Bill > HR5013

This bill, titled the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2015, makes appropriations for the Department of State and foreign operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and includes various provisions to govern the use of these funds. Key provisions include requirements for departments and agencies to provide quarterly accounting of unobligated and obligated balances to the Committees on Appropriations, limitations on the expenditure of funds for consulting services to ensure public record, and specific rules regarding the construction of diplomatic facilities, including prohibitions on office space for federal agencies that haven't fully funded their required contributions, with an exception for the U.S. Marine Corps. The bill also addresses personnel actions, prohibits first-class travel, restricts direct funding to certain countries like Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria, and prohibits assistance to governments that have experienced military coups. It outlines transfer authorities for funds within the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors, as well as for export financing, and establishes limitations on transfers between agencies. Furthermore, the bill mandates reporting on the use of specific foreign aid funds, clarifies the availability of funds, and sets limitations on assistance to countries in default to the U.S. It also prohibits the taxation of U.S. assistance by foreign governments, with provisions for reimbursement and exceptions, and details notification requirements for reprogramming funds, including specific thresholds and circumstances for waivers. The bill includes numerous country-specific provisions and restrictions, particularly concerning assistance to the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and various African and East Asian nations, as well as limitations on funding for international organizations like the United Nations and its agencies, and specific allocations for global health, gender equality, education, conservation, and food security programs. Finally, it addresses the use of funds for democracy programs, multi-year pledges, and prohibits the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty without Senate ratification, among other provisions.