Defending American Diplomacy Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2602

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-09-27T08:05:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Defending American Diplomacy Act (H.R. 2602) aims to prevent the Executive Branch from reorganizing the Department of State without explicit approval from Congress. It ensures congressional oversight to protect diplomatic functions and U.S. foreign policy interests from abrupt or unvetted changes.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Reorganization: No changes to the Department of State's structure can take effect unless Congress passes specific legislation authorizing it and the Secretary of State submits a detailed plan to key congressional committees (House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations).
• Consequences for Noncompliance: If the Comptroller General (an independent auditor for the government) certifies a violation, federal funds are blocked for activities of the Department of Government Efficiency (an entity focused on streamlining government operations), and no appropriated funds can be used for official travel by politically appointed State Department officials.
• Detailed Plan Requirements: Before any reorganization, the Secretary must provide Congress with a comprehensive report covering:
• Descriptions and justifications for proposed changes, including effects on roles, responsibilities, and personnel.
• Plans for absorbing new duties and building necessary skills.
• Analysis of impacts on U.S. foreign policy, such as diplomatic operations abroad, visa processing, international commitments, security assistance, intelligence, and humanitarian aid.
• Explanations of how changes improve strategic goals compared to the current structure.
• Assessments of risks, including how adversaries might exploit weaknesses and which U.S. interests could be vulnerable.
• Implementation timelines, mitigation strategies for disruptions, and workforce transition plans (e.g., reassignments, retraining, or compensation for terminations).
• Certification that the changes comply with all federal laws and protect employee rights.
• Definitions: "Reorganization" refers to actions requiring prior consultation under a specific existing law (section 7063 of Public Law 118-47). "Appropriate congressional committees" are explicitly named oversight bodies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces mandatory congressional authorization and detailed pre-approval planning for State Department reorganizations, which were previously possible with less formal consultation under laws like Public Law 118-47. It adds enforceable penalties (funding restrictions) for bypassing these steps, shifting from advisory to binding oversight and limiting executive discretion in agency restructuring.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The State Department faces increased bureaucratic hurdles for internal changes, potentially slowing efficiency efforts but enhancing accountability. The Department of Government Efficiency could lose funding, limiting broader government-wide reforms. Politically appointed officials may face travel restrictions, disrupting operations.
• On Citizens: Indirect effects include possible delays in consular services (e.g., visas or passports) if reorganizations are stalled, and protections for State Department employees against sudden job losses without transition support.
• On International Relations: Reorganizations must now explicitly consider risks to diplomatic posts, alliances, intelligence, and aid delivery, potentially stabilizing U.S. global presence but risking vulnerabilities if changes are blocked and competitors exploit outdated structures.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Executive Branch: Secretary of State and State Department leadership, who must prepare and justify plans; politically appointed officials facing travel limits; and the Department of Government Efficiency, subject to funding cuts.
• Congress: Committees on Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations gain veto power and detailed briefings, strengthening their role in foreign policy.
• State Department Workforce: Employees protected by required transition plans, but potentially affected by reassignments or terminations during approved changes.
• U.S. Taxpayers and Broader Public: Impacts through funding restrictions and ensured compliance in using public money for diplomacy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Enforces strict compliance with federal laws during reorganizations, with independent certification by the Comptroller General adding an impartial check. It ties into existing statutes but expands employee protections under labor laws.
• Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers by requiring legislative approval for executive agency changes, potentially limiting presidential authority over foreign affairs execution while upholding Congress's purse-string control via appropriations.
• Political: Could heighten partisan tensions over foreign policy tools, empowering congressional majorities to block reforms seen as inefficient or risky. It signals bipartisan concern (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) about protecting diplomacy amid proposals for government streamlining.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

Cosponsors (40)

Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-04-02: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Defending American Diplomacy Act — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (6 pages)