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H.R. 6498House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act

Sponsored by Michael T. McCaulRep. Michael T. McCaul (R-TX)
Introduced January 25, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 9:01 AM UTC

The PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act authorizes the State Department to run music‑focused cultural exchange programs and to work with private‑sector partners to support them. It amends the Fulbright‑Hays Act to specifically include music and performing‑arts exchanges, and directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for using these programs to advance U.S. foreign‑policy and peace‑building goals. The bill affects foreign musicians, U.S. artists, the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and private‑sector entities that may fund or mentor participants.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Fulbright‑Hays Act to add a new exchange‑program category for music and performing arts, including private‑sector coordination.
  • Authorizes the Secretary of State to partner with private companies, grant awards, and seek private funding for music‑related exchanges.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to submit a detailed strategy within 180 days outlining goals, evaluation plans, branding, and private‑sector partnership approaches for these programs.
  • Mandates consultation with House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees, as well as private partners, when developing the strategy.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 3.

Foreign Affairs Committee

July 29, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 25, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

January 25, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Foreign Affairs Committee

July 28, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Foreign Affairs Committee

July 29, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 3.

Foreign Affairs Committee

July 29, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 25, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6498

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 25, 2022

Mr. McCaul (for himself and Mr. Deutch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

To authorize music-related exchange programs facilitated by the Department of State and relevant private sector partnerships, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange through Music Diplomacy Act or the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act.

2.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

music is an important conveyer of culture and can be used to communicate values and build understanding between communities;

(2)

music artists play a valuable role in cross-cultural exchange, and their works and performances can promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts;

(3)

the music industry in the United States has made important contributions to American society and culture, and musicians and industry professionals in the United States can offer valuable expertise to young music artists around the world; and

(4)

the United States Government should promote exchange programs, especially programs that leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector, that give young music artists from around the world the chance to improve their skills, share ideas, learn about American culture, and develop the necessary skills to support conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in their communities and broader societies.

3.

Authorization of music-related exchange programs

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (commonly referred to as the Fulbright-Hays Act) is amended—

(1)

in section 102(a)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2452(a)(2))—

(A)

in clause (iii), by striking assemblies; and inserting assemblies; and; and

(B)

in clause (iv)—

(i)

by inserting , including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, before similar; and

(ii)

by striking national interest. and inserting national interest; and; and

(2)

in section 112(a) (22 U.S.C. 2460(a))—

(A)

in paragraph (8), by striking and after the semicolon at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(10)

exchange programs, including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, focused on music and the performing arts that provide opportunities for foreign nationals and Americans to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad.

.

4.

Private sector partnerships

(a)

In general

The Secretary of State should seek to partner with the private sector in support of music-related exchange programs implemented by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), leverage private sector expertise in developing and implementing such programs, expand networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants, and identify private sector funding sources for travel and other program-related expenses where relevant.

(b)

Authorization of certain partnerships

The Secretary of State is authorized to partner with the private sector, including through the granting of awards, to recognize musicians whose works or performances have advanced peace abroad and who could contribute to networking and mentorship opportunities for participants of music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA.

5.

Strategy

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for advancing United States foreign policy goals, including conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, through music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA. Such strategy shall include—

(1)

a description of clearly defined annual goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each music-related exchange program;

(2)

a plan to monitor and evaluate each music-related exchange program and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned outcomes, including measurable benchmarks;

(3)

a plan to ensure that music-related exchange programs are promoting United States foreign policy objectives, including ensuring such programs are clearly branded and paired with robust public diplomacy efforts;

(4)

a plan to pursue partnerships with the private sector while implementing music-related exchange programs, including leveraging industry expertise and expanding networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants; and

(5)
(A)

examples of how ECA’s music-related exchange programs have contributed to conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts to date, including through participant and alumni actions;

(B)

a description of lessons learned regarding how to better encourage conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts through ECA’s music-related exchange programs; and

(C)

a plan to incorporate such lessons learned into relevant current and future programming.

(b)

Consultation

In developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as well as relevant private sector partners.

(c)

Appropriate congressional committees defined

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.