Sec. 5172. Support for congressional delegations
231 words·~1 min read·
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It is the sense of Congress that— congressional travel is essential to fostering international relations, understanding global issues first-hand, and jointly advancing United States interests abroad; and only in close coordination and thanks to the dedication of personnel at United States embassies, consulates, and other missions abroad can the success of these vital trips be possible. Consistent with applicable laws and the Secretary’s security responsibilities, the Secretary shall reaffirm to all diplomatic posts the importance of congressional travel and shall direct all such posts to support congressional travel by members and staff of the appropriate congressional committees, when authorized by applicable congressional travel procedures to include the congressional authorization letter and congressional travel legislation and policies.
The Secretary shall reaffirm the Department’s policies to support such travel by members and staff of the appropriate congressional committees, by making such support available on any day of the week, including Federal and local holidays when required to complete congressional responsibilities and, to the extent practical, requiring the direct involvement of mid-level or senior officers. The requirement under subsection
(b)does not apply in the case of a simultaneous visit from the President, the First Lady or First Gentleman, the Vice President, the Secretary, or the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary shall require all designated control officers to have been trained on supporting congressional travel at posts abroad prior to the assigned congressional visit.