H.R. 8574 — U.S. in Expos Act

This section states congressional findings concerning the historical, cultural, diplomatic, and competitive importance of U.S. participation in international expositions (Expos); the State Department's role in managing such participation; funding restrictions since 1994 that led to reliance on private donations, missed opportunities (e.g., Hanover 2000, Zaragoza 2008), and host-country support for Expo 2020 Dubai; and the success of $25 million in FY2023 funding for the U.S. pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which drew tens of millions of visitors.

This section repeals the prohibition on using Department of State funds for U.S. pavilions at international fairs or expositions abroad registered by the Bureau of International Expositions (22 U.S.C. 2452b). (As background, the repealed provision generally barred such funding expenditures to limit federal support for foreign-hosted events promoting U.S. commercial interests.) It requires (1) notification to the House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees at least 15 days prior to obligating such funds, including the fund source (e.g., reprogrammed amounts), estimated U.S. investment benefits, non-federal funding sources, and certifications by fund recipients that they comply with host-country labor laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, other anti-corruption laws, and do not employ trafficking victims; and (2) a report to those committees within 180 days of the pavilion's opening detailing participating U.S. businesses and non-federal funds obtained.