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H.R. 1704 116th Congress House

Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019

Official title: To foster commercial relations with foreign countries and support United States economic and business interests abroad in the conduct of foreign policy, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 13, 2019 Introduced by: Michael T. McCaul Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
International Affairs Business investment and capitalCongressional oversightDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
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Economic developmentEconomic performance and conditionsEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesU.S. and foreign investments
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 8, 2019
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
May 7, 2019
Mr. Sires moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 7, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 7, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 16 (Roll no. 186). (text: CR H3459-3460)
May 7, 2019
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3461-3462)
May 7, 2019
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 7, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1704.
May 7, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3459-3461)
Apr 9, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 9, 2019
Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules.
Apr 9, 2019
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 13, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mar 13, 2019
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 7, 2019 House · vote #186 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 400–16 See who voted →
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 Latest action May 8, 2019

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019

This bill establishes within the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Matters, and establishes that a principal duty of a diplomatic mission to a foreign country is the promotion of U.S. economic and commercial interests in that country.

The Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for matters relating to international economics and business matters in foreign policy.

The State Department shall train various Foreign Service officers, as part of their standard training, on matters including economic and commercial diplomacy, with a particular focus on market access, commercial advocacy, and increasing awareness of U.S. government assistance available to businesses.

The President shall initiate negotiations with countries to establish international standards for government-supported infrastructure investment overseas. The negotiations shall cover issues including the sovereignty of countries receiving investment, anti-corruption, and environmental standards.

The bill calls for various reports to Congress, including a State Department report about each mission's activities to promote U.S. economic and business interests, and a State Department and Department of Commerce report on commercial relations with foreign countries, including information on each country or region's political environment and investment climate.


 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1865 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Republican 1
Meadows, Mark
· May 7, 2019
 R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · May 7, 2019
Allred, Colin
· May 2, 2019
Pence, Greg
· Apr 25, 2019
Phillips, Dean
· Apr 25, 2019
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Mar 13, 2019
Yoho, Ted
· Mar 13, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1704: Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1704/
MLA
"H.R. 1704: Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1704/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1704, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1704/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1704: Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1704/)
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