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African Descent Affairs Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to establish an Office of Global African Descent Affairs, to be headed by the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs. Office functions shall include * directing policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally; * developing and managing the Fund for African Descent Affairs to invest in solutions to combat racial discrimination and create opportunities for people of African descent internationally; * directing U.S. government resources to support the protection, integration, resettlement, and empowerment of people of African descent; and * compiling an annual report on U.S. government activities relating to people of African descent. The bill requires that a description of the status of the people of African descent in each country be included in a specified annual human rights report. The U.S. Agency for International Development shall appoint a Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Global African Descent Affairs who shall (1) direct policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally; and (2) develop a uniform set of indicators and standards for monitoring and evaluating foreign assistance for people of African descent. The Office of Global African Descent Affairs shall develop or update annually (for 10 years after the initial report) a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against people of African descent.

This bill repeals certain reporting requirements related to foreign affairs, specifically requirements for periodic reports on (1) world military expenditures and arms transfers, (2) U.S. activities related to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (3) Foreign Services positions that require foreign language competence, and (4) U.S. assistance related to international terrorism.

Domestic and International Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act or the Domestic and International Terrorism DATA Act This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism and international terrorism, including the links between them. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to submit joint reports on domestic and international terrorism. Additionally, the Science and Technology Directorate within DHS must report on international terrorism with a nexus to a current trend in domestic terrorism.

International Spending Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of State to establish the Unit to Audit US Contributions to Multilateral and International Organizations to audit and report on the contributions to those organizations during the preceding fiscal year.

Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Financial Officer Authority and Collaboration Act of 2020 This bill addresses the authority and responsibilities of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to submit an action plan to address the material weaknesses of the VA discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section of the VA's financial statements. Additionally, the VA must submit a plan outlining the steps planned to (1) address the recommendations of auditors related to entity-level controls, and (2) provide sufficient authority to carry out the CFO's duties. The CFO must submit a certification of the officer's responsibilities for internal financial controls of the VA and an attestation of sufficient collaboration with the subordinate chief financial officers to be confident in the financial projections included in the budget request and supporting materials. Finally, the CFO must participate in the interview and selection panels of all subordinate chief financial officers and give input into the performance plans and evaluations of all such officers.

This bill allows a refundable tax credit for the owner of a dwelling unit that is occupied by a veteran on whose behalf rental assistance is provided by the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. The credit is equal to 10% of the amount of rental assistance received by the person for the year.

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education. First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers. Next, the bill revises the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization. Further, the bill replaces the existing Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program with an international research and innovation program. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for International Business Education program. It also reauthorizes the Education and Training program and otherwise makes changes to the program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as the incorporation of specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula. Finally, the bill permits the Department of Education to prioritize grant applications from minority-serving institutions.

International Insurance Standards Act of 2019 This bill prohibits parties representing the federal government in an international insurance agreement from agreeing to any standard unless it recognizes the existing U.S. system of regulation as satisfying that standard. In developing international insurance standards, the parties must coordinate with state insurance regulators. Parties representing the United States in such proceedings must consult with and notify Congress regarding the intention to participate in the negotiations, the nature and objectives of the negotiations, and the details of the agreement. Before entering into any agreement, the parties must report to Congress regarding the implementation and impact of the agreement.

Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to contract with a nongovernmental entity to conduct a study on (1) the activities of China's government and China's industrial entities within international standards bodies, and (2) how such actions affect the development and setting of international standards for emerging technologies.The entity shall report the study to Congress.

United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2019 This bill establishes within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs.

Department of Veterans Affairs Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act of 2019 This bill addresses procurement procedures in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to record the amount of any cost savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding contracts reported in the Federal Procurement Data System (or successor systems). The VA shall make available and use on a VA-wide basis the standardized procurement templates already used internally at certain VA offices.

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education. First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers. Next, the bill reauthorizes the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program. It also revises the program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization. Further, the bill extends the Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program. It also modifies the program, such as by (1) revising the types of available grants, and (2) allowing the Department of Education to establish a national database on international and foreign language education. Finally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for Business Education program. It also reauthorizes the Education and Training program and otherwise makes changes to the program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as the incorporation of specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula.

Promoting United States International Leadership in 5G Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to establish an interagency working group to provide assistance and technical expertise to enhance U.S. leadership in international bodies that set standards for 5th and future generations of mobile telecommunications (5G) technology, such as the International Telecommunication Union. The President shall also work to increase the participation of allies, partners, and the private sector. (International bodies develop standards for certain technologies, such as those used in wireless data transmission, to ensure interoperability between different companies' products. Stakeholders, such as companies that manufacture equipment that uses such technologies or companies that hold relevant patents, typically participate in the standards-setting process.) The interagency group shall report to and, on request, brief Congress on (1) its strategy to promote U.S. leadership in the standards-setting bodies relevant to 5G technology; (2) its strategy for diplomatic engagement with allies and partners to share security-risk information related to 5G; (3) China's activities in standards-setting bodies for 5G technology, including the scope and scale of such activities; and (4) a strategy for engaging with private-sector stakeholders, academia, and federally funded research and development centers to propose and develop secure standards for 5G technology.

This resolution recognizes the Senate's observation of Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month in April 2019. It also urges the United States to lead in raising awareness about the devastating impact of international child abduction.

This resolution recognizes the roles that development and diplomacy play in advancing the national security objectives of the United States and expresses support for a substantial U.S. international affairs budget.

Office of International Disability Rights Act This bill establishes disability inclusion measures at the Department of State, including the creation of the Office of International Disability Rights. Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of International Disability Rights, which shall coordinate U.S. efforts regarding human rights for people with disabilities and advance the status of people with disabilities in U.S. foreign policy. The bill also requires the State Department to develop and adopt a formal policy for disability inclusion in U.S. foreign assistance programming and disaster response programming. The State Department must take specified steps to prioritize accessibility practices when hiring, recruiting, and assigning civil service employees and foreign service officers with disabilities. Further, the State Department must ensure that embassies, consulates, and their services are accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, the State Department must require mandatory disability inclusion training for all civil service and foreign service personnel, which shall include country-specific and cultural considerations.

This resolution recognizes the Senate's observation of Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month in April 2020. It also urges the United States to lead in raising awareness about the devastating impact of international child abduction.

American Values and Security in International Athletics Act This bill requires the Department of State to distribute specified briefing materials to individuals representing the United States at international athletic competitions. These materials must contain information on human rights concerns and personal privacy and security risks posed by certain host countries (e.g., specified communist countries and countries that do not meet certain minimum standards with respect to human trafficking and are not making significant efforts to do so).

Office of International Disability Rights Act This bill establishes the Office of International Disability Rights within the Department of State's Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The office shall (1) act as the State Department's principal advisor on the rights of persons with disabilities, (2) represent the United States internationally in matters related to such rights, and (3) ensure that State Department practices promote the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The State Department shall (1) require disability inclusion training for certain personnel, and (2) develop and adopt a formal disability inclusion policy.

Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act This bill establishes measures related to international accountability for outbreaks of novel viruses and diseases. The Department of State must establish lists of countries based on the procedures and standards each country has implemented to (1) identify outbreaks and monitor diseases, and (2) ensure that novel viruses and diseases are timely reported. The President must take specified action with respect to countries that are deemed capable of implementing such procedures and standards but have not done so. The President may also sanction government officials of such countries. Foreign state sovereign immunity is waived in any case seeking damages against a foreign state for (1) injury or death in the United States caused by a state's failure to abide by such procedures and standards, or (2) intentionally misleading the international community or the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the outbreak or spread of a health concern that leads to a pandemic. The President must facilitate (1) an international investigation and report on the response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and (2) an international audit of the WHO relating to its actions in response to COVID-19. The U.S. Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) must request that the U.N. (1) review the WHO's response to COVID-19, and (2) recommend actions to improve future responses and ensure WHO accountability for identified failures. The Representative shall seek a global ban on wet markets (markets where animals of uncertified origin and health are sold in unhygienic conditions, dead or alive, for human consumption).

This resolution honors the employees of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The resolution calls on the State Department to afford the appropriate assistance and protections to its employees.

Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of State to annually report to Congress on steps the State Department has taken to help strengthen Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and partnerships around the world. (Taiwan is self-governing, but China considers it a renegade province and has taken actions to encourage countries and international organizations to limit or cut off relations with Taiwan.)