State Department reauthorization bill outlines personnel, IT, and embassy security enhancements

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a markup on Thursday of State Department reauthorization bill that would enhance training and recruitment of diplomats, make embassies more secure, crack down on public corruption, and harden information technology (IT) systems.

Under the Department of State Authorization Act of 2018, Congress would also have to be notified of any plans for the reorganization of the State Department of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and reorganizations could not take place until 30 days after enactment.

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the bill’s sponsor and House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, said a strong State Department is “essential to advancing America’s many interests overseas.”

“Our diplomats serve on the front lines in the most dangerous parts of the world, working to prevent armed conflict, combat terrorism, empower women and open new markets to U.S. job creators,” Royce said. “This bipartisan bill will help ensure our diplomats have the tools to tackle today’s challenges — including North Korean nuclear threats and Iranian aggression. It will improve diplomat training, bolster embassy security and protect the department’s information technology systems.”

The bill would also require the secretary of state to submit a regular report on penetrations and compromises of State Department information systems and networks, as well as a plan to improve the process for handling Freedom of Information Act requests involving classified information.

“The Foreign Affairs Committee takes its responsibility to oversee and authorize the State Department seriously,” Royce said. “By effectively investing in diplomacy and development, we can make America more prosperous and secure.”