EMPOWER Act
Sponsored By: Representative Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make women's economic security and advancement a U.S. foreign policy priority in South and Central Asia. It would push the State Department to expand public-private partnerships that boost women's employment, entrepreneurship, and access to education.
Show full summary
- Women in South and Central Asia would get programs and private-sector commitments aimed at financial inclusion, mentorship, asset ownership, startup scaling, procurement access, career education and STEM, the care economy, and reducing legal and social barriers.
- The State Department would create a Unit in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs led by a Special Advisor with the rank of Ambassador to coordinate those partnerships.
- U.S. diplomatic posts would designate points of contact to identify and track private-sector commitments tied to the partnerships.
- The Secretary of State would submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees within one year on personnel and funding, the status of commitments and partnerships, and economic data on the Unit’s work.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New State Department women's empowerment unit
If enacted, the bill would create a Unit in the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. The Unit would oversee public‑private women's councils and partnerships that advance employment, entrepreneurship, and education for women in South and Central Asia. It would list examples such as the United States‑Pakistan Women's Council and the United States‑India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment. The Unit would be led by a Special Advisor for Women's Economic Security, appointed by the Secretary and given the rank and status of Ambassador. Relevant U.S. diplomatic posts would name a staff contact to identify and track private‑sector commitments. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary would report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on implementation steps, staffing and funding, partnership status, and economic data on the Unit's impact.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov