Department of State Authorization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3352
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2019-06-19 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Building construction
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employee leave
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
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
Intergovernmental relations
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military facilities and property
Minority employment
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Performance measurement
Protection of officials
Public contracts and procurement
Sanctions
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Student aid and college costs
Terrorism
Transportation safety and security
U.S. and foreign investments
User charges and fees
Visas and passports
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Women's rights
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-19
text: 

Department of State Authorization Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes, revises, and repeals various provisions related to the Department of State.
 
The bill provides statutory authority to establish an Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and an Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy and Security and eliminates the position for the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (Myanmar). 
 
The bill imposes limitations on special appointments not expressly authorized by Congress. 
 
The State Department may not expend any amounts for reduction-in-force actions unless it has provided justification to Congress. 
 
The State Department shall make certain efforts to promote diversity in its workforce, including expanding anti-harassment and antidiscrimination training and gathering data to devise ways to promote participation from a range of demographic categories in professional development programs.
 
The State Department shall semiannually consult with other departments and agencies regarding the security of certain information systems and commission independent penetration testing of such systems.
 
The bill directs the State Department to take various actions to update its public diplomacy efforts, including establishing a Director of Research and Evaluation to assess existing programs.
 
The State Department shall assess each country's capacity to combat public corruption. For countries that do not meet the minimum standards, the State Department shall utilize proper measures to combat corruption. 
 
The State Department shall establish a working group on security assistance, including activities such as peacekeeping and military financing assistance. The bill revises various requirements and limits related to such assistance and transferring defense articles to foreign countries. 

action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Department of State Authorization Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes, revises, and repeals various provisions related to the Department of State.
 
The bill provides statutory authority to establish an Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and an Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy and Security and eliminates the position for the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (Myanmar). 
 
The bill imposes limitations on special appointments not expressly authorized by Congress. 
 
The State Department may not expend any amounts for reduction-in-force actions unless it has provided justification to Congress. 
 
The State Department shall make certain efforts to promote diversity in its workforce, including expanding anti-harassment and antidiscrimination training and gathering data to devise ways to promote participation from a range of demographic categories in professional development programs.
 
The State Department shall semiannually consult with other departments and agencies regarding the security of certain information systems and commission independent penetration testing of such systems.
 
The bill directs the State Department to take various actions to update its public diplomacy efforts, including establishing a Director of Research and Evaluation to assess existing programs.
 
The State Department shall assess each country's capacity to combat public corruption. For countries that do not meet the minimum standards, the State Department shall utilize proper measures to combat corruption. 
 
The State Department shall establish a working group on security assistance, including activities such as peacekeeping and military financing assistance. The bill revises various requirements and limits related to such assistance and transferring defense articles to foreign countries. 

action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Department of State Authorization Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes, revises, and repeals various provisions related to the Department of State.
 
The bill provides statutory authority to establish an Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and an Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy and Security and eliminates the position for the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (Myanmar). 
 
The bill imposes limitations on special appointments not expressly authorized by Congress. 
 
The State Department may not implement any reduction-in-force actions unless it has provided justification to Congress.
 
The State Department shall establish and implement a standard parental leave policy applicable to employees across all bureaus and offices.
 
The State Department may waive various requirements related to hiring (1) certain employees with significant scientific, technological, or engineering expertise; or (2) Global Engagement Center employees. 
 
The State Department shall make certain efforts to promote diversity in its workforce, including expanding anti-harassment and antidiscrimination training and gathering data to devise ways to promote participation from a range of demographic categories in professional development programs.
 
The State Department shall (1) semiannually consult with other departments and agencies regarding the security of certain information systems and commission independent penetration testing of such systems, (2) establish a process for security researchers to test State Department systems and submit information about discovered vulnerabilities, and (3) create a bug bounty program that provides rewards for information about previously unidentified security flaws in State Department information systems. 
 
The bill directs the State Department to take various actions to update its public diplomacy efforts, including establishing a Director of Research and Evaluation to assess existing programs.
 
The State Department shall assess each country's capacity to combat public corruption. For countries that do not meet the minimum standards, the State Department shall utilize proper measures to combat corruption. 
 
The State Department shall establish a working group on security assistance, including activities such as peacekeeping and military financing assistance. The bill revises various requirements and limits related to such assistance and transferring defense articles to foreign countries. 
 
The State Department may designate an existing official to coordinate all U.S. government matters relating to the long-term disposition of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) detainees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7412-7434)
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7412-7434)
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3352.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7412-7436)
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 140.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 116-181.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 116-181.
action_date: 2019-06-26
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules.
action_date: 2019-06-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2019-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-06-19
text: Introduced in House