# 119-hr-8575: EMPOWER Act

119-hr-8575, EMPOWER Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX); status introduced (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8575
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-8575
- Congress: 119
- Title: EMPOWER Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-04-29
- Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## Summary

**Centers U.S. foreign policy on women's economic empowerment in South and Central Asia.** This bill would direct the State Department to expand public-private partnerships that boost women's employment, entrepreneurship, and access to education. - Women and entrepreneurs in South and Central Asia would get targeted support for financial inclusion, mentorship, asset ownership, startup incubation, procurement access, STEM training, care economy programs, and legal reforms. The bill lists nine goals to guide these efforts. - U.S. diplomacy would get a new Unit in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs led by a Special Advisor for Women’s Economic Security with ambassadorial rank. Each relevant U.S. diplomatic post would designate a point of contact to identify and track private sector commitments and the Unit would report to the Assistant Secretary. - The bill would mobilize private sector, civil society, and academic partners to make and track commitments and allow activities in the United States, in South and Central Asian countries, or in third countries. It would also require a report to House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees within one year on steps taken, allocated personnel and funding, partnership status, and economic data on impact.

## Provisions PRIA read

- More U.S. partnerships for women's economic security: benefit, medium. If enacted, the State Department would keep and try to grow women's councils and public-private partnerships that connect the United States with countries in South and Central Asia. The partnerships could work in the United States, in South and Central Asia, or in third countries to support goals l…
- One-year report on program progress: benefit, low. If enacted, not later than one year after enactment the Secretary of State would submit a report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The report would list steps taken to implement the act, including allocated personnel and funding. It would also descri…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act
- 119-hr-2913: Ukraine Support Act
- 119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-hr-8575 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8575)

## Related
- [119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6900)
- [119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7481)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3069)
- [119-hr-2913: Ukraine Support Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2913)
- [119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7853)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8575 (as of 2026-09-21).