Washington, D.C. - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) released the followings statement on enactment of S. 1635, which represents the first State Department authorization enacted in 14 years.
“To secure peace in an increasingly dangerous world, it is imperative we have an efficient, accountable and modern State Department. After working closely with our Senate counterparts, I am glad these important measures to strengthen embassy security and bolster Foggy Bottom’s top watchdog are now law. I look forward to working with the new administration to build on them with additional reforms."
Specifically, S. 1635.
Enhances Embassy Security
• Authorizes “best value" contracting, ensuring embassies hire the best local guards.
• Requires the State Department to designate a list of high-risk, high-threat posts - strengthening security by enhancing training and prioritizing resources.
• Directs the State Department and Defense Department to jointly develop contingency plans - including the rapid deployment of military forces.
• Increases accountability for conduct that puts embassies or personnel at risk.
Strengthens Accountability
• Mandates monthly briefings to Congress on embassy security.
• Empowers the Department’s Inspector General - an office that sat vacant for five years of the Obama Administration - and increases access to reports of waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Dictates reporting to Congress on unfulfilled GAO and IG cost-savings recommendations.
Advances Reform
• Introduces flexibility into the Department’s workforce and authorizes a pilot program to acquire talent from the private sector.
• Demands an annual report on all U.S. contributions to the United Nations.
• Orders a comprehensive strategy for reducing sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers.
