African Diaspora Council Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 784
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-04-17T18:56:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 784: African Diaspora Council Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to create an advisory body to help the U.S. government build stronger ties with the African diaspora—people of African descent living in the United States, including African Americans and African immigrants. It focuses on promoting equity, cultural connections, and economic opportunities for these communities while enhancing U.S. relations with Africa.
Key Provisions
- Establishment: The Secretary of State must create the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (Advisory Council) within the Department of State.
- Membership:
- Up to 12 members appointed by the Secretary of State, representing diverse African diaspora communities (e.g., from government, sports, arts, business, academia, social services, and faith groups).
- Appointments ignore political party and must reflect the diaspora's diversity; the Secretary consults with leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Members serve 2-year terms without pay or reimbursement.
- The Secretary designates one member as Chair and a senior State Department official as Executive Director.
- Functions: The Council advises the President (via the Secretary of State) on:
- Strategies for equity and opportunities for African diaspora communities, aligning with Executive Order 13985 (which promotes racial equity and support for underserved groups through federal actions).
- Support for the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (a UN body addressing issues faced by people of African origin globally).
- Programs to build cultural, social, political, and economic links between African communities, the diaspora, and the U.S., such as the Young African Leaders Initiative (a U.S. program for emerging African leaders).
- Efforts to boost inclusion, public awareness of the diaspora's history and achievements, and address related challenges.
- Expansion of educational exchanges, like the International Visitor Leadership Program (which brings international leaders to the U.S. for training).
- Initiatives for public-private partnerships and community involvement to improve socioeconomic conditions for the diaspora.
- Increased diaspora participation in U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and development programs, such as Prosper Africa (a U.S. initiative to boost economic ties with African countries).
- Other relevant topics as determined by the Secretary.
- Operations:
- Funded and supported administratively by the State Department using existing appropriations.
- Meets at least quarterly, or more often if needed.
- Briefs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee after each full meeting.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new advisory council, which does not amend or repeal any prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like Executive Order 13985 and programs such as the Young African Leaders Initiative and Prosper Africa by formalizing diaspora input into U.S. policy. No direct alterations to current statutes are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of State will need to allocate resources for staffing, funding, and operations, potentially integrating diaspora perspectives into foreign policy and domestic equity efforts. This could influence how agencies like the Domestic Policy Council coordinate on underserved communities.
- Citizens: African diaspora communities may gain better representation in policy-making, leading to targeted programs for education, economic growth, and cultural recognition. Broader U.S. public could benefit from increased awareness and exchanges promoting inclusion.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S.-Africa ties through enhanced diaspora involvement in trade, investment, and cultural initiatives, potentially improving diplomatic engagement and support for global forums like the UN Permanent Forum.
Main Stakeholders
- African Diaspora Communities: Primary beneficiaries, including African Americans and African immigrants, who provide input and could see expanded opportunities.
- U.S. Government: Department of State (leads establishment and support); President and Secretary of State (receive advice); Congress (Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees, involved in appointments and briefings).
- International and Private Entities: UN bodies, African governments, U.S. programs like Prosper Africa, and private sector partners in trade and exchanges.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As an advisory council, it has no enforcement power—recommendations are non-binding, ensuring compliance with existing federal advisory committee laws (e.g., no compensation limits costs). Funding uses current appropriations, avoiding new spending mandates.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign affairs and executive powers for policy advice; promotes equal protection by advancing equity for underserved groups without favoring political affiliations.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan input through congressional consultations, potentially fostering cross-party support for diaspora engagement. It highlights U.S. commitment to racial equity and global African issues, which could influence domestic inclusion debates and international perceptions of U.S. diversity policies.
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 (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- African Diaspora Council Act — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (5 pages)