Department of State Policy Provisions Act

H.R. 5300, the Department of State Policy Provisions Act, has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote. If enacted, the bill would direct the State Department to implement several international policy initiatives. These include avoiding the use of buildings controlled by China, establishing a program to increase U.S.-Africa trade and investment, developing security strategies for 13 Caribbean nations, and creating an initiative to help foreign countries screen investments for national security risks. The bill would also authorize the State Department to establish a disaster assistance professional program and provide Congress with a five-year strategy on using major sporting events to advance U.S. diplomatic goals.

Additionally, the bill would authorize the President to provide certain military and intelligence assistance to foreign countries to help counter international terrorism, and would extend diplomatic immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional organization representing 18 member nations. For everyday citizens, these provisions could affect U.S. foreign policy priorities, international business opportunities with African nations, and how the government approaches security partnerships and disaster response capabilities abroad. The bill represents a comprehensive set of policy directives for how the State Department should conduct its international affairs operations.