To provide for the International Security Affairs authorities of the Department of State.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5247
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-18: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 19.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-15T21:48:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 5247) aims to reorganize and strengthen the Department of State's structure for handling international security affairs. It establishes a new Under Secretary position and related offices, bureaus, and assistant secretaries to centralize and enhance coordination on global security issues, including arms control, counterterrorism, narcotics control, trafficking, and emerging threats like artificial intelligence and biotechnology in military contexts.
Key Provisions
- Under Secretary for International Security Affairs (Sec. 401): Creates this senior role reporting to the Secretary of State, responsible for overseeing policies on arms control, nonproliferation, disarmament, nuclear policy, counterterrorism, organized crime, narcotics control, emerging threats, and political-military affairs. The Under Secretary will develop policies, lead interagency and international engagements, and guide Department personnel.
- Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (Sec. 402): Establishes an office within the Department, headed by a Senate-confirmed Director (with Ambassador-at-Large rank) reporting to the Under Secretary. The office supports the Interagency Task Force on Trafficking, implements the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (a law aimed at preventing human trafficking and protecting victims), coordinates anti-trafficking programs, produces annual reports, ensures staff training, and awards heroes in anti-trafficking efforts. Federal agencies can provide staff on a non-reimbursable basis.
- Appropriations for International Security Affairs (Sec. 403): Authorizes funding from amounts allocated to the Secretary of State under existing law (section 141, likely referring to broader State Department funding) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the Under Secretary's duties.
- Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs (Sec. 404-405): Authorizes this position reporting to the Under Secretary, focused on coordinating with the Department of Defense and foreign militaries. The Assistant Secretary oversees funds for international military education/training and a national security engagement account, with dedicated appropriations for 2026-2027.
- Assistant Secretary and Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (Secs. 406-408): Establishes the Assistant Secretary (reporting to the Under Secretary) and a dedicated bureau to coordinate anti-narcotics, anti-crime, and law enforcement efforts abroad. Responsibilities include supervising programs, combating drug trafficking and organized crime (e.g., human trafficking, arms smuggling, corruption), strengthening foreign justice systems, training foreign officials (with vetting to avoid aiding abusive units), and annual certifications on compliance with Foreign Service rules. Includes appropriations for 2026-2027 and coordination with the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
- Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (Sec. 409): Creates a bureau headed by an Assistant Secretary (title updated to "for Arms Control and Nonproliferation") to handle verification/compliance with arms control agreements and related security policies.
- Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism (Secs. 410-411): Authorizes this role reporting to the Under Secretary, serving as the principal advisor on counterterrorism, overseeing resources, representing the U.S. in meetings, and leading foreign policy efforts to counter terrorism. Includes appropriations for 2026-2027.
- Assistant Secretary and Bureau for Emerging Threats (Secs. 412-414): Establishes the Assistant Secretary (reporting to the Under Secretary) and bureau to address new security risks, such as lethal autonomous weapons (AI-driven systems that can kill without human input), bioweapons, AI/biotech/quantum tech in military uses, and threats in space, undersea, and polar regions. Focuses on policy development, threat mitigation, and interagency coordination. Includes appropriations for 2026-2027.
- References and Classification (Secs. 415-416): Updates statutory references to rename existing Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary positions/bureaus to align with the new structure (e.g., "Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs" becomes "Under Secretary for International Security Affairs"). Directs the Office of Law Revision Counsel to classify these provisions in Title 22 of the U.S. Code (foreign relations and intercourse) while preserving legislative history of prior laws.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Consolidates fragmented security roles under a single Under Secretary, replacing or renaming prior titles like Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs or for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology.
- Elevates trafficking efforts by creating a dedicated office with Senate-confirmed leadership and expanded coordination duties, building on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
- Introduces new positions for emerging threats and counterterrorism, formalizing focus on modern risks (e.g., AI and biotech) not explicitly covered in prior structures.
- Shifts administrative control of funds for military training, narcotics control, and security engagement to specific Assistant Secretaries, enhancing oversight.
- Mandates vetting for foreign security assistance and non-drug-centric metrics for narcotics programs, refining implementation of laws like the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Streamlines Department of State operations by centralizing security policy, improving coordination with agencies like the Department of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security. Could reduce silos but increase reporting layers, potentially slowing decisions initially.
- On Citizens: Enhances U.S. efforts against global threats like terrorism, trafficking, and drug trafficking, indirectly protecting Americans from transnational crimes and improving national security. May lead to better foreign aid vetting to avoid supporting human rights abusers.
- On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. diplomatic leadership in arms control, counterterrorism, and emerging tech, fostering bilateral/multilateral partnerships. Could influence alliances by prioritizing issues like nonproliferation and anti-corruption, but funding limits (tied to existing appropriations) may constrain scope.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of State Personnel: Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, bureau staff, and diplomats involved in security policy, who gain clearer roles and funding but face new coordination requirements.
- Federal Agencies: Interagency partners (e.g., Department of Defense for military affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration for narcotics, intelligence community for counterterrorism) benefit from formalized State Department leadership.
- International Partners: Foreign governments, militaries, and law enforcement receiving U.S. training/assistance; NGOs and multilateral organizations consulted on trafficking and nonproliferation.
- Victims and Advocacy Groups: Trafficking survivors, anti-trafficking NGOs, and human rights organizations, through expanded reporting, awards, and program coordination.
- U.S. Congress: Committees on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations, via annual certifications and oversight of appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with constitutional foreign affairs powers (Article II) by bolstering executive branch structure without new mandates. Updates to U.S. Code ensure seamless integration, but reliance on existing funding (no new dollars specified) ties effectiveness to annual appropriations bills. Vetting requirements reinforce laws against aiding foreign human rights violators (e.g., Leahy Law).
- Constitutional: Senate confirmation for key roles (e.g., Trafficking Director) upholds advice-and-consent clause, promoting accountability.
- Political: Signals bipartisan priority on security reorganization amid rising global threats (e.g., AI arms race, opioid crisis), but could spark debates on resource allocation or over-centralization. No direct partisan elements, focusing on administrative efficiency; potential for future amendments if emerging threats evolve rapidly.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-18: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 19.
- 2025-09-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-09-17: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-09-10: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-09-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To provide for the International Security Affairs authorities of the Department of State. — issued 2025-09-10 — PDF (19 pages)