109th Congress > Senate > Vote 83
Clerk session vote number: 83
Description: To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Bill summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 -
Division A: Foreign Relations Authorizations
- Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 -
Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Department of State
- (Sec. 101) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) international
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organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; (5) centers and foundations; and (6) the Vietnam Fulbright Academic Exchange Program.
Subtitle B: United States International Broadcasting Activities
- (Sec. 111) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for certain U.S. international broadcasting activities.
Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities
- (Sec. 201) Amends Federal criminal law to impose penalties for knowingly and willfully interfering with a Federal law enforcement agent engaged in the protection of foreign officials and Department of State (Department) officials (including their families), foreign missions, and the provision of diplomatic security of U.S. and foreign government operations within the United States or the special maritime territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
(Sec. 202) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary of State (Secretary), if he or she determines an imminent threat against a person, foreign mission, or international organization exists, to issue a subpoena requiring the production of any records and relevant testimony.
(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate Department uniformed guards as law enforcement officers for the protection of buildings and areas within the United States for which the Department is responsible; (2) prescribe regulations for the administration of such buildings and areas (including penalties for violations of such regulations); and (3) designate firearms and explosives training officers as law enforcement officers for the purpose of safeguarding firearms, ammunition, and explosives that are located at, or are in transit to, approved firearms and explosives training facilities.
(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to use grants, cooperative arrangements, or contracts to support: (1) public diplomacy efforts promoting biotechnology for trade and development; and (2) training and technical assistance projects for the protection of intellectual property rights.
(Sec. 205) Authorizes the Department to retain awards of costs and attorneys' fees when defending against international claims (in addition to amounts currently allowed to be retained when it successfully prosecutes a claim).
(Sec. 206) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Department to retain medical insurance reimbursements for employee health care abroad in the year in which they are collected.
(Sec. 207) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 with respect to the no-year Buying Power Maintenance Account.
(Sec. 208) Amends the Diplomatic Security Act to authorize the Secretary to use alternate procedures in lieu of the existing Accountability Review Board to conduct an inquiry for incidents that involve serious injury, loss of life, or significant property destruction at a U.S. Mission in Iraq or Afghanistan. Terminates such alternative authority as of September 30, 2009.
(Sec. 209) Designates the Federal building in Kingston, Jamaica, formerly known as the Crowne Plaza, as the "Colin L. Powell Residential Plaza."
(Sec. 210) Amends the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 to repeal the provision making persons doing business with Libya ineligible for contracts awarded under such Act.
(Sec. 211) Amends the American Institute in Taiwan Facilities Enhancement Act to remove the authorization cap on construction of the American Institute in Taiwan compound.
(Sec. 212) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to extend the Advisory Committee on Cultural Diplomacy through September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to establish a Victims of Crime Office in the Consular Bureau, which shall: (1) provide services to American victims of violent crimes overseas; (2) maintain a data base to track such incidents; and (3) train consular personnel.
(Sec. 214) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary to provide (by contract or grant) for the performance of appropriate museum visitor and educational outreach services, including organizing conference activities, museum shop services, and food services, in the public exhibit and related space utilized by the U.S. Diplomacy Center. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to the disposition of U.S. Diplomacy Center artifacts and materials.
(Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary to provide scholarships for students in the Islamic world to study at U.S. institutions of higher education that are primarily located in the Islamic world in order to: (1) nurture U.S. values and ideals in the Islamic world; and (2) improve mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people in the Islamic world. Authorizes appropriations through FY2009.
Title III: Organization and Personnel of the Department of State
- (Sec. 301) Amends civil service law to: (1) grant an allowance or payment of travel costs to an employee with extraordinary and necessary expenses incurred because of such employee's foreign service for the education of the employee's dependents; (2) grant an allowance for travel expenses to and from a secondary, post-secondary, or post-baccalaureate educational institution, except for the 12 months following the dependent's arrival at the educational institution; and (3) include in such allowances a limited payment or reimbursement for the dependent's baggage storage costs incurred in the annual trip between the school and the employee's duty station.
(Sec. 302) Permits the Department to provide in advance funds available for official residence expenses to those persons currently eligible to receive such reimbursement.
(Sec. 303) Increases from 25 percent to 35 percent of the basic pay rate the maximum limit of post differential and danger pay allowance that may be granted to a Foreign Service employee.
(Sec. 304) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to allow Foreign Service personnel to schedule their home leave after 12 months (currently 18 months) of service at a post.
(Sec. 305) Establishes the Fellowship of Hope Program under which Foreign Service personnel will spend a year working in the foreign ministries of participating European Union (EU) or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries.
(Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary to establish the Security Officers Exchange Program, under which a Foreign Service officer may be assigned for up to three years to a position with the Government of Australia or the United Kingdom if such Government permits an employee to be assigned to a position with the Department.
(Sec. 307) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary to waive certain requirements regarding the termination or reduced payment of an annuity to a Foreign Service employee who is temporarily reemployed in a position for which there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting or retaining a qualified employee.
(Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to suspend a Foreign Service employee without pay when there is reasonable cause to believe that the employee has committed a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment may be imposed and there is a connection between the conduct and the efficiency of the Foreign Service. Sets forth requirements: (1) authorizing the filing of a grievance by the suspended employee; and (2) providing for grievance review by the Foreign Service Grievance Board.
(Sec. 309) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 to require the Secretary to recommend for separation any Foreign Service employee ranked by Department promotion boards in the bottom two percent (currently five percent) of his or her class at least twice in any five-year period (currently for two or more of the five years preceding the enactment of such Act).
(Sec. 310) Authorizes the Foreign Service Grievance Board to retain an employee on the payroll while a grievance is being reviewed.
(Sec. 311) Repeals requirements for the recertification process of Senior Foreign Service employees.
(Sec. 312) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to require the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations concerning retirement credit for certain Government service performed abroad not later than 60 days after enactment of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007.
(Sec. 313) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require that persons entering the Foreign Service must be available to serve worldwide. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement.
(Sec. 315) Requires, with discretionary waiver, specialist limited non-career appointees to have a one-year break in service after completion of a five-year limited appointment before assuming a new limited appointment. Authorizes the Secretary to extend limited appointments upon a determination of exceptional circumstances and the needs of the Service.
(Sec. 316) Authorizes the Inspector General of the Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to establish a personal services contractor hiring program. Terminates program authority as of December 31, 2007, and contract authority as of June 30, 2008.
(Sec. 317) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the President to confer for a six-month duration the personal rank of ambassador or minister upon an individual, provided prior to such conferral the President reports certain information about the individual, including a financial disclosure report.
(Sec. 318) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to revise provisions for living quarters and allowances to U.S. Representatives to the United Nations (UN). Prohibits the Secretary from providing such assistance to an employee occupying self-owned living quarters.
Title IV: International Organizations
- (Sec. 401) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to limit the U.S. share of assessments for post-2004 UN peacekeeping operations to 27.1 percent of the operation's assessed contributions.
(Sec. 402) Authorizes U.S. participation in the Regional Emerging Disease Intervention (REDI) Center in Singapore.
(Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees assessing implementation of the recommendations in the Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations (Brahimi Report).
(Sec. 404) Expresses the sense of Congress that the UN should comply with its commitments to budgetary discipline and management reform.
Title V: Broadcasting Board of Governors
- International Broadcasting Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 - (Sec. 502) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to make funds available for annual grants to Middle East Broadcasting Networks for radio and television broadcasting to the Middle East. (States that Middle East Broadcasting Networks is not a Federal agency or instrumentality.)
(Sec. 503) Amends the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act to authorize the Office of Cuba Broadcasting to use additional AM frequencies, as well as FM and shortwave frequencies.
(Sec. 504) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend Radio Free Asia through September 30, 2015.
(Sec. 505) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to make the International Broadcasting Bureau personal services contracting pilot program permanent, and increase personnel levels to 100.
(Sec. 506) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to authorize the Broadcasting Board of Governors to pay the primary and secondary education costs of dependents of personnel stationed in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including certain transportation costs, if the Board determines that the schools available in the Commonwealth are unable to provide an adequate education. Limits such payments to amounts similarly permitted to Department of Defense (DOD) dependents' educational expenses in the Commonwealth.
(Sec. 507) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include the Broadcasting Board of Governors among the organizations eligible to utilize (H-1B visa) temporary workers without regard to the cap on such entrants.
Title VI: Consular Authorities
- (Sec. 601) Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 with respect to the authorities of the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the transit without visa program.
(Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should negotiate reciprocity agreements with foreign countries on extending student and scholar visas to four years, and permitting multiple U.S. entry by a foreign student or scholar.
Requires the Secretary to report on measures to enhance foreign student access and related issues.
Title VII: Reconstruction and Stabilization
- Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2005 - (Sec. 702) States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the development, as a core mission of the Department and USAID, of an expert civilian response capability to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities in a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife.
(Sec. 704) Expresses the sense of Congress respecting specified steps to improve stabilization and reconstruction activities.
(Sec. 705) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance and permit the export of goods and services to assist in stabilizing and reconstructing a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife. Authorizes: (1) $100 million for such assistance; and (2) appropriations as necessary to replenish such initial authorization.
(Sec. 706) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary to establish within the Department an Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, to be headed by a Coordinator. Sets forth Office functions, including: (1) monitoring political and economic instability, and planning for stabilization and reconstruction responses: (2) developing interagency coordination; (3) identifying appropriate State, local, and private sector personnel; and (4) coordinating joint military-civilian planning.
(Sec. 707) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of USAID, to establish a Response Readiness Corps (up to 250 personnel to serve in the Corps, and such other personnel as the Secretary may designate from the Department and USAID) to provide stabilization and reconstruction activities in foreign countries or regions that are in, or are in transition from, conflict or civil strife; and (2) the Secretary to establish a Response Readiness Reserve of Federal and non-Federal personnel to augment the Corps. Directs the Secretary to report on efforts to establish the Response Readiness Corps and the Response Readiness Reserve.
(Sec. 708) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army, to establish a stabilization and reconstruction curriculum for use in programs of the Foreign Service Institute, the National Defense University, and the United States Army War College.
(Sec. 709) States that service in stabilization and reconstruction operations overseas, membership in the Response Readiness Corps, and education and training in the stabilization and reconstruction curriculum should be considered among the favorable factors for promotion of employees of executive agencies. Authorizes the creation of incentives and benefits to recognize and reward participants.
(Sec. 710) Sets forth personnel provisions.
(Sec. 711) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for personnel, education and training, equipment, and travel costs.
Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions and Reporting Requirements -
(Sec. 801) Amends the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 to require an annual (currently semi-annual) embassy construction and security report.
(Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary to implement a foreign student fellowship program for multidisciplinary training in nonproliferation issues at accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. Obligates program funds.
(Sec. 803) Amends the Case-Zablocki Act to require: (1) that texts of international agreements other than treaties be provided to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on International Relations (currently to Congress); and (2) an annual report be submitted by the Secretary (currently by the President).
(Sec. 804) Amends the the Diplomatic Security Act to require the Secretary to submit Accountability Review Board program recommendations to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on International Relations.
(Sec. 805) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to direct the Secretary, within 60 days after the enactment of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007, to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to U.S. efforts to promote Israel's diplomatic relations with other countries.
(Sec. 806) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should continue to press for full membership for the Magen David Adom Society in the International Red Cross Movement.
(Sec. 807) Prohibits the expenditure of funds under this division for: (1) the operation of any U.S. consulate or diplomatic facility in Jerusalem that is not under the supervision of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel; and (2) the publication of any official U.S. document that lists countries, including Israel, and their capital cities unless the publication identifies Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
(Sec. 808) Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to extend through FY2007 the authorization of appropriations for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
(Sec. 809) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding: (1) the December 2004 terrorist attack in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and (2) participation of women in elections in Saudi Arabia.
(Sec. 811) Directs the Secretary to formulate a comprehensive three-year strategy to combat international terrorism in West Africa.
Division B: Foreign Assistance Authorizations
- Foreign Assistance Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007
- Title XXI: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Development Assistance and Related Programs Authorizations
- (Sec. 2101) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for: (1) development assistance; and (2) the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, including family planning and HIV and malaria and tuberculosis programs.
(Sec. 2103) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide loans and partial loan guarantees to private lenders in developing countries. Gives priority to guarantees that limit U.S. financial exposure. (Limits maximum U.S. exposure to 70 percent of the risk of any one project, and loans made or guaranteed to any single country or borrower to $100 million.)
Establishes in the Treasury the Development Credit Authority Program Account.
Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for administrative expenses.
(Sec. 2104) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for the Department of the Treasury's technical assistance program to foreign governments and foreign central banks in developing or transitional countries.
(Sec. 2105) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for voluntary contributions to international organizations and programs.
(Sec. 2106) Extends the availability of certain U.S. funds withheld from international organizations until the end of the following fiscal year for which such funds were appropriated.
(Sec. 2107) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for international disaster and famine assistance.
(Sec. 2108) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for transition and development assistance, including assistance to: (1) develop democratic institutions and processes; (2) revitalize basic infrastructure; and (3) foster peaceful conflict resolution.
(Sec. 2109) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for assistance to the Independent States of the former Soviet Union, and for assistance to such States under the FREEDOM Support Act. Obligates funds for birth defects surveillance and folic acid wheat fortification projects in Ukraine and the other Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
(Sec. 2110) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for assistance to Eastern Europe and the Balkans under the Support for East European Democracy Act of 1989 and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(Sec. 2111) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for: (1) USAID; and (2) the Office of Inspector General of USAID.
(Sec. 2112) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for USAID capital investment funds.
(Sec. 2113) Amends the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for activities under such Act.
(Sec. 2114) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for debt relief under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998, poorest country debt reduction, bilateral Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt reduction, and the HIPC Trust Fund administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank).
(Sec. 2115) Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize Peace Corps appropriations through FY2007.
(Sec. 2116) Authorizes specified FY2006 Economic Support Funds for the Middle East Partnership Initiative.
(Sec. 2117) States that the President should establish an inter-agency avian flu task force. Authorizes specified FY2006 International Famine and Disaster Assistance for avian flu prevention and response efforts.
Subtitle B: Counternarcotics, Security Assistance, and Related Programs Authorizations
- (Sec. 2121) Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for: (1) international narcotics control and law enforcement assistance; and (2) the Andean Counterdrug Initiative.
Provides funds for Colombia to: (1) support a campaign against narcotics trafficking and terrorist activities; and (2) protect human health and welfare in emergency circumstances. Conditions such assistance upon: (1) limitations on U.S. personnel levels and combat prohibitions; and (2) human rights practices.
(Sec. 2122) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for the Economic Support Fund (ESF).
Amends the Security Assistance Act of 2000 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 ESF appropriations for: (1) Israel; and (2) Egypt.
(Sec. 2123) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training; and (2) voluntary peacekeeping operations.
(Sec. 2125) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related assistance.
(Sec. 2126) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for the foreign military financing program.
Amends the Security Assistance Act of 2000 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 military financing appropriations for: (1) Israel; and (2) Egypt.
Subtitle C: Independent Agencies Authorizations
- (Sec. 2131) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for the Inter-American Foundation.
(Sec. 2132) Amends the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1980 to authorize FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for the African Development Foundation.
Title XXII: Amendments to General Foreign Assistance Authorities - Subtitle A: Foreign Assistance Act Amendments and Related Provisions
- (Sec. 2201) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to urge the U.S. development assistance program to take maximum advantage of the increased participation of U.S. private enterprises and citizens in funding international development activities.
(Sec. 2202) States that: (1) restrictions on assistance to a country are not to be construed to bar assistance provided through nongovernmental organizations using funds provided for development assistance, assistance for Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and ESF assistance; and (2) such authority may not be used to furnish assistance through nongovernmental organizations to a central government.
(Sec. 2203) Authorizes unanticipated contingency fund authority to be made available to carry out the Arms Export Control Act. Increases such authority's annual ceiling from $25 million to $50 million.
(Sec. 2204) Authorizes the Secretary to receive lethal excess property from other U.S. agencies in order to provide such property to foreign governments. Requires the Secretary to notify Congress before obligating funds for such property.
(Sec. 2205) States that international disaster assistance may be used for reconstruction and famine assistance.
(Sec. 2206) Makes permanent specified funding authorities for assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
(Sec. 2207) Eliminates the pre-1985 delivery date provision with respect to the President's authority to waive the requirement that net proceeds resulting from the disposal of defense articles provided to a foreign country on a grant basis be paid to the United States.
(Sec. 2208) Extends through FY2007 the President's authority to transfer excess items to the Department of Defense War Reserve Stockpile.
(Sec. 2209) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to waive certain restrictions on economic support funds for southern Lebanon.
(Sec. 2210) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal geographic restrictions on the Administration of Justice program. Eliminates: (1) the sunset provision; and (2) the funding ceiling.
(Sec. 2211) Authorizes: (1) the peacekeeping program to include demining programs; (2) the Department and USAID to dispose of demining equipment on a grant basis in foreign countries; (3) the President to assist innovative programs to educate children in Afghanistan and other affected areas about the dangers of landmines; and (4) additional FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for such activities.
(Sec. 2212) Revises the President's special waiver authority.
(Sec. 2213) Makes the prohibition on assistance for countries in default applicable only to aid to governments, and extends from six months to 12 months the default period preceding such cutoff.
(Sec. 2214) Prohibits assistance under this Act or the Arms Export Control Act to countries whose elected head of government is deposed by decree or military coup, unless the President determines that assistance is in the U.S. national interest.
(Sec. 2215) Directs the President to designate the particular position within USAID for which any individual is being nominated.
(Sec. 2216) Specifies limited exceptions to the requirement for congressional notification of program changes.
(Sec. 2217) Authorizes the extension at any time for up to five years of contracts or agreements which entail the commitment or expenditure of funds made available under the Foreign Assistance Act.
(Sec. 2218) Extends arbitration and claims settlement authority for investment guarantee operations to cover claims arising from other activities carried out under Foreign Assistance Act, and to include alternative dispute resolution procedures.
(Sec. 2219) Allows the procurement of passenger motor vehicles without specified restrictions in current law. Repeals: (1) the ten-year limitation on leases; (2) the $6 million limitation on the acquisition or construction of living and office space overseas for U.S. Government personnel; and (3) the $2.5 million limitation on the provision of assistance for schools for dependents of U.S. Government personnel.
(Sec. 2220) Authorizes the use of law enforcement assistance: (1) for a region, district, municipality, or other subnational entity emerging from instability; (2) to combat corruption; (3) to combat trafficking in persons; and (4) to provide human rights, rule of law, and other related training. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the limitations on such assistance on a case-by-case basis if in the national interest.
(Sec. 2221) Authorizes the President to forgive certain debts owed by the poorest countries to the United States.
(Sec. 2222) Expresses the sense of Congress in support of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.
(Sec. 2223) Authorizes the Secretary to support public-private partnerships for landmine clearance programs through grant or cooperative agreement.
(Sec. 2224) Authorizes the Secretary to designate an appropriate private nonprofit organization as the Middle East Foundation, to be funded through the Middle East Partnership Initiative. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement requiring the Foundation to make grants to projects that support specified purposes related to democratic development. Authorizes the Foundation to make a grant to an institution of higher education in the Middle East to create a Center for Public Policy.
(Sec. 2225) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Department to establish a searchable Internet database consisting of all the unclassified U.S. military assistance report information currently available in the printed version of the report.
(Sec. 2226) Amends the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to make permanent the requirement that up to ten percent of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funding be available for countries that initially fail to meet eligibility requirements.
Subtitle B: Arms Export Control Act Amendments and Related Provisions
- (Sec. 2231) Amends the Arms Export Control Act with respect to: (1) thresholds for advance notice to Congress of sales or upgrades of defense articles, design and construction services, and major defense equipment; (2) the requirement for advance notice to Congress of comprehensive export authorizations; and (3) authorization of the President to provide cataloging data and services to non-NATO countries.
(Sec. 2234) Authorizes permanent waiver authority under the FREEDOM Support Act with respect to certain conditions of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
(Sec. 2235) Extends the waiver of foreign assistance restrictions for Pakistan relating to coups and loan defaults through FY2006.
(Sec. 2236) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2003 to provide for consolidation of reports on nuclear and missile nonproliferation in South Asia.
(Sec. 2237) Makes Haiti eligible to purchase defense articles and services for its Coast Guard.
(Sec. 2238) Conditions the release of any FY2006 funds for Indonesia under the foreign military financing program or the international military education and training program upon certification by the President that the Government of Indonesia and the Indonesian armed forces are taking effective measures to investigate the attack on U.S. citizens in Indonesia on August 31, 2002, and to prosecute the responsible individuals.
Title XXIII: Radiological Terrorism Security
- Radiological Terrorism Security Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2303) Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the preparations made at U.S. diplomatic missions to detect and mitigate a radiological attack; (2) the Secretary's priorities for improving radiological security and consequence management at U.S. missions; and (3) the missions where such improvement is most important.
(Sec. 2304) Authorizes the Secretary to assist foreign countries, or to propose that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assist foreign countries, in the development of appropriate national radioactive material hazard response plans and the training of first responders.
(Sec. 2305) Authorizes FY2006 appropriations for activities under this title.
Title XXIV: Global Pathogen Surveillance -
Global Pathogen Surveillance Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2404) Requires that priority for U.S. assistance under this Act be given to eligible developing countries that permit personnel from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases on their territories; (2) provide early notification of disease outbreaks; and (3) provide pathogen surveillance data to appropriate U.S. agencies in addition to international health organizations.
(Sec. 2405) Prohibits any foreign national participating in programs under this Act from having access, during the course of such participation, to select agents that may be used as, or in, a biological weapon, except in a supervised and controlled setting.
(Sec. 2406) Establishes a program under which the Secretary shall award fellowships to eligible nationals to pursue: (1) graduate courses of study leading to a master of public health degree with a concentration in epidemiology from an institution of higher education in the United States with a Center for Public Health Preparedness; or (2) advanced public health training in epidemiology to be carried out at CDCP (or an equivalent State facility) or other Federal facility (excluding DOD or United States National Laboratories), for a period of between six and 12 months. Allows each fellowship recipient to study at CDCP (or an equivalent facility) the diagnosis and containment of bioterrorism agents.
Requires recipients to return to their countries of nationality or last habitual residence (so long as it is an eligible developing country) and complete at least four years of public health employment in the government, a not-for-profit entity, or, with the Secretary's approval, in an international health organization. Allows the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis and if in the U.S. national interest, to provide for program participation by U.S. citizens who agree to work at least five years in a public health position in an eligible developing country or an international health organization.
(Sec. 2407) Directs the Secretary to support training courses outside the United States for laboratory technicians and other public health personnel from eligible developing countries in: (1) laboratory techniques relating to the identification, diagnosis, and tracking of pathogens responsible for possible infectious disease outbreaks; and (2) techniques of syndrome surveillance reporting and rapid analysis of syndrome information using Geographic Information System (GIS) and other Internet-based tools.
(Sec. 2408) Authorizes the President to assist eligible developing countries to purchase and maintain non-military public health laboratory equipment and related communications equipment and information technology.
(Sec. 2410) Authorizes a Federal agency head, upon the request of a U.S. chief of diplomatic mission or an international health organization, and with the Secretary's concurrence, to assign to the respective U.S. mission or organization any public health officer or employee of the agency for the purpose of enhancing disease and pathogen surveillance efforts in developing countries.
(Sec. 2411) Directs CDCP and DOD to: (1) increase laboratory personnel in eligible developing countries that conduct infectious disease research and related activities; and (2) expand laboratory operations, especially on-site training and regional outreach efforts.
(Sec. 2412) Authorizes: (1) the President to provide assistance to enhance the surveillance and reporting capabilities for WHO and existing regional health networks, and to develop new regional health networks; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish new country or regional Foreign Epidemiology Training Programs in eligible developing countries.
(Sec. 2413) Authorizes and allocates FY2006 appropriations for this title.
Title XXV: Reporting Requirements and Other Matters - Subtitle A: Elimination and Modification of Certain Reporting Requirements
- (Sec. 2501) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Act, 1994 to repeal the requirement for an annual report on steps taken by the governments of Eurasia concerning violations of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of other Eurasian states.
(Sec. 2502) Authorizes the Secretary to consolidate annual reports on certain activities in Colombia with another annual report required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(Sec. 2503) Changes the due date of the annual foreign military training report to Congress from January 31 to March 1 and limits the content to military training provided during the previous fiscal year.
(Sec. 2504) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to combine two required annual human rights reports on the status of the Government of Haiti's investigations and prosecution of certain extrajudicial and political murders.
Subtitle B: New Reports and Other Matters
- (Sec. 2511) Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to require the Verification and Compliance Bureau of the Department to provide compliance analysis of other formal commitments (in addition to arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements) under such Act. Revises requirements for annual reports on objectives and negotiations and on Chemical Weapons Convention compliance.
(Sec. 2512) Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 funds to be made available to support the independent media in Ethiopia.
(Sec. 2513) Authorizes FY2006 funds to be made available to support justice and reconciliation mechanisms in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
(Sec. 2514) States that specified FY2006 funds should be made available to Haiti.
(Sec. 2515) States that specified FY2006-FY2007 funds may be made available for the Global Peace Operations Initiative. Sets forth eligibility criteria. Expresses the sense of Congress respecting local consultations and monitoring.
(Sec. 2516) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to make eligible for assistance from the Combat HIV/AIDS Globally Fund Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic.
(Sec. 2517) Repeals specified provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(Sec. 2518) Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to authorize the President to consolidate or combine specified reports and submissions.
(Sec. 2519) Makes technical corrections to specified foreign assistance laws.
(Sec. 2520) Directs the Secretary to report on Haiti, including the following: (1) a FY2006-FY2007 stabilization and reconstruction plan; and (2) descriptions of U.S. activities to assist in the establishment of democracy and the rule of law, the development of economic, health, education, and employment activities, disarmament of illegally armed forces and the reform of the Haitian National Police, support of free elections, and strategies to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
(Sec. 2521) States that it should be U.S. policy to formulate a joint statement with other donor countries that are providing tsunami relief and reconstruction assistance in Aceh, Indonesia, that calls for the provision of such assistance to be: (1) equitably distributed throughout the impacted areas of Indonesia; and (2) used to strengthen the negotiations between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement.
(Sec. 2522) Requires a report on procurement of antiretroviral drugs under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Title XXVI: Safe Water:
Safe Water: Currency and Peace Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2603) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide: (1) assistance, including health information and education, to advance good health and promote economic development by improving the safety of water supplies, expanding access to safe water and sanitation, promoting sound water management, and promoting better hygiene; and (2) such assistance (including well drilling and maintenance) using local currency payments under title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
(Sec. 2604) Authorizes the President to establish a five-year clean water infrastructure development program. Provides for: (1) congressional consultation; (2) partial loan guarantee assistance; and (3) priority to projects sponsored by or significantly involving U.S. small businesses or cooperatives.
(Sec. 2605) Directs the Secretary to implement a foreign assistance strategy to promote economic development by expanding access to safe water and sanitation, promoting sound water management, and improving hygiene.
(Sec. 2606) Authorizes FY2006-FY2011 appropriations.
Title XXVII: Protection of Vulnerable Populations During Humanitarian Emergencies
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Subtitle A: Program and Policy Coordination -
Protection of Vulnerable Populations During Humanitarian Emergencies Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2711) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a comprehensive strategy for the protection of vulnerable populations, especially women and children, who are affected by a humanitarian emergency; and (2) designate an individual within the Department or USAID as the coordinator for such efforts.
Subtitle B: Prevention and Preparedness
- (Sec. 2722) Authorizes USAID to establish a fellowship program to increase USAID expertise in carrying out protective activities of vulnerable populations, especially women and children, affected by a humanitarian emergency.
Subtitle C: Protection of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
- (Sec. 2731) Prohibits certain Department or USAID funds for refugees or internally displaced persons to be provided to a primary grantee or contractor unless the grantee or contractor has adopted a code of conduct that is consistent with the six core principles recommended by the United Nations Interagency Standing Committee.
Directs the coordinator to seek to provide health services to vulnerable populations, including: (1) prevention of sexual violence; (2) reduction of HIV transmission; (3) provision of obstetric care; and (4) integrating women's health services into the primary health care services provided during a humanitarian emergency.
(Sec. 2733) Amends the Microenterprise for Self-Reliance Act of 2000 to seek to extend microcredit program availability to vulnerable populations.
(Sec. 2734) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include the protection of vulnerable populations within military education and training.
(Sec. 2735) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the UN should strengthen the ability of its Department of Peacekeeping Operations to protect civilians, especially women and children, from sexual exploitation by peacekeeping personnel; and (2) the Secretary should consider suspending military assistance to countries that do not follow up on allegations that their troops engaged in sexual exploitation while deployed as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.
Subtitle D: Protection of Vulnerable Populations Affected by a Humanitarian Emergency -
(Sec. 2741) Encourages the U.S. representative to the World Bank to make sure that women and children who were forced to serve with armed combatants get a benefit package as part of World Bank post-conflict demobilization programs similar to those given to the men who are disarming.
Directs the Secretary to report on Department and USAID training programs to improve accountability for gender-based violence.
(Sec. 2742) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance for programs to protect vulnerable populations during humanitarian emergencies.
Title XXVIII: Conventional Arms Disarmament
- Conventional Arms Disarmament Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2803) States that it is U.S. policy to assist foreign governments in safeguarding or eliminating stocks of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), other conventional weapons, and tactical missile systems that pose a proliferation, local or regional security, or humanitarian threat.
(Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out an accelerated global program to secure or eliminate stocks of MANPADS, other conventional weapons, tactical missile systems, and related equipment and facilities that pose a proliferation threat.
(Sec. 2805) Redesignates the Department Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement as the Office of Conventional Arms Threat Reduction, and directs the Office to formulate policy on conventional arms threat reduction and plan and administer arms reduction programs.
(Sec. 2806) Directs the Secretary to report on conventional arms threat reduction.
(Sec. 2807) States that: (1) a specified minimum amount of funds for FY2006 should be made available to secure or eliminate stocks of MANPADS, other conventional weapons, tactical missile systems, and related equipment and facilities; and (2) not more than a specified amount of such funds may be obligated until the Secretary submits the conventional arms threat reduction report.
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Bill titles: An original bill to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and international broadcasting activities for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for the Peace Corps for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for foreign assistance programs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and for other purposes.
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
