I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 597 
To establish a commission to study how Federal laws and policies affect 
United States citizens living in foreign countries. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 8, 2013 
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York (for herself and Mr. HONDA) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Over-
sight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Fi-
nancial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, 
Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to study how Federal laws and 
policies affect United States citizens living in foreign 
countries. 
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 ‘‘Commission on Ameri-
cans Living Abroad Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘Commission on Americans Living Abroad’’ (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Presi-
dent, of whom— 
(1) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives; 
(2) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the majority 
leader of the House of Representatives; 
(3) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives; 
(4) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the majority 
leader of the Senate; 
(5) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the minority 
leader of the Senate; and 
(6) two members shall be appointed from 
among individuals recommended by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate. 
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(b) QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(1) LIMIT
ON
OFFICERS
OR
EMPLOYEES
OF 
THE UNITED STATES.—Not more than 10 members 
shall be officers or employees of the United States. 
(2) POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION.—Not more 
than 8 members of the Commission may be of the 
same political party. 
(3) EXPERTISE.— 
(A) OFFICERS
OR
EMPLOYEES
OF
THE 
UNITED STATES.—Members of the Commission 
who are officers or employees of the United 
States shall be appointed from among individ-
uals whose employment is directly related to the 
matters to be studied by the Commission under 
section 4(a)(2). 
(B) OTHER
MEMBERS.—Members of the 
Commission who are not officers or employees 
of the United States shall be appointed from 
among individuals who— 
(i) have lived in a foreign country for 
not less than one year; 
(ii) are members of organizations that 
represent United States citizens living in 
foreign countries; or 
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