I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3515
To establish an independent nonpartisan review panel to assess how the 
Department of State can best fulfill its mission in the 21st century 
and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2003
Mr. THORNBERRY (for himself and Mr. SNYDER) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
A BILL 
To establish an independent nonpartisan review panel to 
assess how the Department of State can best fulfill its 
mission in the 21st century and meet the challenges 
of a rapidly changing world.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department of State 
Review Act’’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF STATE RE-
VIEW PANEL. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress makes the following 
findings: 
(1) The Department of State, established in 
1789, is responsible for representing the worldwide 
interests of the United States and its citizens and 
for advancing the policies of the United States. 
(2) The Department operates 257 posts in more 
than 180 countries throughout the world, has ap-
proximately 21,500 full-time personnel, and has a 
budget of approximately $8,000,000,000. 
(3) There have been dramatic changes in the 
world in which the Department must function, in-
cluding changes in technology, changes in religious, 
ethnic, and regional conflicts, and changes in eco-
nomic, political, and military relationships. More-
over, the world has witnessed the spread of weapons 
of mass destruction and the spread of terrorism. 
Yet, there has been little change in the organization 
and structure of the Department or its posts 
throughout the world. 
(4) The Department and all United States dip-
lomatic efforts should be the subject of a comprehen-
sive review by an independent panel to assess how 
the Department can best fulfill its mission in the
21st century and meet the challenges of a rapidly 
changing world. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than September 1, 
2004, there shall be established a nonpartisan independent 
panel to be known as the Department of State Review 
Panel (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Panel’’). The 
Panel shall have the duties set forth in this section. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS.—The 
Panel shall be composed of ten members who are in-
dividuals in the private sector who are recognized ex-
perts in matters relating to foreign affairs and the 
national security of the United States. 
(2) APPOINTMENT.—Members of the Panel 
shall be appointed as follows: 
(A) Three members appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(B) Three members appointed by the Ma-
jority Leader of the Senate. 
(C) Two members appointed by the Minor-
ity Leader of the House of Representatives. 
(D) Two members appointed by the Minor-
ity Leader of the Senate.
(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Panel shall have a 
chairperson who shall be selected by the members of 
the panel from among the members. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the ap-
pointment of the last member to the Panel, the Panel shall 
prepare and submit to the Congress a comprehensive re-
port. The report shall include the following: 
(1) A review of current structures of the De-
partment of State and related agencies, including 
the organization and operation of the embassies and 
consulates of the United States abroad, to determine 
how best to efficiently and effectively—
(A) represent the interests of the United 
States throughout the world; 
(B) advance the policies of the United 
States; 
(C) cooperate and integrate with other gov-
ernment agencies and departments, including 
the Department of Defense, the Department of 
Homeland Security, the Department of the 
Treasury, the Department of Commerce, the 
Office of the United States Trade Representa-
tive, the Agency for International Development, 
the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the intel-
ligence agencies of the United States; and
(D) meet the anticipated roles and mis-
sions of such entities in the future. 
(2) Recommendations on any structural reorga-
nization at the Department of State and United 
States embassies and consulates, including the fol-
lowing: 
(A) 
Whether 
any 
geographical 
desks 
should be added, combined, or eliminated, in-
cluding an examination of whether an ‘‘Amer-
ican Affairs’’ desk should be established within 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Political 
Affairs. 
(B) Whether any of the positions of Under 
or Assistant Secretary of State should be com-
bined or eliminated, or any additional positions 
of Under or Assistant Secretary of State should 
be created, including an examination of whether 
a senior level position should be established to 
analyze and assess future challenges for the De-
partment, and if needed, whether the position 
should be an Under or Assistant Secretary of 
State. 
(C) Whether a military attache´ should be 
stationed at each embassy and whether a mem-
ber of any other Federal agency should be sta-
tioned at all or specific embassies worldwide. 
(3) Suggestions for changes in organization and 
process to ensure that the efforts of the United 
States to communicate effectively with other govern-
ments and engage in public diplomacy are success-
ful. 
(4) Suggestions for changes in structures to 
better formulate and implement the foreign policy of 
the United States. 
(5) An independent assessment of the chal-
lenges the Department of State may face through 
the year 2020 and beyond. 
(6) A comprehensive review of how the Depart-
ment of State, the embassies and consulates of the 
United States, and diplomatic and other personnel 
and delegations are organized to handle efficiently 
future risks, including any recommended structural 
or internal changes that may be necessary to meet 
future challenges to the national interest of the 
United States. 
(7) The planning assumptions used in the re-
view conducted by the Panel, including assumptions 
relating to cooperation, communication with allies,