Sponsors (4)
Introduced September 10, 2025 by William R. Keating · Last progress September 10, 2025
The bill increases U.S. security, democratic support, economic engagement, and people‑to‑people programs in the Western Balkans—strengthening regional resilience and U.S. influence—but does so with higher taxpayer costs, implementation and oversight challenges, and risks of diplomatic friction and reputational/legal concerns for some actors.
Taxpayers, state and local governments, federal employees, and U.S. military/diplomatic personnel benefit from stronger U.S. national security and regional stability because the bill requires coordinated intelligence, counter‑influence reporting, expanded security cooperation, and enhanced deterrence in the Western Balkans.
Small businesses, U.S. exporters, investors, and entrepreneurs (including women- and youth-owned firms) gain increased market access and trade/investment opportunities due to expanded Commerce Department engagement, SME/startup support, and other commercial initiatives in the Western Balkans.
Citizens in the Western Balkans and U.S. foreign-policy aims benefit from strengthened anti‑corruption measures, election integrity support, independent media, and civil society programming that the bill prioritizes, which can improve governance and protect rights.
U.S. taxpayers and federal budgets could face sizable new spending and increased commitments for assistance, security cooperation, programs, and possible loan guarantees tied to Western Balkans initiatives.
U.S. businesses, diplomats, and citizens risk heightened geopolitical tensions and diplomatic retaliation (particularly from Russia, China, or regional actors) because the bill increases counter‑influence activity and security commitments.
U.S. embassies, federal agencies, the Peace Corps, and U.S. program partners may face staffing, office‑space, coordination, and resource strains as the bill requires new deployments, recurring reports, and program expansions.
Based on analysis of 22 sections of legislative text.
Directs interagency reports and programs to boost cybersecurity, anti-corruption, education exchanges, sanctions authority, and U.S. security and economic engagement in the Western Balkans.
Requires U.S. government agencies to expand and coordinate programs that strengthen cybersecurity, democratic resilience, anti-corruption, and regional integration across the Western Balkans. It directs multiple required reports and strategies, codifies certain sanctions authorities with an eight-year sunset, authorizes university partnerships and exchange programs (including a renamed Young Balkan Leaders Initiative), and calls for deeper U.S. security, trade, and diplomatic engagement with the seven Western Balkans countries.