S.Amdt. 2960

SA 2960, submitted by Mr. Schatz, aims to add a section to bill S. 2296 regarding a report on the staffing and facilities of the United States Mission to Australia.

The amendment expresses the sense of Congress that Australia is a close ally and integral to national security in the Indo-Pacific. It notes that the U.S. plans to rotate up to four Virginia-class attack submarines out of the port of Perth by 2027. It further states that current staffing and facilities do not seem adequately resourced for an expanding mission set, as more military and civilian Americans will be needed in western Australia for submarine maintenance and supply.

To address this, the amendment requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to specific Senate and House committees within 90 days of the Act's enactment. The report must include:

• An assessment of the number of U.S. Government personnel, family members, and dependents expected in the Perth area and across Australia over the following two years.

• Requirements for housing, schooling, and office space for those individuals.

• Details on the staff employed at the United States Consulate in Perth and their roles.

• Information on decisions or discussions regarding transferring staff within the Mission to Australia to increase staffing in Perth and the tradeoffs involved.

• An update on the interagency process started in 2024 to assess the needs of the Mission to Australia.

• An assessment of how Department of State workforce reduction and reorganization are impacting staffing.

• Cost estimates for expanding staffing in Perth, including which costs will be covered by the Department of State, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, or other government agencies.