This bill expresses a Sense of Congress that the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations should prioritize standardization in constructing new U.S. embassies and consulates, minimizing customization. It mandates that the Secretary of State must notify specific congressional committees at least 15 days before obligating funds for any new embassy or consulate project utilizing a nonstandard design . This notification requires a detailed comparison of the estimated full lifecycle cost, completion date, and security of the nonstandard project versus a standard design, along with a justification for choosing the nonstandard approach. The bill defines a "covered project" as the construction of a new U.S. embassy or consulate compound, including those already in the design or pre-design phase. The notification must also include supporting documentation or an explanation for its absence, ensuring transparency in construction decisions.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
International Affairs
To require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a notification of certain construction projects using nonstandard designs.
USA119th CongressHR-7054| House
| Updated: 1/14/2026
This bill expresses a Sense of Congress that the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations should prioritize standardization in constructing new U.S. embassies and consulates, minimizing customization. It mandates that the Secretary of State must notify specific congressional committees at least 15 days before obligating funds for any new embassy or consulate project utilizing a nonstandard design . This notification requires a detailed comparison of the estimated full lifecycle cost, completion date, and security of the nonstandard project versus a standard design, along with a justification for choosing the nonstandard approach. The bill defines a "covered project" as the construction of a new U.S. embassy or consulate compound, including those already in the design or pre-design phase. The notification must also include supporting documentation or an explanation for its absence, ensuring transparency in construction decisions.