Chairman Lawler Secures Key Wins in HFAC State Department Reauthorization Bill

Washington, D.C. - 9/19/25… Yesterday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced a comprehensive State Department Reauthorization bill, which included major provisions championed by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Bureau of Counterterrorism, and Bureau of Management.

At the center of these reforms is Congressman Lawler's H.R. 5245, which updates and streamlines the Department's management infrastructure. The legislation will deliver faster, more secure passport and visa services for Americans, while bolstering cybersecurity and strengthening counterintelligence training across U.S. diplomatic missions.

In addition to leading H.R. 5245, Congressman Lawler introduced and advanced amendments to the bill that:

• Authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, reaffirming the critical role this office plays in passport services, visa adjudications, child abduction and adoption cases, and protecting Americans abroad.
• Clarifies the Bureau of Administration's lead role in global acquisitions, ensuring U.S. diplomacy is supported by clear, efficient procurement structures.
• Formally codifies fellowship programs that bring talented Americans into the Foreign Service. This includes the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellowship Program, Thomas R. Pickering, Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program, and Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program.

"For the first time in more than two decades, Congress is exercising its full responsibility to reauthorize the State Department. As Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee, which also has jurisdiction over counterterrorism and State Department management, I've introduced and supported numerous measures included in this package. Our diplomats and our taxpayers deserve a State Department that is more effective, stronger, and laser-focused on advancing American interests. I am proud to join Chairman Mast and my colleagues in moving this critical legislation forward," said Chairman Lawler.

• Chairman Lawler introduced, co-led, and supported many additional provisions in the State Reauthorization package. This includes measures that would:
• Reauthorize and strengthen the State Department's annual terrorism reports, providing vital assessments to guide counterterrorism strategy.
• Reauthorize and strengthen 20 Bureau of Management reports, enhancing oversight on issues ranging from diplomatic immunity and passport services to cybersecurity and crisis preparedness.
• Require the Bureau of Counterterrorism to maintain regional staff positions.
• Establishes a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords, a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism, a Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, and a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
• Formally codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at the State Department.
• Support Korean American families who wish to be reunited with family members living in North Korea.
• Require a report on the feasibility of a NATO-style security framework in the Indo-Pacific to counter aggression from China and North Korea.
• Ensure Congress has a role in reviewing any decision to suspend or delay U.S. arms sales to Israel.
• Authorize the Gulf Cooperation Council to establish a mission in Washington, D.C.
• Revoke diplomatic privileges and immunities of UNRWA officials.
• Establish a database tracking Iran's participation in international organizations and trade relationships, alongside U.S. financial contributions.
• Establish the Office of the Security Coordinator within the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to strengthen Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation.
• Establish an Office of Haitian Affairs to coordinate the U.S. response to Haiti's ongoing political, security, and humanitarian crisis.
• Requires a strategy to prevent illegal arms trafficking into the Caribbean, including into Haiti.
• Require reports to strengthen diaspora investment in Africa and Caribbean countries.
• Codify the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) to aid Afghan allies resettling in the U.S.
• Establish an Afghan allies database to ensure accountability and efficiency in Afghan relocation and family reunification efforts.
• Strengthen U.S. global health initiatives, ensuring the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy and other global health entities are equipped to conduct effective foreign assistanceRequire the State Department to expand data collection for the U.S.'s critical global health programs.
• Prioritize global environmental security, conservation, and protection against natural resource threats..
• Support defense cooperation with our Baltic allies.
• Support Ukraine's economic recovery following the war with Russia.
• Support Ukraine's efforts to investigate and recover the thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia during the war.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced its bipartisan State Department reauthorization bill in early September after nine months of open, collaborative work incorporating over 2,300 Member priorities. The chairman's mark unites nine bills into a clear accountability structure, ensuring everyone from consular officers abroad to senior officials in Washington operates with defined responsibilities.

Building on reforms advanced by President Trump and Secretary Rubio, this legislation restores command and control, strengthens the president's ability to execute foreign policy. It eliminates more than 400 costly reporting requirements, saves millions, and gives diplomats the tools needed to address today's national security challenges.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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VIDEO/PHOTO: Congressman Lawler's committee activity can be found HERE.