[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5245 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5245
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 10, 2025
Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the
Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(2) the term ``consular services'' means--
(A) the adjudication and issuance of visas;
(B) the performance of notarial and other
legalization functions; the adjudication of passport
applications; the adjudication of nationality;
(C) the issuance of citizenship documentation; and
(D) the protection and welfare of United States
citizens abroad as permitted by law;
(3) the term ``Department'' means the Department of State;
and
(4) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State.
TITLE II--MANAGEMENT
Subtitle A--Under Secretary for Management
SEC. 201. UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be in the Department an Under
Secretary of State for Management who shall be responsible to the
Secretary for matters pertaining to the management and administration
of the Department, including management integration and transformation
in support of foreign operations and programs, and such other related
duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall
maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to the management, development, and administration of the
Department in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as
appropriate--
(1) acquisitions and asset management;
(2) human resources and personnel management;
(3) matters related to the clinical, occupational, and
mental health programs of the Department;
(4) information technology and communications systems,
including policies and directives to achieve and maintain
interoperable communications among the components of the
Department;
(5) domestic and overseas facilities, property, equipment,
vehicle fleets, and other material resources;
(6) security for personnel, information technology and
communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and
other material resources; and
(7) consular affairs and services.
(c) Protection of Historic and Artistic Furnishings of Reception
Areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal Building.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary for Management shall
administer the historic and artistic articles of furniture,
fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas of the
Department by such means and measures as conform to the
purposes of the reception areas, which include conserving those
articles, fixtures, and objects and providing for their
enjoyment in such manner and by such means as will leave them
for the use of the American people. Nothing shall be done under
this paragraph which conflicts with the administration of the
Department or with the use of the reception areas for official
purposes of the United States Government.
(2) Disposition of historic and artistic items.--
(A) Items covered.--Articles of furniture,
fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas
(and similar articles, fixtures, and objects acquired
by the Secretary), when declared by the Secretary to be
of historic or artistic interest, shall thereafter be
considered to be the property of the Secretary in the
Secretary's official capacity and shall be subject to
disposition solely in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Sale or trade.--Whenever the Under Secretary
for Management determines that--
(i) any item described in subparagraph (A)
is no longer needed for use or display in the
reception areas, or
(ii) in order to upgrade the reception
areas, a better use of that article would be
its sale or exchange,
the Under Secretary may, with the advice and
concurrence of the Secretary and Director of the
National Gallery of Art, sell the item at fair market
value or trade it, without regard to the requirements
of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
of 1949. The proceeds of any such sale may be credited
to the unconditional gift account of the Department,
and items obtained in trade shall be the property of
the Secretary under this paragraph.
(C) Smithsonian institution.--The Under Secretary
for Management may also lend items described in
subparagraph (A), when not needed for use or display in
the reception areas, to the Smithsonian Institution or
a similar institution for care, repair, study, storage,
or exhibition.
(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``reception
areas'' means the areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal
Building, located at 2201 C Street, Northwest, Washington,
District of Columbia, known as the Diplomatic Reception Rooms
(eighth floor), the Secretary's offices (seventh floor), the
Deputy Secretary of State's offices (seventh floor), and the
seventh floor reception area.
SEC. 202. OFFICE OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
There shall be in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, to be
appointed by the Secretary, who shall lead the Office of Medical
Services and shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management
for matters pertaining to the clinical and mental health programs of
the Department, in accordance with the needs of the Department and at
the direction of the Secretary, and all related activities as
prescribed in section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4048).
SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary under
section 131, the Under Secretary for Management shall receive the funds
necessary to fulfill the Under Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle B--Administration
SEC. 211. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Administration who shall be responsible to the
Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to enterprise
logistics, knowledge management, acquisition, and other operational
services worldwide in support of United States foreign policy, and such
other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Administration
shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to administrative matters of the Department in the conduct
of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) providing global logistics support for the people and
programs of United States diplomacy;
(2) managing the Department's domestic safety, occupational
health, and multimedia services;
(3) developing and coordinating policies, regulations,
standards, and procedures to administer government-wide
allowances;
(4) providing planning, training, and exercises of
emergency management to ensure preparedness for the
Department's leadership and workforce to respond to and recover
from all domestic hazards affecting the Department and to
ensure the continuation of the Department's mission in
conjunction with United States partners;
(5) overseeing global publishing by providing design,
print, and copier management services to the Department
domestically and overseas;
(6) advancing United States security and prosperity by
providing foreign language support for the Department, the
Executive Office of the President, and all other Federal
entities;
(7) promoting quality educational opportunities at the
elementary and secondary level for dependents of United States
citizens carrying out the programs of the United States
Government abroad;
(8) ensuring the Department safeguards privacy and promotes
transparency through compliance, advice, training,
collaboration and records management; and
(9) performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 212. BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Administration, which shall perform such functions related to support
programs for the Department and United States embassies and consulates,
including enterprise logistics, knowledge management, and other
worldwide operational services, as the Under Secretary for Management
may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall be at
the head of the Bureau of Administration.
(c) Directorates.--The Secretary may establish in the Bureau of
Administration directorates to perform relevant functions such as--
(1) Global Operations; and
(2) Shared Knowledge Services.
SEC. 213. OFFICE OF THE HISTORIAN.
There shall be in the Bureau of Administration a Historian of the
Department of State, who shall lead the Office of the Historian.
SEC. 214. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for
Administration shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau
functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle C--Diplomatic Technology
SEC. 221. CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR DIPLOMATIC TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology who shall be
responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters
pertaining to the information technology, cybersecurity workforce, and
digital infrastructure of the Department, and such other related duties
as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Chief Information Officer for
Diplomatic Technology shall maintain continuous observation and
coordination of all matters pertaining to diplomatic technology in the
conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) enterprise planning and governance;
(2) cybersecurity and risk management;
(3) technology operations and innovation;
(4) customer experience; and
(5) such other related duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 222. BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Diplomatic Technology, which shall perform such functions related to
the planning, acquisition, governance, security, integration,
modernization, and oversight of the Department's information
technology, systems, and communications infrastructure, as the Under
Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Chief Information Officer shall be the head of the
Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.
SEC. 223. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Chief Information Officer for
Diplomatic Technology shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill
Bureau functions and the Chief Information Officer's responsibilities
for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle D--Consular Affairs
SEC. 231. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSULAR AFFAIRS RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall maintain
continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to
consular functions in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as
appropriate--
(1) formulating and implementing policy relating to
immigration, provision of consular services, and determination
of United States citizenship;
(2) developing, revising, implementing, and directing
policies, procedures, and regulations relating to functions of
the Bureau of Consular Affairs, including--
(A) the adjudication and issuance of passports,
visas, and related services;
(B) the protection and welfare of United States
citizens and interests abroad;
(C) the provision of third-country representation;
and
(D) the determination of United States citizenship
or nationality;
(3) providing guidance and recommendations on related
consular issues to Department principals and United States
embassies and consulates;
(4) ensuring responsive and efficient provision of consular
services in the United States and overseas;
(5) overseeing and directing the Passport Office and Visa
Office;
(6) maintaining the integrity and security of official
consular documentation issued by the Department, in
collaboration with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and
(7) performing such other related duties as the Under
Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 232. BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Consular Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to
consular functions performed by United States consular officers, as the
Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall be
the head of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
SEC. 233. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Consular
Affairs shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions
and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal years 2026
and 2027.
SEC. 234. CLOSING OF CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC POSTS ABROAD.
(a) Prohibited Uses of Funds.--Except as provided in subsection (d)
or in accordance with the procedures in subsections (b) and (c)--
(1) no funds authorized to be appropriated to the
Department shall be available to pay any expense related to the
closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post
abroad; and
(2) no funds authorized to be appropriated to the
Department may be used to pay for any expense related to the
Bureau of Administration or to carrying out any of its
functions if any United States consular or diplomatic post is
closed.
(b) Post-Closing Notification.--Not less than 45 days before the
closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post abroad, the
Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the Secretary,
shall notify the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(c) Reprogramming Treatment.--Amounts made available to pay any
expense related to the closing of a United States consular or
diplomatic post abroad shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds
under section 34 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956
(22 U.S.C. 2706) and shall not be available for obligation or
expenditure except in compliance with the procedures applicable to such
reprogramming.
(d) Exceptions.--The provisions of this section do not apply with
respect to--
(1) any post closed because of a break or downgrading of
diplomatic relations between the United States and the country
in which the post is located; or
(2) any post closed because there is a real and present
threat to United States diplomatic or consular personnel in the
city where the post is located, and a travel advisory warning
against travel by United States citizens to that city has been
issued by the Department.
(e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term ``consular or
diplomatic post'' does not include a post to which only personnel of
agencies other than the Department are assigned.
SEC. 235. CONSULAR FEES.
(a) In General.--The second sentence of section 1(b)(1) of the
Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(b)(1)) shall be applied
through fiscal years 2026 and 2027 by substituting ``the costs of
providing consular services'' for ``such costs''.
(b) Use of Passport and Immigrant Visa Surcharges.--Notwithstanding
section 6(b) of the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 (Public
Law 109--472; 120 Stat. 3556), during fiscal years 2026 and 2027,
passport and immigrant visa surcharges collected in any fiscal year
pursuant to the fourth paragraph under the heading ``Diplomatic and
Consular Programs'' in the Department of State and Related Agency
Appropriations Act, 2005 (title IV of division B of Public Law 108-447;
8 U.S.C. 1714) may be obligated and expended for the costs of providing
consular services: Provided, That such funds should be prioritized for
United States citizen services: Provided further, That not later than
90 days after the expiration of this authority, the Secretary shall
provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
detailing the specific expenditu