H.R. 9087: To direct the Secretary of State to take actions with respect to certain foreign affairs matters.

This bill introduces several directives regarding foreign affairs and the operations of the U.S. Department of State. The main components of the bill are as follows:

1. Prohibition of Certain Maps and Flags

The Secretary of State is prohibited from creating or displaying any map that inaccurately depicts the Gulf of America. Additionally, it establishes that only specific flags may be flown over Department of State facilities, including:

• The United States flag
• The Foreign Service flag
• The POW/MIA flag
• The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag
• The flag of an Indian Tribal government
• The official branded flag of a U.S. agency
• The sovereign flag of other countries

2. Pilot Program on Advanced Technology Acquisitions

The bill allows the Secretary of State to run a pilot program to acquire advanced security technologies through other transaction agreements instead of traditional contracts. This includes:

• Research and development for critical security related technologies
• Prototype projects and production efforts
• Funding arrangements such as cost-sharing and advance payments

Guidelines for the use of these transactions must be developed and made publicly available, ensuring that small businesses can equally participate when practical. This authority will remain in place until September 30, 2031.

3. Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance

The Secretary of State is prohibited from awarding grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or international organizations that do not comply with specific rules published on foreign assistance. These rules aim to:

• Protect life in foreign assistance
• Combat gender ideology
• Combat discriminatory equity ideology

4. Document Requests

The Secretary will ensure that all NGOs receiving grants or contracts can provide necessary documents for auditing when requested.

5. USAID Consolidation

The Secretary of State is granted the authority to reorganize the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), potentially abolishing the agency and transferring its functions to the Department of State. This includes transferring responsibilities to the Office of the Inspector General for oversight of both personnel and programs.

6. Amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

The bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to state that specific provisions regarding unmanned aircraft will not apply to those weighing less than 55 pounds.

7. America First Department of State

The bill establishes a policy that emphasizes putting American interests first in the Foreign Service. The Secretary of State is tasked with creating a training course on these principles which will be mandatory for individuals serving at foreign posts or diplomatic missions, with a start date set to be 30 days after the course is developed.

Relevant Companies

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