I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8712 
To authorize the establishment in the Department of State of a Negotiations 
Support Unit, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 12, 2024 
Ms. JACOBS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To authorize the establishment in the Department of State 
of a Negotiations Support Unit, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH NEGOTIATIONS 
SUPPORT UNIT WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF 
STATE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) there is a need for the United States Gov-
ernment to maintain a permanent institutional hub 
for technical expertise, strategic advice, and knowl-
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edge management in negotiations, mediation, and 
peace processes in order to prioritize and invest in 
diplomacy; 
(2) the United States plays a unique role in en-
abling and supporting peace processes and complex 
political negotiations, the success of which are essen-
tial to stability and democracy around the world; 
(3) the meaningful engagement of conflict-af-
fected communities, particularly women, youth, and 
other impacted populations, is vital to durable, 
implementable, and sustainable peace; 
(4) negotiation requires a specific technical and 
functional skillset, and thus institutional expertise in 
this practice area should include trained practi-
tioners and subject matter experts; 
(5) such skills should continue to be employed 
as the United States advises and contributes to 
peace processes, including those where the United 
States plays a supporting role or is led by multilat-
eral and international partners; and 
(6) training programs for United States dip-
lomats should draw upon this expertise and United 
States lessons learned to help equip diplomats with 
skills to respond to peace processes and complex po-
litical negotiations, and how to request support. 
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(b) NEGOTIATIONS SUPPORT UNIT.—Section 1 of the 
State Department Basic Authorities Act is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(n) NEGOTIATIONS SUPPORT UNIT.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY
TO
ESTABLISH.—The Sec-
retary of State may establish within the Department 
of State a unit to be known as the ‘Negotiations 
Support Unit’ responsible for carrying out the func-
tions described in paragraph (2), as appropriate. 
‘‘(2) FUNCTIONS.—The functions described in 
this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Serving as a permanent institutional 
hub and resource for negotiations and peace 
process expertise and knowledge management. 
‘‘(B) Advising the Secretary of State, other 
relevant senior officials, members of the For-
eign Service, and employees of the Department 
of State on the substance, process, and strategy 
of negotiations, mediation, peace processes, and 
other complex political negotiations from strat-
egy and planning to implementation. 
‘‘(C) Supporting the development and im-
plementation of United States policy related to 
complex political negotiations and peace proc-
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esses, including those led by multilateral and 
international partners. 
‘‘(D) Advising on mediation and negotia-
tions programs to implement United States pol-
icy. 
‘‘(E) Supporting training for Foreign Serv-
ices Officers and civil servants on tailored nego-
tiation and mediation skills. 
‘‘(F) Working with other governments, 
international organizations, and nongovern-
mental organizations, as appropriate, to support 
the development and implementation of United 
States policy on peace processes and complex 
political negotiations. 
‘‘(G) Any additional duties the Secretary 
of State may prescribe. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 
for the establishment of the Negotiations Support 
Unit under paragraph (1).’’. 
Æ 
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