Bill Summary
The Energy Diplomacy Act of 2019 is a bill that seeks to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 in regards to energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State. This bill would establish an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and ensure that there are enough personnel dedicated to energy matters within the Department. The Assistant Secretary would be responsible for formulating and implementing international policies to protect and advance US energy security interests, analyzing the national security implications of global energy and environmental developments, coordinating energy activities within the Department and with other Federal agencies, and supporting and coordinating international efforts to alleviate energy poverty. This bill would also require the Department of State to coordinate with relevant Federal departments and agencies on developing and implementing international energy-related sanctions, as well as coordinating energy security and other relevant functions currently undertaken by different offices within the Department. Additionally, this bill includes a conforming amendment to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Possible Impacts
1. The creation of a new Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources could lead to job opportunities for individuals with expertise in energy and international relations, potentially benefiting those looking for employment in this field.
2. The increased focus on energy security within the Department of State may result in changes to foreign policy and diplomatic efforts relating to energy resources, potentially impacting international relations and trade agreements.
3. The coordination of energy activities within the Department of State and other relevant federal agencies could lead to more efficient and effective use of resources, potentially saving taxpayers money and improving the overall functioning of government operations.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2046 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2046
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 regarding
energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 3, 2019
Mr. Wright (for himself, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Gonzalez of Texas)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 regarding
energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Diplomacy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. ENERGY DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
(a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 1 of the State
Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3) Energy resources.--
``(A) Authorization for assistant secretary.--
Subject to the numerical limitation specified in
paragraph (1), there is authorized to be established in
the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State
for Energy Resources.
``(B) Personnel.--The Secretary of State shall
ensure that there are sufficient personnel dedicated to
energy matters within the Department of State who shall
be responsible for--
``(i) formulating and implementing
international policies, in coordination with
Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, aimed at
protecting and advancing United States energy
security interests by effectively managing
United States bilateral and multilateral
relations;
``(ii) ensuring that analyses of the
national security implications of global energy
and environmental developments are reflected in
the decision making process within the
Department of State;
``(iii) incorporating energy security
priorities into the activities of the
Department of State;
``(iv) coordinating energy activities
within the Department of State and with
relevant Federal agencies;
``(v) working internationally to--
``(I) support the development of
energy resources and the distribution
of such resources for the benefit of
the United States and United States
allies and trading partners for their
energy security and economic
development needs;
``(II) promote availability of
diversified energy supplies and a well-
functioning global market for energy
resources, technologies, and expertise
for the benefit of the United States
and United States allies and trading
partners;
``(III) resolve international
disputes regarding the exploration,
development, production, or
distribution of energy resources;
``(IV) support the economic and
commercial interests of United States
persons operating in the energy markets
of foreign countries; and
``(V) support and coordinate
international efforts to alleviate
energy poverty;
``(vi) leading the United States commitment
to the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative;
``(vii) coordinating within the Department
of State and with relevant Federal departments
and agencies on developing and implementing
international energy-related sanctions; and
``(viii) coordinating energy security and
other relevant functions within the Department
of State currently undertaken by--
``(I) the Bureau of Economic and
Business Affairs of the Department of
State;
``(II) the Bureau of Oceans and
International Environmental and
Scientific Affairs of the Department of
State; and
``(III) other offices within the
Department of State.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 931 of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17371) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(a) and (b), respectively.
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