Senate delegation chairpersons.

This section establishes a Regional China Officer Program Unit (Unit) within the Department of State's Office of China Coordination in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, to be comprised of one Director and not fewer than 20 forward-deployed Foreign Service Officers serving as Regional China Officers (RCOs) at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts or detailed to allies' foreign ministries. RCOs, who must have PRC-related expertise (e.g., prior experience in the PRC, Taiwan, or Hong Kong and Mandarin proficiency), monitor and report on PRC activities across commercial, development, finance, critical infrastructure, technology, and military domains—including Belt and Road Initiative projects—and advise U.S. embassies, allies, partners, and host countries; at least two RCOs must be assigned to posts associated with each of seven specified State Department regional bureaus (African Affairs, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, European and Eurasian Affairs, International Organization Affairs, Near Eastern Affairs, South and Central Asian Affairs, and Western Hemisphere Affairs). The Secretary of State must appoint a career Foreign Service Officer as Director within 90 days of enactment without increasing overall departmental full-time equivalent positions; the Director coordinates RCO activities to enhance U.S. responsiveness to PRC strategies, build knowledge and trust, identify engagement gaps, and manage RCO hiring. The Unit sunsets five years after enactment. "Ally" is defined as a NATO member or major non-NATO ally.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Mitigation and Disaster Assistance to develop and implement a disaster preparedness strategy for Pacific Islands countries with the following purposes: (1) support U.S. foreign policy objectives and Indo-Pacific regional engagement by positioning the United States as the leading stabilization and crisis-response partner in those countries; (2) bolster local resilience to natural and climatic disasters; (3) support building local capabilities for disaster risk reduction, recovery, and rapid response mechanisms; and (4) reinforce long-term U.S. partnerships, including with the Compacts of Free Association. The Assistant Secretary must consult with the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs on the strategy's development and execution and brief appropriate congressional committees on its development and implementation not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for two years.

This section establishes the Transatlantic Growth Enterprise program, to be carried out by the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation and heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies. The program supports strengthened U.S. relations with participating Enterprise countries—defined as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Bulgaria, plus other Central and Eastern European countries as determined appropriate—with objectives to expand business-to-business ties; foster investment and energy security cooperation including in the nuclear sector; strengthen people-to-people and security ties; counter Russian malign influence; and counter the People's Republic of China's private sector footprint. It directs the Assistant Secretary to convene stakeholders including government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives from Enterprise countries at least twice per calendar year. It limits projects or activities supported by the Secretary of State to counterpart government officials determined not to undermine U.S. interests through cooperation with Russia or China or by undermining democracy, including via bilateral agreements enabling stationing of their police or military forces. Not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for two years, the Assistant Secretary, in coordination with participating agency heads, must submit to appropriate congressional committees an unclassified report (with possible classified annex) detailing Enterprise activities, diplomatic engagements, progress toward objectives, and recommendations for future initiatives.

This section establishes it as the policy of the United States not to recognize sovereignty claims over South Ossetia or Abkhazia other than those of the Republic of Georgia. It prohibits federal departments and agencies from taking actions or extending assistance that implies recognition of other sovereignty claims over those areas and authorizes the Secretary to waive this policy upon determining it is in the national interest of the United States, with a report and justification to the appropriate congressional committees.

This section authorizes the Secretary of State to facilitate an annual Strategic Dialogue with the democratic forces of Belarus. The dialogue may address (1) efforts needed to return to democratic rule in Belarus, including support for free and fair elections; (2) active engagement with the Belarus Democracy Movement; (3) responses to the political, economic, and security impacts of events in Belarus and Russia on neighboring countries; (4) accountability—including possible punitive measures—for the Alyaksandr Lukashenka regime's human rights abuses, repression of civil society, undermining of Belarusian sovereignty in favor of Russia, and support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine; and (5) facilitation of the release of political prisoners and wrongfully detained individuals in Belarus, including journalists.

This section authorizes the Secretary of State to provide medical care, physical therapy, and psychological support to individuals from Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, or other oppressed ethnic groups in China who experienced torture, forced sterilization, rape, forced abortion, forced labor, or other atrocities and are residing outside China. Such assistance may also build local capacity through grants to foreign treatment centers and programs, and research and training for health care providers, in accordance with the torture victims assistance program (22 U.S.C. 2152(b) and (c)(2)). (Thus, the assistance extends the existing torture victims program—originally for general foreign victims—to specified Uyghur-region atrocity survivors.) This section further requires the Secretary to brief the appropriate congressional committees within one year of enactment on direct care provided abroad to such individuals and any related foreign projects supported; limits the U.S. share of assistance costs to no more than 50 percent; and authorizes financial and technical assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other entities to document atrocities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Such documentation assistance includes (1) collecting, archiving, and preserving evidence such as victim testimonies and social media visuals; (2) identifying suspected perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity; (3) conducting criminal investigations and building indigenous investigative capacity; (4) supporting foreign, civil society, and multilateral investigations; and (5) protecting witnesses.

This section establishes the Central Asian Connectivity Interagency Task Force, chaired by the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, to coordinate implementation of the Central Asian Regional Connectivity Strategy. The task force includes representatives from specified State Department bureaus, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Departments of Commerce and the Treasury, Export-Import Bank, and other relevant federal agencies as determined by the President. It directs the task force to (1) coordinate regional connectivity projects with Central Asian countries and relevant countries in South Asia, East Asia, and Europe; (2) connect with the U.S. private sector to identify and support market opportunities in Central Asia; and (3) coordinate with development finance institutions and multilateral development banks to secure additional contributions and technical support. The task force terminates on January 1, 2031.

This section declares it to be U.S. policy to strengthen engagement with Indian Ocean region countries—including governments, civil society, academia, and private sectors—as part of the broader Indo-Pacific strategy through 10 specified actions, including promoting political ties and bilateral diplomacy; deepening security relations with India; expanding economic connectivity; ensuring freedom of navigation; addressing maritime threats such as piracy; supporting disaster response and resilient infrastructure; enhancing maritime domain awareness; coordinating with allies such as Japan, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and France; and assessing required diplomatic and economic resources. The section further directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to develop a strategy to enhance U.S., allied, and partner presence, influence, and access in the region that (1) identifies U.S. political, economic, and security goals and opportunities and alignments with regional countries; (2) details Chinese economic and political efforts in the region; (3) analyzes internal U.S. challenges such as disparate policies and definitions of the region; (4) lists Quad (i.e., U.S.-Australia-India-Japan) cooperation efforts; (5) overviews support for island nations' economic connectivity; (6) describes engagement with regional organizations such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association; (7) addresses cooperation with Taiwan; (8) reviews the U.S. diplomatic posture, including gaps in embassies, personnel, and facilities in countries such as the Maldives, Seychelles, and Comoros; (9) assesses military access agreements and naval/coast guard cooperation; and (10) outlines security assistance strategies for regional governments.

This section establishes the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, requiring the Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, to develop and implement a strategy within 180 days of enactment in 13 beneficiary countries (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago). The strategy must achieve specified purposes, including (1) promoting citizen safety, security, and rule of law; (2) countering transnational criminal organizations, gangs, corruption, and malign influence from authoritarian regimes (e.g., China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba); (3) advancing law enforcement and justice capacity building; (4) promoting crime prevention among at-risk youth; (5) strengthening security sector disaster resilience; and (6) supporting U.S. security assistance branding via public diplomacy. The section further requires the Secretary to submit to appropriate congressional committees, within 180 days of enactment, an implementation plan with (1) a multi-year strategy, timeline, and objectives; (2) anticipated regional and country-specific outcomes; (3) measurable benchmarks; and (4) an assessment and framework for enhancing coordination between beneficiary countries' law enforcement and the Haitian National Police to address Haiti's security crisis. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports through 2030 assessing the implementation plan and benchmark progress. The authority sunsets five years after enactment.

This section establishes the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025, requiring the Secretary of State, in coordination with other federal agencies as appropriate, to submit to eight specified congressional committees (i.e., Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations; Financial Services and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; House and Senate Intelligence; and House and Senate Appropriations) an unclassified report (with possible classified annex) on ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites (i.e., current/former officials and staff, party leaders, and executives influencing Haiti's economy) in Haiti—not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for five years (sunsetting thereafter). The report must (1) identify prominent gangs, leaders, activities (including coercive recruitment), and operating areas; (2) list elites with direct links to gangs and their controlled entities; (3) detail those relationships; (4) describe how elites advance political and economic interests via gangs; (5) list organizations trafficking persons to the U.S. border; (6) assess ties to transnational criminal organizations; (7) assess threats to Haiti and U.S. interests; and (8) assess potential U.S. government actions.

This section states U.S. policy to seek resolution of Nicaragua's political crisis through the Ortega regime's commitment to free and fair elections with international observation, cessation of government-supported violence against civilians, and independent investigations into protester killings since April 2018. It further requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, to submit to appropriate congressional committees, not later than one year after enactment, a report assessing (1) benefits accruing to the Ortega regime from Nicaragua's participation in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) (i.e., approved under 19 U.S.C. 4011 and providing preferential U.S. market access to Nicaragua and five other countries), including profits to state-owned entities; (2) Nicaragua's violations of CAFTA-DR commitments; and (3) whether Nicaragua qualifies as a nonmarket economy under the Trade Act of 1974. The section authorizes the President to provide grants to private, nonprofit organizations for programs promoting human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Nicaragua (including documentation of abuses since April 2018), to be administered in consultation with Nicaraguan opposition figures (including exiles) and barring entities affiliated with the Ortega regime; requires a report on such actions not later than one year after enactment (combinable with the CAFTA-DR report); and directs the President to instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to support enhanced UN action on Nicaraguan human rights violations, including investigations since April 2018, a General Assembly resolution condemning political prisoner exiles and attacks on religious freedom, and assistance to relevant UN envoys and rapporteurs.

This section establishes the Protect Honduran Democracy Act, which (1) directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to promote free and fair Honduran elections on November 30, 2025, including support for monitoring by organizations such as the Organization of American States, European Union, United Nations, and civil society to prevent candidate harassment, misuse of state resources, violence or intimidation, and to ensure freedom of speech and assembly and transparent results; (2) authorizes grants to nongovernmental organizations to monitor those elections and assess their freeness and fairness; and (3) encourages the Secretary to promote voting in those elections by Honduran citizens residing in the United States.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that (1) the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs should raise concerns about the dangers of Russian military buildup and potential hostilities in the Baltic region, including the Suwałki Gap, Kaliningrad, and the Baltic states; and (2) the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, acting through the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, should diplomatically engage the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to prioritize the safety and security of the Baltic region.

This section revises subsection (c) of Section 1316 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (establishing the Israel-Greece-Cyprus-U.S. ("3+1") Interparliamentary Group to facilitate legislative dialogue on Eastern Mediterranean security) by— (1) establishing a legislative subcomponent, the Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and United States Interparliamentary Eastern Mediterranean Security Cooperation Group, with up to 6 U.S. Senators and 6 U.S. House Members (including 2 from appropriate congressional committees), which must meet at least twice yearly with Israeli, Cypriot, and Greek parliamentary counterparts to discuss counterterrorism and maritime security; and (2) establishing an executive subcomponent, the Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and United States Interexecutive Eastern Mediterranean Security Cooperation Group, with one officer each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, which should meet with Israeli, Cypriot, and Greek executive counterparts on the same topics. The section also extends the sunset of Section 1316 to December 31, 2027 (from four years after enactment).

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available on the Department of State's website, a report—not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for three years—assessing the level of access granted by authorities of the People's Republic of China to U.S. diplomats and other officials, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas. The report must include (1) a comparison with access to other areas of China; (2) a comparison between access to Tibetan areas and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces; (3) a comparison of access levels in the reporting year versus the previous year; and (4) a description of required permits and other measures impeding freedom of travel in Tibetan areas. This section further authorizes the Assistant Secretary, after the first report, to incorporate subsequent reports into other publicly available annual Department reports if submitted to the committees specifying fulfillment of these requirements.

This section establishes in the Department of State a Center for Conflict Analysis, Planning, and Prevention, headed by a director reporting directly to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs. The Center conducts data analysis and strategic planning on conflict prevention, mitigation, and negotiations to develop policy options and provide expertise to the Under Secretary and regional bureau Assistant Secretaries. In addition, the Center may (1) develop advanced analytic methodologies, data, and tools for conflict trend assessments; (2) forecast violent conflict hotspots affecting U.S. national security or foreign policy; (3) analyze conflict dynamics to advise on program goals, burden-sharing, and resource metrics; (4) support peace processes and mediation strategies; (5) coordinate Global Fragility Act implementation; (6) conduct strategic gaming, red teaming, and tabletop exercises; and (7) support Foreign Service Officer training on conflict prevention, including under the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018. The Under Secretary must disseminate the Center's products to relevant Department and U.S. government stakeholders, and the Center comprises no more than 20 full-time employees, including personnel for temporary deployments to conflict-affected or at-risk embassies. The section defines "red team" as contrarian structured analytic techniques to challenge assumptions and test vulnerabilities.

This section establishes biennial reporting requirements on implementation of the Global Fragility Strategy (i.e., a 10-year interagency plan under the Global Fragility Act of 2019 to stabilize conflict-affected areas, prevent violent conflict, and address fragility causes such as weak governance and extremism). Through December 31, 2029, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs must submit unclassified reports (which may include classified annexes) to congressional committees describing (1) incorporation of the strategy into country and regional plans, (2) funding obligated in the prior two years and projected for the next two years, (3) progress toward targets and metrics in priority countries and regions, and (4) program changes based on monitoring and evaluation. The Departments of State and Defense must also provide briefings to congressional committees upon request.

This section expands the authorized uses of the Prevention and Stabilization Fund—established to support stabilization in conflict-affected areas and prevent fragility, including through implementation of the Global Fragility Strategy (i.e., a 10-year U.S. plan to prevent conflict and promote stability in priority countries and regions)—to include administrative and other expenses (e.g., operation, management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning) for Global Fragility Strategy programs and activities, including diplomatic and operational efforts in countries and regions selected by the President, notwithstanding any other provision of law. The section further authorizes Economic Support Fund (ESF) amounts—flexible U.S. foreign assistance for economic development and security programs—to be used for similar administrative purposes related to Global Fragility Strategy implementation for Prevention and Stabilization Fund programs in any fiscal year and related agency efforts, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

This section revises the expedited process for Presidential permits—authorizations to construct, maintain, and operate international bridges or land border facilities (33 U.S.C. 535 et seq.)—as follows: (1) expands eligible applicants to any entity submitting an application for an international bridge or land port of entry between the United States and Mexico or Canada (previously limited to applications submitted from December 1, 2020, through December 31, 2024, for specific bridges in Webb, Cameron, and Maverick Counties, Texas); (2) includes land ports of entry within the definition of Presidential permit and throughout the application, recommendation, and approval process; (3) specifies that U.S. foreign policy interests are the sole basis for the Secretary of State's recommendation to the President (previously the basis, without "sole"); and (4) prohibits the Secretary from compiling or considering any environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for these permits. (Thus, the 60-day recommendation deadline and 60-day presidential decision deadline—with automatic approval for inaction—apply without NEPA review.)

This section directs the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs, in consultation with the heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies, to develop a strategy to manage the security of subsea infrastructure that includes (1) information sharing with U.S. allies and partners on damaged subsea infrastructure; (2) best practices for protecting subsea infrastructure from intentional or unintentional interference or damage; (3) an assessment of foreign adversarial threats to subsea infrastructure, including in the Baltic Sea, Indo-Pacific, and other strategic regions; (4) development of joint response procedures with allies and partners for incidents involving subsea infrastructure compromise or damage; (5) promotion of U.S. leadership in setting international standards for subsea infrastructure security and resilience; and (6) a risk assessment of existing U.S. subsea infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize protection and resource allocation efforts. Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary must submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the strategy in unclassified form, which may include a separate classified annex.

This section authorizes and directs the Secretary of State to advance U.S. foreign policy goals through demining and conventional weapons stockpile security activities (i.e., Department of State programs to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance and to secure or destroy excess munitions in partner countries to prevent accidents and proliferation). The specified purposes include saving lives and enabling safe return to land; facilitating agriculture, particularly in Ukraine for global food security; clearing explosive threats for infrastructure; public education on risks and U.S. efforts; advancing U.S. business interests; integrating with other assistance; and building partnerships with allies. The section further requires (1) a report to the appropriate congressional committees from the Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, due not later than one year after enactment, detailing prior-year programming, assessments of methods and outcomes, and implementing partners; and (2) briefings on these matters from the same official, due not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter until December 18, 2028.

This section authorizes the Undersecretary for International Security Affairs to provide assistance to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia using funds from the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) account for (1) developing or updating national surveys of landmines, unexploded ordnance, and other explosive remnants of war; (2) clearing such remnants; (3) managing stockpiles of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition; and (4) capacity building, risk education, destruction, and physical security related to such remnants. The section requires coordination with international organizations, civil society, donor governments, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and minimize duplication. It also directs a report to the appropriate congressional committees (i.e., the Committees on Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Appropriations of the House and Senate) by June 27, 2026, on program progress and NADR funding status, including obligated and unallocated amounts, contributions to clearance efforts, estimates of cleared and contaminated land, and U.S. collaboration with Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia on nationwide contamination databases. The section defines "unexploded ordnance" by reference to 10 U.S.C. §101.

This section requires Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program funds estimated for outlay to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in FY2026 through FY2029 to be disbursed within 30 days of enactment into an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, subject to the following conditions: (1) withdrawals only upon authenticated instructions from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service of the Department of Defense; (2) upon account closure, the balance transfers promptly to the FMF appropriations account; and (3) interest may not be obligated without notification to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (FMF provides grants or loans to foreign countries, including U.S. ally Jordan, for purchasing U.S. military equipment, training, and services.)

This section suspends the application of subsection (b) of section 514 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b))—which limits additions to war reserve stockpiles of defense articles in foreign countries to $500 million total in FY2026 ($200 million for Israel)—for defense articles set aside, earmarked, reserved, or intended for stockpiles in Israel. (As background, war reserve stockpiles contain U.S. defense articles prepositioned abroad for rapid use by allies in contingencies.)

This section expands counterterrorism assistance authorities by (1) authorizing assistance to enhance the abilities of foreign law enforcement, intelligence, and military personnel (previously, law enforcement personnel only) to deter international terrorist acts; and (2) authorizing such assistance to include information sharing with United States law enforcement (in addition to training, equipment for bomb detection and disposal, hostage management, physical security, and related counterterrorism activities). (As background, these authorities enable the President to furnish assistance to foreign countries notwithstanding certain statutory restrictions on foreign aid.)

This section terminates the U.S. policy of denial for exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles and services destined for or originating in the Republic of Cyprus (i.e., lifts the longstanding arms embargo on Cyprus), effective on the date of enactment, if the request is made by or on behalf of the Cypriot government and the end-user is that government. The termination does not apply to denials based on credible human rights concerns and may be waived by the President for one fiscal year if essential to U.S. national security interests. The President may further terminate the provision for the five-year period beginning five years after enactment (and renew for subsequent five-year periods) upon certifying to the appropriate congressional committees—Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Armed Services of the House, and Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Armed Services of the Senate—that Cyprus is no longer (1) cooperating with the United States on anti-money laundering regulatory reforms and financial oversight and (2) denying Russian military vessels access to its ports for refueling and servicing. (As background, the policy of denial has effectively barred U.S. arms exports to Cyprus since 1987 amid Greek-Turkish tensions over the island's division.)

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, not later than 270 days after enactment, to establish and submit to Congress a strategy to strengthen subnational U.S.-Mexico cooperation to combat fentanyl and other synthetic opioid trafficking. The strategy must address (1) enhancing law enforcement cooperation among local, state, and federal security forces through technical assistance, professional development exchange programs, and data sharing; (2) bolstering subnational dialogue and capacity building involving federal and local governments, civil society, faith-based organizations, and business leaders to address local community issues; and (3) strengthening capacity building and resources for border towns and community organizations.

This section authorizes the Secretary of State to provide assistance under the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account (i.e., chapter 8 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961) to eligible countries that enter into a multiyear International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Compact. (As background, INCLE assistance supports foreign countries' counternarcotics efforts, anti-corruption initiatives, and criminal justice capacity building.) A Compact must include (1) shared objectives, responsibilities, benchmarks, and a multiyear financial plan specifying U.S. and country contributions; (2) fiscal accountability, competitive procurement, and sustainability strategies; (3) country contributions additional to prior-year spending and scaled to economic conditions; and (4) exemptions for U.S. assistance from host-country taxation. The section further requires consultations with U.S. agencies, host-country stakeholders, and donors; limits Compact duration to five years; allows one concurrent Compact for regional cooperation and subsequent Compacts if progress is demonstrated; mandates 15-day congressional and public reporting for increases or extensions; and permits pre-Compact facilitation grants, with all assistance subject to existing restrictions.

This section directs the Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs and in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to work with national and subnational law enforcement authorities in Western Hemisphere countries to increase their voluntary participation in ATF's eTrace program (i.e., a web-based firearms tracing system available to accredited domestic and international law enforcement agencies to assist in tracing U.S.-sourced firearms), including by providing relevant translation services. It further requires the Secretary to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on implementation of these efforts not later than two years after the date of enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of State to lead diplomatic engagement and negotiations for section 123 agreements under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153)—bilateral pacts authorizing transfers of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology subject to nonproliferation safeguards—by (1) pursuing at least 20 new such agreements before January 3, 2029; (2) pursuing, where in the U.S. interest, renegotiation or renewal of agreements expiring before 10 years after enactment of this Act; and (3) ensuring new or renegotiated agreements adhere to the highest safety, security, and nonproliferation standards, including where appropriate the "gold standard" forgoing enrichment or reprocessing of nuclear material. The section further requires the Secretary, in consultation with other federal agencies, to implement a program enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. nuclear suppliers, investors, and lenders by (1) expediting intergovernmental nuclear energy and fuel supply agreements; (2) promoting adherence to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage; (3) identifying and recommending relief from statutory and regulatory export burdens; (4) encouraging foreign adoption of U.S. nuclear technology, fuel, equipment, and services; and (5) ensuring compliance with legal, nonproliferation, safety, security, and safeguards standards. Finally, this section requires the Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Nonproliferation to submit to appropriate congressional committees, not later than one year after enactment, a report on section 123 agreement engagements that includes (1) countries pursued in the prior year; (2) analysis of civil nuclear competition with Russia and China; and (3) waivers under the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act (Public Law 118–62).

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to develop a strategy to strengthen U.S.-European nuclear energy cooperation and combat Russian malign influence in Europe's nuclear energy sector. The strategy must assess (1) U.S. efforts to promote American nuclear industry participation and competitiveness against Russian and Chinese technologies in Europe; (2) roles, challenges, nonproliferation impacts, and opportunities for various reactor types (e.g., large light-water reactors, small modular reactors, non-light-water reactors) in reducing Russian influence through 2050; (3) implications of fuel cycles (e.g., low enriched uranium, high-assay low enriched uranium, spent fuel reprocessing) for eliminating Russian market share by 2030, enhancing energy security, and upholding nonproliferation standards; (4) potential of U.S.-funded reactor designs and fuel cycle technologies to counter Russian dominance across the nuclear supply chain; (5) U.S. diplomatic engagements; (6) analyses of European countries' nuclear policies, existing and potential U.S. cooperation, and fuel types used; (7) Russian and Chinese influence; (8) U.S. efforts with allies to counter Russian influence; (9) balancing collaboration with commercial competitiveness among U.S. and allied firms; and (10) Rosatom's strengths and vulnerabilities. The Secretary must submit the strategy to appropriate congressional committees within 180 days of enactment in unclassified form, with a separate classified annex if needed.

This section authorizes the Bureau of Counterterrorism of the Department of State to access, obtain, and use information maintained by other federal departments or agencies to formulate, implement, or oversee international counterterrorism policies, programs, operations, or assistance—including for identifying threats, supporting policy decisions and designations, countering terrorism (including terrorist travel), improving interagency coordination, and advancing national security objectives. It further authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into interagency agreements to facilitate secure information exchanges (including intelligence and law enforcement data) and requires the Bureau to implement safeguards to protect privacy, civil liberties, and sensitive or classified information.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, to develop a strategy to preserve U.S. leadership in advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The strategy must assess monitoring methods for covered AI systems developed or deployed by adversaries (e.g., China); propose international commitments to restrict such systems; identify verification and enforcement mechanisms (e.g., hardware safeguards, data center inspections); evaluate evasion techniques and countermeasures; examine diplomatic strategies to deter adversaries (including ally coordination); and provide policy recommendations with a prioritized list of verification methods feasible within five years via research and development. Not later than two years after enactment, the Assistant Secretaries shall submit the strategy to the appropriate congressional committees and provide timely updates on significant developments in advanced AI during that period. The section defines "covered AI systems" as advanced AI with critical capabilities (e.g., matching or exceeding human expert performance in high-risk domains such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear matters, cyber offense, or persuasion; high autonomy without human oversight; or self-improvement) that pose a grave national security threat if developed, acquired, deployed, or stolen by adversaries.

This section requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report to the appropriate congressional committees not later than June 30 each year describing U.S. and foreign anti-trafficking efforts relative to the minimum standards in section 108 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7106), the scope of trafficking by country, and trend analyses, covering activities from April 1 of the prior year through March 31 of the report year. (As background, the TIP report assesses countries against TVPA minimum standards for eliminating severe forms of trafficking in persons and tiers them accordingly: Tier 1 for full compliance; Tier 2 for significant efforts toward compliance; and Tier 3 for neither.) The report must include (1) lists of countries in each tier based solely on concrete actions during the reporting period; (2) multilateral organization measures to prevent employee or peacekeeping involvement in trafficking; (3) global trafficking patterns, including victim data disaggregated by nationality, gender, and age to the extent available; (4) emerging issues; (5) a section on promising practices using innovation and technology; (6) explanations for tier changes linked to section 108 standards; and (7) organ removal trafficking information. This section further requires, concurrent with determinations under TVPA section 110 (22 U.S.C. 7107), a Tier 2 Watch List of countries needing special scrutiny due to very significant or increasing trafficking victims without proportional actions or insufficient evidence of increased anti-trafficking efforts from the prior year; an interim progress assessment for listed countries by February 1; a statement that Watch List placement does not affect future tier determinations; and, after December 23, 2008, automatic inclusion on the Tier 3 list after two consecutive years on the Watch List unless the President waives for up to one year based on credible evidence.

This section revises the administration of the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, established by the CHIPS Act of 2022 to promote secure supply chains for semiconductors, communications technology, and related areas, by designating the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (from the Secretary of State) to oversee and administer the fund within the Department of State.

This section establishes a reporting requirement, led by the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats, Chief Information Officer of the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Environment Affairs, to coordinate science, technology, and communication infrastructure policy across Department of State bureaus and avoid unclear lines of responsibility. Not later than six months after enactment, the heads of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Bureau of Emerging Threats, Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, and Office of Space Affairs must submit an unclassified report (with a possible classified annex) to the appropriate congressional committees assessing coordination efforts and challenges (e.g., uncertainty over lead roles, duplication of efforts, misassigned personnel, or exclusions from discussions) and outlining deconfliction steps; semiannual briefings with updated information must follow. The requirement sunsets two years after enactment.

This section establishes the Initiative on Foreign Investment Screening within the Department of State, to be created by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Growth not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, led by a designated official, and coordinated with other relevant federal departments and agencies. The Initiative must (1) provide technical assistance, training, and advisory services to foreign countries on best practices for screening foreign investments for national security risks; (2) facilitate coordination among federal departments and agencies, the private sector, partner countries, and civil society to promote investment security standards; (3) support partner countries' development and implementation of screening mechanisms through regulatory guidance and information sharing; (4) assess partner countries' progress in establishing robust screening mechanisms; and (5) conduct outreach and capacity-building to enhance global awareness of investment security risks. This section sunsets three years after the Initiative's establishment.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Economic Growth to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the activities of the Investment Screening Initiative program (i.e., a program providing technical assistance to foreign countries to develop investment screening mechanisms akin to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States), not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter for three years. The report must include (1) a summary of technical assistance and training provided to foreign countries, (2) an assessment of progress made by foreign countries in implementing investment screening mechanisms, (3) an evaluation of emerging national security risks related to foreign investment, and (4) recommendations for further U.S. engagement with foreign countries regarding investment security assistance.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, to develop a strategy to preserve U.S. leadership in advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that includes (1) methods to monitor covered AI systems developed or deployed by adversaries such as China; (2) proposals for foreign commitments to restrict such systems; (3) monitoring, verification, and enforcement mechanisms (e.g., hardware safeguards, data center inspections); (4) assessments of evasion techniques and countermeasures; (5) diplomatic strategies for scenarios where the U.S. delays its own covered AI development; and (6) limitations analysis with policy recommendations, including a prioritized list of verification methods for research and development feasible or enhanced within five years. The Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace and Digital Diplomacy must submit a report containing the strategy to appropriate congressional committees not later than two years after enactment of this Act and, during that two-year period, provide notifications on significant developments in advanced AI affecting U.S. national security. The section defines "covered AI systems" as advanced AI with critical capabilities (e.g., matching human expert performance in high-risk domains such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear matters or cyber offense) that pose a grave national security threat if developed, acquired, deployed, or stolen by adversaries.

This section authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant agencies, to establish the Global Small Business Network program under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Commercial Diplomacy, who must designate a director from Department employees. The program aims to (1) enhance export capabilities of U.S. small businesses affiliated with small business development centers, (2) facilitate international partners for those businesses, (3) promote foreign small businesses and networks, and (4) develop small business development centers abroad, particularly in the Western Hemisphere and new markets.

This section establishes a grant program administered by the Assistant Secretary for Commercial Diplomacy to award grants to qualified entities (i.e., certain institutions of higher education or their consortia, or nonprofits experienced in U.S. small business development centers) for (1) assisting foreign national or local governments to develop small business development centers; (2) promoting economic connectivity between U.S. small business concerns and economies covered by the Global Small Business Network program; or (3) supporting improvements to the business environment that facilitate small business growth in foreign countries. The section defines "small business concern" as under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)) and "small business development center" to include U.S. centers authorized under that Act (including women's business centers) as well as foreign entities providing small business-oriented employment or natural resources programs, management and technical assistance, international market participation support, service delivery, or access to business analysts.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Commercial Diplomacy, in consultation with heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of the Global Small Business Network (i.e., a program to support U.S. small business exports through overseas small business development centers) not later than one year after enactment and every two years thereafter for four years. The report must include (1) an assessment of support provided to U.S. small businesses utilizing the network, including the number of businesses supported by geographic location, jobs supported, and economic activity generated; (2) methods and strategies to develop small business development centers in foreign countries for the subsequent two-year period; (3) a list and current status of all operating such centers abroad affiliated with the network; and (4) a list and current status of all new such centers established in the prior two-year period, even if no longer affiliated.

This section authorizes the Undersecretary for Strategic Assistance to provide assistance to monitor and treat global malnutrition when deemed in U.S. interests, at the Undersecretary's discretion, in coordination with the Department of State's Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, Office of Global Food Security, and Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance (with consultation by the primary implementing office or bureau with relevant regional bureaus). The section assigns primary duties to the Office of Global Food Security, including (1) strategic oversight of the nutrition component of humanitarian programming; (2) promoting partner-country ownership and leadership in nutrition programs, including in new planning contexts; (3) coordinating with interagency, multilateral, and other partners, including under Food for Peace (i.e., USAID food aid program), Feed the Future Initiative (i.e., U.S. global hunger reduction effort), Department of Agriculture programs, Famine Early Warning Systems Network, United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, and other mechanisms; and (4) providing technical or programmatic assistance, upon request, to the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy or regional bureaus. Additionally, the section authorizes (5) the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy to provide technical support to the Office of Global Food Security and request nutrition assistance for global health programs where acute malnutrition is prevalent; (6) the Undersecretary for Strategic Assistance (via the Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance) to provide technical support to the Office of Global Food Security on refugee and migration-related nutrition aligned with existing assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons, prioritizing children under age 5 and pregnant and lactating women through cost-effective interventions such as multiple micronutrient supplementation, breastfeeding support, vitamin A supplementation, and specialized nutritious foods for acute malnutrition treatment (with transition to partner-country ownership); and (7) rigorous monitoring and evaluation of all such efforts.

This section requires the Secretary of State, assisted by the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom and considering recommendations of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, to submit an Annual Report on International Religious Freedom to Congress on May 1 each year (or the next day both Houses are in session), supplementing the most recent Human Rights Reports. The report must cover, for each foreign country, (1) the status of religious freedom, including trends toward improvement or deterioration, government-tolerated violations (particularly severe violations and visa denials for religious workers), identification of prisoners, online censorship of religious content, and antisemitism (with government responses); (2) the nature and extent of violations, including intergroup persecution, government policies (e.g., bans on ritual animal slaughter or male infant circumcision, restrictions on public worship or political involvement, limits on religious services outside diplomatic premises, and forced conversions of abducted minor U.S. citizens); (3) U.S. actions, coordination, and policies under titles I, IV, and V of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 supporting religious freedom; (4) any binding U.S. agreements with foreign governments under specified IRFA provisions; (5) training on religious freedom violations for immigration judges, consular, refugee, immigration, and asylum officers (citing 8 U.S.C. 1157(f), 22 U.S.C. 4028, and 22 U.S.C. 6473(b)-(c)) and related guidelines (22 U.S.C. 6472(c) and 6473(a)); and (6) an executive summary on religious freedom status in select countries and U.S. promotion efforts.

This section declares it to be the policy of the United States (1) to leverage U.S. diplomatic engagement and foreign assistance to promote the rule of law and good governance; (2) to coordinate with like-minded states to counter corruption, kleptocracy, and illicit finance; (3) to help foreign partner countries strengthen their legal and financial architecture to better combat corruption by malign actors; (4) to assist in the recovery of kleptocracy-related stolen assets, including through the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; and (5) to use existing authorities, such as the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020, to identify and sanction corrupt foreign actors credibly and impartially.

This section directs the Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, in consultation with the Secretary, to establish and maintain a program for recruiting, training, and retaining specialized disaster assistance professionals within the Department. The program ensures the Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance has personnel skilled in procurement, logistics, public health, nutrition, protection, engineering, and finance to manage complex international disaster assistance operations and requires these professionals to receive regular training.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Global Health to participate in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an international partnership developing vaccines against epidemic threats, if determined to be in the U.S. interest for biodefense, global health security, and force protection. The section requires the Assistant Secretary to (1) designate a Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy employee as the U.S. representative on CEPI's Investors Council and Board of Directors, with U.S. funding contingent on such designation; (2) coordinate with relevant federal agencies and department bureaus; and (3) ensure the designated representative consults with specified congressional committees within 60 days of designation and upon request regarding U.S. participation plans, financial contributions, benefits, support for revisions to the National Biodefense Strategy (6 U.S.C. 104), and overlaps with U.S. global health interests.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Global Health, through FY2027, to provide targeted assistance to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in countries with high rates where other U.S. global health programs operate and U.S. interests are served, at the Assistant Secretary's discretion. Such assistance may include technical support for partner countries' data collection and analysis on mortality rates and activities under the Safe Passages program; must prioritize high-impact, efficient interventions and U.S. commodities where beneficial; and must be incorporated into global health compacts with partner country transition targets. The section further directs the Bureau for Global Health Security and Diplomacy to implement common indicators and budget tags to track maternal and child health funding—defined as interventions funded through the Maternal and Child Health sub-account of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations—by country, year, and intervention area.

This section authorizes extension of the privileges, exemptions, and immunities of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.)—which generally provides diplomatic protections to designated public international organizations—to the Pacific Islands Forum (i.e., the primary regional body for cooperation among Pacific island countries and territories, including Australia and New Zealand), subject to the same conditions applicable to other such organizations entitled to U.S. participation by treaty or congressional act.

This section requires the Assistant Secretary for International Organizations Affairs, not later than one year after enactment of this Act and for each of the next two years, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on metrics of success for U.S. participation in international organizations (i.e., those granted privileges, exemptions, and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act, 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.). The report must (1) identify metrics including the number of resolutions successfully revised to benefit the United States (with descriptions) and the success of U.S.-funded programs; (2) determine, based on those metrics, whether such participation serves the U.S. national interest; and (3) provide a strategic and performance plan for the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and its missions regarding U.S. participation in those organizations.

This section directs the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, by March 31 each year, an annual report assessing foreign countries' voting practices at the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council during the preceding calendar year, including evaluations of those governments' responsiveness to U.S. policy on issues of special importance to the United States. The report, with information compiled by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, must include (1) analyses of member countries' support for U.S. policy objectives and consensus actions; (2) listings, descriptions, and comparisons of General Assembly plenary votes on issues directly affecting important U.S. interests (including those lobbied extensively by the U.S. and resolutions specifically related to Israel opposed by the U.S.), displayed by country and U.N. regional caucus groups; (3) Security Council vote comparisons; and (4) side-by-side comparisons of each country's agreement with the U.S. on important and overall votes. Specified vote information under (2) must be submitted as a public addendum with statistical methodology, and the report must contain a Secretary's statement on measures taken to inform U.S. diplomatic missions of U.N. activities.

This section requires the Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs to submit to the specified congressional committees—not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for three years—an unclassified report (which may include a classified annex) on malign influence operations (i.e., coordinated applications by a UN Member State of diplomatic, informational, military, economic, or other capabilities to influence UN entities in ways inconsistent with the UN Charter) within international organizations and across the United Nations system. For the preceding 12-month period, each report must include (1) a list of UN Member States engaged in such operations; (2) actions by those states inconsistent with UN Charter impartiality; (3) the impact on U.S. interests and security; and (4) recommendations for coordination with allies to promote transparency and rule-of-law values in international forums.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary of International Organizations Affairs to annually review and update the Department of State's strategy for increasing U.S. citizen employment in international organizations, including the United Nations system, using performance metrics to measure success and incorporating (1) use of online recruiting sites to advertise United Nations system positions (potentially implemented by the U.S. mission to the United Nations) and (2) outreach to Foreign Service test and internship candidates via the International Organizations careers web page. It requires the strategy's performance metrics—comparing data since the 2023 strategy—to include (1) year-over-year numbers of new and total U.S. citizens employed per organization by employment type (e.g., detailee, direct hire); (2) year-over-year U.S. citizen applicants for positions; (3) outreach contacts, response times, and applicant success rates; and (4) social media engagement metrics. This section further requires notification to Congress of the updated strategy and metrics and directs the Assistant Secretary to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for three years, a report assessing (1) U.S. representation in professional and senior-level United Nations positions (including proportions, compliance with geographic distribution formulas in coordination with the State Department Inspector General, and U.S. steps to increase staffing) and (2) U.S. citizen participation in junior professional programs and internships (including distribution, pre-deployment training, and conversions to full-time United Nations employment).

This section prohibits U.S. funds from being made available for any grant, payment, or other contribution to the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (a body established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 to investigate alleged human rights violations by Israel, Palestinian armed groups, and others in the region).

This section extends to the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by permanent missions to the United Nations of member states (and their members), subject to corresponding conditions and obligations. (Previously, Section 12(b) of the International Organizations Immunities Act extended such privileges only to the African Union Mission.)

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies, in the event of a U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), to maintain communications with WHO leadership on technical exchanges of information and data determined to have public health value while protecting U.S. citizens. Such information and data includes health emergency response, global health security, and pandemic, epidemic, and epizootic disease surveillance, monitoring, and reporting. (Thus, the provision ensures continued U.S. participation in global health security efforts post-withdrawal.)

This section requires all programs, projects, activities, goods, services, and publications funded by U.S. foreign assistance to prominently display the U.S. flag as the sole and primary brand, notwithstanding any other provision of law. It directs the Secretary of State to issue regulations establishing guidelines for flag display—including minimum size, color accuracy, placement, and design elements—on (1) physical assets and infrastructure (e.g., buildings, equipment, vehicles); (2) commodities and supplies (e.g., food aid, medical supplies); (3) public outreach materials (e.g., banners, posters, websites, social media); (4) reports and publications; and (5) signage at project sites and events. The section prohibits other national flags, organizational logos, or branding elements alongside or in place of the U.S. flag, except as authorized by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis for (1) international agreements requiring co-branding; (2) identifying implementing partners, with the U.S. flag remaining most prominent; or (3) safety or security needs in high-risk environments.

This section revises limitations on U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria by (1) reducing the annual cap to the lesser of 20% of total contributions from all sources or $800 million (from 33% excluding contributions from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Monetary Fund) and extending it through 2027 (from 2025); and (2) extending associated reporting requirements through 2027 (from 2025).

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Global Health, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in consultation with the Secretary, to provide assistance for FY2026 and FY2027 to partner countries entering into global health compacts with the United States to (1) support burden-shifting of global health programs to partner countries, (2) perpetuate the wind-down of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and (3) address health security; tuberculosis; malaria; HIV/AIDS; neglected tropical diseases; and other global health assistance as determined by the Assistant Secretary. Each compact must include (1) articulated interests of the partner country (or nongovernmental or private entity) and the United States, (2) proposed funding amount and duration, (3) a phase-out plan reducing U.S. funding annually to enable partner-country ownership, (4) success metrics and annual benchmarks, (5) a private-sector strategy including specified HIV/AIDS viral load testing intervals, (6) a tax exemption for U.S. assistance, and (7) an end date. Assistance may be provided via grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements—but not loans—to national, regional, or local governments; nongovernmental or nonprofit organizations; or private entities, negotiated at the country level with priority for faith-based organizations when in the U.S. national interest. Prohibits compacts with China, North Korea, Cuba; state sponsors of terrorism; countries conducting adverse U.S. intelligence activities; China-funded entities; or the African Union or affiliates. Requires application procedures developed with congressional committees; applies specified fund-use prohibitions under section 104(f)(1)-(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b(f)(1)-(3)); and mandates 15-day congressional notification before commencing negotiations or entering a compact.

This section revises global health security and diplomacy authorities established by Section 5562 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (22 U.S.C. 2151b note) as follows: (1) replaces "Ambassador-at-Large" with "Assistant Secretary" each place it appears; (2) in subsection (e)(1), strikes the reference to the World Health Organization; (3) strikes subsection (f)(2); and (4) in subsection (f)(3), strikes the phrase "in cooperation with the World Health Organization."

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Global Health to consolidate specified global health reports into one searchable annual report due by September 30 each year beginning in 2026, including (1) global health reports required elsewhere in this Act; (2) the Global Fund report under section 202(c) of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7622(c)); (3) the PEPFAR annual report under section 403(a)(4) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7673(a)(4)); (4) the PEPFAR annual treatment report under section 101(g) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7611(g)); (5) health systems strengthening reports under subtitle D of title LV of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (22 U.S.C. 2151b note); (6) the annual nutrition report under the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act (22 U.S.C. 9301 note); (7) the President’s Malaria Initiative report under section 104C of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b–4); (8) maternal and child health reports; and (9) future reporting requirements unless Congress specifies quarterly reporting. For reports unavailable by the deadline, the consolidated report must include a notice listing them and their statutory due dates. This section preserves separate quarterly and expenditure reports related to the Department of State budget and does not limit other required congressional notifications.

This section establishes the Safe Passages Maternal and Child Health Program, authorizing the Assistant Secretary for Global Health to provide assistance to reduce maternal and child mortality in low- and lower-middle-income countries with high maternal and child mortality rates through FY2027. The program supports training and resource assistance for (1) prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of obstetrical hemorrhage and its complications; (2) prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and management of preeclampsia and other hypertensive, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders of pregnancy and their complications up to one year postpartum; (3) prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of infections and their complications associated with ectopic pregnancy, normal pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period; (4) prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and management of obstructed labor, including uterine rupture and obstetric fistulas, and their complications; (5) reduction of fetal, perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality, including stillbirth, by preventing, recognizing, diagnosing, and treating fetal distress, newborn asphyxia, birth trauma, premature birth, small size for gestational age, and neonatal infections and sepsis; and (6) nutritional and health education for the mother and provision of nutritional resources for the mother and child during the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to two years of age. The Assistant Secretary shall prioritize implementation in collaboration with efficient and reliable global health partnerships, prioritizing local faith-based providers and faith-based organizations with strong local partnerships and experience in maternal and child health delivery in resource-limited settings.

This section (1) requires the Secretary of State to appoint a Special Advisor for Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children within 90 days of enactment, pursuant to existing authority (22 U.S.C. 2152f(e)(1)); (2) extends the requirement under section 137(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to issue implementing directives on children in adversity to within 1 year and 6 years (from within 1 year); and (3) extends authorization of the Global Child Thrive Act of 2020 through 2027 (from 2025).

This section establishes the Development Innovation Ventures Program within the relevant foreign assistance agency to provide flexible funding to global innovators and researchers for testing new ideas, building rigorous evidence of effective development solutions, and scaling those with demonstrated cost-effective potential to improve millions of lives. In implementing the program, the agency must prioritize applications based on (1) rigorous evidence of impact, (2) cost-effectiveness, and (3) potential for scale and financial sustainability; use evidence-tiered funding to enable early-stage risk-taking while mitigating risks later; and operate across all countries and sectors supported by agency assistance programs. Not later than 60 days after enactment, the agency must submit to the appropriate congressional committees and make public a report assessing the scale-up of proven solutions inside and outside the agency and describing its decision-making process, including for external funding sources.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications to request that the Office of Opinion Research in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research conduct public opinion surveys to inform the bureau on cultural context, target audiences, and shifting attitudes toward the United States and its interests in regions where U.S.-funded media outlets operate or could operate. The section further requires that office to evaluate the effectiveness of U.S.-funded media in influencing foreign audiences based on purposes, policy goals, and performance indicators established by the Assistant Secretary.

This section requires the Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications to (1) brief the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 180 days after enactment, on the integration and operationalization of the Voice of America (VOA)—the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster—and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which operates Radio and TV Martí targeting Cuba; and (2) submit reports to the same committees by July 1 of each of the first two years following that briefing. Those reports must provide updates on (1) implementation of new programs or services, expansions of programs and services, or reductions of programs and services; (2) performance metrics used to assess the effectiveness of programs and services in advancing U.S. policy interests and positively influencing foreign audiences’ views over time; and (3) all contracts or agreements with private entities or individuals—whether issued competitively or non-competitively—including the identities of such entities and individuals, durations, and costs.

This section establishes the Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee with eight specified members appointed by the Secretaries of Defense, Treasury, Interior, and Homeland Security; the Attorney General; the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner; and the Smithsonian Institution Secretary, plus additional members appointed by the chair. The section further designates an Assistant Secretary or higher at the Department of State as chair to convene meetings at least three times annually; appoint additional members; coordinate with federal agencies; consult nongovernmental organizations; and direct task forces including the Cultural Property Anti-Trafficking Task Force (to support law enforcement, preservation, awareness, and anti-trafficking projects), Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (to protect cultural sites, objects, and expressions at risk from conflict or disaster), Cultural Heritage Exchange Task Force (to promote international loans and research exchanges), and others as needed. This section amends reporting requirements in section 4 of the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act (P.L. 114-151) by (1) extending the annual report on protecting international cultural property until 2031 (from for the next 6 years); (2) requiring a list of completed federal criminal, civil, and forfeiture actions against trafficking, including statutes and regulations used; and (3) adding details on U.S. military cultural property protection personnel under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The section also directs the Secretary of State, to the extent practicable, to include particularly severe instances of cultural property destruction (especially if widespread, systematic, government-tolerated, or targeting ethnic, religious, or Indigenous minorities) in annual human rights reports under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees (1) an initial five-year sports diplomacy strategy within 120 days of enactment to leverage major U.S.-hosted sporting events from 2024 through 2034 (i.e., the "mega-decade of sports," including the 2024 Copa America, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, 2031 Men's and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cups, and 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games) and (2) a subsequent five-year strategy five years later. Each strategy must describe diplomatic objectives and metrics; outline partnerships with local host cities, diaspora communities, athletes, sports industry, private sector, human rights organizations, and civil society; detail internal Department coordination on bilateral engagements, public diplomacy, and commercial diplomacy; plan for expeditious visa processing; identify required financial and personnel resources; address deployment of domestic public diplomacy resources; be made publicly available on the Department's website within 180 days of enactment (and again five years later); and follow consultations with congressional committees and semiannual implementation updates through December 31, 2034. This section further requires the Secretary of State, within 90 days of enactment, to rename the Department's sports diplomacy division as the Office of Sports Diplomacy (reporting to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs), assign not fewer than three additional full-time equivalent (non-dual-hatted) employees to the office through December 31, 2034 (via flexible hiring authorities or realignment), and direct the office to manage sports diplomacy programs, implement the strategy, coordinate across bureaus and interagency stakeholders, partner with host cities and diaspora communities, engage the sports industry, promote U.S. arts and culture, and facilitate visa processing. Finally, this section requires the Secretary to submit annual reports on implementation progress, beginning one year after the initial strategy and continuing through December 31, 2034.

This section establishes authority for the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to create reciprocal exchange programs assigning Department of State officers or employees—including those appointed under title 5, U.S. Code, and members of the Foreign Service (as defined in 22 U.S.C. 3903 to include chiefs of mission, ambassadors at large, senior Foreign Service members, Foreign Service officers and personnel, foreign national employees, and consular agents)—to a foreign government or international entity for periods of not more than one year. The section specifies that (1) Foreign Service members retain their salary and benefits during such assignments; (2) non-Foreign Service Department employees are treated as detailed to an international organization under 5 U.S.C. 3343(c); and (3) foreign participants are paid by their government or entity without Department reimbursement. It further authorizes non-reciprocal assignments if in the U.S. interest, with or without reimbursement, and includes a rule of construction prohibiting use of the authority to appoint individuals with non-U.S. allegiance or who fail to meet federal employment eligibility requirements under specified title 5, U.S. Code, provisions.

This section directs the Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic Communications, in consultation with relevant agencies, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on (1) transnational repression of speech in the United States, (2) U.S. government responses to such repression, and (3) recommendations to address it—not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for two years.