WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued a statement following the bipartisan Committee passage of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023, a bill to help the Department meet global challenges, modernize its workforce, and advance key priorities. These critical authorities will put the department into a stronger position as it works to compete with the People’s Republic of China in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Following a nearly two-decade pause in regular passage of State Department authorization bills prior to 2021, this bipartisan approval marks the third consecutive year that the Committee has passed an authorization bill.
“As we stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s diplomatic history, I take immense pride in the bipartisan support behind the Department of State Authorization Act in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” said Chairman Menendez. “Not only does the Committee approval of this crucial legislation recognize the importance of further modernizing the State Department to meet 21st century challenges and opportunities, but it also signifies the importance of Congress’ responsibility to regularly update our nation’s diplomatic and national security capabilities rather than ceding such authority to the Executive Branch. Implementing critical reforms like quality-of-life improvements for the Foreign and Civil Service, and strengthening recruitment and retention efforts will both help diversify the State Department’s workforce and enhance its ability to effectively address the complex and multifaceted challenges of our time.
“I also want to thank Ranking Member Jim Risch for his support of this bill, as well as his staff for their bipartisan cooperation and ongoing collaboration with our team,” continued Chairman Menendez. “This bill reflects dozens of amendments from Democratic and Republican members alike, and demonstrates the value this Committee places on ensuring we’re doing our part to advance the critical work of the State Department and its personnel. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure its passage into law.”
Among other things, the bipartisan State Department Authorization Act of 2023:
- Authorizes the Transfer of Nuclear-Powered submarines to Australia: Authorizes the transfer of two Virginia class submarines from U.S. stocks to Australia, while authorizing a third submarine for sale to Australia via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. Authorizes a variety of other measures to implement the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) security partnership.
- Enhances Passport Services: Includes provisions aimed at reducing passport wait times, modernizing passport operations, hiring additional passport examiners, and improving warnings for travelers. Specifically, it extends passport fee authorities, requiring a portion of the fees be dedicated to modernizing passport services, and requires updated warnings for passport holders to check travel warnings.
- Modernizes Department Workforce: Provides special hiring authorities, particularly for data and tech expertise, and requires implementation of lateral entry programs to expedite employment of individuals with STEM backgrounds at entry and mid-career levels. It also supports pay increases for Locally Employed Staff, promotes career development for civil servants, and establishes Diplomatic Security Fellowships to assist in the recruitment of special agents, security engineering officers, and civil servants.
- Invigorates U.S. Economic Diplomacy: Provides new awards for officers who pursue commercial deals abroad or identify new deal prospects for United States companies. It directs Chiefs of Mission to coordinate United States economic policy interests within host countries and form a mission economic team.
- Emboldens U.S. Voice at International Organizations: Helps counter Chinese and Russian influence in multilateral fora and expands multilateral training for Department employees to further U.S. interests and values at international organizations and in multilateral negotiations. It also supports $1.5 million funding for the USUN internship program.
- Strengthens U.S. Responses to Overseas Crises: Requires the Secretary of State to develop contingency planning independent of any regional bureau, regularly update contingency planning, and maintain best practices on evacuations and emergency situations. It authorizes the Department to bring on additional personnel to address and respond to exigent circumstances and urgent crises abroad.
- Expands International Cyber Capacities: Establishes a new Cyberspace, Digital Connectivity, and Related Technologies (CDT) fund for State to provide assistance to foreign governments and organizations to advance a secure cyberspace and deploy technology that reinforces human rights and democratic values. It authorizes a Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership to help foreign countries expand secure internet access and digital infrastructure in emerging markets, and build cybersecurity capacity.
- Bolsters U.S. Public Diplomacy: Requires the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator to coordinate public diplomacy efforts to increase understanding of United States foreign assistance efforts and establishes the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Program within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program to promote international research on nonviolent movements and civil rights around the world.
- Supports Foreign and Civil Service: Supports U.S. diplomats and civil servants by keeping tandem couples together in the Foreign Service, improving mental health services for State Department employees, providing mid-career mentorship opportunities for civil servants and foreign service officers, and establishing professional development programs, such as the civil service rotational program to U.S. embassies.
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