H. R. 2670—868 
‘‘(i) to normalize relations between countries in 
the Middle East and North Africa and Israel; and 
‘‘(ii) to advance regional integration. 
‘‘(4) NEGEV FORUM.—The term ‘Negev Forum’ means the 
regional grouping known as the Negev Forum Regional 
Cooperation Framework that was adopted on November 10, 
2022, or any successor group. 
‘‘(5) OBSERVER.—The term ‘observer’— 
‘‘(A) means any country, particularly inside the Middle 
East and North Africa region, or political entity that— 
‘‘(i) directly supports the objectives and processes 
of the Negev Forum; 
‘‘(ii) expresses serious interest in participating in 
certain projects determined by the Negev Forum that 
benefit normalization with Israel and greater regional 
integration; and 
‘‘(iii) is not an official member of the Negev Forum 
Steering Committee or any working group of the Negev 
Forum; and 
‘‘(B) includes 3+1 format members Cyprus and Greece. 
‘‘(6) OTHER REGIONAL ACTORS.—The term ‘other regional 
actors’ means the Palestinian Authority or a credible future 
political entity that serves as the interlocutor for the Pales-
tinian people. 
‘‘(7) STRENGTHEN.—The term ‘strengthen’, with respect to 
the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum, means to engage 
in efforts that improve the diplomatic relations between 
Abraham Accords countries and broaden the breadth and scope 
of issues on which Abraham Accords countries cooperate.’’. 
SEC. 6408. OVERSEAS PLACEMENT OF SPECIAL APPOINTMENT POSI-
TIONS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this division, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report on current special appointment positions 
at United States diplomatic missions that do not exercise significant 
authority, and all positions under schedule B or schedule C of 
subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, 
at United States diplomatic missions. The report shall include the 
title and responsibilities of each position, the expected duration 
of the position, the name of the individual currently appointed 
to the position, and the hiring authority utilized to fill the position. 
SEC. 6409. RESOURCES FOR UNITED STATES NATIONALS UNLAWFULLY 
OR WRONGFULLY DETAINED ABROAD. 
Section 302(d) of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and 
Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741(d)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘RESOURCE GUID-
ANCE’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘RESOURCES
FOR
UNITED
STATES 
NATIONALS UNLAWFULLY OR WRONGFULLY DETAINED ABROAD’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking the paragraph heading 
and all that follows through ‘‘Not later than’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) RESOURCE GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A), 
(B), (C), (D), and (E) and clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v),
H. R. 2670—869 
respectively, and moving such clauses (as so redesignated) 2 
ems to the right; 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (2) as subparagraph (B) 
and moving such subparagraph (as so redesignated) 2 ems 
to the right; 
(5) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph 
(4), by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph 
(A)’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) TRAVEL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) FAMILY ADVOCACY.—For the purpose of facilitating 
meetings between the United States Government and the 
family members of United States nationals unlawfully or 
wrongfully detained abroad, the Secretary shall provide 
financial assistance to cover the costs of travel to and 
from Washington, D.C., including travel by air, train, bus, 
or other transit as appropriate, to any individual who— 
‘‘(i) is— 
‘‘(I) a family member of a United States 
national unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad 
as determined by the Secretary under subsection 
(a); or 
‘‘(II) an appropriate individual who— 
‘‘(aa) is approved by the Special Presi-
dential Envoy for Hostage Affairs; and 
‘‘(bb) does not represent in any legal 
capacity a United States national unlawfully 
or wrongfully detained abroad or the family 
of such United States national; 
‘‘(ii) has a permanent address that is more than 
50 miles from Washington, D.C.; and 
‘‘(iii) requests such assistance. 
‘‘(B) TRAVEL AND LODGING.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—For each such United States 
national unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, the 
financial assistance described in subparagraph (A) 
shall be provided for not more than 2 trips per fiscal 
year, unless the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage 
Affairs determines that a third trip is warranted. 
‘‘(ii) LIMITATIONS.—Any trip described in clause 
(i) shall— 
‘‘(I) consist of not more than 2 family members 
or other individuals approved in accordance with 
subparagraph (A)(i)(II), unless the Special Presi-
dential Envoy for Hostage Affairs determines that 
circumstances 
warrant 
an 
additional 
family 
member or other individual approved in accordance 
with subparagraph (A)(i)(II) and approves assist-
ance to such third family member or other indi-
vidual; and 
‘‘(II) not exceed more than 2 nights lodging, 
which shall not exceed the applicable government 
rate. 
‘‘(C) RETURN TRAVEL.—If other United States Govern-
ment assistance is unavailable, the Secretary may provide 
to a United States national unlawfully or wrongfully 
detained abroad as determined by the Secretary under
H. R. 2670—870 
subsection (a), United States assistance, as necessary, for 
return travel to the United States upon release of such 
United States national. 
‘‘(3) SUPPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to make 
available physical health services, mental health services, 
and other support as appropriate, including providing 
information on available legal or financial resources, to— 
‘‘(i) any United States national unlawfully or 
wrongfully detained abroad; and 
‘‘(ii) any family member of such United States 
national. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—For any support described in 
subparagraph (A) for an individual described in clause 
(i) or (ii) of such subparagraph that commences fol-
lowing the return of a United States national who 
was unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, such 
support shall be made available for up to 5 years 
from the date on which any individual identified in 
subparagraph (A) chooses to avail themselves of the 
support described in that subparagraph, unless the 
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs deter-
mines that circumstances warrant extending such sup-
port. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—The time limitation under clause 
(i) does not apply to any support provided during the 
pendency of the detention of a United States national 
unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad. 
‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
notify the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives of any amount spent above $250,000 
for any fiscal year to carry out paragraphs (2) and (3). 
‘‘(5) FUNDING.—Funds authorized to be appropriated for 
the Department of State, which may include funds made avail-
able for unforeseen emergencies arising in the diplomatic and 
consular service, may be used to provide the support authorized 
by this section. 
‘‘(6) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the end of 
each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives a report that includes— 
‘‘(A) a detailed description of expenditures made pursu-
ant to paragraphs (2) and (3); 
‘‘(B) a detailed description of types of support provided 
pursuant to paragraph (3), provided that such description 
does not identify any individuals receiving any physical 
or mental health support, in order to protect their privacy; 
and 
‘‘(C) the number and location of visits outside of Wash-
ington, D.C., during the prior fiscal year made by the 
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to family 
members of each United States national unlawfully or 
wrongfully detained abroad.
H. R. 2670—871 
‘‘(7) SUNSET.—The authority and requirements under para-
graphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) shall terminate on December 31, 
2027. 
‘‘(8) FAMILY MEMBER DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘family member’ means a spouse, father, mother, child, brother, 
sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, 
cousin, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in- 
law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, step-
son, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half 
sister.’’. 
SEC. 6410. ESTABLISHMENT OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD. 
The Under Secretary of State for Management shall establish, 
in consultation with the Director of the Budget and Planning 
Bureau and the Director of Global Talent, an annual departmental 
award for any exemplary employee who recommends, identifies, 
or adopts significant cost-saving measures for program implementa-
tion or through the reallocation of resources. 
TITLE LXV—ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY 
SEC. 6501. REPORT ON RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND PROMOTION 
OF FOREIGN SERVICE ECONOMIC OFFICERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this division, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the recruit-
ment, retention, and promotion of economic officers in the Foreign 
Service. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) an overview of the key challenges the Department faces 
in— 
(A) recruiting individuals to serve as economic officers 
in the Foreign Service; and 
(B) retaining individuals serving as economic officers 
in the Foreign Service, particularly at the level of GS– 
14 of the General Schedule and higher; 
(2) an overview of the key challenges in recruiting and 
retaining qualified individuals to serve in economic positions 
in the Civil Service; 
(3) a comparison of promotion rates for economic officers 
in the Foreign Service relative to other officers in the Foreign 
Service; 
(4) a summary of the educational history and training 
of current economic officers in the Foreign Service and Civil 
Service officers serving in economic positions; 
(5) the identification, disaggregated by region, of hard- 
to-fill posts and proposed incentives to improve staffing of eco-
nomic officers in the Foreign Service at such posts; 
(6) a summary and analysis of the factors that lead to 
the promotion of— 
(A) economic officers in the Foreign Service; and 
(B) individuals serving in economic positions in the 
Civil Service; and 
(7) a summary and analysis of current Department-funded 
or run training opportunities and externally-funded programs,
H. R. 2670—872 
including the Secretary’s Leadership Seminar at Harvard Busi-
ness School, for— 
(A) economic officers in the Foreign Service; and 
(B) individuals serving in economic positions in the 
Civil Service. 
SEC. 6502. MANDATE TO REVISE DEPARTMENT OF STATE METRICS 
FOR SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL DIPLO-
MACY. 
(a) MANDATE TO REVISE DEPARTMENT OF STATE PERFORMANCE 
MEASURES FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL DIPLOMACY.—The Sec-
retary shall, as part of the Department’s next regularly scheduled 
review on metrics and performance measures, include revisions 
of Department performance measures for economic and commercial 
diplomacy by identifying outcome-oriented, and not process-ori-
ented, performance metrics, including metrics that— 
(1) measure how Department efforts advanced specific eco-
nomic and commercial objectives and led to successes for the 
United States or other private sector actors overseas; and 
(2) focus on customer satisfaction with Department services 
and assistance. 
(b) PLAN FOR ENSURING COMPLETE DATA FOR PERFORMANCE 
MEASURES.—As part of the review required under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall include a plan for ensuring that— 
(1) the Department, both at its main headquarters and 
at domestic and overseas posts, maintains and fully updates 
data on performance measures; and 
(2) Department leadership and the appropriate congres-
sional committees can evaluate the extent to which the Depart-
ment is advancing United States economic and commercial 
interests abroad through meeting performance targets. 
(c) REPORT ON PRIVATE SECTOR SURVEYS.—The Secretary shall 
prepare a report that lists and describes all the methods through 
which the Department conducts surveys of the private sector to 
measure private sector satisfaction with assistance and services 
provided by the Department to advance private sector economic 
and commercial goals in foreign markets. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after conducting the review 
pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees— 
(1) the revised performance metrics required under sub-
section (a); 
(2) the report required under subsection (c); and 
(3) a report on the status of and actions taken to implement 
section 708 of the Championing American Business through 
Diplomacy Act of 2019 (title VII of division J of Public Law 
116–94; 22 U.S.C. 9904). 
SEC. 6503. DIRECTION TO EMBASSY DEAL TEAMS. 
(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of deal teams at United States 
embassies and consulates are— 
(1) to promote a private sector-led approach— 
(A) to advance economic growth and job creation that 
is tailored, as appropriate, to specific economic sectors; 
and 
(B) to advance strategic partnerships; 
(2) to prioritize efforts—
H. R. 2670—873 
(A) to identify commercial and investment opportuni-
ties; 
(B) to advocate for improvements in the business and 
investment climate; 
(C) to engage and consult with private sector partners; 
and 
(D) to report on the activities described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (C), in accordance with the applicable 
requirements under sections 706 and 707 of the Cham-
pioning American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019 
(22 U.S.C. 9902 and 9903); 
(3)(A)(i) to identify trade and investment opportunities for 
United States companies in foreign markets; or 
(ii) to assist with existing trade and investment 
opportunities already identified by United States compa-
nies; and 
(B) to deploy United States Government economic and other 
tools to help such United States companies to secure their 
objectives; 
(4) to identify and facilitate opportunities for entities in 
a host country to increase exports to, or investment in, the 
United States in order to grow two-way trade and investment; 
(5) to modernize, streamline, and improve access to 
resources and services designed to promote increased trade 
and investment opportunities; 
(6) to identify and secure United States or allied govern-
ment support of strategic projects, such as ports, railways, 
energy production and distribution, critical minerals develop-
ment, telecommunications networks, and other critical infra-
structure projects vulnerable to predatory investment by an 
authoritarian country or entity in such country where support 
or investment serves an important United States interest; 
(7) to coordinate across the Unites States Government to 
ensure the appropriate and most effective use of United States 
Government tools to support United States economic, commer-
cial, and investment objectives; and 
(8) to coordinate with the multi-agency DC Central Deal 
Team, established in February 2020, on the matters described 
in paragraphs (1) through (7) and other relevant matters. 
(b) CLARIFICATION.—A deal team may be composed of the per-
sonnel comprising the mission economic team formed pursuant 
to section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. 
(c) RESTRICTIONS.—A deal team may not provide support for, 
or assist a United States person with a transaction involving, a 
government, or an entity owned or controlled by a government, 
if the Secretary determines that such government— 
(1) has repeatedly provided support for acts of international 
terrorism, as described in— 
(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control 
Reform Act of 2018 (subtitle B of title XVII of Public 
Law 115–232); 
(B) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a)); 
(C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 
U.S.C. 2780(d)); or 
(D) any other relevant provision of law; or
H. R. 2670—874 
(2) has engaged in an activity that would trigger a restric-
tion under section 116(a) or 502B(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(a) and 2304(a)(2)) or any other 
relevant provision of law. 
(d) FURTHER RESTRICTIONS.— 
(1) PROHIBITION ON SUPPORT OF SANCTIONED PERSONS.— 
Deal teams may not carry out activities prohibited under United 
States sanctions laws or regulations, including dealings with 
persons on the list of specially designated persons and blocked 
persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control 
of the Department of the Treasury, except to the extent other-
wise authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury or the Sec-
retary. 
(2) PROHIBITION
ON
SUPPORT
OF
ACTIVITIES
SUBJECT
TO 
SANCTIONS.—Any person receiving support from a deal team 
must be in compliance with all United States sanctions laws 
and regulations as a condition for receiving such assistance. 
(e) CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.—The 
chief of mission to a foreign country— 
(1) is the designated leader of a deal team in such country; 
and 
(2) shall be held accountable for the performance and 
effectiveness of United States deal teams in such country. 
(f) GUIDANCE CABLE.—The Department shall send out regular 
guidance on Deal Team efforts by an All Diplomatic and Consular 
Posts (referred to in this section as ‘‘ALDAC’’) that— 
(1) describes the role of deal teams; and 
(2) includes relevant and up-to-date information to enhance 
the effectiveness of deal teams in a country. 
(g) CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In preparing the cable required under 
subsection (f), the Secretary shall protect from disclosure any 
proprietary information of a United States person marked as 
business confidential information unless the person submitting 
such information— 
(A) had notice, at the time of submission, that such 
information would be released by; or 
(B) subsequently consents to the release of such 
information. 
(2) TREATMENT AS TRADE SECRETS.—Proprietary informa-
tion obtained by the United States Government from a United 
States person pursuant to the activities of deal teams shall 
be— 
(A) considered to be trade secrets and commercial or 
financial information (as such terms are used under section 
552b(c)(4) of title 5, United States Code); and 
(B) exempt from disclosure without the express 
approval of the person. 
(h) SUNSET.—The requirements under subsections (f) through 
(h) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date 
of the enactment of this division. 
SEC. 6504. ESTABLISHMENT OF A ‘‘DEAL TEAM OF THE YEAR’’ AWARD. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a new 
award, to be known as the ‘‘Deal Team of the Year Award’’, and 
annually present the award to a deal team at one United States 
mission in each region to recognize outstanding achievements in
H. R. 2670—875 
supporting a United States company or companies pursuing 
commercial deals abroad or in identifying new deal prospects for 
United States companies. 
(b) AWARD CONTENT.— 
(1) DEPARTMENT OF STATE.—Each member of a deal team 
receiving an award pursuant to subsection (a) shall receive 
a certificate that is signed by the Secretary and— 
(A) in the case of a member of the Foreign Service, 
is included in the next employee evaluation report; or 
(B) in the case of a Civil Service employee, is included 
in the next annual performance review. 
(2) OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—If an award is presented 
pursuant to subsection (a) to a Federal Government employee 
who is not employed by the Department, the employing agency 
may determine whether to provide such employee any recogni-
tion or benefits in addition to the recognition or benefits pro-
vided by the Department. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Any interagency economics team at a United 
States overseas mission under chief of mission authority that assists 
United States companies with identifying, navigating, and securing 
trade and investment opportunities in a foreign country or that 
facilitates beneficial foreign investment into the United States is 
eligible for an award under this section. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than the last day of the fiscal year 
in which awards are presented pursuant to subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees, 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability 
of the House of Representatives a report that includes— 
(1) each mission receiving a Deal Team of the Year Award. 
(2) the names and agencies of each awardee within the 
recipient deal teams; and 
(3) a detailed description of the reason such deal teams 
received such award. 
TITLE LXVI—PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
SEC. 6601. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY OUTREACH. 
(a) COORDINATION OF RESOURCES.—The Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development and the Sec-
retary shall direct public affairs sections at United States embassies 
and USAID Mission Program Officers at USAID missions to coordi-
nate, enhance and prioritize resources for public diplomacy and 
awareness campaigns around United States diplomatic and develop-
ment efforts, including through— 
(1) the utilization of new media technology for maximum 
public engagement; and 
(2) enact coordinated comprehensive community outreach 
to increase public awareness and understanding and apprecia-
tion of United States diplomatic and development efforts. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH AND COORDINATION OFFICERS.— 
USAID should prioritize hiring of additional Development Outreach 
and Coordination officers in USAID missions to support the pur-
poses of subsection (a). 
(c) BEST PRACTICES.—The Secretary and the Administrator of 
USAID shall identify 10 countries in which Embassies and USAID
H. R. 2670—876 
missions have successfully executed efforts, including monitoring 
and evaluation of such efforts, described in (a) and develop best 
practices to be turned into Department and USAID guidance. 
SEC. 6602. MODIFICATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR RADIO FREE 
EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY. 
In section 308(h) of the United States International Broad-
casting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6207(h)) is amended— 
(1) by striking subparagraphs (1), (3), and (5); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (4) as paragraphs 
(1) and (2), respectively. 
SEC. 6603. REPORT ON RADIO FREE AFRICA AND RADIO FREE AMER-
ICAS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this division, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
Agency for Global Media shall submit a report to the appropriate 
congressional committees, the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives that details the financial and other resources that 
would be required to establish and operate 2 nonprofit organiza-
tions, modeled after Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio 
Free Asia, for the purposes of providing accurate, uncensored, and 
reliable news and information to— 
(1) the region of Africa, with respect to Radio Free Africa; 
and 
(2) the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, with 
respect to Radio Free Americas. 
SEC. 6604. JOHN LEWIS CIVIL RIGHTS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Mutual Educational and Cultural 
Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 115. JOHN LEWIS CIVIL RIGHTS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the John Lewis Civil 
Rights Fellowship Program (referred to in this section as the 
‘Fellowship Program’) within the J. William Fulbright Educational 
Exchange Program. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Fellowship Program are— 
‘‘(1) to honor the legacy of Representative John Lewis by 
promoting a greater understanding of the history and tenets 
of nonviolent civil rights movements; and 
‘‘(2) to advance foreign policy priorities of the United States 
by promoting studies, research, and international exchange in 
the subject of nonviolent movements that established and pro-
tected civil rights around the world. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—The Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs (referred to in this section as the ‘Bureau’) shall administer 
the Fellowship Program in accordance with policy guidelines estab-
lished by the Board, in consultation with the binational Fulbright 
Commissions and United States Embassies. 
‘‘(d) SELECTION OF FELLOWS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall annually select qualified 
individuals to participate in the Fellowship Program. The 
Bureau may determine the number of fellows selected each 
year, which, whenever feasible, shall be not fewer than 25. 
‘‘(2) OUTREACH.—