I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5246 
To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 
Ms. SALAZAR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To provide for the political affairs authorities of the 
Department of State, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE III—POLITICAL AFFAIRS 
SEC. 301. UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be in the Depart-
ment an Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs who 
shall be responsible to the Secretary of State for matters 
pertaining to regional and bilateral diplomacy, and such 
other related duties as the Secretary may from time to 
time designate. 
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(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—In addition to the respon-
sibilities described under subsection (a), the Under Sec-
retary for Political Affairs shall maintain continuous ob-
servation and coordination of all matters pertaining to the 
implementation of the foreign policy of the United States, 
including, as appropriate, supporting the other Under Sec-
retaries of State in implementing foreign policy. 
SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR PO-
LITICAL AFFAIRS. 
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of State under section 141, the Under Secretary 
for Political Affairs shall receive the funds necessary to 
fulfill the Under Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal 
years 2026 and 2027. 
SEC. 303. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REGARDING 
CHANGES TO REGIONAL BUREAU JURISDIC-
TION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days before the 
Under Secretary for Political Affairs alters the geographic 
or functional jurisdiction of any regional bureau, including 
by adding or removing countries under the purview of such 
bureau, the Under Secretary shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees a notification of such 
change, including— 
(1) a justification for such change; and 
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(2) a description of the expected operational, 
programmatic, or policy implications for any bureau 
affected by such change. 
(b) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 
SEC. 304. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR THE ARCTIC. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be in the Depart-
ment an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic who shall be 
responsible to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs for 
matters pertaining to the Arctic region, and such other 
related duties as such Under Secretary may from time to 
time designate. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—In addition to the respon-
sibilities described under subsection (a), the Ambassador- 
at-Large for the Arctic shall maintain continuous observa-
tion and coordination of all matters pertaining to the Arc-
tic region in the conduct of foreign policy, including— 
(1) energy exploration and development; 
(2) environmental conservation; 
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(3) trade and economic development; and 
(4) infrastructure development and mainte-
nance. 
SEC. 305. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR THE INDIAN OCEAN 
REGION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is authorized to be in 
the Department an Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian 
Ocean Region who shall be responsible to the Under Sec-
retary for Political Affairs for matters pertaining to the 
Indian Ocean region, and such other related duties as the 
Secretary may from time to time designate. 
(b) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than April 1, 2026, 
the President shall nominate an individual, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as the Am-
bassador-at-Large for the Indian Ocean Region, who shall 
report directly to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The primary responsibilities 
of the Ambassador shall be to— 
(A) ensure harmonization and continuity of 
United States diplomatic efforts and assistance 
programs across Indian Ocean region countries; 
(B) identify the diplomatic, military, eco-
nomic, and development lines of effort that are 
of greatest United States strategic interest in 
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Indian Ocean region countries and reinforce 
United States diplomatic and interagency en-
gagement with respect to such lines of effort; 
and 
(C) perform such other duties as the 
Under Secretary for Political Affairs may from 
time to time designate. 
(2) DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION.—Subject to 
the direction of the President and the Secretary, the 
Ambassador is authorized to represent the United 
States in matters and cases relevant to advancing 
United States strategic interests and foreign policy 
objectives across Indian Ocean region countries in— 
(A) contacts with regional governments, 
intergovernmental 
organizations, 
specialized 
agencies of the United Nations, the Indian 
Ocean Rim Association, and other international 
organizations concerning Indian Ocean region 
countries of which the United States is a mem-
ber or which the Secretary of State may des-
ignate; 
(B) multilateral conferences and meetings 
relevant to Indian Ocean region countries; and 
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