H.R. 2553: Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2007-05-24 · International Affairs · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 958.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2007-05-24 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-33] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 958. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008

Plain summary

Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. Authorizes appropriations.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-33] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2553, Public Diplomacy Resources Centers Act of 2007 (2008-01-09); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2553, Public Diplomacy Resources Centers Act of 2007 (2008-01-09); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2553, Public Diplomacy Resources Centers Act of 2008 (2008-07-02); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2553, Public Diplomacy Resources Centers Act of 2008 (2008-07-02)

Cosponsors on this site

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-110hr2553.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/110/hr>

Record fed-us-cong110-hr2553 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110