Sec. 30218. Ensuring United States diplomatic posts align with American strategic national security and economic objectives
285 words·~1 min read·
/bill/117/hr/4521/pcs/section-30218A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
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 São Tomé 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 should conduct an assessment of all United States diplomatic missions and posts to verify such missions and posts align with 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 for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (including the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate) 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 the heads of other Federal departments and agencies having an overseas presence at any United States diplomatic mission or post to ensure such assessment reflects all Federal Government equities and viewpoints.