Sec. 215. Ensuring United States diplomatic posts align with American strategic national security and economic objectives

279 words·~1 min read·/bill/117/hr/3524/ih/section-215

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With 276 embassies and other representative offices globally, China now has more diplomatic posts around the world than any other country, including the United States. Many of Beijing’s new missions can be found in countries that recently broke ties with Taiwan (Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the Gambia, and Sao Tome and Principe) or do not have any United States diplomatic physical presence despite these countries asking for increased United States engagement and investment (Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica).

It is the sense of Congress, that the Department of State conduct an assessment of all United States diplomatic posts to verify that they align with its United States national security and economic interests, as well as ensuring that these locations position the United States appropriately with its strategic competitors to advance the national interest in every country worldwide, including those countries currently lacking any physical United States diplomatic presence whether an embassy, consulate general, or principal officer post.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report assessing the number, location, and objectives of each of its diplomatic missions and posts worldwide, including an assessment of any gaps that exist compared to other country strategic competitors. The Secretary of State shall coordinate with other Department and Agency heads having an overseas presence at any and all United States diplomatic missions to ensure this assessment reflects all Federal Government equities and viewpoints, and then certify in writing the findings of this assessment.