Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2017

Bill: 114-s-2937
Sponsor: Sen. Corker, Bob [R-TN]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Adoption and foster care
Africa
Arab-Israeli relations
Asia
Assault and harassment offenses
Building construction
China
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Domestic violence and child abuse
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Genetics
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Human rights
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Inflation and prices
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military law
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Minority employment
Multilateral development programs
Palestinians
Photography and imaging
Public contracts and procurement
Sanctions
Sex offenses
Trade restrictions
United Nations
User charges and fees
Vietnam
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) submit to Congress a U.S. strategy and implementing plan for combating sexual exploitation and abuse in U.N. peacekeeping operations, and (2) designate a country as a &quot;peacekeeping abuse country of concern&quot; if indications are that personnel from its U.N. peacekeeping contingent have engaged in acts of sexual exploitation. The State Department may withhold specified assistance from a foreign security unit that has engaged in such acts.
 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall conduct a study of the formula and methods by which the U.N. assesses member states for financial support to peacekeeping operations. 
 
Not more than 85% of the annual U.S. contributions to the U.N., its agencies, or the Organization of American States may be obligated until the State Department certifies that specified whistle blower protections have been implemented.
 
U.S. funding may not be made available for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) until the State Department certifies that UNHRC participation is in the U.S. national interest.
 
Foreign Service administrative provisions are set forth, including provisions regarding: (1) overseas housing, (2) locally employed staff, (3) a lateral entry pilot program, (4) annuitant reemployment, (5) disciplinary action for unsatisfactory leadership during a security incident, (6) a personal services contractor pilot program, (7) limited appointments, and (8) diversity.
 
The State Department may establish employee exchange programs with foreign government or international entities that permit employees to be assigned to a State Department position.
 
The bill modifies the passport and visa fee structures.
 
The State Department shall: (1) conduct a review of all human rights dialogues, and (2) provide each Tier 2 Watch List country with a copy of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report and information pertinent to such country's designation.
 
The bill expresses: (1) the sense of Congress with respect to foreign cyber security threats, and (2) the sense of the Senate with respect to the release of internationally adopted children from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 
The State Department may authorize its uniformed guards to protect buildings and areas within the United States for which it provides protective services. 

action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) submit to Congress a U.S. strategy and implementing plan for combating sexual exploitation and abuse in U.N. peacekeeping operations, and (2) designate a country as a &quot;peacekeeping abuse country of concern&quot; if indications are that personnel from its U.N. peacekeeping contingent have engaged in acts of sexual exploitation. The State Department may withhold specified assistance from a foreign security unit that has engaged in such acts.
 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall conduct a study of the formula and methods by which the U.N. assesses member states for financial support to peacekeeping operations. 
 
Not more than 85% of the annual U.S. contributions to the U.N., its agencies, or the Organization of American States may be obligated until the State Department certifies that specified whistle blower protections have been implemented.
 
U.S. funding may not be made available for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) until the State Department certifies that UNHRC participation is in the U.S. national interest.
 
Foreign Service administrative provisions are set forth, including provisions regarding: (1) overseas housing, (2) locally employed staff, (3) a lateral entry pilot program, (4) annuitant reemployment, (5) disciplinary action for unsatisfactory leadership during a security incident, (6) a personal services contractor pilot program, (7) limited appointments, and (8) diversity.
 
The State Department may establish employee exchange programs with foreign government or international entities that permit employees to be assigned to a State Department position.
 
The bill modifies the passport and visa fee structures.
 
The State Department shall: (1) conduct a review of all human rights dialogues, and (2) provide each Tier 2 Watch List country with a copy of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report and information pertinent to such country's designation.
 
The bill expresses: (1) the sense of Congress with respect to foreign cyber security threats, and (2) the sense of the Senate with respect to the release of internationally adopted children from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 
The State Department may authorize its uniformed guards to protect buildings and areas within the United States for which it provides protective services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 468.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Corker. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Corker. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate