The bill would establish an Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Department of State to lead public diplomacy and information efforts aimed at foreign audiences. It would also establish an Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and maintain that bureau. The bill would authorize an Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications and give that office duties related to foreign-facing communications, media, internet freedom, and opposing censorship.
The bill would direct these officials to coordinate exchange programs, communications, and regional public diplomacy work. It would also repeal a limit on using funds for international expositions and change how certain laws are classified in the United States Code.
The bill focuses on the Department of State’s work with foreign audiences and exchange programs. It does not describe direct changes to services or benefits for individuals in the United States.
The bill says the public diplomacy officials would receive funds needed for their duties in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from amounts authorized for the Department of State. It does not state a dollar amount.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.