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Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-6595| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2020
Joaquin Castro

Joaquin Castro

Democratic Representative

Texas

Foreign Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020 This bill establishes requirements for the Department of State to expand American Citizen Services at U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions worldwide during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. American Citizen Services are the range of services provided by the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, such as emergency passports, consular reports of birth abroad, emergency financial assistance, and repatriation. The State Department must petition the government of any country that closes borders and airspace or establishes travel restrictions due to COVID-19 to make provisions with the appropriate U.S. consular service in that country to ensure U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, or the immediate family members of such persons can travel to U.S. government evacuation points or access commercial travel. The State Department must also waive or reimburse certain repatriation travel expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Further, the State Department must provide U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions with explicit guidance to protect American lives abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, increase certain consular affairs staffing, develop a comprehensive plan for COVID-19 infection risk mitigation procedures for all persons under chief of mission authority at overseas posts, regularly report on the Bureau of Consular Affairs' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritize regular and continued hiring of Foreign Service officers and specialists.
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Timeline
Apr 22, 2020
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jun 22, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-4026
Introduced in Senate
  • April 22, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


  • June 22, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-4026
    Introduced in Senate

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-4026: Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee hiringGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesTransportation costsTravel and tourismVisas and passportsWorker safety and healthWorld health

Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-6595| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2020
Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020 This bill establishes requirements for the Department of State to expand American Citizen Services at U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions worldwide during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. American Citizen Services are the range of services provided by the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, such as emergency passports, consular reports of birth abroad, emergency financial assistance, and repatriation. The State Department must petition the government of any country that closes borders and airspace or establishes travel restrictions due to COVID-19 to make provisions with the appropriate U.S. consular service in that country to ensure U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, or the immediate family members of such persons can travel to U.S. government evacuation points or access commercial travel. The State Department must also waive or reimburse certain repatriation travel expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Further, the State Department must provide U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions with explicit guidance to protect American lives abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, increase certain consular affairs staffing, develop a comprehensive plan for COVID-19 infection risk mitigation procedures for all persons under chief of mission authority at overseas posts, regularly report on the Bureau of Consular Affairs' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritize regular and continued hiring of Foreign Service officers and specialists.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 22, 2020
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jun 22, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-4026
Introduced in Senate
  • April 22, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


  • June 22, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-4026
    Introduced in Senate
Joaquin Castro

Joaquin Castro

Democratic Representative

Texas

Foreign Affairs Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-4026: Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee hiringGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesTransportation costsTravel and tourismVisas and passportsWorker safety and healthWorld health