PEACE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2609

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

2026-06-11T23:41:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Promoting Education on the Abraham Accords for Comprehensive Engagement Act (PEACE Act) aims to enhance U.S. diplomatic capabilities by mandating education and training for Department of State personnel on the Abraham Accords (2020 agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations) and earlier normalization agreements with Israel (such as those with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994). It seeks to strengthen U.S. support for Middle East peace, cooperation, and stability through informed diplomacy.

Key Provisions

• Sense of Congress (Section 2): Expresses that training U.S. officials on these agreements is vital for advancing regional peace. It directs the Secretary of State to provide comprehensive training on their history, principles, future uses, and related U.S. policies from the 2022 Israel Relations Normalization Act (a law encouraging further normalizations).

• Education and Training Programs (Section 3):
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to add specialized courses to the Foreign Service Institute (the U.S. government's main training center for diplomats) and other facilities, covering the diplomatic history, implementation, and regional impacts of the Abraham Accords and similar agreements.
• Requires development of online training modules and interactive materials accessible to State Department employees globally.
• Allows the Secretary to select participating countries based on current diplomatic goals.

• Fellowships and Exchanges (Section 4):
• Permits the Director General of the Foreign Service to fund short- and long-term fellowships or grants for Foreign Service officers (diplomats) to work with institutions, organizations, or counterparts in Abraham Accords countries or regional Middle East entities focused on these agreements.

• Abraham Accords and Normalization Advisory Board (Section 5):
• Establishes a nonpartisan board of four experts in diplomacy, Middle East studies, interfaith dialogue, and peace-building within 180 days of enactment.
• Board members are appointed by leaders of key congressional committees (two from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and two from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee).
• The board provides unanimous advice on training curriculum, resources, and planning for State Department programs related to these agreements.

• Strategy and Reporting Requirements (Section 6):
• Requires the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive strategy to congressional committees within one year, including plans for integrating training into existing programs, board recommendations (with explanations for any deviations), training goals for U.S. personnel, and how it supports the 2022 Normalization Act.
• Mandates annual progress reports for four years, covering achievements, challenges, and outcomes.
• Defines "appropriate congressional committees" as the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new mandates for training and institutional structures (e.g., the advisory board and fellowships) that build on but do not directly amend prior laws like the 2022 Israel Relations Normalization Act. It codifies a "sense of Congress" on the importance of education, requiring actionable steps where none were previously specified, and links training to broader U.S. foreign policy strategies without altering existing diplomatic frameworks.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of State will need to allocate resources for new courses, virtual tools, fellowships, and reporting, potentially improving diplomats' expertise in Middle East issues and enhancing operational efficiency in promoting U.S. foreign policy goals.
• On Citizens: Indirect benefits for U.S. citizens through stronger diplomatic efforts that could foster regional stability, reduce conflict risks, and support economic or security interests tied to Middle East partnerships.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. commitment to the Abraham Accords, potentially encouraging further normalizations with Israel and deepening ties with participating countries (e.g., UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan), while promoting collaborative peace-building in the region.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of State Personnel: Diplomats and Foreign Service officers, who must undergo new training and may participate in fellowships.
• Congressional Committees: House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees, and Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees, which appoint board members and receive reports.
• Advisory Board Members: Experts in relevant fields, providing input on programs.
• International Partners: Governments and organizations in Abraham Accords countries (e.g., UAE, Bahrain) and those with prior Israel normalizations (Egypt, Jordan), through expanded U.S. diplomatic engagement.
• Educational and Nongovernmental Entities: Institutions involved in fellowships, such as think tanks or universities focused on Middle East peace.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill authorizes discretionary spending and programs without specifying funding sources, relying on existing appropriations; it ensures accountability through mandatory reporting and board oversight, aligning with congressional authority over foreign affairs under Article I of the Constitution.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports executive branch diplomacy while involving Congress in appointments and oversight, maintaining checks and balances.
• Political: Promotes bipartisanship via nonpartisan board appointments and unanimous advice requirements, potentially reducing partisanship in U.S. Middle East policy. It reinforces U.S. strategic priorities on Israel-Arab normalization without addressing broader Israeli-Palestinian issues, which could influence perceptions of U.S. neutrality in the region.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

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

• Promoting Education on the Abraham Accords for Comprehensive Engagement Act — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (7 pages)