Congressional Office for International Leadership Accountability and Reform Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8139
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-14T13:35:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Congressional Office for International Leadership Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 (H.R. 8139) rewrites the charter for the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), a legislative branch office. Its goal is to help Congress build nonpartisan connections with up-and-coming political, civic, and professional leaders from certain foreign countries through exchange programs and direct discussions on U.S. foreign policy and other issues.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Missions: COIL supports Congress by running exchange programs and facilitating "grassroots diplomacy" (informal, community-level talks) with leaders from "eligible foreign states" (countries chosen by COIL's Board).
- Board of Trustees: 12 members oversee COIL, including:
- 4 lawmakers (2 from House, 2 from Senate, appointed by party leaders).
- Chairs and ranking members of House Administration and Senate Rules committees.
- 4 private citizens with relevant expertise, appointed by the Executive Director (with committee approval).
- 3-year renewable terms; unpaid but reimbursed for expenses.
- Leadership and Staff:
- Executive Director (6-year renewable term, max pay at Executive Schedule Level III) appointed/removed by House/Senate leaders based on Board committee recommendation; must operate without partisan bias.
- Deputy Director appointed similarly; staff capped at GS-15 pay levels.
- Operations:
- Board designates eligible countries, with 90-day notice to appropriations subcommittees.
- Accepts donations, enters contracts (with Board approval), hires experts, and receives Library of Congress support (billed to COIL).
- Annual audited financial reports to congressional committees; Comptroller General oversight.
- Grant Program: Awards quarterly grants to U.S. government/community groups to host up to 3,500 foreign leaders per year (max 30 days each). Covers travel, lodging, and admin costs. Requires applications, event notices to lawmakers, and annual reports.
- Funding: "Congressional Office for International Leadership Fund" in U.S. Treasury, funded by appropriations, donations, and grants.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This fully replaces Section 313 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 1151), introducing:
- New bipartisan Board structure with private members and defined terms.
- Formal grant program with participant caps, reporting, and Board review.
- Stricter nonpartisan rules, detailed appointment/removal processes, and financial audits/reporting.
- Treasury fund and Library of Congress support; transition rules preserve prior staff, director (up to 6 months), and eligible countries.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases oversight and accountability for COIL; Library of Congress handles admin (cost-recovered); congressional committees get regular reports/notices.
- Citizens and Communities: U.S. groups/communities host foreign leaders, promoting local diplomacy; lawmakers notified of local events.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S. ties with emerging leaders from select countries via structured exchanges, potentially influencing foreign policy views.
- COIL Operations: More funding flexibility (donations/grants) but with caps and audits to prevent overuse.
Main Stakeholders
- Congress: Members (notified of events), leadership (appoints director), and oversight committees (House Administration, Senate Rules/Appropriations).
- COIL Staff/Board: Executive Director, personnel, and trustees.
- U.S. Organizations: Grant recipients hosting programs.
- Foreign Leaders: Up to 3,500 annually from eligible states.
- American Public: Communities involved in hosting/exchanges.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Accountability Enhancements: Mandates independent audits, Comptroller General reviews, and nonpartisan operations, reducing risks of misuse (e.g., partisan activities or financial opacity).
- Bipartisan Safeguards: Balanced Board/leadership roles promote cross-party consensus; no civil service/political affiliation barriers for key hires.
- Political Neutrality: Explicit bans on partisan bias; Board veto on grants ensures alignment with congressional goals.
- No Major Constitutional Issues: Fits legislative branch powers (Article I); transition provisions avoid disruptions. Potential for political debate on eligible countries or spending, given notice requirements to appropriations panels.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Congressional Office for International Leadership Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (20 pages)