Bill > S2043

This bill establishes several key provisions: It makes permanent the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative fee and expands the expenditure authority for passport fees to modernize consular systems and provide urgent in-person passport services. The bill also provides the Secretary of State with special hiring authority for passport services positions and requires quarterly reports on passport wait times. The bill enhances oversight and accountability for assignment restrictions and reviews, requires suitability reviews for Foreign Service Institute instructors, and establishes new diplomatic security fellowship programs. It also authorizes the Secretary to fund costs to support basic care and resource needs for victims of trafficking in persons. The bill creates a Bureau Chief Data Officer Program to promote data fluency and collaboration across the Department and establishes a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer position. It also strengthens the Chief Information Officer's authority over unclassified IT expenditures. The bill authorizes the transfer of up to two Virginia-class submarines from the U.S. Navy to Australia, establishes an AUKUS Submarine Security Activities Account to support AUKUS partnership activities, and provides for expedited review of export licenses for advanced technologies to Australia, the UK, and Canada. Finally, the bill establishes an Office of the Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, expands economic officers' duties, and requires revisions to the Department's metrics for successful economic and commercial diplomacy.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2043/all-info