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To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.

USA119th CongressHR-5245| House 
| Updated: 9/19/2025
Michael Lawler

Michael Lawler

Republican Representative

New York

Foreign Affairs Committee, Budget Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill aims to reorganize and enhance the management authorities within the Department of State, establishing a more defined structure under the Under Secretary for Management . This central figure will oversee all matters pertaining to the Department's management and administration, including integration and transformation efforts supporting foreign operations and programs. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas such as acquisitions, human resources, health programs, information technology, facilities, security, and consular affairs. The bill also includes specific directives for the Under Secretary regarding the administration and disposition of historic and artistic furnishings within the Harry S. Truman Federal Building. To streamline operations, the bill authorizes an Assistant Secretary for Administration to lead a new Bureau of Administration, focusing on global logistics, safety, emergency management, and language support. It also establishes a Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology , heading the new Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, responsible for the Department's information technology, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. A significant change involves transferring the Office of Consular Systems and Technology from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology to unify IT strategy and cybersecurity policies. The bill details the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs , including policy formulation for immigration, visa and passport issuance, and the protection of U.S. citizens abroad. It imposes strict notification requirements for closing diplomatic posts and outlines exceptions for security threats or diplomatic breaks. Furthermore, it extends the use of passport and immigrant visa surcharges for consular services and allows for the transfer of discretionary funds to sustain consular operations, prioritizing United States citizen services. It also grants the Bureau of Consular Affairs authority to access federal information for verifying applicant eligibility and detecting fraud. An Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security is authorized to lead the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, with expanded responsibilities for protective operations, investigations, and security programs. This includes enhancing the role of Regional Security Officers and granting special agents broader authority for investigations, arrests, and protective functions. Concurrently, an Assistant Secretary for Asset Management will head the Bureau of Asset Management, overseeing the planning, acquisition, and maintenance of diplomatic facilities abroad and regulating foreign missions' real property within the United States. This section also introduces new regulations for foreign mission property transactions, requiring notification and allowing for divestiture under certain conditions, and exempts the Department from the Secure Federal LEASEs Act. Finally, the bill establishes an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources to lead the Bureau of Human Resources, focusing on talent management, workforce development, and personnel benefits. It mandates that the Director of the Foreign Service Institute report to this Assistant Secretary and outlines a new structure for the Institute, including schools for professional studies, leadership, applied information technology, and foreign languages. The bill also authorizes the collection of fees for the use of diplomatic reception rooms, Blair House, and the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, with proceeds directed towards their maintenance and operations. Each new or reorganized bureau and office is authorized to receive necessary funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
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Timeline
Sep 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 18, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 18, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Sep 19, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
  • September 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • September 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 18, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 18, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.


  • September 19, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

International Affairs

Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureFederal officialsFirearms and explosivesForeign language and bilingual programsForeign propertyGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth facilities and institutionsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationLaw enforcement officersSmithsonian InstitutionUser charges and feesVisas and passports

To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.

USA119th CongressHR-5245| House 
| Updated: 9/19/2025
The bill aims to reorganize and enhance the management authorities within the Department of State, establishing a more defined structure under the Under Secretary for Management . This central figure will oversee all matters pertaining to the Department's management and administration, including integration and transformation efforts supporting foreign operations and programs. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas such as acquisitions, human resources, health programs, information technology, facilities, security, and consular affairs. The bill also includes specific directives for the Under Secretary regarding the administration and disposition of historic and artistic furnishings within the Harry S. Truman Federal Building. To streamline operations, the bill authorizes an Assistant Secretary for Administration to lead a new Bureau of Administration, focusing on global logistics, safety, emergency management, and language support. It also establishes a Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology , heading the new Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, responsible for the Department's information technology, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. A significant change involves transferring the Office of Consular Systems and Technology from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology to unify IT strategy and cybersecurity policies. The bill details the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs , including policy formulation for immigration, visa and passport issuance, and the protection of U.S. citizens abroad. It imposes strict notification requirements for closing diplomatic posts and outlines exceptions for security threats or diplomatic breaks. Furthermore, it extends the use of passport and immigrant visa surcharges for consular services and allows for the transfer of discretionary funds to sustain consular operations, prioritizing United States citizen services. It also grants the Bureau of Consular Affairs authority to access federal information for verifying applicant eligibility and detecting fraud. An Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security is authorized to lead the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, with expanded responsibilities for protective operations, investigations, and security programs. This includes enhancing the role of Regional Security Officers and granting special agents broader authority for investigations, arrests, and protective functions. Concurrently, an Assistant Secretary for Asset Management will head the Bureau of Asset Management, overseeing the planning, acquisition, and maintenance of diplomatic facilities abroad and regulating foreign missions' real property within the United States. This section also introduces new regulations for foreign mission property transactions, requiring notification and allowing for divestiture under certain conditions, and exempts the Department from the Secure Federal LEASEs Act. Finally, the bill establishes an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources to lead the Bureau of Human Resources, focusing on talent management, workforce development, and personnel benefits. It mandates that the Director of the Foreign Service Institute report to this Assistant Secretary and outlines a new structure for the Institute, including schools for professional studies, leadership, applied information technology, and foreign languages. The bill also authorizes the collection of fees for the use of diplomatic reception rooms, Blair House, and the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, with proceeds directed towards their maintenance and operations. Each new or reorganized bureau and office is authorized to receive necessary funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Sep 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 18, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 18, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Sep 19, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
  • September 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • September 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 18, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 18, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.


  • September 19, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Michael Lawler

Michael Lawler

Republican Representative

New York

Foreign Affairs Committee, Budget Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureFederal officialsFirearms and explosivesForeign language and bilingual programsForeign propertyGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth facilities and institutionsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationLaw enforcement officersSmithsonian InstitutionUser charges and feesVisas and passports