I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 304
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
JANUARY 30, 2001
Mr. THORNBERRY 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. ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE DEPARTMENT RE-
VIEW PANEL.
(a) FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.—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 Gov-
ernment.
(2) The Department operates 288 posts in more
than 160 countries throughout the world, has ap-
proximately 24,000 full-time staff, and spends a
budget of approximately $7,061,000,000.
(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. 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 December 1,
2001, the Congress shall establish a nonpartisan inde-
pendent 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) The Panel shall be composed of 10 mem-
bers who are individuals in the private sector who
are recognized experts in matters relating to foreign
affairs and the national security of the United
States.
(2) Members of the Panel shall be appointed as
follows:
(A) 3 members appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
(B) 3 members appointed by the Majority
Leader of the Senate.
(C) 2 members appointed by the Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives.
(D) 2 members appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(3) The Panel shall have a chairman 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
Commerce, and the Office of the United States
Trade Representative, the Agency for Inter-
national Development (AID), 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, but not
limited to, the following:
(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 Under or Assistant
Secretaries of State should be combined, elimi-
nated, or created, including an examination of
whether an Under Secretary for ‘‘Future Af-
fairs’’ needs to be established to analyze and
assess future challenges for the Department.
(C) Whether a member of the Armed
Forces should be stationed at each embassy and
whether a member of any other department
should be stationed at all or specific embassies
worldwide.
(D) Whether Members of the Foreign
Service serving in other Federal agencies should
be merged into the Department of State.
(3) Suggestions for changes in organization and
process to ensure that future United States diplo-
matic efforts are successful.
(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 Pan-
el’s review, including, but not limited to, assump-
tions relating to cooperation, communication with al-
lies, levels of risk, real-time situational awareness,
and instantaneous communication.
(8) An examination of the Department of
State’s forward presence and pre-positioning nec-
essary for negotiation and conflict deterrence in re-
sponse to anticipated threats and conflicts.
(9) An examination of the current information
infrastructure and technologies at the Department
of State and recommendations on how these tech-
nologies need to be updated, changed, or replaced
for optimum utilization by the year 2005 and be-
yond.
(10) The vulnerability of United States tech-
nology to nontraditional threats, such as information
warfare, and the effect of this vulnerability on De-
partment of State operations and missions.
(11) Future scenarios requiring a Department
of State response, including scenarios in response to
nontraditional threats.
(e) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The
Panel may secure directly from the Department of State
and from any other Federal department and agency such
information as the Panel considers necessary to carry out
its duties under this section. The head of the department
or agency concerned shall ensure that information re-
quested by the Panel under this subsection is promptly
provided.
(f) PERSONNEL MATTERS.—
(1) Each member of the Panel shall be com-
pensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of
the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title
5, United States Code, for each day (including travel
time) during which such member is engaged in the
performance of the duties of the Panel.
(2) The members of the Panel shall be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsist-
ence, 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 performance of services for
the Panel.
(3)(A) The chairman of the Panel may, without
regard to the civil service laws and regulations, ap-
point and terminate an executive director, and a
staff of not more than 4 additional individuals, if the
Panel determines that an executive director and
staff are necessary in order for the Panel to perform
its duties effectively. The employment of an execu-
tive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Panel.
(B) The chairman may fix the compensation of
the executive director without regard to the provi-
sions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of title 5, United States Code, relating to classifica-
tion of positions and General Schedule pay rates, ex-
cept that the rate of pay for the executive director
may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(4) Any Federal Government employee may be
detailed to the Panel without reimbursement, and
such detail shall be without interruption or loss of
civil service status or privilege. The Secretary shall
ensure that sufficient personnel are detailed to the
Panel to enable the Panel to carry out its duties ef-
fectively.
(5) To the maximum extent practicable, the
members and employees of the Panel shall travel on
government aircraft, ships, vehicles, or other convey-
ances when travel is necessary in the performance of
a duty of the Panel, except that no such aircraft,
ship, vehicle, or other conveyance may be scheduled
primarily for the transportation of any such member
or employee when the cost of commercial transpor-
tation is less expensive.
(g) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—
(1) The Panel may use the United States mails
and obtain printing and binding services in the same
manner and under the same conditions as other de-
partments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(2) The Secretary of State shall furnish the
Panel any administrative and support services re-
quested by the Panel.
(3) The Panel may accept, use, and dispose of
gifts or donations of services or property.
(h) PAYMENT
OF PANEL EXPENSES.—The com-
pensation, travel expenses, and per diem allowances of
members and employees of the Panel shall be paid out of
funds available to the Department of State for the pay-
ment of compensation, travel allowances, and per diem al-
lowances, respectively, of civilian employees of the Depart-
ment. The other expenses of the Panel shall be paid out
of funds available to the Department for the payment of
similar expenses incurred by the Department.
(i) SUNSET PROVISION.—The Panel shall terminate
6 months after the submission of a final report to the Con-
gress under subsection (d).
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