Updated February 28, 2023
The U.S. Department of State: Background and Selected Issues
for the 118th Congress
Background
comprehensive State Department authorization since 2002.
Created by an act of Congress in 1789, the U.S. Department
However, Congress attached authorization measures to the
of State (State Department) is the executive branch’s lead
two most recent annual National Defense Authorization
foreign affairs agency and the oldest executive agency. The
Acts (see Division E of P.L. 117-81 and Division I of P.L.
State Department’s mission is “to protect and promote U.S.
117-263). Among other matters, these laws authorized
security, prosperity, and democratic values and shape an
appropriations for selected purposes (including embassy
international environment in which all Americans can
security, construction, and maintenance), authorized senior
thrive.” The Secretary of State, appointed by the President
State Department positions and operating units, and
with Senate advice and consent, is the State Department’s
established a new legislative commission tasked with
senior officer and the President’s chief foreign affairs
recommending how the State Department can modernize its
adviser. The Secretary is supported by over 77,500 State
operations to meet 21st century foreign policy challenges.
Department employees, including approximately 14,000
Foreign Service personnel, 12,000 Civil Service employees,
Strategic Planning
and 50,000 Locally Employed Staff (largely host country
The State Department utilizes a core strategic planning
nationals working at U.S. overseas posts).
process intended to prioritize resources, coordinate with
interagency partners, and make informed decisions to
The State Department’s Washington, DC-based
achieve what it calls “the most effective U.S. foreign policy
organizational structure includes around 30 regional and
outcomes.” The State Department notes that the objectives
functional bureaus. Six regional bureaus oversee the
derived from its strategic planning are used for purposes
department’s 275 overseas posts, including 171 embassies
including preparing its annual budget request to Congress.
and 88 consulates. State Department Chiefs of Mission
(COMs, usually U.S. ambassadors) serve as the President’s
The State Department’s core strategic planning takes place
personal representatives abroad and lead diplomatic efforts
at several levels. Congress, through the Government
for a mission or country of assignment.
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act
of 2010 (P.L. 111-352), requires the State Department and
Key Laws Governing State Department Operations
other agencies to prepare quadrennial strategic plans
Congress has provided statutory frameworks for aspects of
outlining their goals and objectives. The State Department
the State Department’s operations through laws such as
and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID,

which is under the State Department’s policy guidance)
the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
fulfill this requirement through publication of shared Joint
1956 (P.L. 84-885), which authorizes the State
Department’s organizational structure, including
Strategic Plans (JSPs). JSPs seek to align the State
Department’s priorities with the executive branch’s top-
senior positions such as the Secretary of State and
level strategic documents (such as the National Security
the Deputy Secretary of State, and provides for the
Strategy) and guide bureau and mission planning.
State Department to be administered under the
Secretary’s supervision and direction;
The State Department’s bureaus develop Joint Regional
 the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465),
and Functional Bureau Strategies (JRS or FBS), while
which is the statutory means through which the
overseas missions prepare country-level Integrated
State Department administers the Foreign Service,
Country Strategies (ICS). Regional bureaus are required
providing for appointment, promotion, and
to develop their JRS with the applicable USAID regional
separation procedures; this law also authorizes
bureau. These strategies must include bureau and mission
COMs to direct U.S. diplomatic efforts; and
goals, or long-term ambitions that are unlikely to be fully

accomplished within four years yet communicate priorities
the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
to stakeholders; bureau and mission objectives that are
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-399), which
specific, measurable end-states that may be achieved within
tasks the Secretary of State with, among other
four years; and shorter-term (12-18 month) sub-objectives
responsibilities, protecting U.S. government
tied to the day-to-day work of the bureau or mission.
personnel on official duty abroad.
Budget
Congress has utilized State Department authorization
Congress funds the State Department primarily through
bills to periodically authorize funding for the State
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Department and oversee its operations. Congress uses these
Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bills. In recent years,
bills to amend previously described key laws or provide
Congress has appropriated around $70-$85 billion annually
new measures. Congress has not passed a standalone,
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The U.S. Department of State: Background and Selected Issues for the 118th Congress
for SFOPS, including emergency funds for contingencies
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
such as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s
While the Foreign Service Act calls for a Foreign Service
invasion of Ukraine (Figure 1).
that is “representative of the American people,” some
Members argue that the State Department faces persistent
Figure 1. SFOPS Requests and Funding
challenges maintaining diverse Foreign and Civil Service
workforces. The 2021 and 2022 State Department
authorization acts sought to enhance the State Department’s
DEIA programming through, among other aims,
strengthening recruitment of persons belonging to
underrepresented groups and providing for performance and
advancement requirements that reward staff efforts to foster
an inclusive environment. During the 118th Congress,
Members may continue overseeing State Department
implementation of its Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan
and consider other measures, including a possible bill to
authorize the Office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion

Officer in law (see S. 3426 and H.R. 4589, 117th Congress).
Source: Appropriations laws and SFOPS budget requests.
Note: Includes rescissions. Requests= Administration Budget
Diplomatic Security and Risk Management. Congress
Requests. OCO=Overseas Contingency Operations, which largely
included several diplomatic security and embassy
replaced emergency funds to support extraordinary foreign affairs
construction-related measures in the 2022 State Department
budget needs from FY2012-FY2021.
authorization law intended to enable the department to
weigh security risks with the priority of allowing American
diplomats to engage with foreign stakeholders. As the State
Within SFOPS, the Diplomatic Programs account is the
State Department’s main operating appropriation. It funds
Department implements these provisions, Members may
seek to ensure that the State Department’s risk calculus is
priorities including most domestic and overseas Foreign
aligned with congressional intent through overseeing the
Service and Civil Service salaries; public diplomacy
State Department’s efforts to incentivize and train U.S.
programs; and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Embassy
diplomats to properly manage risk, locate new posts in
Security, Construction, and Maintenance is a key
account through which Congress funds the department’s
areas that provide diplomats requisite security and access to
foreign officials and other key stakeholders, and control
share of costs involved with the design, construction, and
costs associated with the construction of new, secure posts.
maintenance of U.S. diplomatic facilities. SFOPS
appropriations also fund foreign assistance. Agencies such
Afghanistan Withdrawal. Some Members have indicated
as USAID and the Department of Defense administer the
that they are prioritizing ensuring accountability regarding
majority of these funds. Yet the State Department manages
the State Department’s role in the 2021 U.S. withdrawal
some aid directly, including a portion of the Global Health
from Afghanistan. Members of Congress may advance such
Programs account that funds the U.S. President’s
actions through introducing legislation to address perceived
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and maintains policy
issues regarding the withdrawal (e.g., S. 2863 and H.Res.
authority over most humanitarian and military assistance.
1240, 117th Congress), engaging with the Special Inspector
Selected Issues for Congress
General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR),
participating in or monitoring congressional hearings with
During the 118th Congress, Members may consider the
State Department officials, and following the proceedings
following issues:
of the congressionally mandated Afghanistan War
Commission.
Modernization. Congress is conducting oversight of
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s “Modernization
Agenda,” which seeks to better position the State
Related CRS Products
Department to address what Secretary Blinken views as
CRS In Focus IF10293, Foreign Relations Reauthorization:
emerging foreign policy challenges such as climate change
Background and Issues, by Cory R. Gil
and global health. Per the 2022 State Department
CRS Report R46995, Congressional Oversight of the State
authorization law, Congress created a commission tasked
with examining “the changing nature of diplomacy” and
Department: Review of Selected Organizational Reform Efforts, by
Cory R. Gil
offering recommendations as to how the State Department
can modernize its structure and operational practices to best
CRS Report R47070, Department of State, Foreign Operations,
advance U.S. interests. The law provides that up to 4 of the
and Related Programs: FY2023 Budget and Appropriations, by
commission’s 16 members may be Members of Congress.
Emily M. McCabe and Cory R. Gil
As the commission begins its work, Members who are not
part of the commission may wish to follow its proceedings,

participate in commission briefings to Congress, and/or
share their views regarding potential commission
Cory R. Gill, Analyst in Foreign Affairs
recommendations.
IF12044
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The U.S. Department of State: Background and Selected Issues for the 118th Congress


Disclaimer
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12044 · VERSION 3 · UPDATED

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