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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-05-08 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. | Senate |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Vote | 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) | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3461-3462) | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1704. | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3459-3461) | House floor actions |
| 2019-05-07 | Floor | Mr. Sires moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | House floor actions |
| 2019-04-09 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2019-04-09 | Committee | Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules. | House committee actions |
| 2019-04-09 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2019-03-13 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. | House floor actions |
| 2019-03-13 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |