To provide for the public diplomacy authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.

House Votes

This bill updates how the State Department explains U.S. policies to people overseas and runs exchange programs. It puts a top official in charge of all public diplomacy, sets up regional teams to carry out a yearly plan, and coordinates messages across U.S. agencies and with close partners. The goal is to share clear information, push back on foreign censorship, and call out harmful actions by foreign adversaries .

It keeps and strengthens student and cultural exchanges, with an official focused on programs for youth, students, journalists, and influencers. The bill asks for leaner overhead, better performance tracking, and stronger public–private partnerships. Funding is authorized for these activities in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 . It also creates a strategic communications leader to oversee foreign-facing messaging, support independent media, promote internet freedom, and stand up an Office of Global Distribution and News Services to run an open-content wire service and translate U.S. government content. Related funding is also authorized for 2026 and 2027 . The bill removes a past limit on using funds for international expositions and makes some technical updates to how laws are organized in the U.S. Code.

Key points

• Who is affected: State Department public diplomacy staff; U.S.-funded media; students, educators, and cultural groups in exchange programs; independent media and internet users abroad who rely on access to uncensored information .
• What changes: New and clarified leadership roles; regional public diplomacy teams; an open-content wire service and translation hub; streamlined exchange programs; and coordination with other U.S. agencies and key partners .
• When: Funding authorizations apply to fiscal years 2026 and 2027; other changes take effect upon enactment .