Washington, D.C. – Chairman Mike Lawler of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa has introduced new legislation aimed at bolstering the protection of U.S. diplomats abroad. The Protecting American Diplomats Act mandates that the State Department evaluate and report on counterintelligence (CI) training for personnel in high-risk diplomatic posts.
The proposed bill requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a report assessing CI training’s content, frequency, and regional specificity. It also calls for identifying gaps in preparedness and making recommendations to improve CI posture. The report will further examine interagency coordination and eligibility criteria for various categories of State personnel regarding such training.
“Whether serving in conflict zones or confronting complex foreign adversaries, our diplomats deserve the highest level of training and protection,” said Chairman Lawler. “This bill ensures we’re doing everything we can to safeguard them against espionage and other hostile threats.”
The Protecting American Diplomats Act is part of a broader legislative initiative led by Chairman Lawler to modernize and strengthen State Department operations. This package includes proposals to streamline outdated processes, update legacy authorities, enhance counterterrorism capabilities, and ensure accountability within the department.
As chairman of the MENA Subcommittee, which oversees both the Bureau of Management and Bureau of Counterterrorism at the State Department, Lawler aims to promote reforms that support a more agile foreign policy approach.
All bills within this legislative package have been submitted for consideration in the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s State Department reauthorization process.
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District north of New York City. He was recognized as one of the most effective freshman lawmakers in the 118th Congress.
