Ambassador Oversight and Transparency Act

To require additional disclosures with respect to nominees to serve as chiefs of missions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ambassador Oversight and Transparency Act 2. Additional disclosures required with respect to nominees Section 304 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 ( 22 U.S.C. 3944 (1) in subsection (a)(4), by adding at the end the following: Each such report shall explain the source of, and the extent to which such nominee obtained knowledge of, the principal language or dialect of the country, region, or institution in which the nominee has been nominated to serve as chief of mission and the manner and extent to which such nominee meets the criteria described in paragraph (1), particularly with respect to the source and extent of such individual’s knowledge and understanding of the history, culture, economics, politics, and interests of the people of such country, region, or institution. (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking Each (i) the term bundled contribution 52 U.S.C. 30104(i)(8)(A) (ii) the term contribution 52 U.S.C. 30101(8) (iii) the term immediate family (I) the spouse of the nominee; (II) any child, parent, grandparent, brother, or sister of the nominee; and (III) the spouse of any of the individuals described in subclause (II). (B) Each ; (ii) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated, by striking fourth calendar year tenth calendar year (iii) by striking The report (C) The report shall include the disclosure of all bundled contributions facilitated by the nominee during the period described in subparagraph (B), in accordance with section 304(i)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30104(i)(8) ; (iv) by striking The chairman (D) The chairman ; (v) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by adding at the end the following: The Secretary of State shall publish each such report and each Certificate of Competency (vi) by striking As used in this paragraph (B) by adding at the end the following: (3) The President shall certify to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate . 3. Additional inspections required for certain diplomatic and consular posts (a) Noncareer member of the Foreign Service defined In this section, the term noncareer member of the Foreign Service 22 U.S.C. 3941(d) (b) Inspections required The Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service shall annually conduct the inspections described in section 209(b) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 ( 22 U.S.C. 3929(b) (c) Public availability The findings from each inspection required under subsection (b) shall be made publicly available on an internet website of the Department of State.

Summary: Ambassador Oversight and Transparency Act This bill requires the President and each individual appointed or assigned to be a chief of mission to make certain disclosures, including (1) the source and extent of the individual's knowledge related to the area in which they have been nominated to serve, and (2) specified campaign contributions. The President must also certify that any contributions made by the nominee played no role in the nomination.