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119-hr-8139119th CongressWALLET

Congressional Office for International Leadership Accountability and Reform Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a Congressional Office for International Leadership to run exchange programs linking U.S. lawmakers and American communities with emerging foreign political, civic, and professional leaders. It would use grassroots diplomacy to encourage direct dialogue about U.S. foreign policy and legislative issues.

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  • Would fund grants to U.S. government and community organizations to host emerging political and civic leaders. Programs would be limited to 3,500 participants per year and no more than 30 days per participant in the United States, and grant funds may cover travel costs.
  • Would be governed by a 12-member bipartisan Board that includes Members of both chambers and committee leaders. The Office must notify each Member of the House and each Senator at least 30 days before any funded event in their district or state.
  • Would create an Executive Director with a renewable six-year term and pay up to Executive Schedule Level III who can hire staff up to the GS-15 cap and contract with two-thirds Board approval. The Office would use a dedicated trust fund, provide annual audited financial statements, be subject to Government Accountability Office review, and receive space and services from the Library of Congress reimbursed to the fund.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Keep current trustees, staff, and countries

If enacted, current Board trustees who served under the listed subsections would stay in office until their previously scheduled term ends. If enacted, the person serving as Executive Director on the bill's effective date could continue for up to six months and could be reappointed under the Act's new rules. If enacted, most staff and the Office's contracts, records, property, appropriations, and liabilities that exist on the effective date would remain valid and not be disrupted. If enacted, countries that were eligible before the bill's effective date would remain eligible and then would follow the Act's updated eligibility rules.

New Office fund and Library fees

If enacted, the bill would create a Treasury trust fund called the "Congressional Office for International Leadership Fund" to hold appropriations, transfers, credits, and donations. If enacted, the Secretary of the Treasury could pay the Office from that Fund amounts the Board decides are needed. If enacted, the Librarian of Congress would provide office space and services, and the Office's Fund would have to pay the full cost of those services under a services agreement.

New grant rules for host organizations

If enacted, U.S. organizations would be able to apply for grants to host eligible foreign emerging leaders. If enacted, the default funding period would be a quarter of a calendar year unless changed with Board approval. If enacted, applications must include event calendars, participant numbers and qualifications, and nonpartisan assurances; recipients must report to the Office within 30 days after year end. If enacted, the Executive Director must summarize recipient reports for the two congressional committees within 90 days after year end, and the Office must notify affected Members and Senators at least 30 days before local funded events. The Board may review funding decisions and direct reconsideration, and contracts or grants require the Board's concurrence as described in the bill.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

MI • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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