Sec. 2. Findings

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Congress makes the following findings: The Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title VI of division A of appendix G of Public Law 106–113 ) was a necessary response to bombings on August 7, 1998, at the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania that were destroyed by simultaneously exploding bombs. The resulting explosions killed 220 persons and injured more than 4,000 others. Twelve Americans and 40 Kenyan and Tanzanian employees of the United States Foreign Service were killed in the attacks.

Those bombings, followed by the expeditionary diplomatic efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrated the need to prioritize the security of United States posts and personnel abroad above other considerations. Between 1999 and 2022, the risk calculus of the Department of State has swung too far toward the elimination of risk, leading to a marked decrease in the ability of United States diplomats around the world to advance the interests of the United States through access to local populations, leaders, and places.

America’s competitors and adversaries do not have the same restrictions that United States diplomats have, especially in critically important medium-threat and high-threat posts. The Department of State’s 2021 Overseas Security Panel report states that— the requirement for setback and collocation of diplomatic posts under paragraphs

(2)and

(3)of section 606(a) of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 has led to sky-rocketing costs of new embassies and consulates; and the locations of such posts have become less desirable, creating an extremely suboptimal nexus that further hinders United States diplomats who are willing to accept more risk in order to advance United States interests.

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Pub. L. 106-113

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Sec. 2

Findings

Pub. L.Pub. L. 106-113

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