[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5248 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5248
To ensure the alignment of economic and foreign policies, to position
the Department of State to reflect that economic security is national
security, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 10, 2025
Mrs. Kim introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure the alignment of economic and foreign policies, to position
the Department of State to reflect that economic security is national
security, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE V--ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
SEC. 501. UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be in the Department an Under
Secretary for Economic Affairs who shall be responsible to the
Secretary for matters pertaining to economic growth, commercial
expansion, energy, technology policy and innovation, scientific
research, commercial outer space affairs, critical minerals, water and
the environment, protection of natural resources, sanctions policies,
and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time
designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all
matters pertaining to economic and business affairs in the conduct of
foreign policy, including, as appropriate, the following:
(1) Preparing an annual strategic plan for expanding
opportunities for United States private sector companies in
international markets, coordinating the use of sanctions to
achieve national security objectives, promoting international
trade and investment, developing international policies around
new and emerging technologies, ensuring United States
leadership in science and technology, protecting natural
resources, and promoting United States energy interests.
(2) Developing policies for consideration by the Secretary
to promote economic growth, facilitate market access, create
business enabling environments abroad, expand trade and
investment opportunities for United States companies, promote
United States energy exports and energy security, conserve and
manage economically important ecosystems and resources, expand
access to critical minerals abroad, support United States civil
and commercial space governance, promote international
standards, policies, and best practices for emerging technology
that facilitate United States economic growth, and safeguard
the preeminence of the United States dollar in international
markets.
(3) Promoting United States international economic
interests to be addressed in the Biannual National Economic
Security Strategy Report, coordinated by the Office of the
Chief Economist.
(4) Attending and participating in meetings of the National
Security Council, and National Space Council, when applicable,
at the direction of the Secretary, for matters related to
economic growth, energy, and commercial expansion, commercial
outer space affairs, oceans, science and technology
developments, natural resource protection, and fulfill the role
of Foreign Affairs Sous Sherpa relating to the activities of
the Group of Seven Industrial Nations (G-7).
(5) Providing guidance to Department personnel in the
United States and overseas who conduct or implement policies,
programs, and activities related to economic growth, energy,
and commercial expansion, science and technology affairs,
natural resource conservation, and civil and commercial
activities in outer space.
(6) Coordinating activities related to promoting economic
growth, facilitating market access, creating business enabling
environments abroad, expanding trade and investment
opportunities, promoting of energy exports, conserving and
managing economically important ecosystems and resources,
expanding access to critical minerals, maintaining United
States leadership in science, technology, and outer space, and
safeguarding the preeminence of the United States dollar in
international markets.
(7) As directed by the Secretary, representing the
Department at interdepartmental meetings including the National
Economic Council, Homeland Security Council, Council on
Environmental Quality, and in providing policy advice to the
Secretary on matters under consideration by these groups.
(c) First Appointment.--On the date of the enactment of this Act,
the individual serving before such date of enactment as the Under
Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment shall be the
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. Any subsequent appointment of an
individual to the position of Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
SEC. 502. ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SECURITY AND
INNOVATION FUND.
Section 102(c) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 136
Stat. 1375) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``, acting through the Under
Secretary of State for Economic Affairs'' after
``Secretary of State''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``Within
the Department of State, the Fund shall be overseen and
administered by the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs.''.
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``, acting through
the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs'' after
``Secretary of State''.
SEC. 503. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.
(a) Administration of Accounts.--The Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs shall direct, oversee, and otherwise exercise responsibility of
funds made available for the International Technology Security and
Innovation Fund.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the funds authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State under section 141, the Under
Secretary for Economic Affairs shall receive the funds necessary to
fulfill the Under Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal years 2026
and 2027.
SEC. 504. CHIEF ECONOMIST.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
Chief Economist who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs for matters pertaining to analyzing and forecasting
the impact of economic trends on diplomatic functions and national
security priorities, and such other related duties as the Secretary may
from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described under subsection (a), the Chief Economist shall provide
research and analysis to inform the Department's strategy for deploying
international economic policy to strengthen alliances, deter malign
foreign actors, and reduce dependencies on strategic rivals in the
conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate, the following:
(1) Providing research and analysis to inform the
development of the Department's strategy for deploying foreign
policy to ensure supply chain resilience, secure access to raw
materials and critical minerals, and maximize international
market access.
(2) Providing analysis of complex, emerging geoeconomic
issues and offer advice to Department leadership on economic
diplomacy challenges.
(3) Conducting research and rigorous, data-driven analysis
of high priority issues at the intersection of economics and
foreign policy to inform decision-making and diplomatic
engagements by senior Department officials.
(4) Maintaining analytical products for the Department on
international economic issues, including on sanctions evasion
and the vulnerabilities of the United States and its partners
to economic coercion, as well as the economic opportunities for
United States businesses.
(5) Contributing to the expansion of the economic expertise
of the Department through collaboration with the Foreign
Service Institute, the academic community, international
organizations, and other Federal departments and agencies the
Chief Economist determines necessary.
(6) Serving as a liaison to technical experts in economics
and related fields in partner governments, international
institutions, and elsewhere in the United States government and
academic community.
(7) Performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs may from time to time designate.
(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this section, and every two years for the subsequent four
years, the Chief Economist shall transmit to Congress a report on the
international economic strategy of the United States and its analytical
basis. In preparing the report, the Chief Economist shall coordinate
input and analysis from other bureaus within the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs.
SEC. 505. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office of the
Chief Economist, which shall perform such functions related to the
provision of expert economic advice and analysis, as the Under
Secretary for Economic Affairs may prescribe.
(b) Chief Economist.--The Chief Economist shall be the head of the
Office of the Chief Economist.
SEC. 506. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CHIEF ECONOMIST.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs under section 503, the Chief Economist shall
receive the funds necessary to fulfill Office functions and the Chief
Economist's responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
SEC. 507. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMERCIAL DIPLOMACY.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary?for Commercial Diplomacy who shall be responsible
to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs for matters pertaining to
the trade and investment promotion and policy, international finance
and development, transportation affairs, and such other related duties
as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Commercial
Diplomacy shall be responsible for leading Department policies and
programs, and coordinating with other United States agencies as
appropriate, for all matters pertaining to the following:
(1) Trade and investment promotion, such as--
(A) assisting and advocating for United States
businesses and commercial interests overseas;
(B) identifying foreign market opportunities for
United States businesses and helping United States
firms overcome challenges in foreign business climates;
(C) helping United States companies compete for and
win contracts in foreign markets;
(D) attracting foreign investment into the United
States by identifying high potential businesses in
foreign countries;
(E) ensuring United States private sector concerns
are integrated into United States foreign policy and
economic policy; and
(F) promoting international commercial projects
that advance the national security interests of the
United States, regardless of domestic content
thresholds.
(2) International trade policy, including negotiating and
implementing trade agreements, resolving trade disputes,
bolstering supply chain resilience, and protecting intellectual
property rights.
(3) International investment policy, including monitoring
international investment climates, negotiating and implementing
investment agreements, representing the Department in the
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and
assisting United States companies involved in investment
disputes with foreign governments.
(4) Development finance, including the mobilization of
private, bilateral, and multilateral development finance for
developing countries, particularly investments focused on
infrastructure projects.
(5) The negotiation and extension of debt relief and
sovereign loan guarantees for United States allies and
partners.
(6) The promotion of sound, transparent, and stable
economic policies overseas.
(7) Perform such other duties as the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs may from time to time designate.
(c) First Appointment.--On the date of the enactment of this Act,
the individual serving before such date of enactment as the Assistant
Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs shall be the Assistant
Secretary for Commercial Diplomacy. Any subsequent appointment of an
individual to the position of Assistant Secretary for Commercial
Diplomacy shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
SEC. 508. BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL DIPLOMACY.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Commercial Diplomacy which shall perform such functions related to
trade and investment promotion and policy, international finance and
development, and transportation affairs, as the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs may prescribe.
(b) Assistant Secretary.--The Assistant Secretary for Commercial
Diplomacy shall be the head of the Bureau of Commercial Diplomacy.
SEC. 510. ENHANCING SUBNATIONAL DIPLOMACY.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be established in the Department an
Office of Subnational Diplomacy. The Office shall enable the
Department's work with subnational governments (state, county, city,
and municipal) within the United States to improve the ability of
subnational governments to attract foreign investment, counter foreign
malign influence within the United States, and contribute to the
foreign policy priorities of the United States.
(b) Coordinator.--The head of the Office shall be the Coordinator
for Subnational Diplomacy. The head of the office shall report through
the Assistant Secretary for Commercial Diplomacy to the Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs.
(c) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described under subsection (a), the Coordinator for Subnational
Diplomacy shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all
matters pertaining to subnational diplomacy and Department engagements
with subnational governments in the conduct of foreign policy,
including the following:
(1) Advising the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs on
subnational engagements within the United States and serve as
the principal official on such matters within the Department.
(2) Coordinating the Department's support for local and
municipal governments' engagements with foreign governments.
(3) Advising subnational government officials on the
potential risks of engagements with countries of concern and
share best practices to build resilience against foreign
political interference and malign influence.
(4) Assisting subnational governments in the following
areas:
(A) Attracting or bidding to host major
international events.
(B) Tracking foreign direct investment at the
county and municipal levels to highlight trends and
opportunities.
(C) Attracting foreign direct investment and other
forms of economic cooperation.
(D) Building the capacity and knowledge of
subnational government staff who have responsibility
for engaging with foreign countries.
(E) Advancing sports diplomacy with foreign
countries and entities.
(F) Implementing programs to cooperate with foreign
governments and entities on policy priorities or
managing shared resources.
(G) Understanding the local implications of foreign
policy developments or policy changes.
(5) Supporting the economic interests of the United States
through subnational engagements, in consultation and
coordination with other relevant agencies.
(6) Advising and informing local officials as they
negotiate agreements and memoranda of understanding with
foreign governments related to subnational engagements and
priorities.
(7) Coordinating subnational engagements with associations
of subnational elected leaders, including the United States
Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, National
League of Cities and similar associations.
(8) Performing other such duties as the Assistant Secretary
for Commercial Diplomacy and the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs may from time to time designate.
SEC. 511. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL DIPLOMACY.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs under section 503, the Assistant Secretary for
Commercial Diplomacy shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill
Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for
fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
SEC. 512. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND SPACE
AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs who shall
be responsible to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs for matters
pertaining to space, oceans, polar affairs, environmental quality,
freshwater, fisheries, wildlife and wildlife trafficking, conservation,
and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time
designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Water,
Environment, and Space Affairs shall maintain continuous observation
and coordination of all matters pertaining to oceans, fisheries,
natural resource conservation, and outer space in the conduct of
foreign policy, including, as appropriate, the following:
(1) Developing United States p