PRIA Logo™
119-hr-5329119th Congress

Regional China Officer Authorization Act

Sponsored By: Representative Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a Regional China Officer Program Unit to expand and formalize U.S. diplomatic monitoring of PRC global activity. The Unit would house a Director and forward-deployed officers who monitor PRC projects across commercial, development, finance, critical infrastructure, technology, and military domains and advise U.S. posts and partners.

Show full summary
  • U.S. diplomatic posts and missions would receive at least 20 forward-deployed Regional China Officers to monitor PRC activities and help prioritize embassy responses.
  • Foreign Service Officers would face new posting requirements and qualifications. RCOs must be career officers with PRC-related experience and Mandarin proficiency, and a Director would coordinate hiring and program activities.
  • Allies, partner governments, and host countries would get coordinated reporting and advice on PRC influence and activities. The bill also funds one locally employed staff position in each geographic region to support the program.

*This bill would authorize about $3.8 million per year for FY2026–2030, increasing federal spending.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New State unit to track China activity

If enacted, the State Department would create a Regional China Officer Unit in the Office of China Coordination. A career Foreign Service Director would be appointed within 90 days, without increasing total staff. The unit would deploy at least 20 officers to U.S. posts and some allied foreign ministries, with at least two in each covered region or bureau. Officers would have PRC-related expertise and Mandarin, track China’s business, finance, infrastructure, tech, and military activity, and advise U.S., allies, and host countries. “Ally” would mean NATO members or major non‑NATO allies. The bill would authorize $2.5 million a year for expansion and management, and $1.25 million a year for programs in FY 2026–2030. Up to $50,000 could support each officer’s outreach; funds would remain available until spent and be in addition to the Countering PRC Influence Fund. The unit requirement would end five years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation