S.Amdt. 3608

SA 3608. Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end add the following:

DIVISION E--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the
``Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of content for this
division is as follows:

DIVISION E--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

Sec. 5001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 5002. Definitions.

TITLE LXI--WORKFORCE MATTERS

Sec. 5101. Report on vetting of Foreign Service Institute instructors.
Sec. 5102. Training limitations.
Sec. 5103. Language incentive pay for civil service employees.
Sec. 5104. Options for comprehensive evaluations.
Sec. 5105. Job share and part-time employment opportunities.
Sec. 5106. Exemption of spouses of Foreign Service members on domestic
assignments from any return-to-office requirement.
Sec. 5107. Computation of FEGLI coverage.
Sec. 5108. Exception to the limitation on premium pay for service at
special incentive posts.
Sec. 5109. Promoting reutilization of language skills in the Foreign
Service.
Sec. 5110. Requirement for Uyghur language training.

TITLE LXII--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Sec. 5201. Periodic briefings from Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
Sec. 5202. Concurrence provided by Chiefs Of Mission for the provision
of Department of Defense support to certain Department of
Defense operations.
Sec. 5203. Support for congressional delegations.
Sec. 5204. Eliminating 1-year tours.
Sec. 5205. Notification requirements for authorized and ordered
departures.
Sec. 5206. Diplomats-in-Residence.
Sec. 5207. Strengthening enterprise governance.
Sec. 5208. Report to Congress on diplomatic reserve corps within the
Department of State.
Sec. 5209. Establishing and expanding the Regional China Officer
program.
Sec. 5210. Foreign affairs manual changes.
Sec. 5211. Report required before closure of diplomatic posts.
Sec. 5212. Notification of intent to reduce personnel at covered
diplomatic posts.

TITLE LXIII--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5301. Supporting Department of State data analytics.
Sec. 5302. Post Data Pilot Program.
Sec. 5303. Authorization to use commercial cloud enclaves overseas.
Sec. 5304. Reports on technology transformation projects at the
Department of State.
Sec. 5305. Foreign commercial spyware.
Sec. 5306. Visa sanctions for misuse of foreign commercial spyware.
Sec. 5307. Report on new multilateral export control regime.
Sec. 5308. Security review of science and technology agreement with the
People's Republic of China.
Sec. 5309. Study on geopolitical strategies and verification frameworks
for advanced artificial intelligence.

TITLE LXIV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 5401. Foreign information manipulation and interference strategy.
Sec. 5402. Lifting the prohibition on use of Federal funds for World's
Fair pavilions and exhibits.

TITLE LXV--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY AND CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Sec. 5501. Machine-readable visa documents.
Sec. 5502. Report concerning Department of State consular officers
joining Coast Guard and Navy missions to Pacific island
countries.
Sec. 5503. Report on security conditions in Damascus, Syria, required
for the reopening of the United States diplomatic
mission.
Sec. 5504. Embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic installations
return to standards report.
Sec. 5505. Passport and visa operations report.

TITLE LXVI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 5551. Submission of federally funded research and development
center reports to Congress.
Sec. 5552. Quarterly report on diplomatic pouch access.
Sec. 5553. Report on utility of instituting a processing fee for ITAR
license applications.
Sec. 5554. Havana Act payment fix.
Sec. 5555. Establishing an inner Mongolia section within the United
States embassy in Beijing.
Sec. 5556. Report on United States Mission Australia staffing.
Sec. 5557. Investing in talent in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands,
sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Sec. 5558. Facilitating regulatory exchanges with allies and partners.
Sec. 5559. Pilot program to audit barriers to commerce in developing
partner countries.
Sec. 5560. Strategy for promoting supply chain diversification.
Sec. 5561. Authorization to extend the provisions of the International
Organizations Immunities Act to additional international
organizations.
Sec. 5562. Extensions.
Sec. 5563. Permitting for international bridges and land ports of
entry.

TITLE LXVII--OTHER MATTERS

Subtitle A--BUST FENTANYL Act

Sec. 5601. Short titles.
Sec. 5602. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.
Sec. 5603. Study and report on efforts to address fentanyl trafficking
from the People's Republic of China and other relevant
countries.
Sec. 5604. Prioritization of identification of persons from the
People's Republic of China.
Sec. 5605. Expansion of sanctions under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act.
Sec. 5606. Imposition of sanctions with respect to agencies or
instrumentalities of foreign states.
Sec. 5607. Annual report on efforts to prevent the smuggling of
methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico.

Subtitle B--Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

Sec. 5611. Short title.
Sec. 5612. Rule of construction.

PART I--Deterring and Preventing Unlawful or Wrongful Detention

Sec. 5615. Designation of a foreign country as a State Sponsor of
Unlawful or Wrongful Detention.
Sec. 5616. Required certification regarding international travel
advisories.

PART II--Strengthening Processes and Services for Hostages and Unlawful
or Wrongful Detainees

Sec. 5618. Advisory Council on Hostage-Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful
Detention.
Sec. 5619. Congressional Report on Components Related to Hostage
Affairs and Recovery.

Subtitle C--Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act

Sec. 5631. Short title.
Sec. 5632. Sense of Congress.

[[Page S5346]]

Sec. 5633. Definitions.
Sec. 5634. Task force.
Sec. 5635. Report.

Subtitle D--International Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act of 2025

Sec. 5641. Short title.

PART I--Combating Human Trafficking Abroad

Sec. 5643. United states support for integration of anti-trafficking in
persons interventions in multilateral development banks.
Sec. 5644. Counter-trafficking in persons efforts in development
cooperation and assistance policy.
Sec. 5645. Technical amendments to tier rankings.
Sec. 5646. Modifications to the Program to End Modern Slavery.
Sec. 5647. Clarification of nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related foreign
assistance.
Sec. 5648. Expanding protections for domestic workers of official and
diplomatic persons.
Sec. 5649. Effective dates.

PART II--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 5651. Extension of authorizations under the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act of 2000.
Sec. 5652. Extension of authorizations under the International Megan's
Law.

PART III--Briefings

Sec. 5655. Briefing on annual trafficking in person's report.
Sec. 5656. Briefing on use and justification of waivers.

Subtitle E--International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025

Sec. 5661. Short title.
Sec. 5662. Definitions.
Sec. 5663. Civil nuclear coordination and strategy.
Sec. 5664. Engagement with ally or partner nations.
Sec. 5665. Cooperative financing relationships with ally or partner
nations and embarking civil nuclear nations.
Sec. 5666. Cooperation with ally or partner nations on advanced nuclear
reactor demonstration and cooperative research facilities
for civil nuclear energy.
Sec. 5667. International civil nuclear energy cooperation.
Sec. 5668. International civil nuclear program support.
Sec. 5669. Biennial cabinet-level international conference on nuclear
safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability.
Sec. 5670. Advanced reactor coordination and resource center.
Sec. 5671. Strategic infrastructure fund working group.
Sec. 5672. Joint assessment between the United States and india on
nuclear liability rules.
Sec. 5673. Rule of construction.
Sec. 5674. Sunset.

Subtitle F--Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act

Sec. 5681. Short title.
Sec. 5682. Findings.
Sec. 5683. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 5684. Definitions.
Sec. 5685. Codification of sanctions relating to the Western Balkans.
Sec. 5686. Democratic and economic development and prosperity
initiatives.
Sec. 5687. Promoting cross-cultural and educational engagement.
Sec. 5688. Young Balkan Leaders Initiative.
Sec. 5689. Supporting cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the Western
Balkans.
Sec. 5690. Relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Sec. 5691. Reports on Russian and Chinese malign influence operations
and campaigns in the Western Balkans.

Subtitle G--Security of Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Sec. 5701. Short title.
Sec. 5702. Definition of critical mineral.
Sec. 5703. Statement of policy on critical mineral supply chains.
Sec. 5704. International negotiations relating to protecting critical
mineral supply chains.
Sec. 5705. Minerals Security Partnership authorization.
Sec. 5706. United States membership in the International Nickel Study
Group.
Sec. 5707. Authorization of appropriations.

Subtitle H--Democracy in Georgia

Sec. 5711. Short titles.
Sec. 5712. Definitions.
Sec. 5713. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 5714. Statement of policy.
Sec. 5715. Reports and briefings.
Sec. 5716. Sanctions.
Sec. 5717. Additional assistance with respect to Georgia.
Sec. 5718. Sunset.

Subtitle I--Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act

Sec. 5721. Short title.
Sec. 5722. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 5723. Definitions.
Sec. 5724. Strategy to counter scam compounds and hold transnational
criminal organizations accountable.
Sec. 5725. Establishing a task force to implement the strategy.
Sec. 5726. Strengthening tools to dismantle scam compounds and hold
transnational criminal organizations accountable.

Subtitle J--Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019

Sec. 5744. Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.

SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of State.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.

TITLE LXI--WORKFORCE MATTERS

SEC. 5101. REPORT ON VETTING OF FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE
INSTRUCTORS.

(a) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report on the
execution of requirements under section 6116 of the
Department of State Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2023 (22
U.S.C. 4030) that includes--
(1) a description of all steps taken to date to carry out
that section;
(2) a detailed explanation of the suitability or fitness
reviews, background investigations, and periodic background
checks or re-investigations, as applicable, of relevant
Foreign Service Institute instructors who provide language
instructions; and
(3) a description of planned additional steps required to
execute such section.

SEC. 5102. TRAINING LIMITATIONS.

The Department shall require the explicit approval of the
Secretary for each instance in which a long-term training
assignment is curtailed or a long-term training position is
eliminated.

SEC. 5103. LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY FOR CIVIL SERVICE
EMPLOYEES.

The Secretary may provide special monetary incentives to
acquire or retain proficiency in foreign languages to civil
service employees who serve in domestic positions that
require critical language skills. The amounts of such
incentives should be similar to the language incentive pay
provided to members of the Foreign Service under the Foreign
Service pursuant to section 704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)).

SEC. 5104. OPTIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on options for
integrating 360-degree reviews in personnel files for
promotion panel consideration.
(b) Evaluation Systems.--The report required by subsection
(a) shall include--
(1) one or more options to integrate confidential 360-
degree reviews, references, or evaluations by superiors,
peers, and subordinates, including consideration of automated
reference requests; and
(2) other modifications or systems the Secretary considers
relevant.
(c) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
describe, with respect to each evaluation system included in
the report--
(1) any legal constraints or considerations;
(2) the timeline required for implementation;
(3) any starting and recurring costs in comparison to
current processes;
(4) the likely or potential implications for promotion
decisions and trends; and
(5) the impact on meeting the personnel needs of the
Foreign Service.

SEC. 5105. JOB SHARE AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and publish
a Department policy on job share and part-time employment
opportunities. The policy shall include a template for job-
sharing arrangements, a database of job share and part-time
employment opportunities, and a point of contact in the
Bureau of Global Talent Management.
(b) Designation of Eligible Positions.--The Secretary shall
designate at least 2 percent of domestic Department of State
positions as eligible for job share or part-time employment
arrangements.
(c) Workplace Flexibility Training.--The Secretary shall
incorporate training on workplace flexibility, including the
availability of job share and part-time employment
opportunities, into employee onboarding and every level of
supervisory training.
(d) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on workplace
flexibility at the Department, including data on the number
of employees utilizing job share or part-time employment
arrangements.

SEC. 5106. EXEMPTION OF SPOUSES OF FOREIGN SERVICE MEMBERS ON
DOMESTIC ASSIGNMENTS FROM ANY RETURN-TO-OFFICE
REQUIREMENT.

(a) In General.--Consistent with section 3330d(b)(5) of
title 5, United States Code, a spouse of a member of the
Foreign Service who was appointed to a remote work position
in the executive branch is exempt from

[[Page S5347]]

any generally applicable return-to-work requirement that is
not required under section 6502 of such title, regardless of
the location of the duty station to which such Foreign
Service member spouse is posted.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Foreign service act of 1980.--Section 706(b)(1) of the
Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4026(b)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) exempting such spouses who were appointed to a remote
work position in the executive branch from any return-to-work
requirement otherwise applicable to Federal employees; and''.
(2) Federal telework policy.--Section 6504 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(g) Exemption of Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces
and Foreign Service Members From Any Return-to-work
Requirement.--The spouse of any active duty member of the
Armed Forces or any member of the Foreign Service who was
appointed to a remote work position in the executive branch
is exempt from any generally applicable return-to-work
requirement as long as the spouse is not stationed where the
job is located.''.

SEC. 5107. COMPUTATION OF FEGLI COVERAGE.

The Secretary shall revise section 3625 of volume 3 of the
Foreign Affairs Manual to provide that for purposes of any
Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance program computation,
the basic salary or basic pay of any member of the Service
whose official duty station is outside the continental United
States shall be considered to be the salary or pay that would
have been paid to the member had the member's official duty
station been Washington, D.C., including locality-based
comparability payments under section 5304 of title 5, United
States Code, that would have been payable to the member if
the member's official duty station had been Washington, D.C.

SEC. 5108. EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITATION ON PREMIUM PAY FOR
SERVICE AT SPECIAL INCENTIVE POSTS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Covered employee.--the term ``covered employee'' means
any officer, employee, or agent employed by the Department of
State or other Federal agency who--
(A) is eligible for premium pay; and
(B) performs service in a position determined by the
Secretary of State to be a high-priority assignment, such as
a Special Incentive Post or office or mission eligible for
Service Needs Differential.
(b) Exception to the Limitation on Premium Pay for Service
at Special Incentive Posts.--The Secretary is authorized to
provide any covered employee with premium pay for service at
a special incentive post, to the extent provided under
section 118 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2001 (5 U.S.C. 5547 note).
(c) Treatment of Additional Pay.--If subsection (b) results
in the payment of additional premium pay to a covered
employee of a type that is normally creditable as basic pay
for retirement or any other purpose, that additional pay
shall not--
(1) be considered to be basic pay of the covered employee
for any purpose; or
(2) be used in computing a lump-sum payment to the covered
employee for accumulated and accrued annual leave under
section 5551 or section 5552 of title 5, United States Code.
(d) Aggregate Limit.--With respect to the application of
section 5307 of title 5, United States Code, the payment of
any additional premium pay to a covered employee as a result
of subsection (b) shall not be counted as part of the
aggregate compensation of the covered employee.
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the
date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(f) Reports.--
(1) Report on plans to reduce overtime usage.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing the steps that the Department of
State and other agencies are taking to address the increased
protective service demands placed upon covered employees.
(B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) An analysis of the current (as of the date on which the
report is submitted) operational demands and staffing levels
with respect to covered employees.
(ii) Recommended strategies for reducing overtime
requirements for covered employees, including--

(I) the appointment of additional personnel;
(II) solutions such that sufficient resources are available
throughout each year without the need for exceptions to, or
waivers of, premium pay limitations;
(III) the redistribution of workload among covered
employees; and
(IV) other improvements in operational efficiency with
respect to covered employees.

(2) Annual projections.--
(A) In general.--
(i) Requirement.--In accordance with the schedule described
in clause (ii), the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains
projections for the information described in clause (iii),
which shall be divided by calendar quarter.
(ii) Schedule described.--The schedule described in this
clause is as follows:

(I) Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, a report with respect to calendar year 2026.
(II) Not later than December 31 of each of calendar years
2026 through 2029, a report with respect to the calendar year
following the calendar year in which the report is submitted.
(III) Information included.--Each report under this
paragraph shall include--

(aa) the number of employees receiving premium pay above
the statutory cap;
(bb) the number of employees who were not fully compensated
due to the statutory cap and the total amount that employees
would have been paid without the cap;
(cc) the total, median, mean, and greatest amounts of
premium pay above the cap; and
(dd) a list of personnel who received premium pay above the
cap and separated from the Department of State or other
agency.
(B) Quarterly updates.--With respect to each annual report
required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, on the
last day of each calendar quarter of the calendar year that
is covered by the report, submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an updated version of that report that
contains projections for the information described in that
subparagraph for the remainder of that calendar year, which
shall be divided by calendar quarter.
(3) Effect of amendments.--Not later than January 30 of
each of calendar years 2027 through 2031, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on
the effects of this section, which shall include, with
respect to the calendar year preceding the calendar year in
which the report is submitted, the following:
(A) The information described in paragraph
(2)(A)(iii)(III).
(B) A comparison between the final data reported under
subparagraph (A) and the annual projections reported for that
calendar year under paragraph (2)(A), including an
explanation for any substantial variance between that final
data and those annual projections.

SEC. 5109. PROMOTING REUTILIZATION OF LANGUAGE SKILLS IN THE
FOREIGN SERVICE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) foreign language skills are essential to effective
diplomacy, particularly in high-priority positions, such as
Chinese- and Russian-language designated positions focused on
Communist China and Russia;
(2) reutilization of acquired language skills creates
efficiencies through the reduction of language training
overall and increases regional expertise;
(3) often, investments in language skills are not
sufficiently utilized and maintained throughout the careers
of members of the Foreign Service following an initial
assignment after language training;
(4) providing incentives such as an ``out-year bid'' on
priority language-designated assignments would decrease
training costs overall and encourage more expertise in
relevant priority areas; and
(5) incentives for members of the Foreign Service to not
only acquire and retain, but reuse, foreign language skills
in priority assignments would reduce training costs in terms
of both time and money and increase regional expertise to
improve abilities in those areas deemed high priority by the
Secretary.
(b) Incentives to Reutilize Language Skills.--Section
704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4024(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``and reutilize'' after
``to acquire or retain proficiency in''.

SEC. 5110. REQUIREMENT FOR UYGHUR LANGUAGE TRAINING.

(a) Uyghur Language Training and Staffing.--The Secretary
shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that--
(1) Uyghur language training is available to Foreign
Service officers, as appropriate; and
(2) efforts are made to ensure that at least 1 Uyghur-
speaking member of the Service (as defined in section 103 of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3903)) is assigned
to United States diplomatic posts in the People's Republic of
China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the
following 2 years, the Foreign Service Institute shall submit
a report to the appropriate congressional committees that
outlines all of the steps that have been taken to implement
subsection (a).

TITLE LXII--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

SEC. 5201. PERIODIC BRIEFINGS FROM BUREAU OF INTELLIGENCE AND
RESEARCH.

(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act,

[[Page S5348]]

and at least every 90 days thereafter for at least the next 3
years, the Secretary shall offer to the appropriate
congressional committees a briefing on--
(1) any topic requested by one or more of the appropriate
congressional committees;
(2) any topic of current importance to the national
security of the United States; and
(3) any other topic the Secretary considers necessary.
(b) Location.--The briefings required under subsection (a)
shall be held at a secure facility that is suitable for
review of information that is classified at the level of
``Top Secret/SCI''.

SEC. 5202. CONCURRENCE PROVIDED BY CHIEFS OF MISSION FOR THE
PROVISION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPORT TO
CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OPERATIONS.

(a) Notification Required.--Not later than 30 days after
the date on which a chief of mission provides concurrence for
the provision of support by the Department of Defense to
entities or individuals engaged in facilitating or supporting
operations of the Department of Defense within the area of
responsibility of the chief of mission, the Secretary of
State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees
of the provision of such concurrence.
(b) Annual Report Required.--Not later than January 31 of
each year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that includes the
following:
(1) A description of any support described in subsection
(a) that was provided with the concurrence of a chief of
mission during the calendar year preceding the calendar year
in which the report is submitted.
(2) An analysis of how the support described in paragraph
(1) complements diplomatic lines of effort of the Department
of State, including--
(A) Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related
Programs (NADR) and associated Anti-Terrorism Assistance
(ATA) programs;
(B) International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
(INCLE) programs; and
(C) Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military
Financing (FMF), and associated training programs.

SEC. 5203. SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) congressional travel is essential to fostering
international relations, understanding global issues first-
hand, and jointly advancing United States interests abroad;
and
(2) only in close coordination and thanks to the dedication
of personnel at United States embassies, consulates, and
other missions abroad can the success of these vital trips be
possible.
(b) In General.--The Secretary shall reaffirm to all
diplomatic posts the importance of congressional travel and
shall require all such posts to support congressional travel
by members and staff of the appropriate congressional
committees fully, by making such support available on any day
of the week, including Federal and local holidays and, to the
extent practical, requiring the direct involvement of mid-
level or senior officers.
(c) Exception for Simultaneous High-level Visits.--The
requirement under subsection (b) does not apply in the case
of a simultaneous visit from the President, the First Lady or
First Gentleman, the Vice President, the Secretary of State,
or the Secretary of Defense.
(d) Training.--The Secretary shall require all designated
control officers to have been trained on supporting
congressional travel at posts abroad prior to the assigned
congressional visit.

SEC. 5204. ELIMINATING 1-YEAR TOURS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that tours of
duty for service abroad shall be at least 2 years in length,
except for personnel on temporary duty and Department
fellows. Any tour lasting less than 2 years shall be
considered temporary duty.
(b) Waiver.--The Secretary may issue a nondelegable waiver
on a case-by-case basis exempting personnel from the
restrictions established in subsection (a) if the Secretary
determines that doing so serves United States national
security interests, provided the Secretary submits a
justification to the appropriate congressional committees not
later than 15 days prior to issuing the waiver that contains
the following:
(1) A description of the factors considered by the
Secretary when evaluating whether to issue the waiver.
(2) A compelling justification as to why issuing the waiver
is in the national security interests of the United States.

SEC. 5205. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZED AND
ORDERED DEPARTURES.

(a) Departures Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees listing
every instance of an authorized or ordered departure during
the 5-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in the report
required under paragraph (1)--
(A) the name of the post and the date of the announcement
of the authorized or ordered departure;
(B) the reason for the authorized or ordered departure; and
(C) the number of chief of mission personnel that departed,
categorized by agency, as well as family members, if
available.
(b) Congressional Notification Requirement.--Any instance
of an authorized or ordered departure shall be notified to
appropriate committees not later than 3 days after the
Secretary authorized an authorized or ordered departure. The
details in the notification shall include--
(1) the information described in subsection (a)(2);
(2) the mode of travel for chief of mission personnel who
departed;
(3) the estimated cost of the authorized or ordered
departure, including travel and per diem costs; and
(4) the destination of all departed personnel and changes
to their work activities due to the departure.
(c) Termination.--This requirements under this section
shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5206. DIPLOMATS-IN-RESIDENCE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
Diplomats-in-Residence play a critical role within the
Foreign Service by facilitating engagement between the
American people and the diplomats who represent their
interests around the world. United States students of all
geographic areas who are interested in diplomacy and serving
their Nation should have reasonable access to the Department
of State and its Diplomats-in-Residence Program.
(b) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) increase the number of diplomats in the Diplomats-in-
Residence Program from 17 to 40; and
(2) in doing so, assign Diplomats-in-Residence in a manner
that guarantees no population within the United States is
located more than 300 miles from a Diplomat-in-Residence.

SEC. 5207. STRENGTHENING ENTERPRISE GOVERNANCE.

(1) Organization.--The Chief Information Officer and the
Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the
Department of State shall report directly to the Deputy
Secretary of State for Management and Resources or, in the
event such position is vacant, to the Deputy Secretary of
State for Policy.
(2) Adjudication of unresolved budget and management
decisions.--Adjudication of unresolved budget and management
decisions shall be made by the Deputy for Management and
Resources in consultation, as appropriate, with the Deputy
Secretary of State for Policy.

SEC. 5208. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON DIPLOMATIC RESERVE CORPS
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

(a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting
forth a comprehensive proposal for the establishment and
maintenance within the Department of a diplomatic reserve
corps.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) A description of the role of the proposed diplomatic
reserve corps in assisting the Department in the discharge of
the diplomatic functions and activities of the United States
Government.
(2) An assessment of the strength of the proposed
diplomatic reserve corps.
(3) The personnel authorities required for the maintenance
of the proposed diplomatic reserve corps, including
authorities relating to recruitment, appointment, and
retention, training, and mobilization and demobilization.
(4) A description of the compensation and other benefits to
be afforded personnel for service in the proposed diplomatic
reservice corps.
(5) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
appropriate to fully inform the appropriate congressional
committees of the role, structure, and functions of the
proposed diplomatic reserve corps and the authorities to
apply to the corps.

SEC. 5209. ESTABLISHING AND EXPANDING THE REGIONAL CHINA
OFFICER PROGRAM.

(1) In general.--There is authorized to be established at
the Department a Regional China Officer (RCO) program to
support regional posts and officers with reporting,
information, and policy tools, and to enhance expertise
related to strategic competition with the People's Republic
of China. RCOs shall, to the greatest extent possible, have
fluency in Mandarin Chinese and experience serving in China
or Taiwan.
(2) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026
through 2029 to the Department of State to expand the RCO
program, including for--
(A) the placement of Regional China Officers at United
States missions to the United Nations and United Nations
affiliated organizations;
(B) the placement of additional Regional China Officers in
Africa and Latin America;
(C) the hiring of locally employed staff to support
Regional China Officers serving abroad; and
(D) the establishment of full-time equivalent positions to
assist in managing and facilitating the RCO program.
(3) Program funds.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$50,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for each
Regional China Officer to support programs and public

[[Page S5349]]

diplomacy activities of the Regional China Officer.

SEC. 5210. FOREIGN AFFAIRS MANUAL CHANGES.

Section 5318 of the Department of State Authorization Act
of 2021 (22 U.S.C. 2658a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``5 years'' and
inserting ``8 years''; and
(2) adding at the end the following:
``(d) Notice; Consultation; Briefing.--Before effectuating
any significant change in the Foreign Affairs Manual, the
Secretary of State shall--
``(1) provide notice to, and consult with, the appropriate
congressional committees in writing, not later than 30 days
before such changes are scheduled to take effect; and
``(2) provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the proposed changes.
``(e) Definitions.--`Significant change' means any
reduction in staff of more than 10 personnel per bureau or
more than 25 personnel Department-wide, or changes that
affect the employment, benefits, management, review,
promotion, or rights of personnel.''.

SEC. 5211. REPORT REQUIRED BEFORE CLOSURE OF DIPLOMATIC
POSTS.

Section 48 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
1965 (22 U.S.C. 2720) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (d) or in
accordance with subsections (b) and (c)'' and inserting
``subsection (e) or in accordance with subsections (b) and
(d)'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as
subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after the subsection (b) the following new
subsection:
``(c) Report.--Before carrying out a proposed closure of a
United States diplomatic post, the Secretary of State shall
submit to appropriate Congressional committees a report on--
``(1) the diplomatic presence of the People's Republic of
China in the country where the post would be closed,
including--
``(A) the number of diplomatic posts currently maintained
by People's Republic of China in the country; and
``(B) the number of personnel at each post in the country;
and
``(2) the impact such closure will have on United States
national security interests and the ability of the United
States to compete with the People's Republic of China.''.

SEC. 5212. NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO REDUCE PERSONNEL AT
COVERED DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), not
later than 90 days before the date on which the Secretary of
State carries out a reduction in United States personnel of
at least 10 percent or 8 personnel at a covered diplomatic
post, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
Congressional committees a notification of the intent to
carry out such a reduction, which shall include a
certification by the Secretary that such reduction will not
negatively impact the ability of the United States to compete
with the People's Republic of China or the Russian
Federation.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply in the case
of a security risk to personnel at a covered diplomatic post.
(c) Covered Diplomatic Post Defined.--In this section, the
term ``covered diplomatic post'' means a United States
diplomatic post in a country in which the People's Republic
of China or the Russian Federation also have a diplomatic
post.

TITLE LXIII--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

SEC. 5301. SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE DATA ANALYTICS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 to the
Secretary for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the ``Bureau
Chief Data Officer Program''.

SEC. 5302. POST DATA PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) Post Data Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary is authorized to
establish a program, which shall be known as the ``Post Data
Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''),
overseen by the Department's Chief Data and Artificial
Intelligence Officer. The data officers hired under this
Program shall report to their respective Chiefs of Mission.
(2) Goals.--The goals of the Program shall include the
following:
(A) Cultivating a data culture at diplomatic posts
globally, including data fluency and data collaboration.
(B) Promoting data integration with Department of State
headquarters.
(b) Implementation Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees an implementation plan
that outlines strategies for--
(A) advancing the goals described in subsection (a)(2);
(B) hiring data officers at United States diplomatic posts;
and
(C) allocation of necessary resources to sustain the
Program.
(2) Annual reporting requirement.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter for the following 3 years, the Secretary shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees
regarding the status of the implementation plan required
under paragraph (1).

SEC. 5303. AUTHORIZATION TO USE COMMERCIAL CLOUD ENCLAVES
OVERSEAS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Department of State shall
issue internal guidelines that authorize and track the use of
enclaves deployed in overseas commercial cloud regions for
OCONUS systems categorized at the Federal Information
Security Management Act (FISMA) high baseline.
(b) Consistency With Federal Cybersecurity Regulations.--
The enclave deployments shall be consistent with existing
Federal cybersecurity regulations as well as best practices
established across National Institute of Standards and
Technology standards and ISO 27000 security controls.
(c) Briefing.-- Not later than 90 days after the enactment
of the Act, and before issuing the new internal guidelines
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall brief the
appropriate congressional committees on the proposed new
guidelines, including--
(1) relevant risk assessments; and
(2) any security challenges regarding implementation.

SEC. 5304. REPORTS ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Technology.--The term ``technology'' includes--
(A) artificial intelligence and machine learning systems;
(B) cybersecurity modernization tools or platforms;
(C) cloud computing services and infrastructure;
(D) enterprise data platforms and analytics tools;
(E) customer experience platforms for public-facing
services; and
(F) internal workflow automation or modernization systems.
(3) Technology transformation project.--
(A) In general.--The term ``technology transformation
project'' means any new or significantly modified technology
deployed by the Department with the purpose of improving
diplomatic, consular, administrative, or security operations.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``technology transformation
project'' does not include a routine software update or
version upgrade, a security patch or maintenance of an
existing system, a minor configuration change, a business-as-
usual information technology operation, or a support
activity.
(b) Semiannual Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for
5 years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on all technology
transformation projects completed during the two fiscal years
preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted.
(2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following elements:
(A) For each project, the following:
(i) A summary of the objective, scope, and operational
context of the project.
(ii) An identification of the primary technologies and
vendors used, including artificial intelligence models, cloud
providers, cybersecurity platforms, and major software
components.
(iii) A report on baseline and post-implementation
performance and adoption metrics for the project, including
with respect to--

(I) operational efficiency, such as reductions in
processing time, staff hours, or error rates;
(II) user impact, such as improvements in end-user
satisfaction scores and reliability;
(III) security posture, such as enhancements in threat
detection, incident response time;
(IV) cost performance, including budgeted costs versus
actual costs and projected cost savings or cost avoidance;
(V) interoperability and integration, including level of
integration achieved with existing systems of the Department
of State;
(VI) artificial intelligence (if applicable); and
(VII) adoption, including, if applicable--

(aa) an estimate of the percentage of eligible end-users
actively using the system within the first 3, 6, and 12
months of deployment;
(bb) the proportion of staff trained to use the system;
(cc) the frequency and duration of use, disaggregated by
bureau or geographic region if relevant;
(dd) summarized user feedback, including pain points and
satisfaction ratings; and
(ee) a description of the status of deprecation or
reduction in use of legacy systems, if applicable.
(iv) A description of key challenges encountered during
implementation and any mitigation strategies employed.
(v) A summary of contracting or acquisition strategies
used, including information on how the vendor or development
team supported change management and adoption, including user
testing, stakeholder engagement, and phased rollout.
(B) For any project where adoption metrics fell below 50
percent within 6 months of launch:

[[Page S5350]]

(i) A remediation plan with specific steps to improve
adoption, including retraining, user experience improvements,
or outreach.
(ii) An assessment of whether rollout should be paused or
modified.
(iii) Any plans for iterative development based on feedback
from employees.
(3) Public summary.--Not later than 60 days after
submitting a report required by paragraph (1) to the
appropriate committees of Congress, the Secretary of State
shall publish an unclassified summary of the report on the
publicly accessible website of the Department of State,
consistent with national security interests.
(c) Government Accountability Office Evaluation.--Not later
than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and biennially thereafter, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report--
(1) evaluating--
(A) the extent to which the Department has implemented and
reported on technology transformation projects in accordance
with the requirements under this section;
(B) the effectiveness and reliability of the Department's
performance and adoption metrics for such projects;
(C) whether such projects have met intended goals related
to operational efficiency, security, cost-effectiveness, user
adoption, and modernization of legacy systems; and
(D) the adequacy of oversight mechanisms in place to ensure
the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence and
other emerging technologies; and
(2) including any recommendations to improve the
Department's management, implementation, or evaluation of
technology transformation efforts.

SEC. 5305. FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SPYWARE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) there is a national security need for the legitimate
and responsible procurement and application of cyber
intrusion capabilities, including efforts related to
counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and countertrafficking;
(2) the growing commercial market for sophisticated cyber
intrusion capabilities has enhanced state and non-state
actors' ability to target and track journalists, human rights
defenders, and civil society groups for nefarious purposes;
(3) the proliferation of commercial spyware presents
significant and growing risks to United States national
security, including to the safety and security of United
States Government personnel; and
(4) ease of access into and lack of transparency in the
commercial spyware market raises the probability of spreading
potentially destructive or disruptive cyber capabilities to a
wider range of malicious actors.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United
States--
(1) to oppose the misuse of foreign commercial spyware to
target journalists, human rights defenders, journalists, and
civil society groups;
(2) to coordinate with allies and partners to prevent the
export of commercial spyware tools to end-users likely to use
them for malicious activities;
(3) to maintain robust information-sharing with trusted
allies and partners on commercial spyware proliferation and
misuse, including to better identify and track these tools;
and
(4) to work with private industry to identify and counter
the abuse and misuse of commercial spyware technology; and
(5) to work with allies and partners to establish robust
guardrails to ensure that the use of commercial spyware tools
are consistent with respect for internationally recognized
human rights, and the rule of law.

SEC. 5306. VISA SANCTIONS FOR MISUSE OF FOREIGN COMMERCIAL
SPYWARE.

(a)  Sanctions.--Pursuant to section 212 (a)(3)(C) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(C)), the
Secretary of State may implement visa restrictions against--
(1) individuals believed to have been knowingly involved in
the misuse of foreign commercial spyware to target,
arbitrarily or unlawfully surveil, harass, suppress, or
intimidate individuals, including journalists, defenders of
internationally recognized human rights, members of ethnic or
religious minority groups, or the family members of these
targeted individuals;
(2) individuals believed to facilitate or derive financial
benefit from the misuse of foreign commercial spyware,
including developing, directing, or operationally controlling
foreign companies that furnish technologies such as
commercial spyware to governments, or those acting on behalf
of governments, that engage in activities as described in
paragraph (1); and
(3) the immediate family members of individuals subject to
the restrictions described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(b) Immediate Family Members Defined.--In this section, the
term ``immediate family members'' includes spouses, siblings,
and children of any age.
(c) National Interest Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the
imposition of sanctions under this section on a case-by-case
basis if the Secretary submits to the appropriate
congressional committees a determination that the waiver is
in the national interests of the United States.

SEC. 5307. REPORT ON NEW MULTILATERAL EXPORT CONTROL REGIME.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with appropriate agencies, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the
advisability and feasibility of converting the Multilateral
Action on Sensitive Technologies (MAST) dialogue into a fifth
multilateral export control regime.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:
(1) An assessment of the shortcomings of existing
multilateral export control regimes in coordinating export
controls for the purpose of limiting critical and emerging
technologies from flowing to covered foreign countries.
(2) An assessment of the current effectiveness of the MAST
dialogue in coordinating export controls among participating
countries.
(3) An analysis of the potential benefits and challenges of
establishing a formal multilateral export control regime
focused on preventing the flow of United States and allied
sensitive technologies to covered foreign countries.
(4) An evaluation of potential participant allied or
likeminded nations and their willingness to join such a
regime.
(5) A Department of State-led assessment of the domestic
and foreign legal, regulatory, and administrative framework
that would be required to establish and operate such a
regime.
(6) A review of existing bilateral or multilateral
agreements that could serve as a foundation for such a
regime.
(7) An assessment of enforcement mechanisms and compliance
measures that would be necessary for such regime to be
effective.
(8) A timeline for potential establishment and
implementation.
(9) Recommendations on whether the United States Government
should pursue the establishment of such a regime.
(c) Implementation Plan.--If the Secretary determines,
based on the report required under subsection (a), that
seeking to upgrade the MAST dialogue into a fifth
multilateral export control regime is advisable and feasible,
the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after such
determination, in consultation with the heads of appropriate
Federal agencies, submit to the appropriate congressional
committees an implementation plan that includes--
(1) specific steps and timeline for establishing the
regime;
(2) proposed membership criteria and recruitment strategy;
(3) draft foundational documents and operating procedures;
(4) resource requirements and funding mechanisms;
(5) coordination mechanisms with existing export control
regimes;
(6) proposed enforcement and compliance framework;
(7) stakeholder engagement strategy, including consultation
with private sector and civil society organizations; and
(8) metrics for measuring the regime's effectiveness.
(d) Form.--The report and implementation plan required
under this section shall be submitted in unclassified form,
but may include a classified annex if necessary.
(e) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) The term ``covered foreign country'' means any of the
following:
(A) The People's Republic of China.
(B) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(C) The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.
(D) The Russian Federation.
(2) The term ``critical and emerging technologies'' means
the technologies from the critical and emerging technologies
list published by the National Science and Technology Council
(NSTC) at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, as
amended by subsequent updates to the list issued by the NSTC.

SEC. 5308. SECURITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AGREEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

(a) Security Review.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination
with relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a security
review of the United States-China Science and Technology
Cooperation Agreement (STA). The review shall include the
following elements:
(1) An assessment of the potential risks of maintaining the
STA agreement, including the transfer under such agreement of
technology or intellectual property capable of harming the
national security interests of the United States.
(2) An assessment of the Secretary of State's ability to
monitor compliance of the People's Republic of China's
commitments established under the STA agreement.
(3) An evaluation of the benefits of the STA agreement to
the economy, military, and industrial base of the People's
Republic of China and the United States.
(4) An evaluation of the value of the information and data
the United States Government receives under the STA related
to the People's Republic of China that the United States
otherwise would not have access to should it withdraw its
participation in the STA.
(b) Report.--Not later than 30 days after completion of the
security review of the STA agreement required in subsection
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report detailing

[[Page S5351]]

the findings of the security review. The report shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.
(c) Certification.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
certify to the appropriate committees of Congress whether it
is in the national security interest of the United States to
maintain its participation in the STA agreement through its
current duration.
(d) Guidance.--If Secretary certifies that it is no longer
in the national security interest of the United States to
maintain its participation in the STA agreement, the
Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after submitting the
certification, and in coordination with the heads of relevant
Federal agencies, promulgate guidance on United States
Federal agency interactions with counterpart agencies in the
People's Republic of China.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committees on Foreign Relations and Commerce,
Science of Technology of the Senate; and
(B) the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(2) STA agreement.--The term ``STA Agreement'' means
Agreement between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of the People's Republic of China
on Cooperation in Science and Technology, signed in
Washington January 31, 1979, its protocols, and any
subagreements entered into pursuant to such Agreement on or
before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5309. STUDY ON GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGIES AND VERIFICATION
FRAMEWORKS FOR ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE.

(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United
States--
(1) to maintain United States leadership in the research,
development, and deployment of advanced artificial
intelligence (AI), including general-purpose and frontier AI
systems;
(2) to promote and sustain a United States-led AI
ecosystem, including via strategic engagements with allies
and partners;
(3) to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring or
developing AI capabilities that would pose severe risks to
United States national security or public safety;
(4) to sustain United States strategic advantage in AI over
the People's Republic of China and other adversaries; and
(5) to prepare geopolitical, technical, and diplomatic
strategies and robust verification methods to achieve these
objectives.
(b) Study on Geopolitical Strategies and Verification
Frameworks for Artificial Intelligence.--
(1) Study requirement.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination
with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall
complete an initial report evaluating geopolitical,
technical, diplomatic, and other relevant strategies to
preserve enduring United States leadership in artificial
intelligence and to prevent the development or deployment of
artificial intelligence systems by foreign adversaries that
would pose severe threats to United States national security.
The Secretary of State shall continue to monitor relevant
developments over a period of two years following the date of
such enactment, including through periodic reports as
described in subsection (c).
(2) Study objectives.--In performing the study required
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at a minimum--
(A) develop, describe, and assess technical and non-
technical methods to monitor the present or future
development or deployment of covered AI systems by foreign
actors and foreign adversaries, including the PRC, with
particular attention to systems that could pose severe
threats to United States national security;
(B) develop proposals for potential commitments or
agreements under which one or more foreign states would
commit to restrict, limit, or halt the development or
deployment of covered AI systems;
(C) identify and evaluate monitoring, verification, and
enforcement mechanisms, including methods that do not yet
exist but could be developed or strengthened through
additional research and development, that could be used to
assess international compliance with the commitments or
agreements described in subparagraph (B) or otherwise improve
United States national security, including hardware-based
safeguards, data center inspections, cloud service audits,
satellite monitoring, signals intelligence, and other
relevant methods;
(D) identify and assess potential evasion techniques or
deception strategies that adversaries could employ to
circumvent verification mechanisms, and evaluate
countermeasures to enhance the credibility and robustness of
such mechanisms; and
(E) identify potential limitations in the strategies,
agreements, proposals, and mechanisms outlined in
subparagraphs (A) through (D), and develop policy
recommendations to address such limitations, including via
coordination with allies and partners.
(c) Reports to Congress.--
(1) Report and briefing on initial study.--Not later than
30 days after the completion of the initial study required
under subsection (b), the Secretary, in coordination with the
heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the
findings and recommendations of the initial study and shall
provide a corresponding briefing to such committees.
(2) Final two-year report.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a comprehensive report summarizing all findings,
developments, and policy recommendations made pursuant to
this section during the two-year study period and shall
provide a corresponding briefing to such committees.
(3) Notificiations of significant developments.--During the
two-year period described in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary
shall provide timely updates to the appropriate committees of
Congress in response to significant developments related to
the objectives set forth in subsection (b)(2), or other
material developments in the global landscape of advanced
artificial intelligence that may affect United States
national security interests, verification strategies, or
geopolitical stability.
(4) Classified annex.--Each report submitted under this
subsection shall be provided primarily at an unclassified
level but may include a classified annex containing
additional information.
(5) Public reporting.--The Secretary shall make publicly
available a version of each report required under this
subsection, with appropriate redactions of classified or
sensitive information.
(d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science of Technology of the
Senate; and
(4) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(e) Special Hiring Authorities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may--
(A) appoint up to 15 employees to positions related to
critical and emerging technology and international artificial
intelligence policy without regard to the provisions of
subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code,
regarding appointments in the competitive service; and
(B) fix the rates of basic pay of such employees without
regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such
title regarding classification and General Schedule pay
rates, provided that the rates for such positions do not
exceed the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position
at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5, United States Code.
(2) Maintenance of adequate staffing.--The Secretary shall
maintain a sufficient number of personnel with relevant
backgrounds in engineering, data science, application
development, artificial intelligence, critical and emerging
technology, including for the purposes of carrying out this
provision.

TITLE LXIV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

SEC. 5401. FOREIGN INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE
STRATEGY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination
with other relevant agencies, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a comprehensive strategy to combat
foreign manipulation and interference, which shall be carried
out by the Department.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:
(1) Conducting analysis of foreign state and non-state
actors' foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and
techniques, including those originating from United States
nation-state adversaries, including the Russian Federation,
the People's Republic of China, and Iran.
(2) Working together with allies and partners to expose and
counter foreign malign influence narratives, tactics, and
techniques, including those originating in the Russian
Federation, the People's Republic of China and Iran.
(3) Supporting non-state actors abroad, including
independent media and civil society groups, which are working
to expose and counter foreign malign influence narratives,
tactics, and techniques, including those originating in the
Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, or Iran.
(4) Coordinating efforts to expose and counter foreign
information manipulation and interference across Federal
departments and agencies.
(5) Protecting the First Amendment rights of United States
citizens.
(6) Creating guardrails to ensure the Department of State
does not provide grants to organizations engaging in partisan
political activity in the United States.
(c) Coordination.--The strategy required under subsection
(a) shall be led and implemented by the Under Secretary for
Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in coordination with
relevant bureaus and offices at the Department of State.
(d) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that includes--

[[Page S5352]]

(1) actions the Department has taken to preserve the
institutional capability to counter foreign nation-state
influence operations from the People's Republic of China,
Iran, and the Russian Federation since the termination of the
Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/
FIMI) hub;
(2) a list of active and cancelled Countering PRC Influence
Fund (CPIF) and Countering Russian Influence Fund (CRIF)
projects since January 21, 2025;
(3) actions the Department has taken to improve Department
grantmaking processes related to countering foreign influence
operations from nation-state adversaries; and
(4) an assessment of recent foreign adversarial information
operations and narratives related to United States foreign
policy since January 21, 2025, from the People's Republic of
China, Iran, and the Russian Federation.

SEC. 5402. LIFTING THE PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS
FOR WORLD'S FAIR PAVILIONS AND EXHIBITS.

Section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and
2001 (22 USC 2452b) is hereby repealed.

TITLE LXV--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY AND CONSULAR AFFAIRS

SEC. 5501. MACHINE-READABLE VISA DOCUMENTS.

(a) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate;
(2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
House of Representatives;
(5) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives;
(6) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives; and
(7) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall--
(1) use a machine-readable visa application form;
(2) make available all documents submitted in support of a
visa application in a machine-readable format to assist in--
(A) identifying fraud;
(B) conducting lawful law enforcement activities;
(C) facilitating interagency access to required visa
documentation for the purposes of providing necessary support
for security background checks , including security advisory
opinions, on visa applicants; and
(D) determining the eligibility of applicants for a visa
under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et
seq.); and
(3) ensure that machine-readable visa documents can be
indexed, searched, or retrieved by other Federal agencies
through automated processes and are incorporated into other
internal government databases relevant to national security,
as appropriate.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement
described in subsection (b), for a period not to exceed 180
days, by submitting to Congress, not later than 30 days
before such waiver is scheduled to take effect--
(1) a detailed explanation for why the waiver is being
issued; and
(2) a timeframe for implementing the requirement described
in subsection (b).
(d) Report.--Not later than 45 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that--
(1) describes how supplementary documents provided by a
visa applicant in support of a visa application are stored
and shared by the Department with authorized Federal
agencies;
(2) identifies the sections of a visa application that are
currently machine-readable and the sections of such
application that are currently not machine-readable;
(3) provides cost estimates, including personnel costs and
a cost-benefit analysis for adopting different technologies,
including optical character recognition, for--
(A) making every element of a visa application, and all
documents submitted in support of a visa application,
machine-readable; and
(B) ensuring that such system, in accordance with existing
Federal law--
(i) protects personally identifiable information;
(ii) permits the sharing of visa information with Federal
agencies in accordance with existing Federal law; and
(iii) allows other Federal agencies to index, search, or
retrieve visa information through automated processes and
incorporate such visa information into other internal
government databases relevant to national security, as
appropriate; and
(4) includes an estimated timeline for completing the
implementation of the requirement described in subsection
(b).

SEC. 5502. REPORT CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONSULAR
OFFICERS JOINING COAST GUARD AND NAVY MISSIONS
TO PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Pacific island countries, especially, but not limited
to, the Freely Associated States, include close United States
partners located across highly strategic waters critical for
United States national security;
(2) it is in the national security interests of the United
States to maintain and strengthen relations with the
governments and the citizens of Pacific island countries; and
(3) many citizens of these countries face difficulties in
accessing United States consular services because of the
remote location of the Pacific islands, only some of which
host United States embassies, and a paucity of flights,
making applying for United States visas and other consular
procedures difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination
with the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, the
Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the
Chief of Naval Operations, shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report analyzing the feasibility of
attaching Department of State consular officers to Coast
Guard and Navy missions in the Pacific Island countries.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) an assessment of the current demand for consular
services from citizens of Pacific Island countries and
challenges that these citizens face in obtaining services;
(B) an assessment of the approximate value, including in
time and resources saved, such an initiative could save
citizens of Pacific Island countries that do not host United
States embassies to have their United States visas
adjudicated or to receive other services;
(C) an assessment of the cost for the Department of State,
United States Coast Guard, United States Indo-Pacific
Command, and United States Navy, including potential
alternative cost-effective options and recommendations for
providing consular services to Pacific Island countries;
(D) an assessment of the frequency and duration of United
States Coast Guard and United States Navy deployments to
Pacific Island countries, including--
(i) deployment frequency measured against desired number of
visits;
(ii) amount of time typically spent in port for such
visits; and
(iii) disruption to planned United States Coast Guard and
United States Navy missions in order to visit locations
needing consular assistance; and
(E) an evaluation of the logistical issues to be addressed
including, including--
(i) analysis of spacing requirements to host Department of
State personnel and equipment aboard United States Coast
Guard and United States Navy vessels;
(ii) analysis of the information technology and
connectivity requirements to conduct consular affairs
activities;
(iii) the feasibility of printing visas aboard United
States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels;
(iv) maintaining physical security of consular officers and
relevant adjudication equipment, including computer systems
and visa foils, during such missions;
(v) impacts to United States Coast Guard and United States
Navy vessels' operations and security; and
(vi) the estimated amount of time that Consular Officers
would spend on board United States Coast Guard and United
States Navy vessels between visits to Pacific Island
countries.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. 5503. REPORT ON SECURITY CONDITIONS IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA,
REQUIRED FOR THE REOPENING OF THE UNITED STATES
DIPLOMATIC MISSION.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States has a national security interest in a
stable Syria free from the malign influence of Russia and
Iran, and which cannot be used by terrorist organizations to
launch attacks against the United States or United States
allies or partners in the region.
(2) Permissive security conditions are necessary for the
reopening of any diplomatic mission.
(b) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report describing the
Syrian interim government's progress towards meeting the
security and governance related benchmarks described in
paragraph (2).
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's
progress to ensure that Syria never serves as a platform for
terrorist attacks against the United States or our partners.
(B) An assessment of the security environment of the
location of the building of the

[[Page S5353]]

United States embassy in Damascus and the conditions
necessary for the reopening of the mission.
(C) An analysis of the Syrian interim's government's
progress in identifying and rendering harmless the Assad
regime's chemical weapons stockpiles, research facilities, or
related sites.
(D) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's
destruction of the Assad regime's captagon and other illicit
drug stockpiles, to include infrastructure.
(E) An assessment of the Syrian interim government's
relationship with the Russian Federation and the Islamic
Republic of Iran, to include access, basing, overflight,
economic relationships, and impacts on United States national
security objectives.
(F) A description of the Syrian interim government's
cooperation with the United States to locate and repatriate
United States citizens.
(G) An assessment of the status of foreign terror groups
and militias and interim government efforts to eject these
groups.
(H) A description of accountability efforts under the
interim Syrian government to include accountability for Assad
regime crimes against the Syrian people, the Alawite massacre
in northwest Syria, records preservation, and mass grave
documentation.

SEC. 5504. EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, AND OTHER DIPLOMATIC
INSTALLATIONS RETURN TO STANDARDS REPORT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that
includes the impacts of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's
initiative known as ``Return to Standards'' on the security
needs of United States embassies, consulates, and other
diplomatic installations outside the United States.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall describe the impacts of the Return to Standards
initiative and other reductions in staffing and resources
from the beginning of the initiative to the date of enactment
of this Act for all embassies, consulates, and other overseas
diplomatic installations, including detailed descriptions and
explanations of all reductions of personnel or other
resources, including their effects on--
(1) securing facilities and perimeters;
(2) transporting United States personnel into the foreign
country;
(3) gathering actionable intelligence; and
(4) executing any other relevant operations for which they
are responsible.

SEC. 5505. PASSPORT AND VISA OPERATIONS REPORT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of the Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on visa
backlogs and the feasibility of providing priority visas to
nationals of countries that are of strategic importance to
the tourism industry of the United States.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall address--
(1) the status of visa backlogs and wait times, including
internal and external recommendations to streamline and
improve consular processes, as required by the joint
exploratory statement for the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024
(division F of Public Law 118-47), including the rationale
and justification for the implementation of each such
recommendation;
(2) the impact of reductions in force on improvement of the
overall efficiency of consular operations, processing time,
and customer experience for applicants;
(3) the extent to which non-consular Department personnel
have been used to improve the overall efficiency of consular
operations, processing time, and customer experience for
applicants during periods of high demand;
(4) the viability of temporarily assigning non-consular
Department personnel during periods of high demand; and
(5) the extent to which technology, including artificial
intelligence, can alleviate visa backlogs.

TITLE LXVI--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 5551. SUBMISSION OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT CENTER REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 30 days after receiving a report or other
written product provided to the Department by federally
funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and
consultant groups that were supported by funds
congressionally appropriated to the Department, the Secretary
shall provide the appropriate committees the report or
written product, including the original proposal for the
report, the amount provided by the Department to the FFRDC,
and a detailed description of the value the Department
derived from the report.

SEC. 5552. QUARTERLY REPORT ON DIPLOMATIC POUCH ACCESS.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and every 90 days thereafter for the next 3 years,
the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees that describes--
(1) a list of every overseas United States diplomatic post
where diplomatic pouch access is restricted or limited by the
host government;
(2) an explanation as to why, in each instance where an
overseas United States diplomatic post has not been granted
diplomatic pouch access by the host government, the host
government has failed to do so; and
(3) a detailed explanation outlining the steps the
Department is taking to gain diplomatic pouch access in each
instance where such access has been denied by the host
government.

SEC. 5553. REPORT ON UTILITY OF INSTITUTING A PROCESSING FEE
FOR ITAR LICENSE APPLICATIONS.

No later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the feasibility and
effect of establishing an export licensing fee system for the
commercial export of defense items and services to partially
or fully finance the licensing costs of the Department, if
permitted by statute. The report should consider whether and
to what degree such an export license application fee system
would be preferable to relying solely on the existing
registration fee system and the feasibility of a tiered
system of fees, considering such options as volume per
applicant over time and discounted fees for small businesses.

SEC. 5554. HAVANA ACT PAYMENT FIX.

Section 901 of title IX of division J of the Further
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``January 1, 2016'' each place it appears
and inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``of a'' and inserting ``of
an''.

SEC. 5555. ESTABLISHING AN INNER MONGOLIA SECTION WITHIN THE
UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN BEIJING.

(a) Inner Mongolia Section in United States Embassy in
Beijing, China.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary should consider establishing
an Inner Mongolian team within the United States Embassy in
Beijing, China, to follow political, economic, and social
developments in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and
other areas designated by the People's Republic of China as
autonomous for Mongolians, with due consideration given to
hiring Southern Mongolians as Locally Employed Staff.
(2) Responsibilities.--Responsibilities of a team devoted
to Inner Mongolia should include reporting on internationally
recognized human rights issues, monitoring developments in
critical minerals mining, environmental degradation, and PRC
space capabilities, and access to areas designated as
autonomous for Mongolians by United States Government
officials, journalists, nongovernmental organizations, and
the Southern Mongolian diaspora.
(3) Language requirements.--The Secretary should ensure
that the Department of State has sufficient proficiency in
Mongolian language in order to carry out paragraph (1), and
that the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, has
sufficient resources to hire Local Employed Staff proficient
in the Mongolian language, as appropriate.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the staffing
described in subsection (a).

SEC. 5556. REPORT ON UNITED STATES MISSION AUSTRALIA
STAFFING.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Australia is one of the closest allies of the United
States and integral to United States national security
interests in the Indo-Pacific;
(2) the United States-Australia alliance has seen
tremendous growth, including through AUKUS, as part of which,
the United States plans to rotate up to four Virginia-class
attack submarines out of the Australian port of Perth by
2027; and
(3) current United States staffing and facilities across
United States Mission Australia do not appear adequately
resourced to support an expanding mission set and are no
longer commensurate with strategic developments, as the
United States will need to station many more United States
civilian and military personnel in western Australia to
support the maintenance and supply of these vessels.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report regarding staffing and
facility requirements at United States Mission Australia.
(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) an assessment of how many Americans, which includes
United States Government personnel (including members of the
United States Armed Forces) and their family members and
dependents, the Department of State expects in the Perth area
and across Australia in the next 2 years;
(B) an assessment of what requirements those Americans will
have, including housing, schooling, and office space;
(C) a description of how many staff are currently in the
United States Consulate in Perth and their roles;
(D) information regarding any discussions or decisions at
the Department of State about transferring staff from
elsewhere within Mission Australia to increase staffing in
Perth and the tradeoffs of such personnel moves;
(E) a status update on the interagency process begun in
2024 to assess the needs of Mission Australia;

[[Page S5354]]

(F) an assessment of the impact the Department of State re-
organization and workforce reduction is having on the
staffing contemplated by that process;
(G) an estimated total cost of expanding Perth staffing to
sufficiently serve the increased presence of United States
citizens in the area and to achieve any other United States
foreign policy objectives; and
(H) an estimate of the costs that are expected to be
covered by United States Indo-Pacific Command or any other
United States Government department or agency, as well as an
estimate of the costs be covered by the Department of State.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. 5557. INVESTING IN TALENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, AND LATIN AMERICA.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Latin america and the caribbean.--In this section, the
term ``Latin America and the Caribbean'' does not include
Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela.
(2) Pacific islands.--The term ``Pacific Islands'' means
the nations of Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands,
Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga,
Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
(3) Southeast asia.--The term ``Southeast Asia'' means the
nations of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
(4) Sub-saharan africa.--The term ``sub-Saharan Africa''
means a country or successor political entity defined in
section 107 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
U.S.C. 3706).
(b) Establishment of Centers of Excellence.--The Secretary,
in coordination with, as appropriate, the heads of other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, is authorized to
enter into public-private partnerships and establish centers
of excellence located in countries in Southeast Asia, the
Pacific Islands, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and
the Caribbean to build and enhance the technical capacity of
officials, emerging leaders, and other qualified persons from
countries in those regions.
(c) Priority Areas for Technical Assistance and Capacity
Building.--The centers of excellence established under
subsection (b) shall provide technical assistance and
capacity building in areas, such as the following:
(1) Domestic resource mobilization.
(2) Regulatory management.
(3) Procurement processes, including tendering, bidding,
and contract negotiation.
(4) Budget management and oversight.
(5) Management of key economic sectors, including energy,
digital economy, and infrastructure.
(6) Sovereign financial management.
(7) Any other areas as determined by the Secretary to be
priorities that advance the security and prosperity of the
partner country in furtherance of United States national
interests.
(d) Terms and Conditions.--The program authorized under
this section shall--
(1) leverage existing United States diplomatic and foreign
assistance programs and activities in Southeast Asia and the
Pacific Islands, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America; and
(2) be supported by instructors who are United States
nationals that--
(A)(i) currently serve in relevant areas of the United
States Government with a rank of not less than 14 on the GS
scale; or
(ii) possess at least 10 years of experience relevant to
the areas of instruction identified in subsection (c);
(B) meet high professional standards within their fields;
and
(C)(i) are contracted by any center of excellence
established pursuant to subsection (b); or
(ii) are deployed or detailed directly from a Federal
Government agency;
(3) seek to attract foreign participants who--
(A)(i) are currently senior or mid-career officials in key
technical ministries of participating countries in Southeast
Asia, the Pacific Islands, sub-Saharan Africa, or Latin
America and the Caribbean;
(ii) have demonstrated leadership potential, under terms to
be established by the Secretary and have exercised direct
responsibility for crafting or implementing policies relevant
to the areas of instruction described under subsection (c);
and
(iii) have demonstrated an intent to return to government
service of their home country after completing the program
outlined in this section; or
(B) are currently employed in utilities or other critical
infrastructure, as established by the Secretary, within their
home country and have demonstrable experience in implementing
relevant policy and regulation or supporting government
functions in the areas of instruction described under
subsection (c); and
(4) ensure appropriate burden sharing by requiring
appropriate financial or in-kind contributions from
participating governments, based upon their ability to
contribute as determined by the Secretary.
(e) Authorization to Enter Agreements and Non-binding
Instruments.--To fulfill the terms and conditions specified
by subsection (d), the Secretary of State is authorized to
enter agreements and non-binding instruments with
participating governments to determine what financial or in-
kind contributions will be made by the United States and what
financial or in-kind contributions will be made by the
participating government with respect to the activities
described in this section.

SEC. 5558. FACILITATING REGULATORY EXCHANGES WITH ALLIES AND
PARTNERS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies,
should establish and develop a voluntary program to
facilitate and encourage regular dialogues between interested
United States Government regulatory and technical agencies
and their counterpart organizations in allied and partner
countries, both bilaterally and in relevant multilateral
institutions and organizations--
(1) to promote best practices in regulatory formation and
implementation;
(2) to collaborate to achieve optimal regulatory outcomes
based on scientific, technical, and other relevant
principles;
(3) to seek better harmonization and alignment of
regulations and regulatory practices; and
(4) to build consensus around industry and technical
standards in emerging sectors that will drive future global
economic growth and commerce.
(b) Prioritization of Activities.--In facilitating expert
exchanges under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
prioritize--
(1) bilateral coordination and collaboration with countries
where greater regulatory coherence, harmonization of
standards, or communication and dialogue between technical
agencies is achievable and best advances the economic and
national security interests of the United States;
(2) multilateral coordination and collaboration where
greater regulatory coherence, harmonization of standards, or
dialogue on other relevant regulatory matters is achievable
and best advances the economic and national security
interests of the United States, including with the members
of--
(A) the European Union;
(B) the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation;
(C) the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);
(D) the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD);
(E) the Pacific Alliance; and
(F) multilateral development banks; and
(3) regulatory practices and standards-setting bodies
focused on key economic sectors and emerging technologies.
(c) Participation by Nongovernmental Entities.--With regard
to the program described in subsection (a), the Secretary may
facilitate the participation of relevant organizations and
individuals with relevant expertise, as appropriate and to
the extent that such participation advances the goals of such
program.
(d) Rule of Construction.--The authorities provided by this
section are intended solely to provide United States embassy
and related Department support for dialogues which may occur
outside the United States, on a strictly voluntary basis and
as agreed to by the relevant United States Federal department
or agency with their foreign counterparts, and are not
intended to obligate in any way the participation of any
other Federal department or agency in such dialogues.

SEC. 5559. PILOT PROGRAM TO AUDIT BARRIERS TO COMMERCE IN
DEVELOPING PARTNER COUNTRIES.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with
relevant Federal departments and agencies as determined by
the Secretary, is authorized to establish a pilot program--
(1) to identify and evaluate barriers to commerce in
developing countries that are allies and partners of the
United States; and
(2) to provide assistance to promote economic development
and commerce to those countries.
(b) Purposes.--Under the pilot program established under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in partnership with the
countries selected under subsection (c)(1)--
(1) seek to identify possible barriers in those countries
that limit international commerce with the goal of setting
priorities for the efficient use of United States economic
assistance;
(2) focus relevant United States economic assistance on
building self-sustaining institutional capacity for expanding
commerce with those countries, consistent with their
international obligations and commitments; and
(3) further the national interests of the United States
by--
(A) expanding prosperity through the elimination of foreign
barriers to commercial exchange;
(B) assisting such countries to identify and reduce
commercial restrictions, including through the deployment of
targeted foreign assistance, as appropriate, to increase
international commerce and investment;

[[Page S5355]]

(C) assisting each selected country in undertaking reforms
that will promote economic growth, and promote conditions
favorable for business and commercial development and job
growth in the country; and
(D) assisting private sector entities in those countries to
engage in reform efforts and enhance productive global supply
chain partnerships with the United States and allies and
partners of the United States.
(c) Selection of Countries.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select countries for
participation in the pilot program established under
subsection (a) from among developing countries--
(A) that are allies and partners of the United States;
(B) the governments of which have clearly demonstrated a
willingness to make appropriate legal, policy, and regulatory
reforms that are proven to stimulate economic growth and job
creation, consistent with international trade rules and
practices; and
(C) that meet such additional criteria as may be
established by the Secretary, in consultation with, as
appropriate, the heads of other Federal departments and
agencies as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Considerations for additional criteria.--In
establishing additional criteria under paragraph (1)(C), the
Secretary shall--
(A) identify and address structural weaknesses, systemic
flaws, or other impediments within countries that may be
considered for participation in the pilot program under
subsection (a) that impact the effectiveness of United States
assistance to and make recommendations for addressing those
weaknesses, flaws, and impediments;
(B) set priorities for commercial development assistance
that focus resources on countries where the provision of such
assistance can deliver the best value in identifying and
eliminating commercial barriers; and
(C) developing appropriate performance measures and
establishing annual targets to monitor and assess progress
toward achieving those targets, including measures to be used
to terminate the provision of assistance determined to be
ineffective.
(3) Number and deadline for selections.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3
years, the Secretary should select countries for
participation in the pilot program.
(B) Number.--The Secretary should select for participation
in the pilot program under subsection (a) not fewer than 3
countries during the 1-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(4) Prioritization based on recommendations from chiefs of
mission.--In selecting countries under paragraph (1) for
participation in the pilot program under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall prioritize--
(A) countries recommended by chiefs of mission--
(i) that will be able to substantially benefit from
expanded commercial development assistance; and
(ii) the governments of which have demonstrated the
political will to effectively and sustainably implement such
assistance; or
(B) groups of countries, including groups of geographically
contiguous countries, including as recommended by chiefs of
mission, that meet the criteria under subparagraph (A) and as
a result of expanded United States commercial development
assistance, will contribute to greater intra-regional
commerce or regional economic integration.
(d) Plans of Action.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall lead in engaging
relevant officials of each country selected under subsection
(c)(1) to participate in the pilot program under subsection
(a) with respect to the development of a plan of action to
identify and evaluate barriers to economic and commercial
development that then informs United States assistance.
(2) Analysis required.--The development of a plan of action
under paragraph (1) shall include a comprehensive analysis of
relevant legal, policy, and regulatory constraints to
economic and job growth in that country.
(3) Elements.--A plan of action developed under paragraph
(1) for a country shall include the following:
(A) Priorities for reform agreed to by the government of
that country and the United States.
(B) Clearly defined policy responses, including regulatory
and legal reforms, as necessary, to achieve improvement in
the business and commercial environment in the country.
(C) Identification of the anticipated costs to establish
and implement the plan.
(D) Identification of appropriate sequencing and phasing of
implementation of the plan to create cumulative benefits, as
appropriate.
(E) Identification of best practices and standards.
(F) Considerations with respect to how to make the policy
reform investments under the plan long-lasting.
(G) Appropriate consultation with affected stakeholders in
that country and in the United States.
(e) Termination.--The pilot program established under
subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 8 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5560. STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING SUPPLY CHAIN
DIVERSIFICATION.

(a) Strategy.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as
determined by the Secretary, shall develop, implement, and
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy
to increase supply chain resiliency and security by promoting
and strengthening efforts to incentivize the relocation of
supply chains from the People's Republic of China.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) be informed by consultations with the governments of
allies and partners of the United States;
(2) provide a description of how supply chain
diversification can be pursued in a complementary fashion to
strengthen the national interests of the United States;
(3) include an assessment of--
(A) the status and effectiveness of current efforts by
governments, multilateral development banks, and the private
sector to attract investment by private entities who are
seeking to diversify from reliance on the People's Republic
of China;
(B) major challenges hindering those efforts; and
(C) how the United States can strengthen the effectiveness
of those efforts;
(4) identify United States allies and partners with
comparative advantages for sourcing and manufacturing
critical goods and countries with the greatest opportunities
and alignment with United States values;
(5) identify how activities by relevant Federal agencies,
as determined by the Secretary, can effectively be leveraged
to strengthen and promote supply chain diversification,
including nearshoring to Latin America and the Caribbean as
appropriate;
(6) advance diplomatic initiatives to secure specific
national commitments by governments in Latin America and the
Caribbean to undertake efforts to create favorable conditions
for nearshoring in the region, including commitments--
(A) to develop formalized national strategies to attract
investment from the United States ;
(B) to address corruption and rule of law concerns;
(C) to modernize digital and physical infrastructure of
these nations;
(D) to improve ease of doing business; and
(E) to finance and incentivize nearshoring initiatives that
transfer supply chains from the People's Republic of China to
the nations of the Americas;
(7) to advance diplomatic initiatives towards mutually
beneficial dialogues on standards and regulations; and
(8) to develop and implement assistance programs to
finance, incentivize, or otherwise promote supply chain
diversification in accordance with the assessments and
identifications made pursuant to paragraphs (3), (4), and
(5), including, at minimum, programs--
(A) to help develop physical and digital infrastructure;
(B) to promote transparency in procurement processes;
(C) to provide technical assistance in implementing
national nearshoring strategies;
(D) to help mobilize private investment; and
(E) to pursue commitments by private sector entities to
relocate supply chains from the People's Republic of China.
(c) Coordination With Multilateral Development Banks.--In
implementing the strategy required under subsection (a), the
Secretary of State and the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies, as determined by the Secretary,
should, as appropriate, cooperate with the World Bank Group
and the regional development banks through the Secretary of
the Treasury.

SEC. 5561. AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND THE PROVISIONS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IMMUNITIES ACT TO
ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) Association of Southeast Asian Nations.--The
International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``Sec. 18.
``Under such terms and conditions as the President shall
determine, the President is authorized to extend the
provisions of this title to the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the same manner, to the same extent,
and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to
a public international organization in which the United
States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the
authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such
participation or making an appropriation for such
participation.''.
(b) European Organization for Nuclear Research.--The
International Organizations Immunities Act, as amended by
subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 19.
``Under such terms and conditions as the President shall
determine, the President is authorized to extend the
provisions of this title to the European Organization for
Nuclear Research (CERN) in the same manner, to the same
extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be
extended to a public international organization in which the
United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under
the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such
participation or making an appropriation for such
participation.''.
(c) Pacific Islands Forum.--The International Organizations
Immunities Act, as

[[Page S5356]]

amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 20.
``Under such terms and conditions as the President shall
determine, the President is authorized to extend the
provisions of this title to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the
same conditions, as it may be extended to a public
international organization in which the United States
participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of
any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making
an appropriation for such participation.''.

SEC. 5562. EXTENSIONS.

(a) Support to Enhance the Capacity of International
Monetary Fund Members to Evaluate the Legal and Financial
Terms of Sovereign Debt Contracts.--Title XVI of the
International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262p et
seq.) is amended in section 1630(c) by striking ``5-year
period'' and inserting ``10-year period''.
(b) Inspector General Annuitant Waiver.--The authorities
provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-212; 124 Stat. 2332)
shall remain in effect through September 30, 2031.
(c) Extension of Authorizations to Support United States
Participation in International Fairs and Expos.--Section
9601(b) of the Department of State Authorizations Act of 2022
(division I of Public Law 117-263; 136 6 Stat. 3909) is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2023 and 2024'' and
inserting ``fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and
2028''.

SEC. 5563. PERMITTING FOR INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND LAND
PORTS OF ENTRY.

Section 6 of the International Bridge Act of 1972 (33
U.S.C. 535d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``December 31, 2024,'' and inserting ``December 31, 2035,'';
and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and
inserting the following:
``(A) An international bridge between the United States and
Mexico.
``(B) An international bridge between the United States and
Canada.
``(C) A port of entry on the international land border
between the United States and Mexico.
``(D) A port of entry on the international land border
between the United States and Canada.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by inserting ``or land port of
entry'' after ``international bridge'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or land port of
entry'' after ``international bridge'';
(3) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``sole'' before ``basis''; and
(B) by inserting ``or land port of entry'' after
``international bridge'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) No compilation or consideration of documents.--The
Secretary shall not compile or take into consideration any
environmental document pursuant to Public Law 91-190 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a Presidential permit
for an application under subsection (b).''; and
(5) in subsection (f), by inserting ``or land port of
entry'' after ``international bridge'' each place it appears.

TITLE LXVII--OTHER MATTERS

Subtitle A--BUST FENTANYL Act

SEC. 5601. SHORT TITLES.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Break Up Suspicious
Transactions of Fentanyl Act'' or the ``BUST FENTANYL Act''.

SEC. 5602. INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT.

Section 489(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2291h(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``March 1'' and inserting ``June 1''; and
(2) in paragraph (8)(A)(i), by striking ``pseudoephedrine''
and all that follows through ``chemicals)'' and inserting
``chemical precursors used in the production of
methamphetamine that significantly affected the United
States''.

SEC. 5603. STUDY AND REPORT ON EFFORTS TO ADDRESS FENTANYL
TRAFFICKING FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTRIES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(2) DEA.--The term ``DEA'' means the Drug Enforcement
Administration.
(3) PRC.--The term ``PRC'' means the People's Republic of
China.
(b) Study and Report on Addressing Trafficking of Fentanyl
and Other Synthetic Opioids From the PRC and Other Relevant
Countries.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Attorney General shall jointly submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an unclassified written report, with a
classified annex, that includes--
(1) a description of United States Government efforts to
gain a commitment from the Government of the PRC to submit
unregulated fentanyl precursors, such as 4-AP, to controls;
(2) a plan for future steps the United States Government
will take to urge the Government of the PRC to combat the
production and trafficking of illicit fentanyl and synthetic
opioids from the PRC, including the trafficking of precursor
chemicals used to produce illicit narcotics in Mexico and in
other countries;
(3) a detailed description of cooperation by the Government
of the PRC to address the role of the PRC financial system
and PRC money laundering organizations in the trafficking of
fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors;
(4) an assessment of the expected impact that the
designation of principal corporate officers of PRC financial
institutions for facilitating narcotics-related money
laundering would have on PRC money laundering organizations;
(5) an assessment of whether the Trilateral Fentanyl
Committee, which was established by the United States,
Canada, and Mexico during the January 2023 North American
Leaders' Summit, is improving cooperation with law
enforcement and financial regulators in Canada and Mexico to
combat the role of PRC financial institutions and PRC money
laundering organizations in narcotics trafficking;
(6) an assessment of the effectiveness of other United
States bilateral and multilateral efforts to strengthen
international cooperation to address the PRC's role in the
trafficking of fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors,
including through the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic
Drug Threats;
(7) an update on the status of commitments made by third
countries through the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic
Drug Threats to combat the synthetic opioid crisis and
progress towards the implementation of such commitments;
(8) a plan for future steps to further strengthen bilateral
and multilateral efforts to urge the Government of the PRC to
take additional actions to address the PRC's role in the
trafficking of fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors,
particularly in coordination with countries in East Asia and
Southeast Asia that have been impacted by such activities;
(9) an assessment of how actions the Government of the PRC
has taken since November 15, 2023 has shifted relevant supply
chains for fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors, if at
all; and
(10) the items described in paragraphs (1) through (4)
pertaining to India, Mexico, and other countries the
Secretary of State determines to have a significant role in
the production or trafficking of fentanyl and synthetic
opioid precursors for purposes of this report.
(c) Establishment of DEA Offices in the PRC.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State and the Attorney General shall jointly
provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a
classified briefing on--
(1) outreach and negotiations undertaken by the United
States Government with the Government of the PRC that was
aimed at securing the approval of the Government of the PRC
to establish of United States Drug Enforcement Administration
offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou, the PRC; and
(2) additional efforts to establish new partnerships with
provincial-level authorities in the PRC to counter the
illicit trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and
their precursors.

SEC. 5604. PRIORITIZATION OF IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS FROM
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

Section 7211 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C. 2311)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Prioritization.--
``(A) Defined term.--In this paragraph, the term `person of
the People's Republic of China' means--
``(i) an individual who is a citizen or national of the
People's Republic of China; or
``(ii) an entity organized under the laws of the People's
Republic of China or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of
the Government of the People's Republic of China.
``(B) In general.--In preparing the report required under
paragraph (1), the President shall prioritize, to the
greatest extent practicable, the identification of persons of
the People's Republic of China involved in the shipment of
fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, fentanyl precursors, precursors
for fentanyl analogues, pre-precursors for fentanyl and
fentanyl analogues, and equipment for the manufacturing of
fentanyl and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills to Mexico or
any other country that is involved in the production of
fentanyl trafficked into the United States, including--
``(i) any entity involved in the production of
pharmaceuticals; and
``(ii) any person that is acting on behalf of any such
entity.

[[Page S5357]]

``(C) Termination of prioritization.--The President shall
continue the prioritization required under subparagraph (B)
until the President certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that the People's Republic of China
is no longer the primary source for the shipment of fentanyl,
fentanyl analogues, fentanyl precursors, precursors for
fentanyl analogues, pre-precursors for fentanyl and fentanyl
analogues, and equipment for the manufacturing of fentanyl
and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills to Mexico or any other
country that is involved in the production of fentanyl
trafficked into the United States.''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``the date that is 5
years after such date of enactment'' and inserting ``December
31, 2030''.

SEC. 5605. EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS UNDER THE FENTANYL
SANCTIONS ACT.

Section 7212 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C. 2312)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) the President determines has knowingly engaged in, on
or after the date of the enactment of the BUST FENTANYL Act,
a significant activity or significant financial transaction
that has materially contributed to opioid trafficking; or
``(4) the President determines--
``(A) has received any property or interest in property
that the foreign person knows--
``(i) constitutes or is derived from the proceeds of an
activity or transaction described in paragraph (3); or
``(ii) was used or intended to be used to commit or to
facilitate such an activity or transaction;
``(B) has knowingly provided significant financial,
material, or technological support for, including through the
provision of goods or services in support of--
``(i) any activity or transaction described in paragraph
(3); or
``(ii) any foreign person described in paragraph (3); or
``(C) is or has been owned, controlled, or directed by any
foreign person described in subparagraph (A) or (B) or in
paragraph (3), or has knowingly acted or purported to act for
or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, such a foreign
person.''.

SEC. 5606. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO AGENCIES
OR INSTRUMENTALITIES OF FOREIGN STATES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``knowingly''
and ``opioid trafficking'' have the meanings given such terms
in section 7203 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C.
2302).
(b) In General.--The President may--
(1) impose one or more of the sanctions described in
section 7213 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C. 2313)
with respect to each political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality of a foreign government, including any
financial institution owned or controlled by a foreign
government, that the President determines has knowingly, on
or after the date of the enactment of this Act--
(A) engaged in a significant activity or a significant
financial transaction that has materially contributed to
opioid trafficking; or
(B) provided financial, material, or technological support
for (including through the provision of goods or services in
support of) any significant activity or significant financial
transaction described in subparagraph (A); and
(2) impose one or more of the sanctions described in
section 7213(a)(6) of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C.
2313(a)(6)) with respect to each senior official of a
political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of a
foreign government that the President determines has
knowingly, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act,
facilitated a significant activity or a significant financial
transaction described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 5607. ANNUAL REPORT ON EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE SMUGGLING
OF METHAMPHETAMINE INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM
MEXICO.

Section 723(c) of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act
of 2005 (22 U.S.C. 2291 note) is amended by striking the
period at the end and inserting the following ``, which
shall--
``(1) identify the significant source countries for
methamphetamine that significantly affect the United States,
and
``(2) describe the actions by the governments of the
countries identified pursuant to paragraph (1) to combat the
diversion of relevant precursor chemicals and the production
and trafficking of methamphetamine.''.

Subtitle B--Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

SEC. 5611. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Countering Wrongful
Detention Act of 2025''.

SEC. 5612. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this subtitle or the amendments made by this
subtitle may be construed as preventing the freedom of travel
of United States citizens.

PART I--DETERRING AND PREVENTING UNLAWFUL OR WRONGFUL DETENTION

SEC. 5615. DESIGNATION OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY AS A STATE
SPONSOR OF UNLAWFUL OR WRONGFUL DETENTION.

The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking
Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 306 the following:

``SEC. 306A. DESIGNATION OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY AS A STATE
SPONSOR OF UNLAWFUL OR WRONGFUL DETENTION.

``(a) In General.--Subject to the notice requirement of
subsection (c)(1)(A), the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, may
designate a foreign country that has provided support for or
directly engaged in the unlawful or wrongful detention of a
United States national as a State Sponsor of Unlawful or
Wrongful Detention based on any of the following criteria:
``(1) The unlawful or wrongful detention of a United States
national occurs in the foreign country.
``(2) The government of the foreign country or an entity
organized under the laws of a foreign country has failed to
release an unlawfully or wrongfully detained United States
national within 30 days of being officially notified by the
Department of State of the unlawful or wrongful detention.
``(3) Actions taken by the government of the foreign
country indicate that the government is responsible for,
complicit in, or materially supports the unlawful or wrongful
detention of a United States national, including by acting as
described in paragraph (2) after having been notified by the
Department of State.
``(4) The actions of a state or nonstate actor in the
foreign country, including any previous action relating to
unlawful or wrongful detention or hostage taking of a United
States national, pose a risk to the safety and security of
United States nationals abroad sufficient to warrant
designation of the foreign country as a State Sponsor of
Unlawful or Wrongful Detention, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(b) Termination of Designation.--The Secretary of State
may terminate the designation of a foreign country under
subsection (a) if the Secretary certifies to Congress that
the government of the foreign country--
``(1) has released the United States nationals unlawfully
or wrongfully detained within the territory of the foreign
country;
``(2) has positively contributed to the release of United
States nationals taken hostage within the territory of the
foreign country or from the custody of a nonstate entity;
``(3) has demonstrated changes in leadership or policies
with respect to unlawful or wrongful detention and hostage
taking; or
``(4) has provided assurances that the government of the
foreign country will not engage or be complicit in or support
acts described in subsection (a).
``(c) Briefing and Reports to Congress; Publication.--
``(1) Reports to congress.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 7 days prior to making a
designation of a foreign country as a State Sponsor of
Unlawful or Wrongful Detention under subsection (a), the
Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report that notifies the committees of the
proposed designation.
``(B) Elements.--In each report submitted under
subparagraph (A) with respect to the designation of a foreign
country as a State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention,
the Secretary shall include--
``(i) the justification for the designation; and
``(ii) a description of any action taken by the United
States Government, including the Secretary of State or the
head of any other relevant Federal agency, in response to the
designation to deter the unlawful or wrongful detention or
hostage-taking of foreign nationals in the country.
``(2) Initial briefing required.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this section, the
Secretary shall brief Congress on the following:
``(A) Whether any of the following countries should be
designated as a State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful
Detention under subsection (a):
``(i) Afghanistan.
``(ii) Eritrea.
``(iii) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
``(iv) The People's Republic of China.
``(v) The Russian Federation.
``(vi) The Syrian Arab Republic or any transitional
government therein.
``(vii) Venezuela under the regime of Nicolas Maduro.
``(viii) The Republic of Belarus.
``(B) The steps taken by the Secretary and the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies to deter the unlawful and
wrongful detention of United States nationals and to respond
to such detentions, including--
``(i) any engagement with private sector companies to
optimize the distribution of travel advisories; and
``(ii) any engagement with private companies responsible
for promoting travel to foreign countries engaged in the
unlawful or wrongful detention of United States nationals.
``(C) An assessment of a possible expansion of chapter 97
of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the
`Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976') to include an
exception from asset seizure immunity for State Sponsors of
Unlawful or Wrongful Detention.
``(D) A detailed plan on the manner by which a geographic
travel restriction could be instituted against State Sponsors
of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention.
``(E) The progress made in multilateral fora, including the
United Nations and other international organizations, to
address the unlawful and wrongful detention of United States
nationals, in addition to nationals of

[[Page S5358]]

partners and allies of the United States in foreign
countries.
``(3) Annual briefing.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter for 5 years, the Assistant Secretary of State for
Consular Affairs and the Special Presidential Envoy for
Hostage Affairs shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress with respect to unlawful or wrongful detentions
taking place in the countries listed under paragraph (2)(A)
and actions taken by the Secretary of State and the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies to deter the wrongful
detention of United States nationals, including any steps
taken in accordance with paragraph (2)(B).
``(4) Publication.--The Secretary shall make available on a
publicly accessible website of the Department of State, and
regularly update, a list of foreign countries designated as
State Sponsors of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention under
subsection (a).
``(d) Review of Available Responses to State Sponsors of
Unlawful or Wrongful Detention.--Upon designation of a
foreign country as a State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful
Detention under subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall conduct a comprehensive review of the use of
existing authorities to respond to and deter the unlawful or
wrongful detention of United States nationals in the foreign
country, including--
``(1) sanctions available under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
``(2) visa restrictions available under section 7031(c) of
the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of Public Law
118-47; 8 U.S.C. 1182 note) or any other provision of Federal
law;
``(3) sanctions available under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.);
``(4) imposition of a geographic travel restriction on
citizens of the United States;
``(5) restrictions on assistance provided to the government
of the country under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) or any other provision of Federal law;
``(6) restrictions on the export of certain goods to the
country under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.), the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801
et seq.), or any other Federal law; and
``(7) designating the government of the country as a
government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism pursuant to--
``(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform
Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));
``(B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371);
``(C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2780(d)); or
``(D) any other provision of law.
``(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
paragraph, the term `appropriate committees of Congress'
means--
``(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate; and
``(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to imply that the United States Government
formally recognizes any particular country or the government
of such country as legitimate.''.

SEC. 5616. REQUIRED CERTIFICATION REGARDING INTERNATIONAL
TRAVEL ADVISORIES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:

``Sec. 42309. Required certification regarding international
travel advisories

``(a) In General.--An air carrier, foreign air carrier, or
ticket agent who sells, in the United States, a ticket for
foreign air transportation of a passenger to a country or
other geographic area with a `D' or `K' indicator issued by
the Department of State Travel Advisory System shall require
the passenger listed on the ticket to certify that the
passenger--
``(1) has reviewed the travel advisory of the Department of
State applicable to such country or other geographic area;
and
``(2) understands the risks involved with traveling to such
country or other geographic area.
``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may
be construed as grounds to inhibit access to consular
services by a United States citizen abroad.
``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) `D' indicator.--The term `` `D'' indicator' means a
travel advisory issued by the Department of State that
indicates a risk of wrongful detention of a United States
national.
``(2) `K' indicator.--The term `` `K'' indicator' means a
travel advisory issued by the Department of State that
indicates a criminal or terrorist individual or group has
threatened to seize, detain, kill, or injure individuals (or
has seized, detained, killed, or injured individuals) to
compel a third party (including a governmental organization)
to meet certain requirements as a condition of release.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 42308 the following:

``42309. Required certification regarding international travel
advisories.''.

PART II--STRENGTHENING PROCESSES AND SERVICES FOR HOSTAGES AND UNLAWFUL
OR WRONGFUL DETAINEES

SEC. 5618. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HOSTAGE-TAKING AND UNLAWFUL OR
WRONGFUL DETENTION.

The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking
Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741 et seq.), as amended by
section 101, is further amended by inserting after section
305B the following:

``SEC. 305C. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HOSTAGE TAKING AND UNLAWFUL
OR WRONGFUL DETENTION.

``(a) Establishment.--The President shall establish an
advisory council, to be known as the `Advisory Council on
Hostage Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful Detention' (in this
section referred to as the `Advisory Council'), to advise the
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, the Hostage
Response Group, and the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell with
respect to Federal policies regarding hostage-taking and
unlawful or wrongful detention.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The President shall invite individuals
to the Advisory Council, which shall be comprised of--
``(A) United States nationals who have been unlawfully or
wrongfully detained or taken hostage abroad;
``(B) family members of such United States nationals; and
``(C) not fewer than 2 experts on areas including hostage-
taking, wrongful detention, international relations, rule of
law, and counterterrorism who have been recommended by the
Secretary of State.
``(2) Terms.--The term of a member of the Advisory Council
shall be 3 years.
``(3) Compensation and travel expenses.--A member of the
Advisory Council shall not be considered a Federal employee
and shall not be compensated for service on the Advisory
Council, but may be allowed travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I
of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
``(c) Annual Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter,
the Advisory Council shall submit to the President and the
appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth
the recommendations of the Advisory Council.
``(d) Termination.--The Advisory Council shall terminate on
the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of
this section.''.

SEC. 5619. CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON COMPONENTS RELATED TO
HOSTAGE AFFAIRS AND RECOVERY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to
Congress a report on the following:
(1) The Hostage Response Group established pursuant to
section 305(a) of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and
Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741c(a)).
(2) The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell established pursuant
to section 304(a) of that Act (22 U.S.C. 1741b(a)).
(3) The Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for
Hostage Affairs established pursuant to section 303(a) of
that Act (22 U.S.C. 1741a(a)).
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a description of the existing structure of each
component listed in subsection (a);
(2) recommendations on how the components can be improved,
including through reorganization or consolidation of the
components; and
(3) cost efficiencies on the components listed in
subsection (a), including resources available to eligible
former wrongful detainees and hostages and their family
members.

Subtitle C--Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act

SEC. 5631. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Deter PRC Aggression
Against Taiwan Act''.

SEC. 5632. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that the United States must be
prepared to take immediate action to impose sanctions with
respect to any military or non-military entities owned,
controlled, or acting at the direction of the Government of
the PRC or the Chinese Communist Party that are supporting
actions by the Government of the PRC or by the Chinese
Communist Party--
(1) to overthrow or dismantle the governing institutions in
Taiwan;
(2) to occupy any territory controlled or administered by
Taiwan;
(3) to violate the territorial integrity of Taiwan; or
(4) to take significant action against Taiwan, including--
(A) conducting a naval blockade of Taiwan;
(B) seizing any outlying island of Taiwan; or
(C) perpetrating a significant physical or cyber attack on
Taiwan that erodes the ability of the governing institutions
in Taiwan to operate or provide essential services to the
citizens of Taiwan.

SEC. 5633. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:

[[Page S5359]]

(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(2) PRC.--The term ``PRC'' means the People's Republic of
China.
(3) PRC sanctions task force; task force.--The terms ``PRC
Sanctions Task Force'' and ``Task Force'' mean the task force
established pursuant to section 4.

SEC. 5634. TASK FORCE.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Coordinator for Sanctions
of the Department of State and the Director of the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, in
coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and
the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall
establish an interagency task force to identify military or
non-military entities that could be subject to sanctions or
other economic actions imposed by the United States
immediately following any action taken by the PRC that
demonstrates an attempt to achieve, or has the significant
effect of achieving, the physical or political control of
Taiwan, including by taking any of the actions described in
paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 5632.
(b) Strategy Report.--Not later than 180 days after the
establishment of the PRC Sanctions Task Force, the Task Force
shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees that outlines the process for identifying proposed
targets for sanctions or other economic actions referred to
in subsection (a), which shall include--
(1) an assessment of how existing sanctions regimes could
be used to impose sanctions with respect to entities
identified by the Task Force;
(2) a strategy for developing or proposing, as appropriate,
new sanctions authorities that might be required to impose
sanctions with respect to such entities;
(3) an analysis of the potential economic consequences to
the United States, and to allies and partners of the United
States, of imposing various types of sanctions with respect
to such entities;
(4) an assessment of measures that could be taken to
mitigate the consequences referred to in paragraph (3),
including through the use of licenses, exemptions, carve-
outs, and other forms of relief;
(5) a strategy for working with allies and partners of the
United States--
(A) to leverage sanctions and other economic tools
including actions targeting the PRC's financial and
industrial sectors to deter or respond to aggression against
Taiwan;
(B) to identify and resolve potential impediments to
coordinating sanctions or other economic actions with respect
to responding to or deterring aggression against Taiwan; and
(C) to identify industries, sectors, or goods and services
with respect to which the United States and allies and
partners of the United States can take coordinated action
through sanctions or other economic tools that will have a
significant negative impact on the economy of the PRC; and
(D) to coordinate actions with partners and allies to
provide economic support to Taiwan and other countries being
threatened by the PRC, including measures to counter economic
coercion by the PRC;
(6) an assessment of the resource gaps and needs at the
Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, the
Department of Commerce, the United States Trade
Representative, and other Federal agencies, as appropriate,
to most effectively use sanctions and other economic tools to
respond to the threats posed by the PRC;
(7) recommendations on how best to target sanctions and
other economic tools against individuals, entities, and
economic sectors in the PRC, which shall take into account--
(A) the role of such targets in supporting policies and
activities of the Government of the PRC, or of the Chinese
Communist Party, that pose a threat to the national security
or foreign policy interests of the United States;
(B) the negative economic implications of such sanctions
and tools for the Government of the PRC, including its
ability to achieve its objectives with respect to Taiwan; and
(C) the potential impact of such sanctions and tools on the
stability of the global financial system, including with
respect to--
(i) state-owned enterprises;
(ii) officials of the Government of the PRC and of the
Chinese Communist Party;
(iii) financial institutions associated with the Government
of the PRC; and
(iv) companies in the PRC that are not formally designated
by the Government of the PRC as state-owned enterprises; and
(8) the identification of any foreign military or non-
military entities that would likely be used to achieve the
outcomes specified in section 5632, including entities in the
shipping, logistics, energy (including oil and gas),
maritime, aviation, ground transportation, and technology
sectors.

SEC. 5635. REPORT.

Not later than 60 days after the submission of the report
required under section 5634(b), and semiannually thereafter,
the PRC Sanctions Task Force shall submit a classified report
to the appropriate congressional committees that includes
information regarding--
(1) any entities identified pursuant to section 5634(b)(8);
(2) any new authorities needed to impose sanctions with
respect to such entities;
(3) potential economic impacts on the PRC, the United
States, and allies and partners of the United States
resulting from the imposition of sanctions with respect to
such entities;
(4) mitigation measures that could be employed to limit any
deleterious economic impacts on the United States and allies
and partners of the United States of such sanctions;
(5) the status of coordination with allies and partners of
the United States regarding sanctions and other economic
tools identified under this subtitle;
(6) resource gaps and recommendations to enable the
Department of State and the Department of the Treasury to use
sanctions to more effectively respond to the malign
activities of the Government of the PRC; and
(7) any additional resources that may be necessary to carry
out the strategies and recommendations included in the report
submitted pursuant to section 5634(b).

Subtitle D--International Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act of 2025

SEC. 5641. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``International
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025''.

PART I--COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING ABROAD

SEC. 5643. UNITED STATES SUPPORT FOR INTEGRATION OF ANTI-
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS INTERVENTIONS IN
MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS.

(a) Requirements.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State acting through the
Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in
Persons, shall instruct the United States Executive Director
of each multilateral development bank (as defined in section
110(d) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22
U.S.C. 7107(d))) to encourage the inclusion of a counter-
trafficking strategy, including risk assessment and
mitigation efforts as needed, in proposed projects in
countries listed--
(1) on the Tier 2 Watch List (required under section
110(b)(2)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(b)(2)(A)), as amended by section
104(a));
(2) under subparagraph (C) of section 110(b)(1) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7107(b)(1)) (commonly referred to as ``Tier 3''); and
(3) as Special Cases in the most recent report on
trafficking in persons required under such section (commonly
referred to as the ``Trafficking in Persons Report'').
(b) Briefings.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, shall brief the
appropriate congressional committees regarding the
implementation of this section.
(c) GAO Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that details the activities of the United
States relating to combating human trafficking, including
forced labor, within multilateral development projects.
(d) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. 5644. COUNTER-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS EFFORTS IN
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in section 102(b)(4) (22 U.S.C. 2151-1(b)(4))--
(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) effective counter-trafficking in persons policies and
programs.''; and
(2) in section 492(d)(1) (22 U.S.C. 2292a(d)(1))--
(A) by striking ``that the funds'' and inserting the
following: ``that--
``(A) the funds'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), as added by subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph, by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the
President shall, to the greatest extent possible--
``(i) ensure that assistance made available under this
section does not create or contribute to conditions that can
be reasonably

[[Page S5360]]

expected to result in an increase in trafficking in persons
who are in conditions of heightened vulnerability as a result
of natural and manmade disasters; and
``(ii) integrate appropriate protections into the planning
and execution of activities authorized under this chapter.''.

SEC. 5645. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TIER RANKINGS.

(a) Modifications to Tier 2 Watch List.--Section 110(b)(2)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7107(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Special'' and
inserting ``Tier 2''; and
(2) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) Submission of list.--Not later than the date on which
the determinations described in subsections (c) and (d) are
submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in
accordance with such subsections, the Secretary of State
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
list of countries that the Secretary determines require
special scrutiny during the following year. Such list shall
be composed of countries that have been listed pursuant to
paragraph (1)(B) pursuant to the current annual report
because--
``(i) the estimated number of victims of severe forms of
trafficking is very significant or is significantly
increasing and the country is not taking proportional
concrete actions; or
``(ii) there is a failure to provide evidence of increasing
efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from
the previous year, including increased investigations,
prosecutions and convictions of trafficking crimes, increased
assistance to victims, and decreasing evidence of complicity
in severe forms of trafficking by government officials.''.
(b) Modification to Special Rule for Downgraded and
Reinstated Countries.--Section 110(b)(2)(F) of such Act (22
U.S.C. 7107(b)(2)(F)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``the
special watch list'' and all that follows through ``the
country--'' and inserting ``the Tier 2 watch list described
in subparagraph (A) for more than 2 years immediately after
the country consecutively--'';
(2) in clause (i), in the matter preceding subclause (I),
by striking ``the special watch list described in
subparagraph (A)(iii)'' and inserting ``the Tier 2 watch list
described in subparagraph (A)''; and
(3) in clause (ii), by inserting ``in the year following
such waiver under subparagraph (D)(ii)'' before the period at
the end.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 110(b) of such Act (22
U.S.C. 7107(b)) is further amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), as amended by subsection (a)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``special watch list''
and inserting ``Tier 2 watch list'';
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``special
watch list'' and inserting ``Tier 2 watch list''; and
(ii) by striking ``special watch list'' and inserting
``Tier 2 watch list''; and
(C) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``special
watch list'' and inserting ``Tier 2 watch list''; and
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ``special watch list'' and
inserting ``Tier 2 watch list'';
(2) in paragraph (3)(B), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of''; and
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``each country described in paragraph
(2)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``each country described in
paragraph (2)(A)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ``the Special
Watch List'' and inserting ``the Tier 2 watch list''.
(d) Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and
Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018.--Section 204(b)(1) of
the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and
Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-425)
is amended by striking ``special watch list'' and inserting
``Tier 2 watch list''.
(e) Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and
Accountability Act of 2015.--Section 106(b)(6)(E)(iii) of the
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability
Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4205(b)(6)(E)(iii) is amended by
striking ``under section'' and all that follows and inserting
``under section 110(b)(2)(A) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(b)(2)(A))''.

SEC. 5646. MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROGRAM TO END MODERN
SLAVERY.

(a) In General.--Section 1298 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 7114) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``2020'' and
inserting ``2029''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``Not later than
September 30, 2018, and September 30, 2020'' and inserting
``Not later than September 30, 2025, and September 30,
2029''.
(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for funding under the
Program to End Modern Slavery of the Office to Monitor and
Combat Trafficking in Persons, a grant recipient shall--
(1) publish the names of all subgrantee organizations on a
publicly available website; or
(2) if the subgrantee organization expresses a security
concern, the grant recipient shall relay such concerns to the
Secretary of State, who shall transmit annually the names of
all subgrantee organizations in a classified annex to the
chairs of the appropriate congressional committees (as
defined in section 1298(i) of the National Defense
Authorization Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 7114(i))).
(c) Award of Funds.--All grants issued under the program
referred to in subsection (b) shall be--
(1) awarded on a competitive basis; and
(2) subject to the regular congressional notification
procedures applicable with respect to grants made available
under section 1298(b) of the National Defense Authorization
Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 7114(b)).

SEC. 5647. CLARIFICATION OF NONHUMANITARIAN, NONTRADE-RELATED
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE.

(a) Clarification of Scope of Withheld Assistance.--Section
110(d)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
(22 U.S.C. 7107(d)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) Withholding of assistance.--The President has
determined that--
``(A) the United States will not provide nonhumanitarian,
nontrade-related foreign assistance to the central government
of the country or funding to facilitate the participation by
officials or employees of such central government in
educational and cultural exchange programs, for the
subsequent fiscal year until such government complies with
the minimum standards or makes significant efforts to bring
itself into compliance; and
``(B) the President will instruct the United States
Executive Director of each multilateral development bank and
of the International Monetary Fund to vote against, and to
use the Executive Director's best efforts to deny, any loan
or other utilization of the funds of the respective
institution to that country (other than for humanitarian
assistance, for trade-related assistance, or for development
assistance that directly addresses basic human needs, is not
administered by the central government of the sanctioned
country, and is not provided for the benefit of that
government) for the subsequent fiscal year until such
government complies with the minimum standards or makes
significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.''.
(b) Definition of Nonhumanitarian, Nontrade Related
Assistance.--Section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(10) Nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related foreign
assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The term `nonhumanitarian, nontrade-
related foreign assistance' means--
``(i) sales, or financing on any terms, under the Arms
Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), other than sales
or financing provided for narcotics-related purposes
following notification in accordance with the prior
notification procedures applicable to reprogrammings pursuant
to section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2394-1); or
``(ii) United States foreign assistance, other than--

``(I) with respect to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961--

``(aa) assistance for international narcotics and law
enforcement under chapter 8 of part I of such Act (22 U.S.C.
2291 et seq.);
``(bb) assistance for International Disaster Assistance
under subsections (b) and (c) of section 491 of such Act (22
U.S.C. 2292);
``(cc) antiterrorism assistance under chapter 8 of part II
of such Act (22 U.S.C. 2349aa et seq.); and
``(dd) health programs under chapters 1 and 10 of part I
and chapter 4 of part II of such Act (22 U.S.C. 2151 et
seq.);

``(II) assistance under the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1691 et seq.);
``(III) assistance under sections 2(a), (b), and (c) of the
Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C.
2601(a), (b), (c)) to meet refugee and migration needs;
``(IV) any form of United States foreign assistance
provided through nongovernmental organizations, international
organizations, or private sector partners--

``(aa) to combat human and wildlife trafficking;
``(bb) to promote food security;
``(cc) to respond to emergencies;
``(dd) to provide humanitarian assistance;
``(ee) to address basic human needs, including for
education;
``(ff) to advance global health security; or
``(gg) to promote trade; and

``(V) any other form of United States foreign assistance
that the President determines, by not later than October 1 of
each fiscal year, is necessary to advance the security,
economic, humanitarian, or global health interests of the
United States without compromising the steadfast United
States commitment to combating human trafficking globally.

``(B) Exclusions.--The term `nonhumanitarian, nontrade-
related foreign assistance' shall not include payments to or
the participation of government entities necessary or
incidental to the implementation of a program that is
otherwise consistent with section 110.''.

SEC. 5648. EXPANDING PROTECTIONS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS OF
OFFICIAL AND DIPLOMATIC PERSONS.

Section 203(b) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking
Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C.
1375c(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the
following:

[[Page S5361]]

``(5) National expansion of in-person registration
program.--The Secretary shall administer the Domestic Worker
In-Person Registration Program for employees with A-3 visas
or G-5 visas employed by accredited foreign mission members
or international organization employees and shall expand this
program nationally, which shall include--
``(A) after the arrival of each such employee in the United
States, and annually during the course of such employee's
employment, a description of the rights of such employee
under applicable Federal and State law;
``(B) provision of a copy of the pamphlet developed
pursuant to section 202 to the employee with an A-3 visa or a
G-5 visa; and
``(C) information on how to contact the National Human
Trafficking Hotline.
``(6) Monitoring and training of A-3 and G-5 visa employers
accredited to foreign missions and international
organizations.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) inform embassies, international organizations, and
foreign missions of the rights of A-3 and G-5 domestic
workers under the applicable labor laws of the United States,
including the fair labor standards described in the pamphlet
developed pursuant to section 202 and material on labor
standards and labor rights of domestic worker employees who
hold A-3 and G-5 visas;
``(B) inform embassies, international organizations, and
foreign missions of the potential consequences to individuals
holding a nonimmigrant visa issued pursuant to subparagraph
(A)(i), (A)(ii), (G)(i), (G)(ii), or (G)(iii) of section
101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(15)) who violate the laws described in subclause
(I)(aa), including (at the discretion of the Secretary)--
``(i) the suspension of A-3 visas and G-5 visas;
``(ii) request for waiver of immunity;
``(iii) criminal prosecution;
``(iv) civil damages; and
``(v) permanent revocation of or refusal to renew the visa
of the accredited foreign mission or international
organization employee; and
``(C) require all accredited foreign mission and
international organization employers of individuals holding
A-3 visas or G-5 visas to report the wages paid to such
employees on an annual basis.''.

SEC. 5649. EFFECTIVE DATES.

Sections 5646(b) and 5647, and the amendments made by those
sections, take effect on the date that is the first day of
the first full reporting period for the report required under
section 110(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(b)(1)) after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

PART II--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 5651. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER THE VICTIMS OF
TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT OF
2000.

Section 113 of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7110) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2018 through 2021,
$13,822,000'' and inserting ``2026 through 2030,
$17,000,000''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2018 through 2021, $65,000,000'' and
inserting ``2026 through 2030, $102,500,000''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Programs to end modern slavery.--Of the amounts
authorized by paragraph (1) to be appropriated for a fiscal
year, not more than $37,500,000 may be made available to fund
programs to end modern slavery.''.

SEC. 5652. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER THE
INTERNATIONAL MEGAN'S LAW.

Section 11 of the International Megan's Law to Prevent
Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced
Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders (34 U.S.C. 21509) is
amended by striking ``2018 through 2021'' and inserting
``2025 through 2029''.

PART III--BRIEFINGS

SEC. 5655. BRIEFING ON ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSON'S REPORT.

Not later than 30 days after the public designation of
country tier rankings and subsequent publishing of the
Trafficking in Persons Report, the Secretary of State shall
brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives on--
(1) countries that were downgraded or upgraded in the most
recent Trafficking in Persons Report; and
(2) the efforts made by the United States to improve
counter-trafficking efforts in those countries, including
foreign government efforts to better meet minimum standards
to eliminate human trafficking.

SEC. 5656. BRIEFING ON USE AND JUSTIFICATION OF WAIVERS.

Not later than 30 days after the President has determined
to issue a waiver under section 110(d)(5) of the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(d)(5)), the
Secretary of State shall brief the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs
of the House of Representatives on--
(1) each country that received a waiver;
(2) the justification for each such waiver; and
(3) a description of the efforts made by each country to
meet the minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking.

Subtitle E--International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025

SEC. 5661. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``International Nuclear
Energy Act of 2025''.

SEC. 5662. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced nuclear
reactor'' means--
(A) a nuclear fission reactor, including a prototype plant
(as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 of title 10, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), with
significant improvements compared to reactors operating on
October 19, 2016, including improvements such as--
(i) additional inherent safety features;
(ii) lower waste yields;
(iii) improved fuel and material performance;
(iv) increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling;
(v) enhanced reliability or improved resilience;
(vi) increased proliferation resistance;
(vii) increased thermal efficiency;
(viii) reduced consumption of cooling water and other
environmental impacts;
(ix) the ability to integrate into electric applications
and nonelectric applications;
(x) modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds
with the demand for electricity or process heat; and
(xi) operational flexibility to respond to changes in
demand for electricity or process heat and to complement
integration with intermittent renewable energy or energy
storage;
(B) a fusion reactor; and
(C) a radioisotope power system that utilizes heat from
radioactive decay to generate energy.
(2) Ally or partner nation.--The term ``ally or partner
nation'' means--
(A) the Government of any country that is a member of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development;
(B) the Government of the Republic of India; and
(C) the Government of any country designated as an ally or
partner nation by the Secretary of State for purposes of this
subtitle.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committees on Foreign Relations and Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate; and
(B) the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(4) Assistant.--The term ``Assistant'' means the Assistant
to the President and Director for International Nuclear
Energy Export Policy described in section 5663(a)(1)(D).
(5) Associated entity.--The term ``associated entity''
means an entity that--
(A) is owned, controlled, or operated by--
(i) an ally or partner nation; or
(ii) an associated individual; or
(B) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to
the jurisdiction of, a country described in paragraph (2),
including a corporation that is incorporated in a country
described in that paragraph.
(6) Associated individual.--The term ``associated
individual'' means a foreign national who is a national of a
country described in paragraph (2).
(7) Civil nuclear.--The term ``civil nuclear'' means
activities relating to--
(A) nuclear plant construction;
(B) nuclear fuel services;
(C) nuclear energy financing;
(D) nuclear plant operations;
(E) nuclear plant regulation;
(F) nuclear medicine;
(G) nuclear safety;
(H) community engagement in areas in reasonable proximity
to nuclear sites;
(I) infrastructure support for nuclear energy;
(J) nuclear plant decommissioning;
(K) nuclear liability;
(L) safe storage and safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel;
(M) environmental safeguards;
(N) nuclear nonproliferation and security; and
(O) technology related to the matters described in
subparagraphs (A) through (N).
(8) Embarking civil nuclear nation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``embarking civil nuclear
nation'' means a country that--
(i) does not have a civil nuclear energy program;
(ii) is in the process of developing or expanding a civil
nuclear energy program, including safeguards and a legal and
regulatory framework, for--

(I) nuclear safety;
(II) nuclear security;
(III) radioactive waste management;
(IV) civil nuclear energy;
(V) environmental safeguards;
(VI) community engagement in areas in reasonable proximity
to nuclear sites;
(VII) nuclear liability; or
(VIII) advanced nuclear reactor licensing;

(iii) is in the process of selecting, developing,
constructing, or utilizing advanced light water reactors,
advanced nuclear reactors, or advanced civil nuclear
technologies; or
(iv) is eligible to receive development lending from the
World Bank.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``embarking civil nuclear
nation'' does not include--
(i) the People's Republic of China;
(ii) the Russian Federation;
(iii) the Republic of Belarus;

[[Page S5362]]

(iv) the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(v) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(vi) the Republic of Cuba;
(vii) the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;
(viii) Burma; or
(ix) any other country--

(I) the property or interests in property of the government
of which are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
(II) the government of which the Secretary of State has
determined has repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism for purposes of--

(aa) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371(a));
(bb) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2780(d));
(cc) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform
Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i)); or
(dd) any other relevant provision of law.
(9) National energy dominance council.--The term ``National
Energy Dominance Council'' means the National Energy
Dominance Council established within the Executive Office of
the President under Executive Order 14213 (90 Fed. Reg. 9945;
relating to establishing the National Energy Dominance
Council).
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(11) Spent nuclear fuel.--The term ``spent nuclear fuel''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear
Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101).
(12) U.S. nuclear energy company.--The term ``U.S. nuclear
energy company'' means a company that--
(A) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to
the jurisdiction of, the United States; and
(B) is involved in the nuclear energy industry.

SEC. 5663. CIVIL NUCLEAR COORDINATION AND STRATEGY.

(a) White House Focal Point on Civil Nuclear
Coordination.--
(1) Sense of congress.--Given the critical importance of
developing and implementing, with input from various agencies
throughout the executive branch, a cohesive policy with
respect to international efforts related to civil nuclear
energy, it is the sense of Congress that--
(A) there should be a focal point within the White House,
which may, if determined to be appropriate, report to the
National Security Council, for coordination on issues
relating to those efforts;
(B) to provide that focal point, the President should
designate, within the National Energy Dominance Council, an
office, to be known as the ``Office of the Assistant to the
President and Director for International Nuclear Energy
Export Policy'' (referred to in this subsection as the
``Office'');
(C) the Office should act as a coordinating office for--
(i) international civil nuclear cooperation; and
(ii) civil nuclear export strategy;
(D) the Office should be headed by an individual appointed
as an Assistant to the President with the title of ``Director
for International Nuclear Energy Export Policy'' who is also
a member of the National Energy Dominance Council; and
(E) the Office should--
(i) coordinate civil nuclear export policies for the United
States;
(ii) develop, in coordination with the officials described
in paragraph (2), a cohesive Federal strategy for engagement
with foreign governments (including ally or partner nations
and the governments of embarking civil nuclear nations),
associated entities, and associated individuals with respect
to civil nuclear exports;
(iii) coordinate with the officials described in paragraph
(2) to ensure that necessary framework agreements and trade
controls relating to civil nuclear materials and technologies
are in place for key markets; and
(iv) develop--

(I) a whole-of-government coordinating strategy for civil
nuclear cooperation;
(II) a whole-of-government strategy for civil nuclear
exports; and
(III) a whole-of-government approach to support appropriate
foreign investment in civil nuclear energy projects supported
by the United States in embarking civil nuclear nations.

(2) Officials described.--The officials referred to in
paragraph (1)(E) are--
(A) appropriate officials of any Federal agency that the
President determines to be appropriate; and
(B) appropriate officials representing foreign countries
and governments, including--
(i) ally or partner nations;
(ii) embarking civil nuclear nations; and
(iii) any other country or government that the Assistant
(if appointed) and the officials described in subparagraph
(A) jointly determine to be appropriate.
(b) Nuclear Exports Working Group.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established a working group,
to be known as the ``Nuclear Exports Working Group''
(referred to in this subsection as the ``working group'').
(2) Composition.--The working group shall be composed of--
(A) senior-level Federal officials, selected internally by
the applicable Federal agency or organization, from any
Federal agency or organization that the President determines
to be appropriate; and
(B) other senior-level Federal officials, selected
internally by the applicable Federal agency or organization,
from any other Federal agency or organization that the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) Reporting.--The working group shall report to the
appropriate White House official, which may be the Assistant
(if appointed).
(4) Duties.--The working group shall coordinate, not less
frequently than quarterly, with the Civil Nuclear Trade
Advisory Committee of the Department of Commerce, the Nuclear
Energy Advisory Committee of the Department of Energy, and
other advisory or stakeholder groups, as necessary, to
maintain an accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the standing
of civil nuclear exports from the United States, including
with respect to meeting the targets established as part of
the 10-year civil nuclear trade strategy described in
paragraph (5)(A).
(5) Strategy.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the working group shall establish a
10-year civil nuclear trade strategy, including biennial
targets for the export of civil nuclear technologies,
including light water and non-light water reactors and
associated equipment and technologies, civil nuclear
materials, and nuclear fuel that align with meeting
international energy demand while seeking to avoid or reduce
emissions and prevent the dissemination of nuclear
technology, materials, and weapons to adversarial nations and
terrorist groups.
(B) Collaboration required.--In establishing the strategy
under subparagraph (A), the working group shall collaborate
with--
(i) any Federal agency that the President determines to be
appropriate; and
(ii) representatives of private industry and experts in
nuclear security and risk reduction, as appropriate.

SEC. 5664. ENGAGEMENT WITH ALLY OR PARTNER NATIONS.

(a) In General.--The President shall launch, in accordance
with applicable nuclear technology export laws (including
regulations), an international initiative to modernize the
civil nuclear outreach to embarking civil nuclear nations.
(b) Financing.--In carrying out the initiative described in
subsection (a), the President, acting through an appropriate
Federal official, who may be the Assistant (if appointed), if
determined to be appropriate, and in coordination with the
officials described in section 5663(a)(2), may, if the
President determines to be appropriate, seek to establish
cooperative financing relationships for the export of civil
nuclear technology, components, materials, and infrastructure
to embarking civil nuclear nations.
(c) Activities.--In carrying out the initiative described
in subsection (a), the President shall--
(1) assist nongovernmental organizations and appropriate
offices, administrations, agencies, laboratories, and
programs of the Department of Energy and other relevant
Federal agencies and offices in providing education and
training to foreign governments in nuclear safety, security,
and safeguards--
(A) through engagement with the International Atomic Energy
Agency; or
(B) independently, if the applicable entity determines that
it would be more advantageous under the circumstances to
provide the applicable education and training independently;
(2) assist the efforts of the International Atomic Energy
Agency to expand the support provided by the International
Atomic Energy Agency to embarking civil nuclear nations for
nuclear safety, security, and safeguards;
(3) coordinate with appropriate Federal departments and
agencies on efforts to expand outreach to the private
investment community and establish public-private financing
relationships that enable the adoption of civil nuclear
technologies by embarking civil nuclear nations, including
through exports from the United States;
(4) seek to better coordinate, to the maximum extent
practicable, the work carried out by any Federal agency that
the President determines to be appropriate; and
(5) coordinate with the Export-Import Bank of the United
States to improve the efficient and effective exporting and
importing of civil nuclear technologies and materials.

SEC. 5665. COOPERATIVE FINANCING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALLY OR
PARTNER NATIONS AND EMBARKING CIVIL NUCLEAR
NATIONS.

(a) In General.--The President shall designate an
appropriate White House official, who may be the Assistant
(if appointed), to coordinate with the officials described in
section 5663(a)(2) to develop, as the President determines to
be appropriate, financing relationships with ally or partner
nations to assist in the adoption of civil nuclear
technologies exported from the United States or ally or
partner nations to embarking civil nuclear nations.
(b) United States Competitiveness Clauses.--
(1) Definition of united states competitiveness clause.--In
this subsection, the term ``United States competitiveness
clause'' means any United States competitiveness provision in
any agreement entered into by the Department of Energy,
including--
(A) a cooperative agreement;
(B) a cooperative research and development agreement; and

[[Page S5363]]

(C) a patent waiver.
(2) Consideration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
relevant officials described in that subsection shall
consider the impact of United States competitiveness clauses
on any financing relationships entered into or proposed to be
entered into under that subsection.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary shall facilitate waivers of
United States competitiveness clauses as necessary to
facilitate financing relationships with ally or partner
nations under subsection (a).

SEC. 5666. COOPERATION WITH ALLY OR PARTNER NATIONS ON
ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR DEMONSTRATION AND
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH FACILITIES FOR CIVIL
NUCLEAR ENERGY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary and the Secretary of
Commerce, shall conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings
with not fewer than 5 ally or partner nations, with the aim
of enhancing nuclear energy cooperation among those ally or
partner nations and the United States, for the purpose of
developing collaborative relationships with respect to
research, development, licensing, and deployment of advanced
nuclear reactor technologies for civil nuclear energy.
(b) Requirement.--The meetings described in subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) a focus on cooperation to demonstrate and deploy
advanced nuclear reactors, with an emphasis on U.S. nuclear
energy companies, during the 10-year period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act to provide options for
addressing energy security and environmental impacts; and
(2) a focus on developing a memorandum of understanding or
any other appropriate agreement between the United States and
ally or partner nations with respect to--
(A) the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear
reactors; and
(B) the development of cooperative research facilities.
(c) Financing Arrangements.--In conducting the meetings
described in subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce,
and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies and only
after initial consultation with the appropriate committees of
Congress, shall seek to develop financing arrangements to
share the costs of the demonstration and deployment of
advanced nuclear reactors and the development of cooperative
research facilities with the ally or partner nations
participating in those meetings.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the Secretary of State,
and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report highlighting
potential partners--
(1) for the establishment of cost-share arrangements
described in subsection (c) and the details of those
arrangements; or
(2) with which the United States may enter into agreements
with respect to--
(A) the demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors; or
(B) cooperative research facilities.

SEC. 5667. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.

Section 959B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16279b) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary'';
(2) in subsection (a) (as so designated)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``financing,''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``preparations for'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) to support, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, the safe, secure, and peaceful use of civil nuclear
technology in countries developing nuclear energy programs,
with a focus on countries that have increased civil nuclear
cooperation with the Russian Federation or the People's
Republic of China; and
``(4) to promote the fullest utilization of the reactors,
fuel, equipment, services, and technology of U.S. nuclear
energy companies (as defined in section 5662 of the
International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025) in civil nuclear
energy programs outside the United States through--
``(A) bilateral and multilateral arrangements developed and
executed with the concurrence of the Secretary of State that
contain commitments for the utilization of the reactors,
fuel, equipment, services, and technology of U.S. nuclear
energy companies (as defined in that section);
``(B) the designation of 1 or more U.S. nuclear energy
companies (as defined in that section) to implement an
arrangement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary
determines that the designation is necessary and appropriate
to achieve the objectives of this section; and
``(C) the waiver of any provision of law relating to
competition with respect to any activity related to an
arrangement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of
Commerce, determines that a waiver is necessary and
appropriate to achieve the objectives of this section.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Requirements.--The program under subsection (a) shall
be supported in consultation with the Secretary of State and
implemented by the Secretary--
``(1) to facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable,
workshops and expert-based exchanges to engage industry,
stakeholders, and foreign governments with respect to
international civil nuclear issues, such as--
``(A) training;
``(B) financing;
``(C) safety;
``(D) security;
``(E) safeguards;
``(F) liability;
``(G) advanced fuels;
``(H) operations; and
``(I) options for multinational cooperation with respect to
the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (as defined in section 2
of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101));
and
``(2) in coordination with any Federal agency that the
President determines to be appropriate.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of funds
appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary to
carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151
et seq.) in fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the Secretary may
use $15,500,000 to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 5668. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL NUCLEAR PROGRAM SUPPORT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary and the Assistant (if
appointed), shall launch an international initiative
(referred to in this section as the ``initiative'') to
provide financial assistance to, and facilitate the building
of technical capacities by, in accordance with this section,
embarking civil nuclear nations for activities relating to
the development of civil nuclear energy programs.
(b) Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the initiative, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary and
the Assistant (if appointed), is authorized to award grants
of financial assistance in amounts not greater than
$5,500,000 to embarking civil nuclear nations in accordance
with this subsection--
(A) for activities relating to the development of civil
nuclear energy programs; and
(B) to facilitate the building of technical capacities for
those activities.
(2) Limitations.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary and the Assistant (if appointed), may
award--
(A) not more than 1 grant of financial assistance under
paragraph (1) to any 1 embarking civil nuclear nation each
fiscal year; and
(B) not more than a total of 5 grants of financial
assistance under paragraph (1) to any 1 embarking civil
nuclear nation.
(c) Senior Advisors.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the initiative, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary and
the Assistant (if appointed), is authorized to provide
financial assistance to an embarking civil nuclear nation for
the purpose of contracting with a U.S. nuclear energy company
to hire 1 or more senior advisors to assist the embarking
civil nuclear nation in establishing a civil nuclear program.
(2) Requirement.--A senior advisor described in paragraph
(1) shall have relevant experience and qualifications to
advise the embarking civil nuclear nation on, and facilitate
on behalf of the embarking civil nuclear nation, 1 or more of
the following activities:
(A) The development of financing relationships.
(B) The development of a standardized financing and project
management framework for the construction of nuclear power
plants.
(C) The development of a standardized licensing framework
for--
(i) light water civil nuclear technologies; and
(ii) non-light water civil nuclear technologies and
advanced nuclear reactors.
(D) The identification of qualified organizations and
service providers.
(E) The identification of funds to support payment for
services required to develop a civil nuclear program.
(F) Market analysis.
(G) The identification of the safety, security, safeguards,
and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program.
(H) Risk allocation, risk management, and nuclear
liability.
(I) Technical assessments of nuclear reactors and
technologies.
(J) The identification of actions necessary to participate
in a global nuclear liability regime based on the Convention
on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, with Annex,
done at Vienna September 12, 1997 (TIAS 15-415).
(K) Stakeholder engagement.
(L) Management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.
(M) Any other major activities to support the establishment
of a civil nuclear program, such as the establishment of
export, financing, construction, training, operations, and
education requirements.
(3) Clarification.--Financial assistance under this
subsection is authorized to be provided to an embarking civil
nuclear nation

[[Page S5364]]

in addition to any financial assistance provided to that
embarking civil nuclear nation under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation on Assistance to Embarking Civil Nuclear
Nations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Offices of the Inspectors General for the
Department of State and the Department of Energy shall
coordinate--
(1) to establish and submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a joint strategic plan to conduct comprehensive
oversight of activities authorized under this section to
prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; and
(2) to engage in independent and effective oversight of
activities authorized under this section through joint or
individual audits, inspections, investigations, or
evaluations.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of funds appropriated
or otherwise made available to the Secretary of State to
carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151
et seq.) in fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the Secretary of
State may use $50,000,000 to carry out this section.

SEC. 5669. BIENNIAL CABINET-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
NUCLEAR SAFETY, SECURITY, SAFEGUARDS, AND
SUSTAINABILITY.

(a) In General.--The President, in coordination with
international partners, as determined by the President, and
industry, shall hold a biennial conference on civil nuclear
safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability (referred to
in this section as a ``conference'').
(b) Conference Functions.--It is the sense of Congress that
each conference should--
(1) be a forum in which ally or partner nations may engage
with each other for the purpose of reinforcing the commitment
to--
(A) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(B) environmental safeguards; and
(C) local community engagement in areas in reasonable
proximity to nuclear sites; and
(2) facilitate--
(A) the development of--
(i) joint commitments and goals to improve--

(I) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(II) environmental safeguards; and
(III) local community engagement in areas in reasonable
proximity to nuclear sites;

(ii) stronger international institutions that support
nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability;
(iii) cooperative financing relationships to promote
competitive alternatives to Chinese and Russian financing;
(iv) a standardized financing and project management
framework for the construction of civil nuclear power plants;
(v) a standardized licensing framework for civil nuclear
technologies;
(vi) a strategy to change internal policies of
multinational development banks, such as the World Bank, to
support the financing of civil nuclear projects;
(vii) a document containing any lessons learned from
countries that have partnered with the Russian Federation or
the People's Republic of China with respect to civil nuclear
power, including any detrimental outcomes resulting from that
partnership; and
(viii) a global civil nuclear liability regime;
(B) cooperation for enhancing the overall aspects of civil
nuclear power, such as--
(i) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(ii) nuclear laws (including regulations);
(iii) waste management;
(iv) quality management systems;
(v) technology transfer;
(vi) human resources development;
(vii) localization;
(viii) reactor operations;
(ix) nuclear liability; and
(x) decommissioning; and
(C) the development and determination of the mechanisms
described in paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 5670(a), if
the President intends to establish an Advanced Reactor
Coordination and Resource Center as described in that
section.
(c) Input From Industry and Government.--It is the sense of
Congress that each conference should include a meeting that
convenes nuclear industry leaders and leaders of government
agencies with expertise relating to nuclear safety, security,
safeguards, or sustainability to discuss best practices
relating to--
(1) the safe and secure use, storage, and transport of
nuclear and radiological materials;
(2) managing the evolving cyber threat to nuclear and
radiological security; and
(3) the role that the nuclear industry should play in
nuclear and radiological safety, security, and safeguards,
including with respect to the safe and secure use, storage,
and transport of nuclear and radiological materials,
including spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.

SEC. 5670. ADVANCED REACTOR COORDINATION AND RESOURCE CENTER.

(a) In General.--The President shall consider the
feasibility of leveraging existing activities or frameworks
or, as necessary, establishing a center, to be known as the
``Advanced Reactor Coordination and Resource Center''
(referred to in this section as the ``Center''), for the
purposes of--
(1) identifying qualified organizations and service
providers--
(A) for embarking civil nuclear nations;
(B) to develop and assemble documents, contracts, and
related items required to establish a civil nuclear program;
and
(C) to develop a standardized model for the establishment
of a civil nuclear program that can be used by the
International Atomic Energy Agency;
(2) coordinating with countries participating in the Center
and with the Nuclear Exports Working Group established under
section 5663(b)--
(A) to identify funds to support payment for services
required to develop a civil nuclear program;
(B) to provide market analysis; and
(C) to create--
(i) project structure models;
(ii) models for electricity market analysis;
(iii) models for nonelectric applications market analysis;
and
(iv) financial models;
(3) identifying and developing the safety, security,
safeguards, and nuclear governance required for a civil
nuclear program;
(4) supporting multinational regulatory standards to be
developed by countries with civil nuclear programs and
experience;
(5) developing and strengthening communications,
engagement, and consensus-building;
(6) carrying out any other major activities to support
export, financing, education, construction, training, and
education requirements relating to the establishment of a
civil nuclear program;
(7) developing mechanisms for how to fund and staff the
Center; and
(8) determining mechanisms for the selection of the
location or locations of the Center.
(b) Objective.--The President shall carry out subsection
(a) with the objective of establishing the Center if the
President determines that it is feasible to do so.

SEC. 5671. STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WORKING GROUP.

(a) Establishment.--There is established a working group,
to be known as the ``Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working
Group'' (referred to in this section as the ``working
group'') to provide input on the feasibility of establishing
a program to support strategically important capital-
intensive infrastructure projects.
(b) Composition.--The working group shall be--
(1) led by a White House official, who may be the Assistant
(if appointed), who shall serve as the White House focal
point with respect to matters relating to the working group;
and
(2) composed of--
(A) senior-level Federal officials, selected by the head of
the applicable Federal agency or organization, from any
Federal agency or organization that the President determines
to be appropriate;
(B) other senior-level Federal officials, selected by the
head of the applicable Federal agency or organization, from
any other Federal agency or organization that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate; and
(C) any senior-level Federal official selected by the White
House official described in paragraph (1) from any Federal
agency or organization.
(c) Reporting.--The working group shall report to the
National Security Council.
(d) Duties.--The working group shall--
(1) provide direction and advice to the officials described
in section 5663(a)(2)(A) and appropriate Federal agencies, as
determined by the working group, with respect to the
establishment of a Strategic Infrastructure Fund (referred to
in this subsection as the ``Fund'') to be used--
(A) to support those aspects of projects relating to--
(i) civil nuclear technologies; and
(ii) microprocessors; and
(B) for strategic investments identified by the working
group; and
(2) address critical areas in determining the appropriate
design for the Fund, including--
(A) transfer of assets to the Fund;
(B) transfer of assets from the Fund;
(C) how assets in the Fund should be invested; and
(D) governance and implementation of the Fund.
(e) Briefing and Report Required.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the working group shall brief the
committees described in paragraph (3) on the status of the
development of the processes necessary to implement this
section.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the working group shall submit to the
committees described in paragraph (3) a report on the
findings of the working group that includes suggested
legislative text for how to establish and structure a
Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
(3) Committees described.--The committees referred to in
paragraphs (1) and (2) are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Armed
Services, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on
Finance, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Armed Services, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on
Ways and Means, and the

[[Page S5365]]

Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(4) Administration of the fund.--The report submitted under
paragraph (2) shall include suggested legislative language
requiring all expenditures from a Strategic Infrastructure
Fund established in accordance with this section to be
administered by the Secretary of State (or a designee of the
Secretary of State).

SEC. 5672. JOINT ASSESSMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
INDIA ON NUCLEAR LIABILITY RULES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, shall establish and maintain within the U.S.-India
Strategic Security Dialogue a joint consultative mechanism
with the Government of the Republic of India that convenes on
a recurring basis--
(1) to assess the implementation of the Agreement for
Cooperation between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses
of Nuclear Energy, signed at Washington October 10, 2008
(TIAS 08-1206);
(2) to discuss opportunities for the Republic of India to
align domestic nuclear liability rules with international
norms; and
(3) to develop a strategy for the United States and the
Republic of India to pursue bilateral and multilateral
diplomatic engagements related to analyzing and implementing
those opportunities.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years,
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that
describes the joint assessment developed pursuant to
subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 5673. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Except as expressly stated in this subtitle, nothing in
this subtitle may be construed to alter or otherwise affect
the interpretation or implementation of section 123 of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153) or any other
provision of law, including the requirement that agreements
pursuant to that section be submitted to Congress for
consideration.

SEC. 5674. SUNSET.

This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle
shall cease to have effect on the date that is 20 years after
the date of enactment of this Act.

Subtitle F--Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act

SEC. 5681. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Western Balkans
Democracy and Prosperity Act''.

SEC. 5682. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Western Balkans countries (the Republic of Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Kosovo, Montenegro,
the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia)
form a pluralistic, multi-ethnic region in the heart of
Europe that is critical to the peace, stability, and
prosperity of that continent.
(2) Continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the
Western Balkans is directly tied to the opportunities for
democratic and economic advancement available to the citizens
and residents of those seven countries.
(3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and
the seven countries of the Western Balkans to promote stable
and sustainable economic growth and development in the
region.
(4) The reforms and integration with the European Union
pursued by countries in the Western Balkans have led to
significant democratic and economic progress in the region.
(5) Despite economic progress, rates of poverty and
unemployment in the Western Balkans remain higher than in
neighboring European Union countries.
(6) Out-migration, particularly of youth, is affecting
demographics in each Western Balkans country, resulting in
population decline in all seven countries.
(7) Implementing critical economic and governance reforms
could help enable investment and employment opportunities in
the Western Balkans, especially for youth, and can provide
powerful tools for economic development and for encouraging
broader participation in a political process that increases
trade and prosperity for all.
(8) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common
Regional Market, the Berlin Process, and the Open Balkan
Initiative, could have the potential to improve the economic
conditions in the Western Balkans, while promoting inclusion
and transparency.
(9) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign
Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and
facilitating opportunities for United States trade and
investment.
(10) Corruption, including among key political leaders,
continues to plague the Western Balkans and represents one of
the greatest impediments to further economic and political
development in the region.
(11) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans
undermine the credibility of its democratic institutions,
including the integrity of its elections.
(12) Vulnerability to cyberattacks or attacks on
information and communication technology infrastructure
increases risks to the functioning of government and the
delivery of public services.
(13) United States Cyber Command, the Department of State,
and other Federal agencies play a critical role in defending
the national security interests of the United States,
including by deploying cyber hunt forward teams at the
request of partner nations to reinforce their cyber defenses.
(14) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and
ICT infrastructure is a national security priority for the
United States, which is exemplified by offices and programs
across the Federal Government that support cybersecurity.
(15) Corruption and disinformation proliferate in political
environments marked by autocratic control or partisan
conflict.
(16) Dependence on Russian sources of fossil fuels and
natural gas for the countries of the Western Balkans ties
their economies and politics to the Russian Federation and
inhibits their aspirations for European integration.
(17) Reducing the reliance of the Western Balkans on
Russian natural gas supplies and fossil fuels is in the
national interest of the United States.
(18) The growing influence of China in the Western Balkans
could also have a deleterious impact on strategic
competition, democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
(19) In March 2022, President Biden launched the European
Democratic Resilience Initiative to bolster democratic
resilience, advance anti-corruption efforts, and defend human
rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response to Russia's
war of aggression.
(20) The parliamentary and local elections held in Serbia
on December 17, 2023, and their immediate aftermath are cause
for deep concern about the state of Serbia's democracy,
including due to the final report of the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights, which--
(A) found ``unjust conditions'' for the election;
(B) found ``numerous procedural deficiencies, including
inconsistent application of safeguards during voting and
counting, frequent instances of overcrowding, breaches in
secrecy of the vote, and numerous instances of group
voting''; and
(C) asserted that ``voting must be repeated'' in certain
polling stations.
(21) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe also noted that Serbian officials accused primarily
peaceful protestors, opposition parties, and civil society of
``attempting to destabilize the government'', a concerning
allegation that threatens the safety of important elements of
Serbian society.
(22) Democratic countries whose values are in alignment
with the United States make for stronger and more durable
partnerships.

SEC. 5683. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is a sense of Congress that the United States should--
(1) encourage increased trade and investment between the
United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans;
(2) expand United States assistance to regional integration
efforts in the Western Balkans;
(3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in
the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and
employing women and youth;
(4) work with allies and partners committed to improving
the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic
and economic reform, and the reduction of poverty in the
Western Balkans;
(5) increase United States trade and investment with the
Western Balkans, particularly in ways that support countries'
efforts--
(A) to decrease dependence on Russian energy sources and
fossil fuels;
(B) to increase energy diversification, efficiency, and
conservation; and
(C) to facilitate the transition to cleaner and more
reliable sources of energy, including renewables, as
appropriate;
(6) continue to assist in the development, within the
Western Balkans, of--
(A) strong civil societies;
(B) public-private partnerships;
(C) independent media;
(D) transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive
governance, including equal representation for women, youth,
and persons with disabilities;
(E) political stability; and
(F) modern, free-market based economies.
(7) support the expeditious accession of those Western
Balkans countries that are not already members to the
European Union and to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(referred to in this section as ``NATO'') for countries that
desire, are eligible, and supported by all allies to proceed
with an invitation for such membership;
(8) support--
(A) maintaining the full European Union Force (EUFOR)
mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being in the national
security interests of the United States;
(B) encouraging NATO and the European Union to review their
mission mandates and posture in Bosnia and Herzegovina to
ensure they are playing a proactive role in establishing a
safe and secure environment, particularly in the realm of
defense;
(C) working within NATO to encourage contingency planning
for an international military force to maintain a safe and
secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially if
Russia blocks reauthorization of the mission in the United
Nations; and

[[Page S5366]]

(D) a strengthened NATO headquarters in Sarajevo;
(9) continue to support the European Union membership
aspirations of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North
Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia by supporting meeting the
benchmarks required for their accession;
(10) continue to support the cultural heritage, and
recognize the languages, of the Western Balkans;
(11) coordinate closely with the European Union, the United
Kingdom, and other allies and partners on sanctions
designations in Western Balkans countries and work to align
efforts as much as possible to demonstrate a clear commitment
to upholding democratic values;
(12) expand bilateral security cooperation with non-NATO
member Western Balkans countries, particularly efforts
focused on regional integration and cooperation, including
through the Adriatic Charter, which was launched at Tirana on
May 2, 2003;
(13) increase efforts to combat Russian malign influence
campaigns and any other destabilizing or disruptive
activities targeting the Western Balkans through engagement
with government institutions, political stakeholders,
journalists, civil society organizations, and industry
leaders;
(14) develop a series of cyber resilience standards,
consistent with the Enhanced Cyber Defence Policy and
Readiness Action Plan endorsed at the 2014 Wales Summit of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to expand cooperation
with partners and allies, including in the Western Balkans,
on cyber security and ICT infrastructure;
(15) articulate clearly and unambiguously the United States
commitment to supporting democratic values and respect for
international law as the sole path forward for the countries
of the Western Balkans; and
(16) prioritize partnerships and programming with Western
Balkan countries that demonstrate commitment toward
strengthening their democracies and show respect for human
rights.

SEC. 5684. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) ICT.--The term ``ICT'' means information and
communication technology.
(3) Western balkans.--The term ``Western Balkans'' means
the region comprised of the following countries:
(A) The Republic of Albania.
(B) Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(C) The Republic of Kosovo.
(D) Montenegro.
(E) The Republic of North Macedonia.
(F) The Republic of Serbia.
(4) Western balkans country.--The term ``Western Balkans
country'' means any country listed in subparagraphs (A)
through (G) of paragraph (3).

SEC. 5685. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE WESTERN
BALKANS.

(a) In General.--Each person listed or designated for the
imposition of sanctions under an executive order described in
subsection (c) as of the date of the enactment of this Act
shall remain so designated, except as provided in subsections
(d) and (e).
(b) Continuation of Sanctions Authorities.--Each authority
to impose sanctions provided for under an executive order
described in subsection (c) shall remain in effect.
(c) Executive Orders Specified.--The executive orders
specified in this subsection are--
(1) Executive Order 13219, as amended by Executive Order
13304 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property of
persons who threaten international stabilization efforts in
the Western Balkans); and
(2) Executive Order 14140 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking property and suspending entry into the United States
of certain persons contributing to the destabilizing
situation in the Western Balkans), as in effect on such date
of enactment.
(d) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate
the application of a sanction authorized under Executive
Order 14140 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking
property and suspending entry into the United States of
certain persons contributing to the destabilizing situation
in the Western Balkans), with respect to a person if the
President certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress
that--
(1) the person is not engaging in the activity that was the
basis for the sanctions or has taken significant verifiable
steps toward stopping the activity; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurance s that
the person will not knowingly engage in activity subject to
sanctions described in subsection (a) in the future.
(e) Rule of Construction Regarding Delisting Procedures
Relating to Sanctions Authorized Under Executive Orders 13219
and 13304.--Nothing in subsection (d) may be construed to
modify the delisting procedures used by the Department of the
Treasury with respect to sanctions authorized under Executive
Order 13219, as amended by Executive Order 13304 (50 U.S.C.
1701 note; relating to blocking property of persons who
threaten international stabilization efforts in the Western
Balkans).
(f) Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may waive the application of
sanctions under this section for renewable periods not to
exceed 180 days if the President--
(A) determines that such a waiver is in the national
security interests of the United States; and
(B) not less than 15 days before the granting of the
waiver, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a
notice of and justification for the waiver.
(2) Form.--The waiver described in paragraph (1) may be
transmitted in classified form.
(g) Exceptions.--
(1) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this Act
shall not apply to--
(A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the
provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine,
medical devices, humanitarian assistance, or for humanitarian
purposes; or
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or ordinarily
incident to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Compliance with international obligations and law
enforcement activities.--Sanctions under this Act shall not
apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such
alien is necessary--
(A) to comply with United States obligations under--
(i) the Agreement between the United Nations and the United
States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered
into force November 21, 1947;
(ii) the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna
April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967; or
(iii) any other international agreement; or
(B) to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the
United States.
(3) Exception for intelligence activities.--Sanctions under
this Act shall not apply to--
(A) any activity subject to the reporting requirements
under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3091 et seq.); or
(B) any authorized intelligence activities of the United
States.
(4) Exception relating to importation of goods.--
(A) In general.--The requirement to block and prohibit all
transactions in all property and interests in property under
this Act shall not include the authority or a requirement to
impose sanctions on the importation of goods.
(B) Defined term.--In this paragraph, the term ``good''
means any article, natural or manmade substance, material,
supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test
equipment, and excluding technical data.
(h) Rulemaking.--The President is authorized to promulgate
such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out
the provisions of this section (which may include regulatory
exceptions), including under section 205 of the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1704)).
(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to limit the authorities of the President under the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.).
(j) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have force or
effect beginning on the date that is 8 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5686. DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY
INITIATIVES.

(a) Anti-corruption Initiative.--The Secretary of State,
through ongoing and new programs, shall develop an initiative
that--
(1) seeks to expand technical assistance in each Western
Balkans country, taking into account local conditions and
contingent on the agreement of the host country government to
develop new national anti-corruption strategies;
(2) seeks to share best practices with, and provide
training, including through the use of embedded advisors, to
civilian law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions,
and other relevant administrative bodies, of the Western
Balkans countries, to improve the efficiency, transparency,
and accountability of such agencies and institutions;
(3) strengthens existing national anti-corruption
strategies--
(A) to combat political corruption, particularly in the
judiciary, independent election oversight bodies, and public
procurement processes; and
(B) to strengthen regulatory and legislative oversight of
critical governance areas, such as freedom of information and
public procurement, including by strengthening cyber defenses
and ICT infrastructure networks;
(4) includes the Western Balkans countries in the European
Democratic Resilience Initiative of the Department of State,
or any equivalent successor initiative, and considers the
Western Balkans as a recipient of anti-corruption funding for
such initiative; and
(5) seeks to promote the important role of an independent
media in countering corruption through engagements with
governments of Western Balkan countries and providing
training opportunities for journalists on investigative
reporting.

[[Page S5367]]

(b) Prioritizing Cyber Resilience, Regional Trade, and
Economic Competitiveness.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(A) promoting stronger economic, civic, and political
relationships among Western Balkans countries will enable
countries to better utilize existing resources and maximize
their economic security and democratic resilience by
reinforcing cyber defenses and increasing trade in goods and
services among other countries in the region; and
(B) United States private investments in and assistance
toward creating a more integrated region ensures political
stability and security for the region.
(2) 5-year strategy for economic development and democratic
resilience in western balkans.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the heads of other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a regional economic
development and democratic resilience strategy for the
Western Balkans that complements the efforts of the European
Union, European nations, and other multilateral financing
institutions--
(A) to consider the full set of tools and resources
available from the relevant agencies;
(B) to include efforts to ensure coordination with
multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the European
Union, the World Bank, and other relevant assistance
frameworks;
(C) to include an initial public assessment of--
(i) economic opportunities for which United States
businesses, or those of other like-minded partner countries,
would be competitive;
(ii) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural, or other
barriers limiting United States trade and investment in the
Western Balkans;
(iii) the effectiveness of all existing regional
cooperation initiatives, such as the Open Balkan initiative
and the Western Balkans Common Regional Market; and
(iv) ways to increase United States trade and investment
within the Western Balkans;
(D) to develop human and institutional capacity and
infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies,
including clean energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, small
and medium-sized enterprise development, health, and cyber-
security;
(E) to assist with the development and implementation of
regional and international trade agreements;
(F) to support small and medium-sized businesses, including
women-owned enterprises;
(G) to promote government and civil society policies and
programs that combat corruption and encourage transparency
(including by supporting independent media by promoting the
safety and security of journalists), free and fair
competition, sound governance, judicial reform, environmental
stewardship, and business environments conducive to
sustainable and inclusive economic growth; and
(H) to include a public diplomacy strategy that describes
the actions that will be taken by relevant agencies to
increase support for the United States relationship by
citizens of Western Balkans countries.
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide a
briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress that
describes the progress made towards developing the strategy
required under paragraph (2).
(c) Regional Trade and Development Initiative.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, may coordinate a regional trade and development
initiative for the region comprised of each Western Balkans
country and any European Union member country that shares a
border with a Western Balkans country (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Western Balkans region'') in accordance
with this subsection.
(2) Initiative elements.--The initiative authorized under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) promote private sector growth and competitiveness and
increase the capacity of businesses, particularly small and
medium-sized enterprises, in the Western Balkans region;
(B) aim to increase intraregional exports to countries in
the Balkans and European Union member states;
(C) aim to increase United States exports to, and
investments in, countries in the Balkans;
(D) support startup companies, including companies led by
youth or women, in the Western Balkans region by--
(i) providing training in business skills and leadership;
and
(ii) providing opportunities to connect to sources of
capital;
(E) encourage and promote inward and outward trade and
investment through engagement with the Western Balkans
diaspora communities in the United States and abroad;
(F) provide assistance to the governments and civil society
organizations of Western Balkans countries to develop--
(i) regulations to ensure fair and effective investment;
and
(ii) screening tools to identify and deter malign
investments and other coercive economic practices;
(G) identify areas where application of additional
resources and workforce retraining could expand successful
programs to 1 or more countries in the Western Balkans region
by building on the existing experience and program
architecture;
(H) compare existing single-country sector analyses to
determine areas of focus that would benefit from a regional
approach with respect to the Western Balkans region; and
(I) promote intraregional trade throughout the Western
Balkans region through--
(i) programming, including grants, cooperative agreements,
and other forms of assistance;
(ii) expanding awareness of the availability of loans and
other financial instruments from the United States
Government; and
(iii) coordinating access to existing trade instruments
available through allies and partners in the Western Balkans
region, including the European Union and international
financial institutions.
(3) Support for regional infrastructure projects.--The
initiative authorized under paragraph (1) should facilitate
and prioritize support for regional infrastructure projects,
including--
(A) transportation projects that build roads, bridges,
railways and other physical infrastructure to facilitate
travel of goods and people throughout the Western Balkans
region;
(B) technical support and investments needed to meet United
States and European Union standards for air travel, including
screening and information sharing;
(C) the development of telecommunications networks with
trusted providers;
(D) infrastructure projects that connect Western Balkans
countries to each other and to countries with which they
share a border;
(E) information exchange on effective tender procedures and
transparent procurement processes;
(F) investment transparency programs that will help
countries in the Western Balkans analyze gaps and establish
institutional and regulatory reforms necessary--
(i) to create an enabling environment for trade and
investment; and
(ii) to strengthen protections against suspect investments
through public procurement and privatization and through
foreign direct investments;
(G) sharing best practices learned from the United States
and other international partners to ensure that institutional
and regulatory mechanisms for addressing these issues are
fair, nonarbitrary, effective, and free from corruption;
(H) projects that support regional energy security and
reduce dependence on Russian energy;
(I) technical assistance and generating private investment
in projects that promote connectivity and energy-sharing in
the Western Balkans region;
(J) technical assistance to support regional collaboration
on environmental protection that includes governmental,
political, civic, and business stakeholders; and
(K) technical assistance to develop financing options and
help create linkages with potential financing institutions
and investors.
(4) Requirements.--All programming under the initiative
authorized under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be open to the participation of Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia;
(B) be consistent with European Union accession
requirements;
(C) be focused on retaining talent within the Western
Balkans;
(D) promote government policies in Western Balkans
countries that encourage free and fair competition, sound
governance, environmental protection, and business
environments that are conducive to sustainable and inclusive
economic growth; and
(E) include a public diplomacy strategy to inform local and
regional audiences in the Western Balkans region about the
initiative, including specific programs and projects.
(d) United States International Development Finance
Corporation.--
(1) Appointments.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Chief Executive Officer of the United
States International Development Finance Corporation, in
collaboration with the Secretary of State, should consider
including a regional office with responsibilities for the
Western Balkans within the Corporation's plans to open new
regional offices.
(2) Joint report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of
the United States International Development Finance
Corporation and the Secretary of State shall submit a joint
report to the appropriate committees of Congress that shall
include--
(A) an assessment of the benefits of providing sovereign
loan guarantees to countries in the Western Balkans to
support infrastructure and energy diversification projects;
(B) an outline of additional resources, such as tools,
funding, and personnel, which may be required to offer
sovereign loan guarantees in the Western Balkans; and
(C) an assessment of how the United States International
Development Finance Corporation, in coordination with the
United States Trade and Development Agency and the Export-
Import Bank of the United States, can deploy its insurance
products in support of bonds or other instruments issued to
raise

[[Page S5368]]

capital through United States financial markets in the
Western Balkans.

SEC. 5687. PROMOTING CROSS-CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL
ENGAGEMENT.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) promoting partnerships between United States
universities and universities in the Western Balkans,
particularly universities in traditionally under-served
communities, advances United States foreign policy goals and
requires a whole-of-government approach, including the
utilization of public-private partnerships;
(2) such university partnerships would provide
opportunities for exchanging academic ideas, technical
expertise, research, and cultural understanding for the
benefit of the United States, and may provide additional
beneficial opportunities for cooperation in the private
sector; and
(3) the seven countries in the Western Balkans meet the
requirements under section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c(c)(4)).
(b) University Partnerships.--The President, working
through the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide
assistance, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c), to promote the
establishment of partnerships between United States
universities and universities in the Western Balkans,
including--
(1) supporting research and analysis on cyber resilience;
(2) working with partner governments to reform policies,
improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers
and students, including English language teaching, and to
provide quality, inclusive learning materials;
(3) encouraging knowledge exchanges to help provide
individuals, particularly at-risk youth, women, people with
disabilities, and other vulnerable, marginalized, or
underserved communities, with relevant education, training,
and skills for meaningful employment;
(4) promoting teaching and research exchanges between
institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and
in the United States; and
(5) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded
institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the
larger European continent.

SEC. 5688. YOUNG BALKAN LEADERS INITIATIVE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
regular people-to-people exchange programs that bring
religious leaders, journalists, civil society members,
politicians, and other individuals from the Western Balkans
to the United States will strengthen existing relationships
and advance United States interests and shared values in the
Western Balkans region.
(b) BOLD Leadership Program for Young Balkans Leaders.--
(1) Sense of congress.--The Department of State, through
BOLD, a leadership program for young leaders in certain
Western Balkans countries, plays an important role to develop
young leaders in improving civic engagement and economic
development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and
Montenegro.
(2) Expansion.--BOLD should be expanded, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to the entire Western Balkans
region.
(c) Authorization.--The Secretary of State should further
develop and implement BOLD, which shall hereafter be known as
the ``Young Balkan Leaders Initiative'', to promote
educational and professional development for young adult
leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have
demonstrated a passion to contribute to the continued
development of the Western Balkans region.
(d) Conduct of Initiative.--The goals of the Young Balkan
Leaders Initiative shall be--
(1) to further build the capacity of young Balkan leaders
in the Western Balkans in the areas of business and
information technology, cyber security and digitization,
agriculture, civic engagement, and public administration;
(2) to support young Balkan leaders by offering
professional development, training, and networking
opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership,
innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights,
entrepreneurship, good governance, public administration, and
journalism;
(3) to support young political, parliamentary, and civic
Balkan leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives
related to good governance, environmental protection,
government ethics, and minority inclusion;
(4) to provide increased economic and technical assistance
to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and
strengthen ties between businesses, investors, and
entrepreneurs in the United States and in Western Balkans
countries;
(5) to tailor such assistance and exchanges to advance the
particular objectives of each United States mission in the
Western Balkans within the framework outlined in this
subsection; and
(6) to secure funding for such assistance and exchanges
from existing funds available to each United States Mission
in the Western Balkans.
(e) Fellowships.--Under the Young Balkan Leaders
Initiative, the Secretary of State shall award fellowships to
young leaders from the Western Balkans who--
(1) are between 18 and 35 years of age;
(2) have demonstrated strong capabilities in
entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
(3) have had a positive impact in their communities,
organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-
regional and multiethnic cooperation; and
(4) represent a cross-section of geographic, gender,
political, and cultural diversity.
(f) Public Engagement and Leadership Center.--Under the
Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State shall
take advantage of existing and future public diplomacy
facilities (commonly known as ``American Spaces'') to hire
staff and develop programming for the establishment of a
flagship public engagement and leadership center in the
Western Balkans that seeks--
(1) to counter disinformation and malign influence;
(2) to promote cross-cultural engagement;
(3) to provide training for young leaders from Western
Balkans countries described in subsection (e);
(4) to harmonize the efforts of existing venues throughout
Western Balkans countries established by the Office of
American Spaces; and
(5) to annually bring together participants from the Young
Balkans Leaders Initiative to provide platforms for regional
networking.
(g) Briefing on Certain Exchange Programs.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress
that describes the status of exchange programs involving the
Western Balkans region.
(2) Elements.--The briefing required under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) assess the factors constraining the number and
frequency of participants from Western Balkans countries in
the International Visitor Leadership Program of the
Department of State;
(B) identify the resources that are necessary to address
the factors described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) describe a strategy for connecting alumni and
participants of professional development exchange programs of
the Department of State in the Western Balkans with alumni
and participants from other countries in Europe, to enhance
inter-region and intra-region people-to-people ties.

SEC. 5689. SUPPORTING CYBERSECURITY AND CYBER RESILIENCE IN
THE WESTERN BALKANS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States support for cybersecurity, cyber
resilience, and secure ICT infrastructure in Western Balkans
countries will strengthen the region's ability to defend
itself from and respond to malicious cyber activity conducted
by nonstate and foreign actors, including foreign
governments, that seek to influence the region;
(2) insecure ICT networks that are vulnerable to
manipulation can increase opportunities for--
(A) the compromise of cyber infrastructure, including data
networks, electronic infrastructure, and software systems;
and
(B) the use of online information operations by adversaries
and malign actors to undermine United States allies and
interests; and
(3) it is in the national security interest of the United
States to support the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of
Western Balkans countries.
(b) Interagency Report on Cybersecurity and the Digital
Information Environment in Western Balkans Countries.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and
the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a
report to the appropriate committees of Congress that
contains--
(1) an overview of interagency efforts to strengthen
cybersecurity and cyber resilience in Western Balkans
countries;
(2) a review of the information environment in each Western
Balkans country;
(3) a review of existing United States Government cyber and
digital initiatives that--
(A) counter influence operations and safeguard elections
and democratic processes in Western Balkans countries;
(B) strengthen ICT infrastructure, digital accessibility,
and cybersecurity capacity in the Western Balkans;
(C) support democracy and internet freedom in Western
Balkans countries; and
(D) build cyber capacity of governments who are allies or
partners of the United States;
(4) an assessment of cyber threat information sharing
between the United States and Western Balkans countries;
(5) an assessment of--
(A) options for the United States to better support
cybersecurity and cyber resilience in Western Balkans
countries through changes to current assistance authorities;
and
(B) the advantages or limitations, such as funding or
office space, of posting cyber professionals from other
Federal departments and agencies to United States diplomatic
posts in Western Balkans countries and providing relevant
training to Foreign Service Officers; and
(6) any additional support needed from the United States
for the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of the following
NATO Allies: Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

[[Page S5369]]

SEC. 5690. RELATIONS BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Agreement on the Path to Normalization of
Relations, which was agreed to by Kosovo and Serbia on
February 27, 2023, with the facilitation of the European
Union, is a positive step forward in advancing normalization
between the two countries;
(2) Serbia and Kosovo should seek to make immediate
progress on the Implementation Annex to the agreement
referred to in paragraph (1);
(3) once sufficient progress has been made on the
Implementation Annex, the United States should consider
advancing initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations with
both countries, which could include--
(A) establishing bilateral strategic dialogues with Kosovo
and Serbia; and
(B) advancing concrete initiatives to deepen trade and
investment with both countries; and
(4) the United States should continue to support a
comprehensive final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia based
on mutual recognition.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United
States Government that--
(1) it shall not pursue any policy that advocates for land
swaps, partition, or other forms of redrawing borders along
ethnic lines in the Western Balkans as a means to settle
disputes between nation states in the region; and
(2) it should support pluralistic democracies in countries
in the Western Balkans as a means to prevent a return to the
ethnic strife that once characterized the region.

SEC. 5690. REPORTS ON RUSSIAN AND CHINESE MALIGN INFLUENCE
OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS IN THE WESTERN
BALKANS.

(a) Reports Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and every two years
thereafter, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence,
and the heads of other Federal departments or agencies, as
appropriate, shall submit a report to the appropriate
committees of Congress regarding Russian and Chinese malign
influence operations and campaigns carried out with respect
to Balkan countries that seek--
(1) to undermine democratic institutions;
(2) to promote political instability; and
(3) to harm the interests of the United States and North
Atlantic Treaty Organization member and partner states in the
Western Balkans.
(b) Elements.--Each report submitted pursuant to subsection
(a) shall include--
(1) an assessment of the objectives of the Russian
Federation and the People's Republic of China regarding
malign influence operations and campaigns carried out with
respect to Western Balkans countries--
(A) to undermine democratic institutions, including the
planning and execution of democratic elections;
(B) to promote political instability; and
(C) to manipulate the information environment;
(2) the activities and roles of the Department of State and
other relevant Federal agencies in countering Russian and
Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns;
(3) an assessment of--
(A) each network, entity and individual, to the extent such
information is available, of Russia, China, or any other
country with which Russia or China may cooperate, that is
supporting such Russian or Chinese malign influence
operations or campaigns, including the provision of financial
or operational support to activities in a Western Balkans
country that may limit freedom of speech or create barriers
of access to democratic processes, including exercising the
right to vote in a free and fair election; and
(B) the role of each such entity in providing such support;
(4) the identification of the tactics, techniques, and
procedures used in Russian or Chinese malign influence
operations and campaigns in Western Balkans countries;
(5) an assessment of the effect of previous Russian or
Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns that
targeted alliances and partnerships of the United States
Armed Forces in the Western Balkans, including the
effectiveness of such operations and campaigns in achieving
the objectives of Russia and China, respectively;
(6) the identification of each Western Balkans country with
respect to which Russia or China has conducted or attempted
to conduct a malign influence operation or campaign;
(7) an assessment of the capacity and efforts of NATO and
of each individual Western Balkans country to counter Russian
or Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns carried
out with respect to Western Balkans countries;
(8) the efforts by the United States to combat such malign
influence operations in the Western Balkans, including
through the Countering Russian Influence Fund and the
Countering People's Republic of China Malign Influence Fund;
(9) an assessment of the tactics, techniques, and
procedures that the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of
Defense, determines are likely to be used in future Russian
or Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns carried
out with respect to Western Balkans countries; and
(10) activities that the Department of State and other
relevant Federal agencies could use to increase the United
States Government's capacity to counter Russian and Chinese
malign influence operations and campaigns in Western Balkans
countries.
(c) Form.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

Subtitle G--Security of Critical Mineral Supply Chains

SEC. 5701. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Critical Minerals
Partnership Act of 2025''.

SEC. 5702. DEFINITION OF CRITICAL MINERAL.

In this subtitle, the term ``critical mineral''--
(1) has the meaning given the term in section 7002 of the
Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606); and
(2) includes any other mineral or mineral material
determined by the Secretary of State--
(A) to be essential to the economic or national security of
the United States; and
(B) to have a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

SEC. 5703. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY
CHAINS.

It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to collaborate with allies and partners of the United
States to build secure and resilient critical minerals supply
chains, including in the mining, processing, reclamation and
recycling, and valuation of critical minerals;
(2) to prioritize the development and production of
critical mineral resources domestically, including through
improvement of systems for collecting and recycling critical
minerals from used and discarded goods or equipment, both to
supply domestic needs and for export to allies and partners
that participate in secure and resilient supply chains for
critical minerals;
(3) to reduce or eliminate reliance and dependence on
critical mineral supply chains controlled by the People's
Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Iran, or any other
adversary of the United States;
(4) to work with allies and partners on enhancing
evaluation capability and technology in trusted countries
that produce critical minerals to avoid the export of
critical minerals, or products or components that are
dependent on critical minerals, that are controlled by
adversaries of the United States;
(5) to identify and implement market-based incentives for
the purposes of facilitating the creation and maintenance of
secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains,
including for reclamation and recycling of critical mineral
resources from waste streams, in collaboration with allies
and partners;
(6) to prioritize securing critical mineral supply chains
in United States foreign policy, including through the use of
economic tools to invest responsibly in projects in partner
countries in a manner that both benefits local populations
and bolsters the supply of critical minerals to the United
States and allies and partners of the United States; and
(7) that collaboration with allies and partners to build
secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains shall not
replace United States efforts to increase domestic
development and production or recycling of critical minerals.

SEC. 5704. INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO PROTECTING
CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY CHAINS.

(a) In General.--The President is authorized to negotiate
an agreement with international partners for the purposes of
establishing a coalition--
(1) to facilitate--
(A) the mining, processing, recycling, and enhanced access
to the supply of critical minerals; and
(B) advanced manufacturing that relies on the practical
application of critical minerals; and
(2) to secure an adequate supply of critical minerals and
relevant products, manufacturing inputs, and components that
are heavily dependent on critical mineral resource inputs for
the United States and other members of the coalition (in this
section referred to as ``member countries'').
(b) Negotiating Objectives.--The overall objectives for
negotiating an agreement described in subsection (a) should
be--
(1) to establish mechanisms for member countries to build
secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals,
including in--
(A) the mining, refinement, reclamation and recycling,
processing, and valuation of critical minerals; and
(B) advanced manufacturing of products, components, and
materials that are dependent on critical minerals;
(2) to improve economies of scale and joint cooperation
with international partners in securing access and means of
production throughout the supply chains of critical minerals
and manufacturing processes dependent on critical minerals;
(3) to establish mechanisms, with appropriate market-based
disciplines, that provide and maintain opportunities among
member countries for creating industry economies of scale to
attract joint investment among those countries, including--
(A) cooperation on joint projects, including cost-sharing
on building appropriate infrastructure to access deposits of
critical minerals; and
(B) creation or enhancement of national and international
programs to support the

[[Page S5370]]

development of robust industries by providing appropriate
sector-specific incentives, such as political risk and other
insurance opportunities, financing, and other support, for--
(i) mining and processing critical minerals;
(ii) manufacturing of products, components, and materials
that are dependent on critical minerals and are essential to
consumer technology products or have important national
security implications;
(iii) building capacities and creating incentives for
recovering used, spent, or discarded equipment and consumer
goods containing critical minerals to be safely handled and
recycled; and
(iv) associated transportation needs that are tailored to
the handling, movement, and logistics management of critical
minerals and products, components, and materials that are
dependent on critical minerals;
(4) to establish market-based rules for member countries
regarding adoption of qualifying tax and other incentives to
stimulate investment, as balanced by market-based disciplines
to ensure a fair playing field among those countries;
(5) to establish recommended best practices to protect--
(A) labor rights;
(B) the natural environment and ecosystems near critical
mineral industrial sites; and
(C) safety of communities near critical mineral industrial
activities;
(6) to advance economic growth in developing countries with
critical mineral reserves and capacities for the recovery and
recycling of critical minerals, including for the benefit of
the citizens of those countries;
(7) to establish rules allowing for the establishment of a
consortium that is resourced and empowered to bid and compete
in acquiring and securing potential deposits of critical
minerals in countries that are not members of the coalition
described in subsection (a) (in this section referred to as
``nonmember countries'');
(8) to establish a mechanism for joint resource mapping
with procedures for equitable sharing of information on
potential deposits of critical minerals not less frequently
than annually;
(9) to establish appropriate mechanisms for the recognition
and enforcement by a member country of judgments relating to
environmental and related harms caused by mining operations
within the territory of the member country in contravention
of that country's laws; and
(10) to improve supply chain security among member
countries by providing for national treatment investment
protections among those countries that are equal to, or
better than, the standards in the United States model
bilateral investment treaty.
(c) Congressional Consultations Required.--In the course of
negotiations described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consult closely and on a timely basis with, and keep fully
apprised of the negotiations, the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs
of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 5705. MINERALS SECURITY PARTNERSHIP AUTHORIZATION.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, acting through the
Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the
Environment, is authorized to lead United States
participation in the Minerals Security Partnership, for the
following purposes:
(1) To identify and support investment and advocate for
commercial critical mineral mining, processing, and refining
projects that enable robust and secure critical mineral
supply chains, in consultation with other Federal agencies,
as appropriate.
(2) To coordinate with relevant regional bureaus to develop
regional diplomatic engagement strategies related to critical
minerals projects and to identify projects that are
priorities.
(3) To coordinate with United States missions abroad on
projects, programs, and investments that enable robust and
secure critical mineral supply chains.
(4) To coordinate with current and prospective members of
the Minerals Security Partnership.
(5) To establish a mechanism for information-sharing with
members of the Minerals Security Partnership.
(6) To establish policies and procedures, and if necessary,
to provide funding to facilitate cooperation on joint
projects with members of the Minerals Security Partnership
and the Minerals Security Forum, including those related to
cost-sharing agreements, political risk insurance, financing,
equity investments, and other support, in coordination with
other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
(7) If an agreement described in section 5694 is entered
into, to support the establishment of the coalition described
in that section.
(b) Database.--As part of the Minerals Security
Partnership, the Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary, is authorized to establish and maintain a database
of critical mineral projects for the purpose of providing
high quality and up-to-date information to the private sector
and, at the discretion of the Under Secretary, to members of
the Minerals Security Partnership, in order to spur greater
investment, increase the resilience of global critical
minerals supply chains, and boost United States supply.
(c) Qualifications for Personnel.--With respect to staffing
personnel to carry out the Minerals Security Partnership, the
Secretary shall prioritize individuals with the following
qualifications:
(1) Substantive knowledge and experience in issues related
to critical minerals supply chain and their application to
strategic industries, including in the defense, energy, and
technology sectors.
(2) Substantive knowledge and experience in large-scale
multi-donor project financing and related technical and
diplomatic arrangements, international coalition-building,
and project management.
(3) Substantive knowledge and experience in trade and
foreign policy, defense industrial base policy, or national
security-sensitive supply chain issues.
(d) Private Sector Coordination.--The Secretary shall
ensure close coordination between the Department of State,
the private sector, and relevant civil society groups on the
implementation of this section.
(e) Project Selection.--
(1) In general.--The United States, through its
participation in the Minerals Security Partnership, shall
prioritize projects that advance the national and economic
security interests of the United States and allies and
partners of the United States.
(2) Criteria requirements.--The United States should
advocate for the Minerals Security Partnership to use
environmental, social, or governance standards, including as
criteria for project selection, that are consistent with
United States law or international agreements approved by
Congress.

SEC. 5706. UNITED STATES MEMBERSHIP IN THE INTERNATIONAL
NICKEL STUDY GROUP.

(a) United States Membership.--The President is authorized
to accept the Terms of Reference of and maintain membership
of the United States in the International Nickel Study Group.
(b) Payments of Assessed Contributions.--For fiscal year
2025 and thereafter, the United States assessed contributions
to the International Nickel Study Group may be paid from
funds appropriated for ``Contributions to International
Organizations''.

SEC. 5707. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
State $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to enhance critical
mineral supply chain security, including to implement this
subtitle.

Subtitle H--Democracy in Georgia

SEC. 5711. SHORT TITLES.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Mobilizing and
Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability,
Resilience, and Independence Act'' or the ``MEGOBARI Act''.

SEC. 5712. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Georgia.--The term ``Georgia'' means the country of
Georgia.
(3) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.

SEC. 5713. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the consolidation of democracy in Georgia is critical
for regional stability and United States national interests;
(2) Georgia has seen significant democratic backsliding in
recent years, as evidenced by numerous independent
assessments and measures;
(3) the current Georgian government is increasingly hostile
towards independent domestic civil society, members of the
opposition and its chief Euro-Atlantic partners while
increasingly embracing enhanced ties with the Russian
Federation, the People's Republic of China, and other anti-
Western authoritarian regimes;
(4) the United States has an interest in protecting and
securing democracy in Georgia; and
(5) the United States's decision to suspend the- United
States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission on November
30, 2024, should remain in effect until the Government of
Georgia takes measures--
(A) to end political repressions against civil society,
media organizations and members of the opposition and fully
restore the constitutional rights of the Georgian people; and
(B) to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance
Euro-Atlantic integration.

SEC. 5714. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to support the constitutionally stated aspirations of
Georgia to become a member of the European Union and NATO,
which is made clear under Article 78 of the Constitution of
Georgia and is supported by the overwhelming majority of the
citizens of Georgia;
(2) to continue supporting the capacity of the Government
of Georgia to protect its sovereignty and territorial
integrity from further Russian aggression or encroachment
within its internationally recognized borders;
(3) to emphasize the importance of contributing to
international efforts--

[[Page S5371]]

(A) to combat Russian aggression, including through
restrictions on trade with Russia and the implementation and
enforcement of worldwide sanctions on Russia; and
(B) to reduce, rather than increase, trade ties between
Georgia and Russia;
(4) to continue supporting the ongoing development of
democratic values in Georgia, including free and fair
elections, freedom of association, an independent and
accountable judiciary, an independent media, public-sector
transparency and accountability, the rule of law, countering
malign influence, and anti-corruption efforts and to impose
swift consequences on individuals who are directly
responsible for leading or have directly and knowingly
engaged in leading actions of policies that significantly
undermine those standards;
(5) to continue to support the Georgian people and civil
society organizations that reflect the aspirations of the
Georgian people for democracy and a future with the people of
Europe;
(6) to continue supporting the right of the Georgian people
to freely engage in peaceful protest, determine their future,
and make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and
security policy, including regarding Georgia's relationship
with other countries and international organizations, without
interference, intimidation, or coercion by other countries or
those acting on their behalf;
(7) to call on all political parties, elected Members of
the Parliament of Georgia, and officers of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs of Georgia to respect the freedoms of
peaceful assembly, association, and expression, including for
the press, and the rule of law, and encourage a vibrant and
inclusive civil society;
(8) to call on the Government of Georgia to release all
persons detained or imprisoned on politically motivated
grounds and drop any pending charges against them;
(9) to call on the Government of Georgia to thoroughly
investigate all allegations emerging from the recent national
elections, which took place on October 2024, make a
determination whether the elections should be judged as
illegitimate and hold those responsible for interference in
the elections; and
(10) to continue impressing upon the Government of Georgia
that the United States is committed to sustaining and
deepening bilateral relations and supporting Georgia's Euro-
Atlantic aspirations.

SEC. 5715. REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS.

(a) Report on Russian and Chinese Intelligence Assets in
Georgia.--
(1) Defined term.--In this section, the term ``relevant
congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and
the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a classified report,
as appropriate, to the relevant congressional committees that
meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (3).
(3) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (2)
shall--
(A) be prepared consistent with the protection of sources
and methods;
(B) examine the penetration of Russian and Chinese
intelligence elements and their assets in Georgia; and
(C) examine the potential intersection of Russian and
Chinese influence and cooperation in Georgia.
(b) 5-year United States Strategy for Bilateral Relations
With Georgia.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the relevant congressional committees a detailed
strategy that--
(A) outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral
ties which reflect the current domestic political environment
in Georgia;
(B) includes a determination of the tools, resources, and
funding that should be available to achieve the objectives
outlined pursuant to subparagraph (A) and an assessment
whether Georgia should remain a top recipient of United
States funding in the Europe and Eurasia region;
(C) includes a determination of the extent to which the
United States should continue to invest in its partnership
with Georgia;
(D) includes a plan for how the United States can continue
to support civil society and independent media organizations
in Georgia; and
(E) includes a determination whether the Government of
Georgia remains committed to expanding trade ties with the
United States and Europe and whether the United States
Government should continue to invest in Georgian projects.
(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.

SEC. 5716. SANCTIONS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Admission; admitted; alien.--The terms ``admission'',
``admitted'', and ``alien'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means any
individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(3) Immediate family members.--The term ``immediate family
members'' has the meaning given the term ``immediate
relatives'' in section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(b)(2)(A)(i)).
(4) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'', with respect to
conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has
actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the
circumstance, or the result.
(5) Unites states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted
for permanent residence to the United States;
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States
or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a
foreign branch of such an entity; or
(C) any person within the United States.
(b) Inadmissibility of Officials of Government of Georgia
and Certain Other Individuals Involved in Blocking Euro-
Atlantic Integration.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall determine
whether each of the following foreign persons has knowingly
engaged in significant acts of corruption, or acts of
violence or intimidation in relation to the blocking of Euro-
Atlantic integration in Georgia:
(A) Any individual who, on or after January 1, 2014, has
served as a member of the Parliament of the Government of
Georgia or as a current or former senior official of a
Georgian political party.
(B) Any individual who is serving as an official in a
leadership position working on behalf of the Government of
Georgia, including law enforcement, intelligence, judicial,
or local or municipal government.
(C) An immediate family member of an official described in
subparagraph (A) or a person described in subparagraph (B)
who benefitted from the conduct of such official or person.
(2) Sanctions.--The President shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(2) with respect to each foreign
person with respect to which the President has made an
affirmative determination under paragraph (1).
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the
appropriate congressional committees with respect to--
(A) any foreign person with respect to which the President
has made an affirmative determination under paragraph (1);
and
(B) the specific facts that justify each such affirmative
determination.
(4) Waiver.--The President may waive imposition of
sanctions under this subsection, on a case-by-case basis, if
the President determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that--
(A) such waiver would serve national security interests; or
(B) the circumstances which caused the individual to be
ineligible have sufficiently changed.
(c) Imposition of Sanctions With Respect to Undermining
Peace, Security, Stability, Sovereignty or Territorial
Integrity of Georgia.--
(1) In general.--The President may impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(1) and shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(2) with respect to each foreign
person the President determines, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act--
(A) is responsible for, complicit in, or has directly or
indirectly engaged in or attempted to engage in, actions or
policies, including ordering, controlling, or otherwise
directing acts that are intended to undermine the peace,
security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of
Georgia;
(B) is or has been a leader or official of an entity that
has, or whose members have, engaged in any activity described
in subparagraph (A); or
(C) is an immediate family member of a person subject to
sanctions for conduct described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
and benefitted from the conduct of such person.
(2) Brief and written notification.--Not later than 10 days
after imposing sanctions on a foreign person or persons
pursuant to this subsection, the President shall brief and
provide written notification to the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the imposition of such sanctions, which
shall describe--
(A) the foreign person or persons subject to the imposition
of such sanctions;
(B) the activity justifying the imposition of such
sanctions; and
(C) the specific sanctions imposed on such foreign person
or persons.
(3) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of
sanctions under this subsection with respect to a foreign
person for renewable periods not to exceed 180 days if, not
later than 15 days before the date on which such waiver is to
take effect, the President submits to the appropriate
congressional committees a written determination and
justification that the waiver is in the national security
interests of the United States.
(d) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the following with respect to a foreign person
described in subsection (b) or (c), as applicable:

[[Page S5372]]

(1) Blocking of property.--Notwithstanding the requirements
under section 202 of the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701), the President shall exercise all
authorities granted under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent
necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property
and interests in property of the foreign person if such
property and interests in property are in the United States,
come within the United States, or are or come within the
possession or control of a United States person.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person that is
an alien shall be--
(i) inadmissible to the United States;
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to
enter the United States; and
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into
the United States or to receive any other benefit under the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked.--The foreign person shall be
subject to the following:
(i) Revocation of any visa or other entry documentation
regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is
or was issued.
(ii) A revocation under clause (i) shall take effect
immediately and automatically cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in the foreign person's
possession.
(e) Implementation; Penalties.--
(1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out this section.
(2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of
subsection (d)(2)(A) or any regulation, license, or order
issued under that subsection shall be subject to the
penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206
of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to
the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subtitle, or any
amendment made by this subtitle, may be construed to limit
the authority of the President to designate or sanction
persons pursuant to an applicable Executive order or
otherwise pursuant to the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(f) Rulemaking.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall prescribe such
regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this
section.
(2) Notification to congress.--Not later than 10 days
before prescribing regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), the
President shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of the proposed regulations and the provisions of
this section that the regulations are implementing.
(g) Sanctions With Respect to Broader Corruption in
Georgia.--
(1) Determination.--The President shall determine whether
there are foreign persons who, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act, have knowingly engaged in significant
corruption in Georgia or acts that are intended to undermine
the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial
integrity of Georgia for the purposes of potential imposition
of sanctions pursuant to powers granted to the President
under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that--
(i) identifies all foreign persons the President has
determined, pursuant to this subsection, have engaged in
significant corruption in Georgia or committed acts that are
intended to undermine the peace, security, stability,
sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Georgia;
(ii) the dates on which sanctions were imposed; and
(iii) the reasons for imposing such sanctions.
(B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall
be provided in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(h) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate
the application of a sanction authorized under this Act with
respect to a person if the President certifies to the
appropriate congressional committees that--
(1) the person is no longer engaging in the activity that
was the basis for the sanctions or has taken significant
verifiable steps toward ceasing the activity; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances that the
person will not knowingly engage in the sanctionable activity
described in paragraph (1) in the future.
(3) Rule of construction regarding delisting procedures
relating to sanctions authorized under other provisions of
law.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to modify
the delisting procedures used by the Department of the
Treasury with respect to sanctions authorized under any other
executive order or provision of law.
(i) Exceptions.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(B) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or
man-made substance, material, supply, or manufactured
product, including inspection and test equipment and
excluding technical data.
(C) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(D) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given
the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(2) Exceptions.--
(A) Exception for intelligence and law enforcement
activities.--Sanctions under this section apply with respect
to activities subject to the reporting requirements under
title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091
et seq.) or to carry out or assist any authorized
intelligence or law enforcement activities of the United
States.
(B) Exception to comply with international obligations.--
Sanctions under this section shall not apply with respect to
a foreign person if admitting or paroling the person into the
United States is necessary to permit the United States to
comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the
United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and
entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United
Nations and the United States, or other applicable
international obligations.
(C) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this section
shall not apply to--
(i) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the
provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine,
medical devices, or humanitarian assistance, or for
humanitarian purposes; or
(ii) transactions that are necessary for, or related to,
the activities described in paragraph (1).
(j) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--The
requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property under this section shall
not include the authority or a requirement to impose
sanctions on the importation of goods.

SEC. 5717. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO GEORGIA.

(a) In General.--Upon submission to Congress of the
certification described in subsection (c)--
(1) the Secretary of State should seek to further enhance
people-to-people contacts, academic, law enforcement, and
technical assistance between the United States and Georgia;
and
(2) the President, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense and the Secretary of State, should maintain military
co-operation with Georgia if it is in the national security
interests of the United States.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that,
after the submission of the certification described in
subsection (c), if the Government of Georgia takes steps to
realign itself with its Euro-Atlantic agenda, including
significant changes to the foreign influence law and related
laws, the end of harassment of civil society and independent
media, and the release of all political prisoners, the
President should take steps to improve the bilateral
relationship between the United States and Georgia, including
actions to bolster Georgia's ability to deter threats from
Russia and other malign actors.
(c) Certification Described.--The certification described
in this subsection is a certification submitted by the
President to the appropriate congressional committees, the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that
Georgia has shown significant and sustained progress towards
reinvigorating its democracy and advancing its Euro-Atlantic
integration.

SEC. 5718. SUNSET.

The provisions of this subtitle shall cease to have any
force or effect beginning on the date that is 5 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act.

Subtitle I--Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act

SEC. 5721. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Scam Compound
Accountability and Mobilization Act''.

SEC. 5722. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) transnational cyber-enabled fraud, particularly
perpetrated from scam compounds in Southeast Asia, is a
growing threat to citizens of the United States, national
security, and economic interests globally, with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation reporting $13,700,000,000 in losses
in the United States due to cyber-enabled fraud in 2024,
including schemes commonly perpetrated by transnational
criminal organizations operating scam compounds;
(2) transnational criminal organizations responsible for a
large proportion of these scam compounds are affiliated with
the People's Republic of China (PRC), actively spread PRC
propaganda, promote unification with Taiwan, and have
brokered projects for the Belt and Road Initiative;
(3) transnational criminal organizations have lured
hundreds of thousands of human trafficking victims from over
40 countries to scam compounds, primarily in Burma, Cambodia,
and Laos, for purposes of forced criminality;

[[Page S5373]]

(4) transnational criminal organizations are expanding scam
compounds internationally including in Africa, the Middle
East, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, and related money
laundering, human trafficking and recruitment fraud have
occurred in Europe, North America, and South America;
(5) the United States should redouble efforts to hold the
perpetrators and enablers of scam compound operations
accountable, including those involved in related money
laundering, human trafficking, and recruitment fraud, by
employing tools, such as targeted sanctions, visa
restrictions, and asset seizures;
(6) to effectively address cyber-enabled fraud originating
from scam compounds internationally, the United States
Government should work with partner governments, multilateral
institutions, civil society experts, and private sector
stakeholders to improve information sharing, strengthen
preventative measures, raise public awareness, and increase
coordination on law enforcement investigations and regulatory
actions; and
(7) survivors of human trafficking and forced criminality
require victim-centered support to ensure they are not
punished for offences that directly resulted from being
trafficked.

SEC. 5723. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Cyber-enabled fraud.--The term ``cyber-enabled fraud''
means the use of the internet or other technology to commit
fraudulent activity, including the theft of money, data, or
identity or the creation of counterfeit goods or services.
(3) Enabling country.--The term ``enabling country'' means
a country where--
(A) government authorities actively or implicitly permit,
enable, or perpetuate scam compound operations; or
(B) ineffective law enforcement or a failure to enact
legislation intended to prevent facilitating services from
reaching scam compounds or transnational criminal
organizations enables scam compound operators to obtain
facilitating services.
(4) Forced criminality.--The term ``forced criminality''
means the coercion of an individual, including under threat
of physical violence, blackmail, prosecution, or other harm
directly against the individual or a person with whom such
individual has a personal relationship, to engage in criminal
activity, such as cyber-enabled fraud.
(5) Impacted country.--The term ``impacted country'' means
a country that is a significant--
(A) transit location for forced labor and human trafficking
to scam compounds;
(B) source of forced labor or victims of human trafficking
for scam compounds; or
(C) target of cyber-enabled fraud originating from scam
compounds internationally.
(6) Scam compound.--The term ``scam compound'' means a
physical installation where a transnational criminal
organization carries out cyber-enabled fraud operations,
frequently using victims of human trafficking and forced
criminality.
(7) Strategy.--The term ``Strategy'' means the strategy to
counter scam compounds and hold transnational criminal
organizations accountable required under section 1274.
(8) Transnational criminal organization.--The term
``transnational criminal organization'' means a group of
persons that--
(A) includes one or more foreign person;
(B) engages in or facilitates an ongoing pattern of serious
criminal activity involving the jurisdictions of at least two
foreign states or one foreign state and the United States;
and
(C) threatens the national security, foreign policy, or
economy of the United States.

SEC. 5724. STRATEGY TO COUNTER SCAM COMPOUNDS AND HOLD
TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS
ACCOUNTABLE.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with other Federal departments and agencies as
designated by the President, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a comprehensive strategy to counter
scam compounds and hold transnational criminal organizations
accountable.
(b) Contents.--The Strategy shall--
(1) articulate a comprehensive problem statement
identifying the structural vulnerabilities exploited by
transnational criminal organizations operating scam
compounds;
(2) develop a comprehensive list of enabling countries and
impacted countries;
(3) identify all active executive branch foreign assistance
programs and diplomatic efforts underway to address scam
compounds, transnational criminal organizations connected to
scam compounds, money laundering, and human trafficking and
forced criminality, including efforts with enabling countries
and impacted countries;
(4) identify foreign assistance resources needed to fully
implement the Strategy and any obstacles to the response of
the Federal Government to scam compounds, including
coordination with partner governments, to address the human
trafficking, forced criminality, and money laundering that
sustains scam compound operations;
(5) include objectives, activities, and performance
indicators regarding the response of the Federal government
to scam compounds, including--
(A) the prevention of recruitment fraud and human
trafficking, including by--
(i) engaging private sector entities operating internet
platforms or other services that can be abused or exploited
to perpetrate recruitment fraud, human trafficking or cyber-
enabled fraud;
(ii) raising awareness among at-risk populations to
identify common recruitment fraud strategies and improve due
diligence and self-protection measures; and
(iii) sharing information and building awareness among
foreign counterparts, including law enforcement and border
officials, to identify potential human trafficking victims;
(B) the support for survivors of human trafficking and
forced criminality under the direction of the Ambassador at
Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement;
(C) the enhancement of coordination and strengthening the
capabilities of partner governments and law enforcement
agencies;
(D) the use of sanctions, visa restrictions, and other
accountability measures against enabling countries,
transnational criminal organizations, and related third-party
facilitators of scam compound operations;
(E) the support of partner governments in countering
corruption and money laundering related to scam compound
operations; and
(F) the investigation of PRC connections to transnational
criminal organizations operating scam compounds.

SEC. 5725. ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO IMPLEMENT THE
STRATEGY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after submitting
the Strategy pursuant to section 5724(a), the Secretary of
State, in consultation with other Federal departments and
agencies as designated by the President, shall establish an
interagency task force (referred to in this section as the
``Task Force'')--
(1) to coordinate the implementation of the Strategy;
(2) to conduct regular monitoring and analysis of scam
compound operations internationally;
(3) to track and evaluate progress toward the objectives,
activities, and performance indicators of the Strategy
described in section 5724(b)(5); and
(4) to update the Strategy, in consultation with the
appropriate congressional committees, as needed.
(b) Annual Reviews and Reports.--Not later than one year
after the establishment of the Task Force, and not less
frequently than annually thereafter, the Secretary of State,
in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments
and agencies as designated by the President, shall--
(1) conduct a status review of the Strategy and the overall
state of scam compounds operated by transnational criminal
organizations;
(2) include a list of enabling countries and impacted
countries; and
(3) submit the results of such review in a public report to
the appropriate congressional committees, which may contain a
classified annex.
(c) Task Force Termination.--The Task Force shall terminate
six years after the date of its establishment.

SEC. 5726. STRENGTHENING TOOLS TO DISMANTLE SCAM COMPOUNDS
AND HOLD TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS
ACCOUNTABLE.

(a) Authority to Sanction Significant Actors in Scam
Compound Operations.--
(1) In general.--The President may exercise the authorities
set forth in section 203 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) without regard to
section 202 of that Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) in the case of any
of the following persons:
(A) Foreign persons that materially assist in, or provide
financial or technological support to, or provide goods or
services in support of, the activities of international scam
compounds or enabling services, including recruitment fraud,
human trafficking, forced criminality, cyber-enabled fraud,
or money-laundering.
(B) Foreign persons that are owned, controlled, or directed
by, or acting for or on behalf of, a significant scam
compound operation or enabling service, including recruitment
fraud, human trafficking, forced criminality, cyber-enabled
fraud, or money-laundering.
(2) Notification requirement of suspension or termination
of sanctions.--Not earlier than 15 days after notifying the
appropriate congressional committees of a determination that
any sanction authorized under paragraph (1) should be
suspended or terminated, and the basis for such
determination, the President may suspend or terminate such
sanction.
(3) Penalties.--The penalties set forth in section 206 of
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C.
1705) apply to a violation of any license, order, or
regulation issued under this section.

[[Page S5374]]

(b) Report to Congress on Identification and Sanctioning of
Significant Actors in International Scam Compound Operations
or Enabling Services.--
(1) In general.--Upon exercising any authority under
subsection (a)(1), the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that
identifies--
(A) the foreign persons that the President has determined
are appropriate for sanctions pursuant to this section and
the basis for such determination; and
(B) specific sanctions imposed pursuant to this section.
(2) Submission of classified information.--Reports
submitted under this section may include an annex with
classified information regarding the basis for the
determination made by the President under paragraph (1)(A) or
subsection (a)(2).
(c) Law Enforcement and Intelligence Activities Not
Affected.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
prohibit or otherwise limit the authorized law enforcement or
intelligence activities of the United States, or the law
enforcement activities of any State or subdivision thereof.
(d) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--
(1) In general.--A requirement to block and prohibit all
transactions in all property and interests in property
pursuant to subsection (a) shall not include the authority or
a requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of
goods.
(2) Good defined.--In this subsection, the term ``good''
means any article, natural or manmade substance, material,
supply, or manufactured product, including inspection and
test equipment, and excluding technical data.

Subtitle J--Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019

SEC. 5744. REPEAL OF CAESAR SYRIA CIVILIAN PROTECTION ACT OF
2019.

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (title
LXXIV of division F of Public Law 116-92; 22 U.S.C. 8791
note) is hereby repealed.
______