HouseH.R. 10675119th Congress
BUILD with Allies Act of 2026
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10675 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10675
To strengthen critical mineral, energy, manufacturing and technology
supply chains, advance innovation and allied cooperation, enhance
United States technological leadership and competitiveness, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 1, 2026
Mr. Huizenga (for himself and Mrs. Kim) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen critical mineral, energy, manufacturing and technology
supply chains, advance innovation and allied cooperation, enhance
United States technological leadership and competitiveness, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Building United
States Industrial Leadership and Development with Allies Act of 2026''
or the ``BUILD with Allies Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
TITLE I--CRITICAL MINERAL INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Sec. 101. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 102. Establishment.
Sec. 103. Eligibility.
Sec. 104. Notification and briefing.
Sec. 105. Elements.
Sec. 106. Responsibilities of Director.
Sec. 107. Staff.
Sec. 108. International Centers of Excellence for Innovative Critical
Minerals Supply Chain Technologies.
Sec. 109. Digital platform.
Sec. 110. Facilities and infrastructure support.
Sec. 111. Assistance for science and technology cooperation;
limitations.
Sec. 112. Termination of authority.
Sec. 113. Definitions.
TITLE II--EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE
EDUCATION
Sec. 201. Manufacturing revitalization exchange program.
Sec. 202. Implementation coordination assistance.
Sec. 203. Authority to engage in independent consultation.
Sec. 204. Study for future expansion.
Sec. 205. Sunset.
Sec. 206. Definitions.
TITLE III--LIST OF ENTITIES CARRYING OUT MINING INVOLVING FORCED LABOR
OR CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL HARM
Sec. 301. Annual list of PRC entities carrying out mining involving
forced labor, forced child labor, or
environmental harm in certain African
countries.
Sec. 302. Definitions.
TITLE IV--FOREIGN PARTNER PROCUREMENT OF UNITED STATES-ORIGIN CYBER AND
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. United States Technology Procurement Program.
Sec. 403. Office of United States Technology Procurement.
Sec. 404. Expanding necessary technology and related expertise at
United States overseas missions.
Sec. 405. Extending authorization of appropriations for the Regional
Technology Officer Program.
Sec. 406. Preserving market-based competition for cyber and digital
technologies.
Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report.
Sec. 408. Definitions.
TITLE V--UNITED STATES TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MODERNIZATION
Sec. 501. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 502. Expansion of country eligibility.
Sec. 503. Personnel authorities.
TITLE VI--COMBATING CHINA'S UNFAIR AND NON-MARKET-ORIENTED TRADE
PRACTICES RELATED TO THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY
Sec. 601. Statement of policy to counter shipbuilding practices of the
People's Republic of China.
Sec. 602. Strategic ports; United States International Development
Finance Corporation.
Sec. 603. Briefing and report on China Ocean Shipping Company Shipping
Heavy Industry and China State Shipbuilding
Corporation.
Sec. 604. Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space
Affairs.
Sec. 605. Exchange program for shipbuilding industry experts.
Sec. 606. Maritime investigators.
Sec. 607. Allied maritime framework.
Sec. 608. Maritime group of nations.
Sec. 609. International Maritime Organization.
Sec. 610. Definitions.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) secure, resilient, and trusted supply chains for
critical minerals, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and
digital infrastructure are essential to United States national
security, economic competitiveness, and technological
leadership;
(2) these supply chains are increasingly interconnected,
spanning critical mineral extraction, processing, refining,
advanced manufacturing, compute infrastructure, and digital
systems;
(3) deeper coordination between the United States and
allied and partner countries in investment, industrial
capacity, and supply chains development can improve access to
critical inputs and infrastructure and reduce to exposure to
concentrated, coercive, or unreliable supply relationships;
expanded collaboration in critical minerals extraction,
processing, refining, recycling, and substitution technologies
can improve supply resilience while improving resource
efficiency and environmental performance;
(4) joint research, workforce training, and the sharing of
infrastructure, data, and expertise among the United States and
allied and partner countries can accelerate the development of
next-generation materials, semiconductors, mineral processing,
and advanced manufacturing technologies across critical supply
chains;
(5) public-private collaboration involving governments,
industry, academic institutions, and research organizations is
essential to commercializing innovation and scaling trusted
supply ecosystems;
(6) coordination among allied and partner nations in
investment, industrial capacity, and supply chain development
can enhance resilience and reduce vulnerabilities associated
with concentrated or adversarial supply dependencies;
(7) strengthening secure digital infrastructure,
telecommunications systems, and data-driven technologies
alongside physical supply chains is critical to supporting the
full technology ecosystem underlying artificial intelligence
and advanced computing;
(8) ensuring trusted technology ecosystems requires strong
supply chain integrity measures, including transparency,
traceability, and responsible sourcing standards, and
addressing the use of forced labor, child labor, and other
exploitative labor practices in global critical mineral and
related supply chains that undermine market integrity, human
rights, and the security of trusted trade relationships;
(9) workforce development, technical education, and
international exchanges are essential to building long-term
capacity across critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and
emerging technology sectors; and
(10) strengthening secure and trusted technology ecosystems
across critical minerals, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and
digital infrastructure enhances the commercial competitiveness
of the United States by supporting the export of American
technologies and standards to allied and partner markets and
expanding global demand for United States-origin innovation.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) strengthen cooperation between the United States and
allied and partner countries in strategic sectors, including
critical minerals, energy, advanced manufacturing,
telecommunications, and emerging technologies;
(2) promote secure and resilient supply chains that reduce
reliance on foreign adversaries and advance the economic and
national security interests of the United States;
(3) support the exploration, extraction, processing,
refining, recycling, buffer, stock building, and responsible
use of critical minerals and rare earth elements through
international partnerships and public-private collaboration;
(4) advance research, development, innovation, and
commercialization in critical and emerging technologies and
strengthen United States industrial competitiveness by
supporting the development, scaling, and export of United
States technologies standards, and industrial capabilities to
allied and partner markets;
(5) expand workforce development, technical training,
educational exchanges, and capacity-building programs to
strengthen the industrial and technological capabilities of the
United States and its allied and partner countries;
(6) enhance the energy and resource security of allied and
partner countries through diversification, responsible resource
development, environmental stewardship, and efforts to combat
illicit mining, forced labor, child labor, corruption, and
other destabilizing practices;
(7) facilitate strategic investment, financing, and
technical assistance for projects that advance shared economic
and national security objectives; and
(8) strengthen coordination among governments, private
industry, academic institutions, research organizations, and
other stakeholders to enhance collective resilience and counter
malign influence by foreign adversaries.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``allied or partner country'' means a country
specified in section 2350a(a)(2) of title 10, United States
Code;
(2) the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(3) the term ``critical mineral''--
(A) means any mineral on the list of critical
minerals required by section 7002(c)(3) of the Energy
Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(3)) on or after January
1, 2026; and
(B) includes--
(i) Helium-3; and
(ii) Helium-4; and
(4) the terms ``foreign entity of concern'' or ``country of
concern'' have the meaning given those terms in section
10612(a)(2) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)(2));
TITLE I--CRITICAL MINERAL INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
SEC. 101. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) critical minerals are essential inputs for a wide range
of advanced and emerging technologies, including energy
systems, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and defense
applications, and continued innovation in their use and
production is vital to United States technological leadership;
(2) innovation in critical minerals extraction, separation,
processing, refining, recycling, and substitution technologies
remains insufficient to meet projected United States demand and
requires accelerated research, development, and
commercialization efforts;
(3) cooperation with United States partner countries
possessing complementary scientific, technological, and
industrial capabilities enhances the ability of the United
States to advance innovation across the critical minerals value
chain;
(4) joint research and development initiatives with partner
countries can accelerate breakthroughs in cost-effective,
sustainable, and scalable approaches to critical minerals
production and use;
(5) allied collaboration in materials science, mineral
production and extraction technologies, mineral processing
technologies, and advanced manufacturing can reduce dependence
on legacy methods and enable the development of next-generation
technologies;
(6) innovation in recycling, recovery, and reuse approaches
for critical minerals presents a significant opportunity to
expand supply while reducing environmental impact and resource
constraints;
(7) the development of substitute materials and alternative
technologies can mitigate reliance on scarce or supply-
constrained critical minerals and enhance long-term
technological resilience;
(8) shared research infrastructure, data, and scientific
expertise among partner countries can improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of innovation efforts related to critical
minerals;
(9) public-private partnerships involving governments,
research institutions, and industry are essential to advancing
innovation and scaling new technologies in order to bridge the
``valley of death'' in the critical minerals sector;
(10) strengthening collaboration among universities,
national laboratories, and private-sector entities across
partner countries enhances talent development and supports a
robust, market-responsive innovation ecosystem;
(11) establishing formal bilateral and multilateral
mechanisms for cooperation in critical minerals innovation
enables sustained, long-term collaboration and more rapid
response to emerging technological challenges;
(12) dedicated funding and streamlined authorities for
joint innovation initiatives reduce barriers to collaboration
and enable more agile development and deployment of critical
minerals technologies so as to accelerate the transition of
technologies in research and development phases to operational
deployment, government integration, and commercial application;
(13) advancing innovation in critical minerals technologies
is essential to maintaining United States leadership in
critical and emerging technologies and supporting long-term
economic and national security; and
(14) activities under this title should be aligned with
existing critical mineral and energy security initiatives.
(b) Regarding the National Science and Technology Council.--It is
the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Director should serve as a liaison to the National
Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on International
Science and Technology Coordination for the purpose of--
(A) determining primary areas of cooperation that
are mutually beneficial to both the United States and
countries and entities participating in the program;
and
(B) when appropriate, creating an action plan to
carry out the implementation of the program; and
(2) in carrying out paragraph (1), the Director and the
National Science and Technology Council are encouraged to
consult, as appropriate, with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and other relevant
scientific and technical organizations to inform the
identification and selection of priority areas of cooperation.
(c) Regarding Coordination With National Defense Technology and
Industrial Base Council.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Department of State, in coordination with the
countries and entities participating in the program, should
submit technologies supported under the program for
consideration to the National Defense Technology and Industrial
Base Council to accelerate the transition of commercial
technologies developed under the program from research and
development to operational deployment, government integration,
and commercial application; and
(2) technologies should be considered by the Council if
they have been--
(A) created through the program and approved for
council submission by the United States and countries
and entities participating in the program; or
(B) determined to be eligible and submitted for
consideration by an allied or partner country.
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Department of State a
program, to be known as the ``Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership
Program'', to support the development and adoption of critical minerals
innovative technologies with countries and entities, through the
establishment of partnerships with such countries and entities, in
order to enhance the national security, support the economic
competitiveness, and diversify the critical supply chains of the United
States.
(b) Director.--The Secretary--
(1) shall appoint an individual to be the Director of the
program, who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary of
Economic Affairs for--
(A) matters pertaining to the administration and
implementation of the program, including coordinating
with the Federal agencies described in section
106(a)(3); and
(B) such other related duties as the Secretary may
from time to time designate; and
(2) if the Secretary determines that it is appropriate, may
appoint the Director from among officers or employees of the
Department of State.
SEC. 103. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Countries.--The Secretary may take into account any
considerations in the Secretary's discretion when considering whether a
country is eligible to participate in the program, which may include
whether--
(1) the country is an allied or partner country listed in
section 2350a(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code;
(2) the Secretary determines that the country is
strategically or commercially important to the United States;
and
(3) the Secretary determines that the country has the
capacity and commitment to participate in the program.
(b) Entities.--The Secretary may take into account any
considerations in the Secretary's discretion when considering whether
an entity is eligible to participate in the program if the entity--
(1) is--
(A) an institution of higher education (as such
term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)));
(B) a nonprofit institution;
(C) a federally funded research and development
center;
(D) a private sector entity; or
(E) a consortia of entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (D); and
(2) is not a foreign entity of concern.
(c) Country Preference.--In selecting countries under subsection
(a) to participate in the program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, give preference to countries that--
(1) are a party to a trade or economic cooperation
agreement with the United States; or
(2) participate in other bilateral or multilateral
initiatives, frameworks, or agreements that are identified by
the President as promoting United States foreign policy,
economic security, or national security objectives, including
normalization agreements, regional integration efforts, or
strategic economic partnerships.
(d) Countries of Concern and Entities.--The Secretary may not
establish partnerships with any country of concern or foreign entity of
concern.
SEC. 104. NOTIFICATION AND BRIEFING.
Not later than 30 days before the date on which a partnership is
entered into with a country or entity under the program, the Director
shall--
(1) consult with and notify the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the proposed partnership; and
(2) provide to the appropriate congressional committees an
in-person briefing regarding the partnership.
SEC. 105. ELEMENTS.
Each partnership instrument with a country or entity participating
in the program shall include the following elements:
(1) Specific objectives that the country or entity and the
United States expect to achieve.
(2) The responsibilities of the country or entity and the
United States in the achievement of such objectives.
(3) Regular, quantitative benchmarks to measure whether
appropriate progress towards achieving such objectives has been
met.
(4) A multiyear plan that--
(A) estimates the amount of contributions,
commitments, and other forms of participation to be
provided by the United States and the country or
entity;
(B) identifies proposed mechanisms to implement the
plan and provide oversight; and
(C) describes how such objectives will be met,
including the role of the private sector or third
countries in the achievement of such objectives.
(5) As appropriate, a description of the current and
potential level of participation of other donor countries or
entities in the achievement of such objectives, including
contributing funds.
(6) As appropriate, a method of dispute resolution, unless
already covered under a related major science and technology
agreement as described in section 504 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 2656d).
(7) As appropriate, a method of intellectual property
allocation, unless already covered under a related Science and
Technology Agreement, with the country or entity.
(8) General terms governing notification of the discovery
of potentially classifiable or otherwise controlled
information, unless already covered under a related Science and
Technology Agreement, with the country or entity.
(9) As appropriate, a process or processes for
considering--
(A) solicited proposals; and
(B) unsolicited proposals by national, regional, or
local governments and private corporations, including,
where applicable, the use of the digital platform
established under section 109 to facilitate submission,
review, and coordination of such proposals.
SEC. 106. RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTOR.
(a) In General.--The Director shall be responsible for--
(1) establishing dialogue with the representatives of
countries and entities participating in the program to--
(A) evaluate proposals submitted through the
digital platform established under section 109; and
(B) recommend joint funding, coordinated
procurement, or other joint efforts, as appropriate;
(2) developing and maintaining a multinational strategy and
roadmaps identifying vulnerabilities, capacity gaps, and
priority investment areas across emerging technology for
critical mineral supply chains;
(3) directing the program, which may include the Centers of
Excellence established under section 108 to issue joint or
coordinated solicitations, including calls for proposals, grant
challenge programs, and co-funded initiatives, to address
cross-cutting challenges, which may include--
(A) identifying high-impact priorities, providing
technical assistance, and identifying priority
innovation, research, and development needs, and in
carrying out such activities the Director shall consult
with, as appropriate--
(i) the White House Office of Science and
Technology policy; and
(ii) the Department of Energy with respect
to the development of National Laboratory
partnerships and identification of priority
critical minerals innovation activities;
(B) aligning with the capabilities, constraints,
and priorities of United States financing agencies, and
in carrying out such activities the Director shall
consult with, as appropriate--
(i) the United States International
Development Finance Corporation with respect to
developing finance support including
feasibility funding, technical assistance,
debt, equity, and political risk assurance for
eligible projects;
(ii) the Export-Import Bank of the United
States with respect to export credit and
related financing for resulting United States
export opportunities; and
(iii) the United States Trade and
Development Agency with respect to project
preparation, feasibility studies, pilot
projects and technical assistance; and
(C) consulting with any Federal department or
agency that the Secretary determines is appropriate,
including--
(i) the National Science Foundation;
(ii) the Department of Defense;
(iii) the Department of Commerce;
(iv) the Department of Transportation;
(v) the National Security Council;
(vi) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(vii) the Department of the Treasury;
(viii) the Department of the Interior;
(ix) the United States Trade
Representatives;
(x) the Environmental Protection Agency;
and
(xi) the Department of Agriculture;
(4) convening and coordinating governments of countries,
international institutions, development agencies, and trusted
industry partners to align technical standards to enable
interoperable technology ecosystems consistent with shared
security and economic interests;
(5) establishing mechanisms to aggregate and coordinate
demand for critical minerals and associated technologies among
domestic agencies, allied governments, and private sector
entities to enhance market certainty, enable long-term offtake
arrangements, and support investment in diversified and secure
supply chains;
(6) articulating and recommending priority project areas
for execution by other relevant Federal departments and
agencies;
(7) serving as the recipient for unsolicited proposals for
projects to be considered for inclusion in any partnership, by
national, regional, and local governments and private
companies;
(8) coordinating safeguards and trust mechanisms,
including--
(A) eligibility criteria for such countries and
entities;
(B) data governance and security protocols;
(C) supply chain transparency requirements;
(D) protections for sensitive technologies; and
(E) create monitoring, reporting and verification
approaches; and
(9) monitoring outcomes and reporting on progress,
including metrics related to--
(A) supply chain resilience; and
(B) deployment timelines.
(b) Contracts, Grants, and Cooperative Agreements.--The Director
may--
(1) enter into contracts for required technical support
related to partnerships with countries and entities
participating in the program; and
(2) make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with
such countries and entities that are designated by the
Secretary as eligible to receive assistance under this
paragraph to increase the administrative and technical capacity
of such countries and entities to facilitate the development
and implementation of the partnerships.
(c) Country Teams.--The Director is authorized to establish at
diplomatic and consular posts ``Country Teams'' with a designated lead
to implement the partnerships with countries and entities participating
in the program.
SEC. 107. STAFF.
(a) Appointments.--The Director may make appointments, without
regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5,
United States Code, of candidates directly to positions in the
competitive service, as defined in section 2102 of that title,
including experts and highly qualified personnel to support deployment,
integration, and commercialization of technology activities, to carry
out the program.
(b) Detailees.--The Director may--
(1) request from heads of relevant Federal departments and
agencies, on a reimbursable basis, the detail of personnel to
the program, who--
(A) shall have relevant sectoral, financial,
technical, or regional expertise; and
(B) shall remain, for the purpose of preserving
such employee's allowances, privileges, rights,
seniority, and other benefits, an employee of the
agency from which the employee is detailed; and
(2) further detail personnel of the program to relevant
Federal departments and agencies that are assisting in carrying
out the program.
SEC. 108. INTERNATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INNOVATIVE CRITICAL
MINERALS SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall seek to establish, within
entities participating in the program, centers which shall be known as
``International Centers of Excellence for Innovative Critical Minerals
Supply Chain Technologies''.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Centers shall be to--
(1) advance the development, demonstration, and deployment
of innovative, responsible, and resource-efficient critical
minerals extraction, processing, and recycling technologies;
(2) strengthen technical, regulatory, and institutional
capacity in countries and entities participating in the
program;
(3) promote transparency, traceability, and adherence to
internationally recognized environmental, labor, and human
rights standards; and
(4) support secure, diversified, and resilient critical
minerals supply chains aligned with United States national and
economic security interests.
(c) Administration.--The Centers shall be administered by the
Director of the Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership Program in
coordination with relevant partner nations and the Federal agencies
listed in section 106(a)(3)(C).
(d) Activities.--The Centers may provide support for--
(1) applied research, pilot projects, and demonstration
activities for innovative extraction and processing
technologies, including low-impact and non-traditional methods;
(2) technical assistance and training to government
entities, academic institutions, and private sector partners;
(3) cooperation among United States entities and country
institutions, including universities, national laboratories,
and industry;
(4) the development and implementation of regulatory
frameworks that protect public health and safety, prevent
significant environmental harm, prevent the use of forced or
child labor, and improve mine site remediation and closure
practices; and
(5) data-driven tools and digital systems to enhance
monitoring and reporting, including with respect to--
(A) supply chain traceability;
(B) operational resource and energy usage
efficiency metrics and lifecycle emissions accounting;
(C) measurements relating to air quality, water
quality, land use, and site remediation;
(D) identification and mitigation risks related to
labor or practices, community impact, or ecological
stewardship; and
(E) promoting beneficiation, value addition, and
the recycling and reuse of critical minerals.
SEC. 109. DIGITAL PLATFORM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain a
publicly accessible digital platform to facilitate participation by
United States entities in activities carried out under the program.
(b) Purpose.--The platform shall--
(1) serve as a centralized clearinghouse of opportunities
for participation in the program, including solicitations,
funding opportunities, pilot projects, and collaborative
research initiatives;
(2) provide a list of priority capability gaps, technical
challenges, and needs identified under paragraph (1);
(3) enable United States entities, including early-stage
companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, venture-backed
firms, research institutions, and consortia, to identify, apply
for, and propose participation in such opportunities for
participation; and
(4) support the submission of both solicited and
unsolicited project proposals on a rolling basis.
(c) Startup and Emerging Technology Engagement.--In carrying out
this section, the Secretary should--
(1) ensure that early-stage and venture-backed companies
are actively considered for participation in partnerships and
funding opportunities;
(2) develop mechanisms, as appropriate, to facilitate
matchmaking between United States entities and partner country
stakeholders, including industry, research institutions, and
government entities;
(3) coordinate, as appropriate, with private sector
investors, accelerators, and innovation hubs to increase
awareness of opportunities under the program; and
(4) as appropriate, consult with--
(A) the United States Foreign and Commercial
Service;
(B) the Department of State; and
(C) the Deal Team Initiative.
SEC. 110. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT.
(a) Authorities Granted.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may obtain by purchase,
lease, concessions, license, grant, donations, or otherwise any
real or personal property, equity interest, mineral right,
infrastructure, facility, or other tangible or intangible asset
that the Secretary determines is necessary to carry out the
purposes of this title, without regard to sections 3324(a) and
(b) of title 31, United States Code, and notwithstanding the
provisions of chapter 91 of subtitle VI of title 31, United
States Code.
(2) Acquisitions.--Acquisitions under this section may be
made in any foreign country or, following consultation with the
Administrator of the General Services Administration, in the
United States. Acquisitions shall be made pursuant to
agreements, including contracts, or other arrangements
consistent with applicable law and, where applicable and
appropriate, with the consent or cooperation of the host
government.
(3) Actions relating to assets.--The Secretary may hold,
manage, operate, maintain, repair, improve, demolish,
reconstruct, or otherwise alter assets acquired under this
section, directly or through agents, contractors, or other
entities, whether corporate or non-corporate, designated by the
Secretary, in a manner consistent with the purposes of this
title. The Secretary of State may sell, exchange, lease,
sublease, license, or otherwise dispose of any property,
interest in property, or other right acquired under this
section, and the proceeds derived therefrom shall,
notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, be applied
toward any purposes authorized by this title or held in a
revolving fund established by the Secretary for such purpose,
as determined by the Secretary. Amounts in said fund shall be
available until expended to carry out the purposes of this
title.
(b) Agreements.--Agreements entered into under subsection (a) may
include provisions to--
(1) support the leasing, licensing, or other lawful use of
land, facilities, or infrastructure within the jurisdiction of
such countries, subject to the consent of the country and
consistent with its domestic laws; and
(2) enable the establishment, construction, operation, and
maintenance of research, development, testing, processing,
refining, recycling, manufacturing, refurbishment, or logistics
infrastructure related to critical minerals and associated
technologies.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to supersede United States law or the domestic law of countries
participating in the program.
SEC. 111. ASSISTANCE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION;
LIMITATIONS.
(a) Assistance for Science and Technology Cooperation.--Chapter 4
of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 536. ASSISTANCE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION.
``(a) In General.--The President may furnish assistance under this
part to allied or partner countries or organizations described in
section 2350a of title 10, United States Code, to advance innovation,
science, and technologies which advance scientific knowledge, enhance
national security, support the commercial competitiveness of the United
States.
``(b) Scope.--Assistance under this section may include financing
for projects that demonstrate, deploy, and scale science and technology
projects related to critical minerals and energy, including--
``(1) advanced extraction technologies;
``(2) processing and refining technologies;
``(3) energy technologies;
``(4) materials science and mineral substitution;
``(5) recycling and recovery technologies;
``(6) advanced manufacturing integration;
``(7) data, mapping, and geological intelligence;
``(8) environmental and resource management technologies;
``(9) biotechnologies;
``(10) fertilizer technologies and innovations;
``(11) pilot and demonstration projects;
``(12) the development, construction, or operation of
shared pilot or demonstration facilities in coordination with
allied and partner countries;
``(13) activities that support the scale-up and
commercialization of technologies, including engineering,
testing, and integration into existing industrial systems;
``(14) partnerships with private sector entities to
accelerate the transition from pilot and demonstration phases
to full commercial deployment; and
``(15) other critical and emerging technologies, or
industry enabling science and technology which pertain to
critical mineral supply chains and that are central to the
economic prosperity, national security, food security, and
global leadership of the United States.
``(c) Administration.--The President shall delegate responsibility
for the implementation and management of assistance under this section
to the Secretary of State.
``(d) Congressional Notification.--Not later than 15 days before
the date on which funds are obligated for assistance under this
section, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives a notification that includes the amount
and nature of the proposed assistance in accordance with the annual
report pursuant to section 634A.''.
(b) Authorization of Transfers.--The Secretary is authorized to
make available, from amounts authorized to be appropriated under the
heading ``National Security Investment Programs'' in Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and
related programs or Acts making appropriations for National Security,
Department of State, and Related Programs (including amounts authorized
to be appropriated to the Economic Resilience Initiative), amounts for
the purpose of establishing partnerships under section 536 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as added by subsection (a)) with allied
and partner countries to promote allied research, innovation, and rapid
deployment of critical and emerging technologies in support of United
States and allied economic and national security.
(c) Consultation and Notification.--The transfer authority provided
by this section is in addition to any other transfer authority provided
by law, and is subject to the notification procedures under section
634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
SEC. 112. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
(a) Termination Date.--The authorities provided under this title
and amendments made by this title shall terminate on the date that is 7
years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Continuation of Existing Agreements.--The termination under
subsection (a) shall not apply to--
(1) any bilateral or multilateral partnership, agreement,
grant, contract, or cooperative agreement entered into before
the termination date; or
(2) any administrative or oversight activities necessary to
close out such agreements.
(c) Use of Funds After Termination.--Funds obligated before the
termination date in subsection (a) may continue to be expended after
such date for the purposes for which they were originally authorized.
SEC. 113. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the head of the
program appointed under section 102(b).
(2) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Critical
Minerals Innovation Partnership Program established under
section 102(a).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.
TITLE II--EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE
EDUCATION
SEC. 201. MANUFACTURING REVITALIZATION EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There is established an international exchange
program to be known as the ``American Manufacturing Revitalization
Exchange Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''),
which shall be administered by the Assistant Secretary for Education
and Cultural Affairs, in accordance with subsection (c), to increase
manufacturing knowledge, training, experience, expertise, and workforce
in the United States.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are the following:
(1) To advance the domestic and foreign policy priorities
of the United States by promoting an international workforce
exchange in manufacturing sectors, including--
(A) robotics;
(B) advanced machinery;
(C) semiconductors;
(D) aeronautics, including space operations;
(E) additive manufacturing;
(F) ship building, including shipping
manufacturing;
(G) energy;
(H) mining;
(I) automotive; and
(J) any other sector the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary of Commerce, identifies as strategically
important or critical and would benefit from the
Program.
(2) To send United States citizens from a trade or
manufacturing background to manufacturing institutions,
sectors, or companies in allied or partner countries that have
entered into trade agreements with the United States to receive
training in manufacturing skills.
(3) To build relations and to connect manufacturers in the
United States with technical institutions and manufacturing
entities allied or partner countries to share best practices
for machine operations, assembly, management, and other skills
and expertise related to manufacturing or supply chain
security.
(4) To assist in developing a robust and skilled
manufacturing workforce in the United States that can support
and fill the gaps within the United States manufacturing
sectors.
(5) To assist in expanding and modernizing the
manufacturing labor force in the United States through
increased workforce training and registered apprenticeship
opportunities.
(6) To reduce reliance on the foreign manufacturing
industry for skilled labor, components, parts, processes,
technology, and products related to national security and the
manufacturing sectors and to enhance the competitiveness of the
United States within the global manufacturing marketplace.
(7) To facilitate innovation with respect to casting,
molding, forming, machining, assembling, additive
manufacturing, and other processes pertaining to manufacturing.
(8) Not to subsidize corporations by funding the workforce
training of persons who are affiliated or have minority
interest in a United States company that has subsidiaries in an
allied or partner country where the program will take place.
(c) Administration of Program.--
(1) Prior consultation.--The Assistant Secretary for
Education and Cultural Affairs shall administer the Program
after consultation with manufacturing industry leaders,
Manufacturing USA, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training, labor
organizations, governments of allied or partner countries, and
United States diplomatic and consular posts located in allied
or partner countries.
(2) Limit on number of participants.--The Assistant
Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs shall select not
more than 10 participants for the Program per year.
(3) Participant selection.--The Assistant Secretary for
Education and Cultural Affairs shall--
(A) select Program participants in accordance with
the eligibility criteria under subsection (d) and in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and
Training, Manufacturing USA, and other manufacturing
groups; and
(B) ensure Program participants come from a wide
range of backgrounds and manufacturing regions in the
United States.
(4) Participant placement.--
(A) In general.--The Assistant Secretary for
Education and Cultural Affairs, in coordination with
the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and
United States diplomatic and consular posts located in
allied or partner countries, shall place Program
participants in a manufacturing sector, institution, or
company approved by the Assistant Secretary for
Education and Cultural Affairs in an allied or partner
country.
(B) Outreach.--To the extent practicable, the
Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs,
in coordination with United States diplomatic and
consular posts, Manufacturing USA, the Secretary of
Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and other relevant
Government agencies, shall conduct outreach to relevant
manufacturing, workers, and workforce training
organizations, as well as relevant manufacturing
companies, higher education institutions, and to
governments of allied or partner countries the
Assistant Secretary determines are likely to produce a
range of qualified applicants to be sent abroad.
(d) Participant Eligibility Criteria.--
(1) Mandatory requirements.--Each Program participant
shall--
(A) have--
(i) trained as an apprentice in a Program-
related manufacturing occupation, job, or
field, as determined by the Assistant Secretary
for Education and Cultural Affairs, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor;
(ii) completed a Program-related trade
curriculum apprenticeship, or an equivalent
registered apprenticeship, as determined by the
Assistant Secretary in consultation with the
Secretary of Labor; or
(iii) enrolled in at least a two-year or
four-year higher education institution, trade
manufacturing institution, or vocational school
and completed necessary pre-requisite courses
and training as determined by the Assistant
Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs,
in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Employment and Training;
(B) be a United States citizen; and
(C) demonstrate proficiency in language skills or
provide a plan to obtain the language skills necessary
to participate in the Program with respect to the
allied or partner country the participant will be
placed in.
(2) Additional considerations.--In selecting Program
participants, the Assistant Secretary for Education and
Cultural Affairs may consider a variety of factors, including
whether participants--
(A) have experience as a manager or supervisor in a
field related to manufacturing;
(B) have experience as an instructor or trainer in
a vocation or registered apprenticeship program;
(C) hold a degree in a field related to
manufacturing;
(D) are in a position at a training program
overseen by a labor organization;
(E) have experience as an administrator in a higher
education institution related to manufacturing; or
(F) hold a faculty position in an institution or
higher education (as such term is defined in section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)) related to manufacturing.
(e) Structure of Program.--
(1) Work plan.--To carry out the purposes described in
subsection (b)--
(A) with respect to Program participants, the
Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs
shall, in coordination with United States diplomatic
and consular posts in allied or partner countries,
Manufacturing USA, and other relevant Federal
departments and agencies--
(i) approve a work plan that identifies the
target objectives for the participants,
including specific duties and responsibilities
relating to those objectives;
(ii) approve the manufacturing sectors,
companies, or institutions in allied or partner
countries in which the participants will
conduct their workforce exchange;
(iii) coordinate and be authorized to enter
into agreements with the Secretary of Labor and
other relevant Government agencies to provide
credentials or recognition of on-the-job
training for participants that align with
manufacturing industry standards upon
completion of the Program;
(iv) ensure that the knowledge, skills, and
processes acquired by the participant are
documented, where practicable, through model-
based work instructions, digital assembly
documentation, other digital manufacturing
knowledge capture platforms, or social media
platforms, and disseminated in a public form to
Manufacturing USA, manufacturing institutions,
and employers upon the participant's return;
and
(v) find ways for students enrolled in a
higher education institution or a vocational or
registered apprenticeship program to receive
course credit after participation, to the
greatest extent possible; and
(B) the participants shall--
(i) participate in pre-travel orientation
and information sessions to learn about the
allied or partner country of destination, the
format of the Program, and the work and
training expected;
(ii) participate in advanced coursework,
research projects, or practical training
opportunities, offered by the host institution
during completion of the Program;
(iii) engage with industry partners and
skilled experts to gain hands-on experience
with respect to best practices in the
manufacturing industry;
(iv) participate in research projects or
practical training opportunities offered by the
host institution during completion of the
Program;
(v) participate in professional development
activities, such as conferences, workshops,
trainings, and seminars, to expand knowledge of
best practices in manufacturing;
(vi) train with a professional skilled
tradesperson who has specialized expertise
related to the manufacturing sector;
(vii) record or track, to the best extent
possible, their experiences and skills learned,
to share with the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, the Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Employment and Training,
Manufacturing USA, manufacturing institutions,
and other relevant Federal departments and
agencies;
(viii) serve as a cultural and workforce
ambassador of the United States, fostering
mutual understanding with the host country's
manufacturing community;
(ix) participate in professional
development activities, such as conferences,
workshops, trainings, and seminars, to expand
knowledge of global best practices in
manufacturing;
(x) build and strengthen networks with
international peers, skilled tradespersons, and
industry professionals to facilitate ongoing
collaboration and knowledge exchange;
(xi) receive, upon completion of the
Program, industry recognized credentials,
certificates, letters of completion, or
equivalents, to mark the completion of training
in the relevant skill or skills developed
during the Program; and
(xii) be recognized, upon completion of the
Program, as alumni and, as such, be eligible to
participate in applicable Department of State
educational and cultural affairs alumni
networks, activities, and professional
development opportunities, subject to the
availability of appropriations.
(2) Program period.--Program periods shall be for a
duration to be determined by the Assistant Secretary for
Education and Cultural Affairs but may not be for a period
longer than 12 months. A one-time renewal for a period not
longer than 6 months may be granted by the Assistant Secretary
for Education and Cultural Affairs in consultation with the
relevant United States diplomatic and consular post and the
government of the allied or partner country.
(f) Exchange Award.--The Assistant Secretary for Education and
Cultural Affairs shall provide each Program participant with a stipend
that is equal to the amount needed for the participant's reasonable
costs during the Program period, which may include--
(1) living expenses, including housing, basic food costs,
and daily transportation;
(2) essential training materials and appropriate safety
equipment;
(3) mandatory visa application, immigration fees, and other
essential pre-departure requirements;
(4) relocation expenses including airline and rail for
Program required travel;
(5) in-country travel allowance essential to travel to
manufacturing sites and institutions and Program related
travels;
(6) health care for participant and dependents;
(7) software licenses, digital training platforms, and
digital tools necessary to participate in trainings and skills
learning; and
(8) other reasonable related costs approved by the
Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Employment and Training.
(g) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of completion of
the Program by the initial cohort of participants, and on an annual
basis thereafter for 2 years, the Assistant Secretary for Education and
Cultural Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate a report providing information on the implementation of the
Program, including--
(1) with respect to Program participants--
(A) background information, including--
(i) qualifications;
(ii) geographical origins; and
(iii) any other relevant information the
Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural
Affairs determines necessary;
(B) the number of participants;
(C) the institutes, sectors, and companies the
participants were placed with;
(D) the type of work training the participants
engaged in;
(E) the types of cultural events and activities the
participants engaged in;
(F) feedback on the Program and lessons learned;
(G) the jobs, vocations, or trades sought after or
obtained after completing the Program; and
(H) feedback from the host institution, industry,
or company about the contributions of the participants;
(2) a description of manufacturing or work placements
selected and their relation to the development of United States
region-specific specialties under the Program;
(3) a plan for factoring in the lessons learned and
acquired skills-based knowledge into Program going forward;
(4) the total amount of funds used in support of the
Program and efforts taken to maximize the efficiency and
effectiveness of the funds used, including encouraging industry
partnerships and support of the program;
(5) any potential legislative recommendations to improve or
enhance the Program to achieve the goals;
(6) post-Program information that includes--
(A) the job, vocation, or trade the former
participant has sought after or obtained; and
(B) a report from the host institution, industry,
or company the participant found placement in, about
the contributions of the participants;
(7) a description of the digital tools, platforms, and
methodologies used to capture and transfer manufacturing
knowledge from host institutions to United States employers and
training programs, and an assessment of their effectiveness;
and
(8) the total amount of funds used in support of the
Program and efforts taken to maximize the efficiency and
effectiveness of the funds used, including encouraging industry
partnerships and support of the program.
SEC. 202. IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION ASSISTANCE.
The Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs, is
encouraged to enter into agreements with allied or partner countries,
and, in particular, in allied or partner countries that have entered
into trade agreements with the United States as well as corporate
entities, and other appropriate organizations to create forms of
assistance for the purposes of supporting and sustaining the
development, implementation, administration the American Manufacturing
Revitalization Program authorized under this title.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN INDEPENDENT CONSULTATION.
In carrying out the program established by section 202(a), the
Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs is authorized
and encouraged to consult, as appropriate, with Manufacturing USA and
other relevant manufacturing, technical, and workforce organizations to
inform the identification and selection of other priority manufacturing
sectors to cooperate with when carrying out the program.
SEC. 204. STUDY FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.
The Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs shall
conduct a study on how to expand and sustain the program established by
section 202(a) in the future so that it builds partnerships with
private sector, manufacturing entities, the Department of Labor, the
Department of Commerce, and labor organizations, which may be conducted
in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce,
Manufacturing USA, relevant Federal departments and agencies, and labor
organizations.
SEC. 205. SUNSET.
This title shall terminate on December 31, 2029.
SEC. 206. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
means the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural
Affairs.
(2) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization''
has the meaning given that term in section 2(5) of the National
Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)).
(3) Manufacturing sector.--The term ``manufacturing
sector'' means to engage in the mechanical, physical, or
chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components
into new products as defined by the North American Industry
Classification System 31-33 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(4) Manufacturing usa.--The term ``Manufacturing USA''
means the program established under section 34 of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
TITLE III--LIST OF ENTITIES CARRYING OUT MINING INVOLVING FORCED LABOR
OR CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL HARM
SEC. 301. ANNUAL LIST OF PRC ENTITIES CARRYING OUT MINING INVOLVING
FORCED LABOR, FORCED CHILD LABOR, OR ENVIRONMENTAL HARM
IN CERTAIN AFRICAN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each year during the
2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees, and make publicly available, including on the internet, a
list of--
(1) each PRC entity that the Secretary reasonably assesses
is carrying out mining, including large-scale mining or
artisanal and small-scale mining, of critical minerals, gold,
or iron in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria,
Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe or other African
countries--
(A) using forced labor;
(B) using forced child labor; or
(C) in a manner that causes environmental harm to a
protected area in the country concerned; and
(2) each mine, mining zone, or concession at which such
mining is carried out.
(b) Development of List.--In developing each list required by
subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall--
(1) use open-source information, including from press
sources and academic, non-profit, and other non-state research
organizations or individual researchers, and information
received, collected, or otherwise obtained by United States
embassies; and
(2) consult with the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau
of International Labor Affairs of the Department of Labor, the
Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, the
Director of National Intelligence, the United States Trade
Representative, and other heads of Federal departments and
agencies, and the foreign country counterparts of such
individuals in the listed countries in subsection (a)(1), as
applicable.
(c) Form.--Each list required by subsection (a) shall be made
publicly available and submitted to the relevant congressional
committees in unclassified form, but the version submitted to the
appropriate congressional committees may include a classified annex, if
warranted.
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Child.--The term ``child'' means an individual who has
not attained the age of 18 years.
(2) Environmental harm to a protected area.--
(A) In general.--The term ``environmental harm to a
protected area'' means any damage to the environment of
a protected area, such as--
(i) contamination of streams, rivers,
lakes, or other bodies of water, including
aquifers, or soil;
(ii) soil degradation or erosion; or
(iii) deforestation.
(B) Protected area.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the term ``protected area'' means any area
designated by the government of the country in which
the area is located country to receive protected
status, such as a national park, game refuge, ecosystem
reserve, or other nature preserve.
(3) Forced labor.--The term ``forced labor'' has the
meaning given that term in section 307 of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307).
(4) PRC entity.--The term ``PRC entity'' means--
(A) an entity under the ownership, control, or
influence of--
(i) the Government of the People's Republic
of China;
(ii) the Chinese Communist Party; or
(iii) a military, intelligence, or
paramilitary entity of the People's Republic of
China;
(B) an entity that is organized under the laws of,
or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of, the
People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and
Macau);
(C) an entity majority-owned, majority-controlled,
or majority-financed by an entity described in
subparagraph (A) or (B); or
(D) a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or contractor
of an entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C), including a joint venture in which an entity
described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) holds a
controlling interest.
TITLE IV--FOREIGN PARTNER PROCUREMENT OF UNITED STATES-ORIGIN CYBER AND
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) foreign government partners are increasingly turning
towards strategic competitors like the People's Republic of
China to procure cyber and digital technologies due to their
low-cost, acceptable efficiency, and associated training and
maintenance;
(2) foreign government partner procurement of cyber and
digital technologies from suppliers aligned with strategic
competitors of the United States poses significant and distinct
risks, including--
(A) supply chain vulnerabilities created by
dependence on strategic competitors whose governments
may compel access to data, networks, or systems,
undermining the cybersecurity and strategic autonomy of
the procuring government;
(B) the erosion of interoperability and alignment
with United States cybersecurity frameworks, standards,
and best practices, reducing the ability of foreign
government partners to operate securely alongside
United States systems and those of United States
allies; and
(C) the adoption of digital governance practices
that are inconsistent with United States economic and
national security interests;
(3) United States foreign government partners consistently
signal strong demand for cyber and digital technologies from
trusted United States suppliers;
(4) United States initiatives such as ``Pax Silica'' should
facilitate technology procurements by building enduring
technology partnerships between foreign government partners and
United States suppliers, including by--
(A) assisting foreign government partners in
navigating regulatory, logistical, and technical
hurdles to cyber and digital technology procurement;
(B) providing foreign government partners with
strategic direction from the United States Government;
(C) incorporating foreign government partner needs
into program development from the outset; and
(D) maintaining long-term engagement with foreign
government partners throughout the procurement cycle of
trusted cyber and digital technologies; and
(5) as the United States seeks to maintain its global
competitive edge in critical and emerging technologies,
including artificial intelligence, advanced telecommunications,
and robotics, it is in the interest of the United States
Government to establish policies and procedures that streamline
foreign government partners' ability to procure trusted and
reliable technologies from the United States and United States
allies and partners.
SEC. 402. UNITED STATES TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be established in the
Department of State the United States Cyber and Digital Technology
Procurement Program (referred to in this title as the ``Program''),
which may support ``Pax Silica'', the ``American AI Exports Program'',
and other related initiatives to achieve the purposes set forth in
subsection (b). To the maximum extent practicable, the Program should
seek to serve as a demand-driven mechanism in response to cyber and
digital technology needs.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program should include the
following:
(1) To streamline foreign government partner procurement of
trusted cyber and digital technologies, including commercial
off-the-shelf technologies, consistent with United States
export control laws and cybersecurity standards.
(2) To establish long-term cyber and digital technology
procurement pipelines with United States providers, including
those that continue after the termination of the Program.
(3) To identify the appropriate United States Government
financing mechanisms to address challenges associated with
affordability.
(4) To provide a comprehensive package to participating
governments that eases the navigation of cyber and digital
technology procurement requirements, address technical and
system complexity, reflects absorptive capacity, and is
compatible with participating government-specific logistical
and export controls, including by--
(A) designing and implementing logistics,
procurement, deployment, and technical knowledge-
transfer plans that enable the participating government
to modernize and secure systems;
(B) promoting clear guidelines for United States
and trusted foreign supplier entry and eligibility;
(C) conducting assessments related to the
participating government's workforce or technological
needs, including any gaps in absorptive capacity,
including--
(i) feasibility studies to identify,
design, and implement the deployment of cyber
and digital technology solutions; and
(ii) sustainability assessments to
determine the participating government's
ability to procure and invest in trusted cyber
and digital technologies, including the ability
to sustain such investments in the long-term;
(D) providing capacity building to ensure that the
participating government obtains the relevant skills
for requirements identification and assessment,
integration of United States technologies into existing
operating environments, research and procurement,
logistics, deployment, and configuration to ensure a
long-term arrangement with suppliers that are
headquartered in, or the ultimate parent company of
which is headquartered in, the United States; and
(E) assisting the participating government in
developing a long-term strategy to procure and budget
for trusted cyber and digital technology procurements,
including beyond the end of the Program's lifecycle.
(5) To assess the risks and tradeoffs of participating
governments adopting cyber and digital technologies from
foreign countries of concern and prioritize participating
governments for outreach efforts based on that risk assessment.
(c) Covered Cyber and Digital Technologies.--In implementing the
Program, the Secretary of State should, in coordination with the
participating government, determine which cyber and digital
technologies, as well as any other cyber and digital technologies
designated by the Secretary of State, to prioritize, including the
following:
(1) Software and its associated subscriptions and
licensing, including--
(A) operating systems;
(B) enterprise management software;
(C) cloud-based storage solutions and compute
access;
(D) industrial control and automation software,
including supervisory control and data acquisition,
distributed control systems, and programmable logic
controller programming environments;
(E) digital twin, simulation, and modeling
software; and
(F) cloud and edge orchestration platforms for
robotic and operational technology device management.
(2) Hardware, including--
(A) processors;
(B) human-machine interfaces and operator consoles;
(C) networking equipment, including switches,
routers, and gateways;
(D) industrial networking equipment;
(E) biotechnology equipment, including genomic
sequencers and related hardware; and
(F) other related technologies.
(3) Cybersecurity products, including--
(A) firewalls;
(B) intrusion detection and prevention systems;
(C) Security Information and Event Management
systems;
(D) threat intelligence and monitoring systems;
(E) endpoint detection systems;
(F) security operations centers; and
(G) secure authentication systems.
(4) Telecommunications equipment, including--
(A) subsea fiber-optic cable and associated
equipment;
(B) cellular equipment, including open radio access
network equipment; and
(C) satellite-enabling infrastructure.
(5) Equipment and related products to enable the adoption
of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, including--
(A) advanced-node integrated circuits, including
advanced logic and memory integrated circuits, and
products containing such circuits;
(B) semiconductor manufacturing equipment and
related subcomponents;
(C) models, including both closed- and open-weight
models;
(D) AI model licenses;
(E) edge AI capabilities, including next-generation
smartphone technology and relevant mobile operating
systems; and
(F) AI model applications.
(d) Annual Review of Covered Cyber and Digital Technologies.--The
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and
other agencies as appropriate, is authorized to conduct assessments on
at least an annual basis to identify the inclusion or removal of
technologies under subsection (c) based on the national security risk
to the United States of a foreign country of concern gaining
significant market share of such technology within an economy that is a
foreign government partner.
(e) Risk Mitigation Requirements.--Before approving a partnership
under the Program, the Secretary of State should--
(1) conduct an assessment of technology misuse and
diversion risks, including--
(A) the participating government's export control
enforcement capacity;
(B) the history of technology transfer to foreign
countries of concern, including permitting remote
access to technology; and
(C) investments by foreign countries of concern in
critical sectors within the country of the foreign
government partner;
(2) establish monitoring and mitigation requirements
proportional to the risk assessed under paragraph (1);
(3) include end-use monitoring provisions in all Program
arrangements; and
(4) coordinate with the intelligence community and the
Department of Defense regarding counterintelligence and
national security risks.
(f) Participating Government Contribution.--For each partnership
with a participating government under the Program, the Secretary of
State should, to the maximum extent practicable, seek appropriate cost-
sharing arrangements with the participating government to facilitate
the government's long-term buy-in and sustained procurements of trusted
cyber and digital technologies.
(g) Additional Interagency Coordination.--In implementing the
Program, to address challenges associated with affordability,
financing, technical evaluations, procurement requirements, and long-
term capacity building, the Secretary of State should, on a case-by-
case basis, coordinate, as appropriate, with the heads of the relevant
Federal departments and agencies, including of the Department of
Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Export-Import Bank
of the United States, the United States International Development
Finance Cooperation, and the United States Trade and Development
Agency.
(h) Use of Funds.--Funds made available to carry out the Program
are authorized to be used--
(1) to provide assistance or financing--
(A) to participating government civilian government
agencies; or
(B) to law enforcement or military agencies, only
if such entities are the owners and operators of the
participating government's civilian critical
infrastructure; and
(2) to develop blended finance mechanisms, co-developed
with the foreign government partner that partners with the
private sector to advance the objections outlined in subsection
(b).
(i) Partner Disqualification.--
(1) Prohibition on the use of funds.--No funds are
authorized to be made available under this title to--
(A) a foreign country of concern; or
(B) any country, entity, or person--
(i) upon which sanctions are imposed by the
President;
(ii) that is an entity or person on the
Entity List maintained by the Bureau of
Industry and Security of the Department of
Commerce and set forth in Supplement No. 4 to
part 744 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations;
(iii) that is an entity on the Military
End-User List (Supplement No. 7 to part 744 of
the Export Administration Regulations);
(iv) any person listed pursuant to section
1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 113 note);
(v) any person listed on the Federal
Communication Commission's Covered List
pursuant to the Secure and Trusted
Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C.
1601); or
(vi) any person listed on the Uyghur Forced
Labor Prevention Act Entity List pursuant to
the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (Public
Law 117-78).
(2) Vetting.--The Secretary of State should vet
participating governments to determine whether there is
credible information that such government--
(A) has committed serious human rights abuses or
engaged in corruption, as defined in section 1 of
Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking the property of persons involved in serious
human rights abuse or corruption), or is determined to
be ineligible for assistance pursuant to section 620M
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2378d); and
(B) uses or is likely to use technologies outlined
in subsection (c) and supported by this title to engage
in--
(i) violations of human rights;
(ii) targeted or bulk surveillance in
violation of rule of law principles or
fundamental freedoms;
(iii) the monitoring of journalists,
activists, human rights defenders, opposition
parties, or political dissidents;
(iv) internet shutdowns or to limit or
control elections or protests;
(v) political censorship or the targeting
and suppression of political speech or
political opponents;
(vi) denial of access to technology or
services based on race, ethnicity, gender,
religion, or other discriminatory factors; and
(vii) acts of transnational repression.
(3) Disqualification.--Any participating government
determined by the Secretary of State to engage in the
activities described in paragraph (2) shall be ineligible for
support or assistance under this title.
(j) Regional Technology Officers.--The Secretary of State should,
to the maximum extent practicable, leverage the Department of State's
Regional Technology Officer Program, pursuant to section 9508 of the
Department of State Authorization Act of 2022 (22 U.S.C. 10305), to
assist United States diplomatic and consular posts to identify
governments to participate in the Program.
(k) Foreign Commercial Officers.--As appropriate, the Secretary of
State should, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, seek to
leverage the Foreign Commercial Officer Program to assist United States
diplomatic and consular posts to identify governments to participate in
the Program.
(l) Congressional Notification Requirement.--Not later than 15 days
before amounts from the Cyberspace, Digital Connectivity, and Related
Technologies Fund established pursuant to section 592 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349cc-1) are obligated for purposes
of carrying out this section, the Secretary of State shall submit
notification of such obligation to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(m) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 2 years, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce,
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that
includes--
(1) a complete list of foreign government partners in the
Program;
(2) progress and results achieved in the previous calendar
year;
(3) the overall amount of purchases or investments each
foreign government partner has made since initial participation
in the Program;
(4) specific cyber and digital technologies acquired by
foreign government partners, including--
(A) the name of the provider company or companies;
(B) the total value of the procurements;
(C) description of the capability; and
(D) how the procured capability addresses the
original request submitted by the government, if
applicable;
(5) next steps for each participating government in its
respective Program pipeline;
(6) any challenges for a government's participation in the
Program, including how those challenges are being addressed;
and
(7) how risks related to technology transfer, if
applicable, are being mitigated.
(n) Sunset.--The Program shall terminate on the date that is 7
years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 403. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT.
(a) Designation of Responsibility.--The Secretary of State may
designate an existing office within the Department of State as, or
newly establish, an Office of United States Technology Procurement
(referred to in this title as the ``Office''), which shall be
responsible for administering the Program.
(b) Personnel.--
(1) Composition.--The Office should be comprised of a
Director, a Deputy Director, and such other staff as the
Secretary of State deems appropriate.
(2) Staffing.--The Office should include personnel with
expertise or experience in performing the following functions:
(A) Grant design and management.
(B) Program monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
(3) Director.--The Director of the Office shall fulfill the
following responsibilities:
(A) Identify, on an annual basis, specific
strategic priorities for the Program consistent with
United States national security priorities and
objectives.
(B) In coordination with the other relevant
officials, select and approve all partnerships with
foreign government partners under the Program.
(C) Conduct oversight, monitoring, and evaluation
of the effectiveness of the Program, including long-
term outcome assessments, to ensure the Program
advances United States foreign policy and national
security interests and to ensure monitoring,
evaluation, and learning results directly inform future
grant decisions.
(D) Ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that
all Program activities are carried out in coordination
with other Federal efforts to promote the United States
technology stack overseas.
(E) Compiling and submitting the list required by
section 402(m)(1).
(c) Special Hiring Authorities.--During the 2-year period beginning
on the date of the enactment of this Act, for the purposes of
supporting the Director in carrying out the responsibilities of the
Office, the Secretary of State may--
(1) appoint up to 10 employees to positions without regard
to the provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 33 of title 5,
United States Code, regarding appointments in the competitive
service; and
(2) fix the rates of basic pay of such employees without
regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such
title regarding classification and General Schedule pay rates,
provided that the rates for such positions do not exceed the
annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level IV
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 404. EXPANDING NECESSARY TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED EXPERTISE AT
UNITED STATES OVERSEAS MISSIONS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, for the
United States Government to successfully implement the Program, it is
vital that the United States recruit and retain the necessary talent to
facilitate such partnerships.
(b) In General.--The Secretary of State should, to the maximum
extent possible, take measures to ensure that United States overseas
missions in countries that are participating in the Program host at
least one full-time personnel with demonstrated proficiency in matters
related to cybersecurity, technology, and other related expertise to
sufficiently carry out the Program.
SEC. 405. EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE REGIONAL
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER PROGRAM.
Subsection (d) of section 9508 of the Department of State
Authorization Act of 2022 (22 U.S.C. 10305) is amended by striking
``2027'' and inserting ``2032''.
SEC. 406. PRESERVING MARKET-BASED COMPETITION FOR CYBER AND DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to
support market-based mechanisms for the export and adoption of United
States cyber and digital technologies abroad, and to oppose state-
directed or state-controlled economic models that risk to displace or
crowd out private-sector competition in cyber and digital technology
markets.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title may be construed
to permit the Secretary of State, in coordination with other relevant
Federal agencies, in carrying out the program established by section
402(a)--
(1) to unduly interfere with, or seek to substitute for,
market-based competition among United States cyber and digital
technology providers;
(2) to condition access to program support on the
acceptance of commercial terms, partnerships, or business
arrangements that United States cyber and digital technology
providers would not voluntarily accept in an arm's length
commercial transaction; or
(3) to require foreign government partners to receive
approval from the United States Government for procurements
from United States cyber and digital technology providers
pursued outside the Program, except as otherwise required by
any other regulations or Federal law.
(c) Cyber and Digital Technology Small Business Owners.--
Notwithstanding subsection (b), in carrying out the Program, the
Secretary of State may provide targeted assistance, including capacity-
building support and the facilitation of foreign government partner
engagement, to United States small businesses and companies that lack
the global reach, existing relationships, or resources to compete
independently in foreign government partner procurement markets,
provided that such assistance does not confer an unfair competitive
advantage over other United States cyber and digital technology
providers.
SEC. 407. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and not less frequently than every two years until the date of the
termination of the Program under section 402(n), the Comptroller
General of the United States should conduct and submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a review of the Program. The
review should include an assessment of the Department of State's
implementation of the Program, including--
(1) the Department of State's capacity to implement the
Program, including personnel and budgetary resources;
(2) whether the Department of State has established the
necessary processes and procedures to successfully achieve the
Program objectives outlined in section 402;
(3) the Department of State's ability to conduct
appropriate monitoring and evaluation of Program
implementation;
(4) any technologies added or removed from the list under
section 402(c) of covered cyber and digital technologies; and
(5) any other elements deemed necessary by the Comptroller
General of the United States.
SEC. 408. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) American ai exports program.--The term ``American AI
Exports Program'' refers to the Department of Commerce-led
initiative to promote the export of American artificial
intelligence technologies to advance America's global
technological leadership.
(2) Foreign government partner.--For purposes of this
title, the term ``foreign government partner'' means an
international organization or the government of a country
(other than a foreign country of concern) approved as a partner
by the Secretary of State.
(3) International organizations.--The term ``international
organizations'' has the meaning given the term in section 1 of
the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288).
(4) Pax silica initiative.--The term ``Pax Silica
initiative'' refers to the Department of State-led diplomatic,
economic security, and supply chain initiative to strengthen
cooperation among the United States, allied countries, partner
countries, industry, and other relevant stakeholders for the
purpose of developing and securing trusted supply chains and
infrastructure necessary for artificial intelligence,
semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and other technologies
determined by the Secretary of State to be essential to United
States national security, economic security, and technological
competitiveness.
(5) Trusted cyber and digital technologies.--The term
``trusted cyber and digital technologies'' means technologies,
including equipment, services, hardware, or software used in
information and communications technology networks, for which
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of
Commerce, has determined--
(A) the provider, supplier, or manufacturer is not
owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of
a foreign country of concern; and
(B) do not pose an unacceptable risk to the
national security of the United States or the security
and safety of United States persons.
TITLE V--UNITED STATES TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MODERNIZATION
SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States Trade and
Development Agency plays a critical role in advancing United States
commercial, energy, digital, and infrastructure interests in priority
emerging markets by supporting early-stage project preparation and
technical assistance and should be authorized to allocate some of its
annual program funds for activities in high-income countries that
directly affect United States economic and national security.
SEC. 502. EXPANSION OF COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY.
Section 661(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2421(b)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Assistance in high-income countries.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Director of the Trade and
Development Agency is authorized to provide funds appropriated
in a fiscal year for assistance under this section for--
``(A) activities described in paragraph (2) in
high-income countries; or
``(B) projects that serve United States strategic
interests in the energy, critical minerals, transport,
or telecommunications sectors.''.
SEC. 503. PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES.
Section 661(c) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 2421(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ``2 may be appointed''
and inserting ``5 may be appointed''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Personal services contractors.--
``(A) The Director may contract with individuals
for personal services, and such individuals may not be
considered Federal employees for the purpose of any
provision of law administered by the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management.
``(B) The Director shall report to Congress each
fiscal year describing the number of individuals
contracted for personal services by the Trade and
Development Agency, the roles of such contractors, and
the costs of such contracts.''.
TITLE VI--COMBATING CHINA'S UNFAIR AND NON-MARKET-ORIENTED TRADE
PRACTICES RELATED TO THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY
SEC. 601. STATEMENT OF POLICY TO COUNTER SHIPBUILDING PRACTICES OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
It is the policy of the United States to eliminate materials
sourced from the People's Republic of China from supply chains
necessary for the production of both commercial and military ships
through a comprehensive effort, in coordination with allied and partner
countries where appropriate, that includes--
(1) relevant knowledge transfer to and skillset development
of a shipbuilding labor force in the United States;
(2) securing direct investment in United States shipyards
by allies and partners; and
(3) the development of a coherent long-term strategy to
diversify shipbuilding supply chains and expand domestic
shipbuilding capacity, incorporating all relevant Federal
agencies and departments.
SEC. 602. STRATEGIC PORTS; UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE CORPORATION.
The Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of
2018 is amended--
(1) in section 1402(3) (22 U.S.C. 9601(3))--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (G)
as subparagraphs (A) through (F), respectively; and
(2) in section 1412(f) (22 U.S.C. 9612(f)), by adding at
the end the following:
``(4) Harbors or ports (as such terms are defined in
section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153))
and related infrastructure.''.
SEC. 603. BRIEFING AND REPORT ON CHINA OCEAN SHIPPING COMPANY SHIPPING
HEAVY INDUSTRY AND CHINA STATE SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION.
(a) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
heads of other Federal agencies and departments the Secretary
determines relevant, shall brief the appropriate congressional
committees on--
(1) companies or entities with formal or informal financial
relationships with--
(A) the China Ocean Shipping Company Shipping Heavy
Industry; or
(B) the China State Shipbuilding Corporation; and
(2) the business practices of such companies and entities.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter for 2 years, the President shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that
includes the following:
(1) A description of each current and former subsidiary of
the China Ocean Shipping Company Shipping Heavy Industry and
the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
(2) Any trading practice of an entity described pursuant to
paragraph (1) that is subject to review by the United States
Trade Representative for being unreasonable, discriminatory, or
violating a trade agreement.
(3) The degree and extent of direct involvement by the
Government of the People's Republic of China in the governance,
strategic direction, planning, and commercial operations of--
(A) the China Ocean Shipping Company Shipping Heavy
Industry;
(B) the China State Shipbuilding Corporation; and
(C) the Chinese shipbuilding industry.
(4) A description of each shipyard in China that is
producing warships for the People's Liberation Army Navy or
producing dual-use commercial ships, including ferries and
barges, that may be used by the People's Liberation Army Navy.
(5) An indication of which such shipyards in the People's
Republic of China are conducting business with foreign entities
and potentially thereby facilitating the modernization of the
People's Liberation Army Navy.
SEC. 604. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND SPACE
AFFAIRS.
Section 9 of the Department of State Appropriations Authorization
Act of 1973 (22 U.S.C. 2655a) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 9. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND SPACE
AFFAIRS.
``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department
of State an Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space
Affairs, who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs for international matters pertaining to space, oceans and
maritime affairs, polar affairs to the extent not inconsistent with
section 2651a(c) of title 22, United States Code, international and
transboundary environmental quality, the Great Lakes region, freshwater
resources and water security, fisheries, wildlife and wildlife
trafficking, conservation affairs, and such other related duties as the
Secretary may from time to time designate.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Assistant Secretary for Water,
Environment, and Space Affairs shall maintain continuous observation
and coordination of all matters described in subsection (a), including,
as appropriate, the following:
``(1) Developing United States policy on global
environmental security issues with respect to oceans,
fisheries, the Antarctic region, waste and global pollution,
water resources and water security and other natural resource
management and conservation.
``(2) Representing the United States in bilateral and
multilateral negotiations involving the law of the sea,
including--
``(A) freedom of navigation, overflight, and other
lawful uses of the ocean;
``(B) maritime security;
``(C) United States maritime zones, including the
United States extended continental shelf;
``(D) marine science;
``(E) the sustainable management and protection of
marine habitats, fisheries, and resources;
``(F) marine pollution; and
``(G) maritime claims and boundaries.
``(3) Leading United States engagement on Antarctica
matters and in international oceans and fisheries management
agreements and conventions with foreign governments and
international organizations to promote solutions that advance
United States national security, economic, and environmental
interests.
``(4) Coordinating the development of policies and programs
to conserve and manage and rehabilitate or restore economically
important ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, drylands,
coral reefs, and terrestrial and aquatic agroecosystems.
``(5) Developing policies and programs to address
international threats to natural resources, such as illicit
trade, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, wildlife
trafficking, illegal mining, and illegal logging and associated
trade.
``(6) Supporting effective resolution of transboundary
freshwater disputes to minimize conflict, promote economic
growth, and protect freshwater supplies through responsible,
science-informed management and shared use.
``(7) Developing and implementing United States foreign
policy related to air, water and soil pollution and risks to
human health and the environment caused by the transboundary
movement of chemicals and waste and other forms of pollution to
promote environmental quality and economic opportunity, with
trade partners and in bilateral and multilateral agreements,
arrangements, and institutions.
``(8) Representing the Department in bilateral and
multilateral engagements including organizations, institutions,
and negotiation of international agreements on issues related
to the matters described in subsection (a).
``(9) Developing policies and programs to secure the supply
of critical minerals and other valuable materials available to
the United States through recycling, recovery, and seabed
mining.
``(10) Developing policies and programs, in coordination
with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as
appropriate, to maintain American space superiority by
supporting partnerships between the United States and
international and private industry partners in the development
of infrastructure and policies that promote economic growth in
outer space, including--
``(A) countering malign efforts by foreign
adversaries and other actors that threaten United
States interests in civil and commercial space; and
``(B) expanding access to foreign markets for
United States commercial industry, including by
encouraging reforms that reduce barriers to trade and
cooperation with United States civil and commercial
space actors.
``(11) Leading bilateral and multilateral engagements
related to civil and commercial space activities, resilient
space services, burden sharing, and other matters related to
international space law and diplomacy and other United States
international obligations and commitments.
``(12) Leading United States Government engagement with
international Global Navigation Satellite Systems providers to
ensure compatibility and encourage interoperability of civil
global navigation satellite services on United States-based
global positioning systems, including through the International
Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
``(13) Leading Department efforts to implement
international arrangements and promote cooperation on Earth
observation satellite systems.
``(14) Leading United States engagement in multilateral and
bilateral forums on international space policy, space law, and
related commercial and civil treaties or agreements.
``(15) Leading Department efforts on transparency in space
by maintaining the official United States space object registry
and promoting best practices for safe operations in space,
preservation of the space environment, space traffic
coordination, and space situational awareness.
``(16) Leading United States efforts to align foreign space
law, regulatory, and policy frameworks with United States-
endorsed models, approaches, and best practices.
``(17) At the direction of the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs and the Secretary of State, represent the United States
in international maritime diplomacy matters, including--
``(A) the creation and operation of the Allied
Maritime Framework under section 608 of the BUILD with
Allies Act of 2026; and
``(B) leading United States engagement in the
Maritime Group of Nations under section 609 of the
BUILD with Allies Act of 2026.
``(18) Authoring any reports produced by the Department
which examine the maritime claims and boundaries of coastal
countries and assessing their consistency with international
law.
``(19) Leading Department efforts to implement bilateral
treaties and agreements related to the management and
protection of the Great Lakes.
``(20) Performing such other duties as the Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs may from time to time designate.
``(c) Appointment.--
``(1) Initial appointment.--On the date of the enactment of
the BUILD with Allies Act of 2026, the individual serving as
the Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs on the day before such
date of enactment shall be the Assistant Secretary for Water,
Environment, and Space Affairs.
``(2) Subsequent appointment.--Any subsequent appointment
of an individual to the position of Assistant Secretary for
Water, Environment, and Space Affairs shall be subject to the
advice and consent of the Senate.
``(d) Establishment of Bureau of Water, Environment, and Space
Affairs.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Water, Environment,
and Space Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to all
matters described in subsection (a) and other related duties as the
Secretary may from time to time designate.
``(e) Assistant Secretary.--The Assistant Secretary for Water,
Environment, and Space Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of
Water, Environment, and Space Affairs.''.
SEC. 605. EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY EXPERTS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, should
initiate an exchange visitor program of technical shipbuilding
expertise to increase shipbuilding knowledge, training, experience, and
expertise in the American shipbuilding workforce.
(b) Authorization To Provide for Exchanges.--Section 102(b) of the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2452(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by inserting at the end the following:
``(13) interchanges and visits between the United
States and other countries of marine engineers, naval
architects, electrical engineers, deck-plate
professionals, marine surveyors, shipyard
infrastructure analysts, quality assurance and quality
control personnel, shipyard project managers, and other
experts related to the shipbuilding industry until the
date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this paragraph. The State Department's Bureau of
Educational Affairs will coordinate with the Bureau of
Economic, Energy, and Business' Affairs Division for
Transportation Affairs to conduct the exchange
program.''.
SEC. 606. MARITIME INVESTIGATORS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall, in coordination with
the Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, detail to diplomatic and
consular posts in countries described in subsection (b) personnel from
the Division for Trade Policy and Negotiations and Division for
Transportation Affairs of the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
for the purpose of investigating--
(1) unfair shipping practices, including price-fixing,
market manipulation, or unreasonable refusal to deal;
(2) specific actions by foreign governments to deny port of
entry to United States-flagged vessels;
(3) flags of convenience to determine if lower safety,
labor, and environmental standards in foreign countries create
unfavorable shipping conditions for United States trade;
(4) anticompetitive agreements between ocean carriers and
marine terminal operators for potential antitrust issues; and
(5) mapping the financial relationships of shipping
companies of the People's Republic of China, including the
Ocean Alliance.
(b) Locations of Investigators.--The countries described in this
subsection are countries that meet each of the following criteria:
(1) The country is among the top 5 countries globally by
ship registry size and maintains an ``open registry'', allowing
foreign-owned vessels to register under the flag of such
country without a residency requirement (also known as a ``flag
of convenience'' policy).
(2) The country is among the top 15 countries globally with
respect to not less than 2 of the following criteria:
(A) Shipbuilding, as measured by tonnage as a
percentage of global total.
(B) Number of citizens or nationals who are
merchant mariners.
(C) Number of commercially owned ships greater than
1,000 gross weight tonnage.
(c) Inclusion of Findings in Investment Climate Statement.--Section
707(b) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C.
9903) is amended by inserting after paragraph (11) the following new
paragraph:
``(12) Information about unfair business practices in the
maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors in each
applicable country or region, including--
``(A) price-fixing;
``(B) market manipulation;
``(C) unreasonable refusal to deal (as such term is
defined for purposes of section 7(d) of the Ocean
Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (46 U.S.C. 41104 note));
and
``(D) anticompetitive agreements between ocean
carriers and marine terminal operators.''.
(d) Disclosure of Certain Investments by Countries Receiving Aid.--
Section 7031(b)(2) of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76; 128 Stat. 510) is amended by inserting
``and investments in maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors''
after ``allocation practices)''.
SEC. 607. ALLIED MARITIME FRAMEWORK.
(a) In General.--The President, in coordination with other relevant
agencies and departments, shall engage allied countries to develop a
shared framework to enhance collective capacity to design, produce, and
maintain military and civilian ships, through--
(1) enhancing information exchange between such countries
regarding such design, production, and maintenance;
(2) expanding procompetitive industrial collaboration with
respect to such ships;
(3) strengthening the marine industries and the
shipbuilding industries in allied countries; and
(4) encouraging the observance of counterintelligence best
practices and information sharing amongst participating
national defense and security services.
(b) Elements.--The framework required in subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) the establishment of a mechanism to--
(A) ensure countries participating in the framework
can access reciprocal ports and shipping support during
crises and conflicts;
(B) co-develop best-in-class design principles for
the construction of ships;
(C) collaborate on the construction, repair,
interoperability, and other capabilities of new ships
to reduce costs;
(D) establish guiding principles for production
line sequencing and supply chain management;
(E) coordinate Cabinet or Minister-level
recommendations to drive down the production costs of
ships and accelerate the delivery of ships, consistent
with relevant laws in the relevant countries;
(F) establish a process for determining specific
ship types or industry niches that are best suited for
allied cooperation; and
(G) develop a mechanism to incentivize financial
investments from foreign sources and remove barriers to
foreign direct investment in shipbuilding;
(2) the establishment of a joint workforce-development
program between participating shipyards and partner networks
engaged in the production of ships for the purpose of training,
information sharing, and the exchange of technical advisors;
(3) the establishment of a mechanism to develop and share
research and development and leverage innovation to promote
sustainability and mutual benefit;
(4) an agreement among countries participating in the
framework to procure ships and ship components from shipyards
identified by the participants as shipyards with specialized
capabilities and experience in ship production; and
(5) an agreement among countries participating in the
framework to prevent leakage of dual-use technologies to
companies connected to the military of the People's Republic of
China.
SEC. 608. MARITIME GROUP OF NATIONS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of State shall seek to establish
a group, to be known as the ``Maritime Group of Nations'', to
coordinate regulatory and commerce policies to facilitate a new
maritime multimodalism for commercial shipping.
(b) Participation.--
(1) Inclusion.--The Secretary of State should invite to the
Maritime Group of Nations appropriate counterparts from the
governments of countries that meet each of the following
criteria:
(A) The country is of significant importance for
the purposes of establishing and advancing the
objectives of the Maritime Group of Nations, as
determined by the Secretary of State.
(B) The country additionally is among the top 15
countries globally with respect to at least two of the
following criteria:
(i) Shipbuilding, as measured by tonnage as
a percentage of global total.
(ii) Number of citizens or nationals who
are merchant mariners.
(iii) Number of commercially owned ships
greater than 1,000 gross weight tonnage.
(2) Exclusion.--The Maritime Group of Nations established
under subsection (a) may not include a foreign country of
concern.
(c) Functions.--The Maritime Group of Nations established under
subsection (a) should consider the following:
(1) Supporting the establishment of maritime prosperity
zones across a diverse geography, including areas outside
traditional coast shipbuilding and ship repair centers, to--
(A) incentivize and leverage national private
capital and investment by allied countries in the
maritime industries and waterfront communities; and
(B) strengthen industrial base capacity and
readiness through shipbuilding, workforce development,
and expanded manufacturing incentives.
(2) Supporting the development of coordinated actions to
counter China's targeted dominance of the maritime, logistics,
and shipbuilding.
(3) Coordinating a collective position with respect to
agreements, regulations, standards, and guidelines issued by
the International Maritime Organization that protects United
States shipbuilding industries.
(4) Implementing and contributing to the exchange visitor
program authorized by the amendments made by section 606.
SEC. 609. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION.
The Secretary of State shall direct the United States Ambassador to
the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United
States mission to the United Nations to urge the International Maritime
Organization of the United Nations, and the members of its Council,
to--
(1) ensure that any measures adopted for the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions from ships--
(A) exclude any limits on conventional crude or
diesel, liquified natural gas, or any other type of
marine propulsion technology and instead champion an
``energy all'' approach that does not restrict or
constrain current or breakthrough fuel types;
(B) exclude any financial penalties, carbon taxes,
or multilateral funds which are intended to be used to
help nations decarbonize;
(C) exclude penalties on liquified natural gas,
recognize biofuels as viable marine fuels, and support
industry-led advances in alternative fuels and other
technologies without creating undue advantage or
disadvantage to certain fuels or technologies through
regulation;
(D) mandate the withdrawal or phase out of any
regional shipping emissions reduction schemes,
including the Emissions Trading System of the European
Union;
(E) support an ``opt-in'' model consistent with the
rules of such organization; and
(F) exclude any net-zero 2050 targets the President
considers unreasonable;
(2) advance the candidacy of United States citizens into
senior-level positions within the Organization and its
Committee and Subcommittees, including--
(A) International Maritime Organization Assembly;
(B) International Maritime Organization Council;
and
(C) main committees of the International Maritime
Organization, including--
(i) the Maritime Safety Committee;
(ii) the Marine Environment Protection
Committee;
(iii) the Legal Committee;
(iv) the Technical Cooperation Committee;
(v) the Facilitation Committee; and
(vi) any Sub-Committee;
(3) advance the candidacy of a United States citizen to
fill the position of Secretary-General of the International
Maritime Organization;
(4) combat the anti-competitive practices of the People's
Republic of China;
(5) advocate at the International Maritime Organization and
bilaterally with non-performing Member States for the
consistent enforcement of existing safety and technical rules
to ensure foreign-flagged vessels meet International Maritime
Organization standards; and
(6) de-link United States domestic environmental
requirements from international certificates to reduce
compliance friction for United States shipyards.
SEC. 610. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Deck-plate professional.--The term ``deck-plate
professional'' means a skilled worker who operates directly on
the production floor as a skilled tradesperson with specialized
expertise related to a ship's systems and functionality.
(2) Unreasonable refusal to deal.--The term ``unreasonable
refusal to deal'' has the meaning given that term for purposes
of section 7(d) of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (46
U.S.C. 41104 note).
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