Bill · H.R. 9405· House(119-HR-9405)
Esther Coopersmith Award Act
- Introduced
- 6/23/2026
- Last activity
- 6/23/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Lois Frankel
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Esther Coopersmith Award Act'', seeks to establish the Esther Coopersmith Award at the Department of State. The award is intended to recognize individual or group performance by members of the Civil or Foreign Service who advance sustainable peace and security. Specifically, it recognizes efforts related to the purposes of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 and the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018. The Secretary of State will oversee the administration of the award through the Office of Global Women's Issues. Recipients will be required to present their work virtually to specific groups and may receive support for official travel to global security conferences. This Act is subject to a sunset provision that terminates its force five years after enactment.
Yes
Would women be better off under this?+8
The act specifically targets the promotion of women's rights, leadership, and safety in conflict zones.
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?+7
The bill establishes an award specifically to recognize diplomatic efforts that advance women's leadership, safety, and economic security.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+5
The bill promotes peace and security through diplomatic recognition and the integration of women into decision-making processes globally.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recognition of Diplomatic Excellence: The bill creates an annual award to recognize Civil Service and Foreign Service members who make meaningful contributions to preventing or resolving conflict, violence, or instability (Section 4(a), Section 4(b)(1)).
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Promotion of Women's Leadership: The award recognizes actions that integrate the interests of women into conflict-prevention, encourage partner governments to include women in decision-making, and promote the safety, dignity, and economic security of women and girls (Section 4(c)).
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Improved Resource Access: The award incentivizes efforts to support equal access for women regarding aid distribution mechanisms and services (Section 4(c)(4)).
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Enhanced Conflict Warning Systems: Recognition is provided for supporting the ability of foreign entities to collect or analyze data to enhance early warning systems of conflict and violence (Section 4(c)(5)).
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Professional Development and Knowledge Sharing: Award recipients will present their work to the Chiefs of Mission Conference and entry-level training courses, allowing for the sharing of expertise with incoming Foreign Service officers (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Temporary Nature of the Program: Due to the sunset provision, this Act and its associated amendments will cease to have any force or effect five years after it is enacted (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+5
- 6/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sydney Kamlager-DoveDemocrat · California