PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 468.
Congressional Research Service
Version 80 · Reported to Senate without amendment · May 17, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2017
This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) submit to Congress a U.S. strategy and implementing plan for combating sexual exploitation and abuse in U.N. peacekeeping operations, and (2) designate a country as a "peacekeeping abuse country of concern" if indications are that personnel from its U.N. peacekeeping contingent have engaged in acts of sexual exploitation. The State Department may withhold specified assistance from a foreign security unit that has engaged in such acts.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall conduct a study of the formula and methods by which the U.N. assesses member states for financial support to peacekeeping operations.
Not more than 85% of the annual U.S. contributions to the U.N., its agencies, or the Organization of American States may be obligated until the State Department certifies that specified whistle blower protections have been implemented.
U.S. funding may not be made available for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) until the State Department certifies that UNHRC participation is in the U.S. national interest.
Foreign Service administrative provisions are set forth, including provisions regarding: (1) overseas housing, (2) locally employed staff, (3) a lateral entry pilot program, (4) annuitant reemployment, (5) disciplinary action for unsatisfactory leadership during a security incident, (6) a personal services contractor pilot program, (7) limited appointments, and (8) diversity.
The State Department may establish employee exchange programs with foreign government or international entities that permit employees to be assigned to a State Department position.
The bill modifies the passport and visa fee structures.
The State Department shall: (1) conduct a review of all human rights dialogues, and (2) provide each Tier 2 Watch List country with a copy of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report and information pertinent to such country's designation.
The bill expresses: (1) the sense of Congress with respect to foreign cyber security threats, and (2) the sense of the Senate with respect to the release of internationally adopted children from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The State Department may authorize its uniformed guards to protect buildings and areas within the United States for which it provides protective services.
People & committees
Sen. Corker, Bob [R-TN] · R–TN
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 468.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Corker. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Corker. Without written report.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.2937 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.2937 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.2937 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.2937 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.