S.Amdt. 3608

SA 3608, submitted by Mr. Risch and Mrs. Shaheen, proposes adding Division E, known as the "Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026," to bill S. 2296. This amendment establishes authorizations, reports, and policy directives for the Department of State.

Workforce and Operations

• Mandates a minimum 2-year length for overseas tours of duty and expands the Diplomats-in-Residence Program to 40 participants for better geographic coverage.
• Establishes the Regional China Officer program and requires Uyghur language training.
• Adds requirements for language incentive pay, vetting instructors, and workplace flexibility, including part-time options and job sharing.
• Exempts specific spouses of Foreign Service members from return-to-office requirements.

Security and Technology

• Authorizes commercial cloud enclaves overseas and requires a study on geopolitical strategies for advanced artificial intelligence.
• Mandates security reviews for science and technology agreements with the People's Republic of China.
• Implements visa sanctions for the misuse of foreign commercial spyware.

International Policy and Sanctions

• Fentanyl and Opioids: Creates the BUST FENTANYL Act to expand reporting and sanctions on fentanyl trafficking, prioritizing the identification of persons from the People's Republic of China. It allows the President to sanction financial institutions or foreign government agencies that knowingly contribute to opioid trafficking.
• Wrongful Detention: Introduces the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 to designate "State Sponsors of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" for countries that detain U.S. nationals. It requires air carriers to have passengers certify they understand risks for high-risk areas (D or K indicators) and establishes an Advisory Council to improve the recovery of hostages and wrongfully detained persons.
• China and Taiwan: Establishes a task force to identify entities for immediate sanctions if the PRC attempts physical or political control of Taiwan. It also establishes a strategy to diversify supply chains away from the People's Republic of China.
• Cyber-Fraud: The Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act targets transnational criminal organizations, specifically those linked to the PRC, that use human trafficking victims in "scam compounds." It establishes an interagency task force and grants the President authority to sanction those providing financial or technological support to these operations.

Regional and Global Initiatives

• Western Balkans: The Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act promotes stability and economic growth in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It aims to reduce Russian energy dependence, combat corruption and disinformation, and strengthen cybersecurity. It supports the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, opposes redrawing borders along ethnic lines, and authorizes university partnerships and the "Young Balkan Leaders Initiative."
• Georgia: The MEGOBARI Act holds Georgian officials accountable for democratic backsliding. It supports Georgia's goals to join the EU and NATO, mandates reports on Russian and Chinese intelligence assets, and authorizes sanctions against those undermining Georgia's stability or Euro-Atlantic integration.
• Nuclear Energy: The International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 aims to increase U.S. civil nuclear technology exports through a 10-year trade strategy, a White House coordination point, and financial assistance for "embarking civil nuclear nations."
• Critical Minerals: The Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025 authorizes $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to secure supply chains and reduce dependence on Russia and China. It empowers the Secretary of State to lead the Minerals Security Partnership.

Diplomatic and Consular Affairs

• Updates the "International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025," refining country "Tier" rankings and expanding protections for domestic workers of diplomats.
• Requires visa application documents to be machine-readable.
• Mandates reports on attaching consular officers to Navy and Coast Guard missions in Pacific island countries.
• Requires security reports before reopening the diplomatic mission in Damascus, Syria.
• Repeals the prohibition on using Federal funds for World's Fair exhibits and pavilions, and explicitly repeals the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.