S.Amdt. 3767

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Risch and Mrs. Shaheen, aims to add a new section called the Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 to bill S. 2296.

The purpose of this addition is to establish new rules, reporting requirements, and programs for the Department of State across several key areas:

• Workforce Matters: It focuses on improving staff training, such as requiring Uyghur language training, providing language incentives for civil service employees, and creating a policy for job sharing and part-time work.

• Organization and Operations: It seeks to increase accountability and oversight by requiring more frequent briefings to Congress, extending the minimum length of overseas tours to two years, and expanding the Regional China Officer program.

• Information Security and Cyber Diplomacy: It authorizes funding for data analytics, establishes a Post Data Program, and sets a policy to oppose the misuse of foreign commercial spyware.

• Public Diplomacy: It requires a new strategy to fight foreign information manipulation and interference, specifically from Russia, China, and Iran.

• Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs: It calls for reports on visa backlogs, the security of the U.S. mission in Syria, and the feasibility of putting consular officers on Navy and Coast Guard missions to Pacific island countries.

• Miscellaneous: It includes various administrative fixes, such as updating the HAVANA Act payments, extending certain authorizations, and expanding permitting for international bridges and land ports of entry.