District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2565
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-11T18:32:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 2565: District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act
Purpose This legislation seeks to prevent the District of Columbia government from forming or maintaining official partnerships, known as Sister City relationships, with local jurisdictions in foreign adversary countries.
Key Provisions
- Defines "foreign adversary country" by referencing the term "covered nation" in existing federal law (10 U.S.C. § 4872(f)(2)), which generally includes nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- Prohibits the District of Columbia government from entering into any new Sister City relationships with jurisdictions in these countries.
- Requires termination of any existing relationships by the earlier of the agreement's end date or 180 days after the law takes effect.
- Conditions the District of Columbia's access to certain federal funds for liaison and outreach to diplomatic and international communities on certification of compliance with the Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds new restrictions on the District of Columbia's international partnerships that did not previously exist in federal law.
Potential Impacts
- Limits the District of Columbia government's ability to engage in cultural or diplomatic exchanges with affected foreign jurisdictions.
- May require the District to end ongoing partnerships, potentially affecting local programs or events.
- Restricts use of specific federal funds for international outreach activities until compliance is confirmed.
- Could indirectly influence broader U.S. relations with the specified foreign countries by reducing subnational ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The District of Columbia government and its agencies.
- The U.S. federal government, including the President (for certification purposes).
- Local jurisdictions in foreign adversary countries.
- Residents and organizations in the District involved in international exchange programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Exercises Congress's constitutional authority over the District of Columbia as a federal district.
- Ties funding access to compliance, creating a mechanism for enforcement.
- Addresses national security considerations related to foreign adversaries through restrictions on local government activities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (2 pages)