ening United States understanding of and ability to 
compete with the PRC. 
(2) TERMINATION.—The authority provided 
under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date 
that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS.— 
(1) TRAINING.—The Secretary of State shall 
train Foreign Service and civil service employees 
who hold positions relevant to advancing United 
States policies toward competition with the PRC in 
the topics described in paragraph (2). 
(2) TOPICS COVERED.—The training referred to 
in paragraph (1) shall cover the following: 
(A) The domestic and foreign policy objec-
tives of the PRC and the CCP, as demonstrated 
through publicly available speeches and PRC 
and CCP documents. 
(B) The tools the PRC and the CCP use 
to achieve those objectives. 
(C) The role of ideology in shaping CCP 
policies and outlook. 
(D) Other topics deemed relevant by the 
China Strategic Advisory Board, established by 
section 4(a). 
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(3) CONTRACTS AND GRANTS FOR TRAINING.— 
In providing the training referred to in paragraph 
(1), the Secretary of State may obtain assistance 
from knowledgeable persons by— 
(A) entering into short-term and long-term 
contracts for such assistance, including con-
tracts for the temporary or intermittent services 
of experts and consultants under section 3109 
of title 5, United States Code; 
(B) making grants to the persons pro-
viding such assistance; and 
(C) taking other appropriate measures, as 
the Secretary of State deems necessary. 
SEC. 4. PROVIDING ENDURING STRATEGIC ADVICE VIA THE 
CHINA STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an advi-
sory board to be known as the ‘‘China Strategic Advisory 
Board’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Advisory 
Board’’). 
(b) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Advisory 
Board shall— 
(1) provide advice and expertise to the Sec-
retary of State, and continuity, in United States for-
eign policy matters pertaining to strategic competi-
tion with the PRC; 
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(2) review recruitment, training, and retention 
of Foreign Service and civil service members with 
the expertise and experience necessary to support 
United States policy toward the PRC; and 
(3) provide guidance on programs across re-
gional and functional bureaus intended to respond to 
strategic competition with the PRC, including the 
Countering Chinese Influence Fund established by 
section 7043(c)(2) of the Department of State, For-
eign Operations, and Related Programs Appropria-
tions Act, 2020 (division G of Public Law 116–94; 
133 Stat. 2896). 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Board shall 
consist of at least 18 and not more than 24 mem-
bers, who each should have a demonstrable record of 
substantial experience pertaining to issues related to 
United States strategic competition with the PRC. 
No sitting officer or employee of the United States 
Government may be appointed to the Advisory 
Board. 
(2) APPOINTMENTS.— 
(A) APPOINTMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OF 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SEN-
ATE LEADER OF SAME PARTY.—The Speaker of 
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the House of Representatives and the leader 
that is of the same party in the Senate (if any), 
in consultation with the Chair and Ranking 
Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate, shall jointly appoint 3 members. 
(B) APPOINTMENTS BY MINORITY LEADER 
OF
THE
HOUSE
OF
REPRESENTATIVES
AND 
SENATE LEADER OF SAME PARTY.—The leader 
of the minority party of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the leader of the same party in 
the Senate (if any), in consultation with the 
Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives, shall jointly appoint 3 members. 
(C) APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT.— 
(i) NUMBER.—The President shall ap-
point 6 members. 
(ii) QUALIFICATIONS.—At least 2 of 
the members appointed under clause (i) 
shall be between 30 and 50 years of age 
(inclusive) at the time of appointment. 
(D) APPOINTMENTS
BY
SECRETARY
OF 
STATE.— 
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(i) NUMBER.—The Secretary of State 
shall appoint at least 6 but not more than 
12 members. 
(ii) QUALIFICATIONS.—The appoint-
ments made under clause (i) shall meet the 
following criteria: 
(I) At least 1 member who is not 
described in subclause (II) or (III) 
shall be between 30 and 50 years of 
age (inclusive) at the time of appoint-
ment. 
(II) At least 1 member who is 
not described in subclause (I) or (III) 
shall be able to credibly represent the 
views of the United States business 
community. 
(III) At least 1 member who is 
not described in subclause (I) or (II) 
shall have demonstrable experience as 
a United States diplomat. 
(3) DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.— 
Each appointing authority referred to in paragraph 
(2) shall make all initial appointments required by 
such paragraph not later than January 1, 2024. 
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(4) VACANCIES.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which a vacancy on the Advisory Board 
occurs, the vacancy shall be filled in the same man-
ner as specified for the original appointment under 
paragraph (2), and the individual so appointed shall 
serve the remainder of the unexpired term. 
(5) REPLACEMENT APPOINTMENTS.—Not later 
than 30 days after the date on which the term of a 
member of the Advisory Board expires, the appoint-
ing authority that appointed such member shall ap-
point the member’s replacement. 
(d) TERMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), all members appointed to the Advisory 
Board shall have a term of 6 years. 
(2) INITIAL TERMS.— 
(A) APPOINTMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OF 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SEN-
ATE LEADER OF SAME PARTY.—Of the initial 
members appointed under subsection (c)(2)(A), 
1 shall have a term of 2 years and 1 shall have 
a term of 4 years, as designated by the Speaker 
and leader referred to in such subsection at the 
time of appointment. 
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(e) QUORUM.—A majority of the sitting members of 
the Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum but a lesser 
number may hold hearings. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON
AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Advisory Board shall elect, from among its members, a 
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The terms of office of 
the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be 1 year, and 
the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may be reelected 
to subsequent terms. 
(g) BOARD MEETINGS.— 
(1) FREQUENCY.—The Advisory Board shall 
meet, at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of 
its members, at least once every 3 months and as 
frequently as may be necessary to carry out its du-
ties. 
(2) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The Advisory Board 
may be divided into subcommittees that meet sepa-
rately from the whole Board. 
(h) BRIEFINGS WITH OFFICIALS.—Not less fre-
quently than annually, the Advisory Board shall collec-
tively provide to the Secretary of State and the Adminis-
trator of the United States Agency for International De-
velopment a briefing on— 
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(1) the findings made by the Advisory Board in 
fulfilling its duties and responsibilities under sub-
section (b); and 
(2) any recommendations of the Advisory Board 
for future legislative or administrative action. 
(i) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS.—On a semiannual 
basis, the Advisory Board shall provide to each of the ap-
propriate congressional committees a briefing on— 
(1) the findings made by the Advisory Board in 
fulfilling its duties and responsibilities under sub-
section (b); and 
(2) any recommendations of the Advisory Board 
for future legislative or administrative action. 
(j) SECURITY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION.— 
(1) SECURITY CLEARANCES.—The appropriate 
departments and agencies of the executive branch 
shall cooperate with the Advisory Board to expedi-
tiously provide to the members of the Advisory 
Board the appropriate security clearances necessary 
to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the 
Advisory Board, subject to the standard procedures 
and requirements for granting such clearances. 
(2) NEED TO KNOW.—For purposes of any law 
or regulation governing access to classified informa-
tion, a member of the Advisory Board seeking access 
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to a record or material to fulfill the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the Advisory Board shall be deemed 
to have a need to know the contents of the record 
or material. 
(3) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
of State shall ensure that members of the Advisory 
Board have access to all appropriate information to 
fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Advisory 
Board. 
(k) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Advisory 
Board shall— 
(1) receive compensation at a rate not to exceed 
the daily equivalent of the annual basic pay payable 
for positions at GS–15 of the General Schedule 
under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, 
for each day such member is engaged in the actual 
performance of services of the Advisory Board; and 
(2) be allowed travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence at rates authorized for 
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 
57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
their homes or regular places of business in the per-
formance of services of the Advisory Board. 
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(l) STAFF.—The Chairperson may appoint and fix 
the pay of personnel as the Chairperson considers appro-
priate. 
(m) TERMINATION.—Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, 
United States Code, (relating to the termination of advi-
sory committees) shall not apply to the Advisory Board. 
(n) REVIEW AND REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GEN-
ERAL.— 
(1) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a review that analyzes 
the progress of the Advisory Board on fulfilling the 
duties and responsibilities referred to in subsection 
(b). 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees a report detailing— 
(A) the results of the review referred to in 
paragraph (1); and 
(B) any recommendations for legislative or 
administrative action to improve the functioning 
of the Advisory Board. 
(o) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for fiscal year 
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2024 and each succeeding fiscal year to carry out this sec-
tion. 
SEC. 5. IDENTIFYING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THROUGH 
THE 
GOVERNMENT 
ACCOUNTABILITY 
OF-
FICE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the personnel capacity and 
capability of the Department of State and the United 
States Agency for International Development (in this sec-
tion referred to as ‘‘USAID’’) to support United States 
strategic competition with the PRC and on available mech-
anisms to address any identified gaps. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the ap-
propriate congressional committees a report detailing 
the results of the study referred to in subsection (a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report referred to in 
paragraph (1) shall contain the following: 
(A) The percentage of Foreign Service po-
sitions and civil service positions in the Indo- 
Pacific region that are vacant, as compared to 
the same vacancy rates for such positions in all 
other regions globally. 
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(B) A qualitative assessment of the gaps in 
understanding of the PRC among the Foreign 
Service, civil service, and intelligence commu-
nity (as that term is defined in section 3 of the 
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
3003)) and how these perceived gaps hamper 
their work, which the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall compile after consulting 
with directors and deputy directors within the 
Department of State and USAID that the 
Comptroller General deems appropriate for in-
forming United States policies on competition 
with the PRC. 
(C) A recommendation of actions that Con-
gress, the Executive Office of the President, 
and the Department of State can take to ad-
dress the gaps referred to in subparagraph (B), 
disaggregated by whether such actions can be 
taken within a 1-, 5-, or 10-year period. 
(3) FORM.—The report referred to in para-
graph (1) may be submitted in classified or unclassi-
fied form and shall have an unclassified summary. 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
every 180 days thereafter until the submission of the re-
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port required by subsection (b)(1), the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall provide the appropriate 
congressional committees an interim briefing on the 
progress of the study referred to in subsection (a), includ-
ing any preliminary observations, interim findings, and 
barriers to completing the work. 
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate. 
(2) CCP.—The term ‘‘CCP’’ means the Chinese 
Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China. 
(3) CIVIL SERVICE.—The term ‘‘civil service’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 2101 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(4) FOREIGN
SERVICE.—The term ‘‘Foreign 
Service’’ means the Foreign Service of the United 
States. 
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(5) PRC.—The term ‘‘PRC’’ means the Peo-
ple’s Republic of China. 
Æ 
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