§2658a — Title 22 Foreign Relations and Intercourse | U.S. Code

Summary

Make the Foreign Affairs Manual and the Foreign Affairs Handbook apply the same way to everyone at the Department of State, including the Secretary, all employees, and political appointees no matter how they were hired. Within 30 days after December 27, 2021, the Secretary must send an unclassified notice to the relevant congressional committees saying that this requirement has been told to all Department staff. Starting not later than 180 days after December 27, 2021, and every 180 days for 8 years, the Secretary must report to those congressional committees all significant changes to the Manual or Handbook. The first report must cover the prior 5 years; later reports must cover the prior 180 days. Each report must say where the change appears, the legal basis if any, show before-and-after text, and include a spreadsheet summary.

Title 22, §2658a

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Foreign Affairs Manual and the Foreign Affairs Handbook apply with equal force and effect and without exception to all Department of State personnel, including the Secretary of State, Department employees, and political appointees, regardless of an individual’s status as a Foreign Service officer, Civil Service employee, or political appointee hired under any legal authority.

(b)Not later than 30 days after December 27, 2021, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a certification in unclassified form that the applicability described in subsection (a) has been communicated to all Department personnel, including the personnel referred to in such subsection.

(c)(1)Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2021, and every 180 days thereafter for 8 years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing all significant changes made to the Foreign Affairs Manual or the Foreign Affairs Handbook.

(2)The first report required under paragraph (1) shall cover the 5-year period preceding the submission of such report. Each subsequent report shall cover the 180-day period preceding submission.

(3)Each report required under paragraph (1) shall contain the following:

(A)The location within the Foreign Affairs Manual or the Foreign Affairs Handbook where a change has been made.

(B)The statutory basis for each such change, as applicable.

(C)A side-by-side comparison of the Foreign Affairs Manual or Foreign Affairs Handbook before and after such change.

(D)A summary of such changes displayed in spreadsheet form.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “8 years” for “5 years”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions For definition of “appropriate congressional committees” as used in this section, see section 5002 of Pub. L. 117–81, set out as a note under section 263c of this title.

§2658a Foreign Affairs Manual and Foreign Affairs Handbook changes