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H.R. 1253 117th Congress House

Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2021

Official title: To modernize and streamline the public diplomacy capabilities of the Department of State, increase evaluation of public diplomacy programming, enhance strategi… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To modernize and streamline the public diplomacy capabilities of the Department of State, increase evaluation of public diplomacy programming, enhance strategic planning for the Department's public diplomacy physical presence abroad, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 23, 2021 Introduced by: Daniel Meuser Republican · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
International Affairs Advisory bodiesCultural exchanges and relationsDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
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Executive agency funding and structureGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPerformance measurementResearch administration and funding
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 23, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Feb 23, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 23, 2021

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2021

This bill establishes measures related to public diplomacy conducted by the Department of State.

Specifically, the bill directs the State Department to appoint a Director of Research and Evaluation in the State Department's Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. The director's responsibilities shall include (1) overseeing research to improve State Department public diplomacy strategy and tactics, and (2) developing guidance and training for public diplomacy officers on interpreting and implementing public diplomacy-related research.

The bill permanently reauthorizes the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy and directs the commission to establish the Subcommittee for Research and Evaluation. The subcommittee shall provide advice regarding audience research, digital analytics, and impact evaluation for State Department activities.

The bill directs the State Department to establish a working group to analyze a potential transition to a shared-services model for human resources, travel, purchasing, and all other executive support functions for all bureaus that report to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.

The State Department shall adopt certain guidelines related to collecting and utilizing information in the event of a closure or consolidation of a public diplomacy facility.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 1356 Reintroduced Bill Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2023
  • HR 1157 Department of State Authorization Act of 2021
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Feb 23, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1253: Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1253/
MLA
"H.R. 1253: Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1253/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1253, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1253/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1253: Public Diplomacy Modernization Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1253/)
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