H.R. 2723: Embassy Security and Enhancement Act of 2013

113th Congress · introduced 2013-07-18 · International Affairs · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2013-07-18 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. 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

Embassy Security and Enhancement Act of 2013

Plain summary

Embassy Security and Enhancement Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) submit to Congress a list of diplomatic and consular posts designated as high risk, high threat posts; and (2) determine if a post should be so designated before its opening or reopening. Directs the Secretary, before opening or reopening a high risk, high threat post, to establish a working group responsible for the geographic area in which such post is to be opened or reopened. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should complete a strategic review of the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security to ensure that the Bureau is fulfilling Department needs. Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for the capital security cost sharing program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the program should prioritize the construction of new facilities and the maintenance of existing facilities at high risk, high threat posts. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to, and merge with, any appropriation for embassy security, construction, and maintenance such amounts appropriated for any other purpose related to the administration of foreign affairs on or after October 1, 2013. Authorizes the Secretary to provide physical security enhancements at overseas educational facilities established for the children of U.S. government employees. Revises requirements for: (1) local guard contracts abroad, and (2) computation of the death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad. Makes permanent the Secretary's authority to waive the annuity termination of a temporarily reemployed annuitant in a position for which there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting or retaining a qualified employee. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding: (1) application of the Overseas Security Policy Board's security standards to all facilities; and (2) assignment of key personnel at high risk, high threat posts. Requires security training for permanent or long-term personnel assigned to high risk, high threat posts. Urges that language training be provided for diplomatic security personnel assigned to permanent or long-term duty at high threat, high risk posts. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a group life insurance supplement for a Foreign Service employee who dies while on duty abroad as a result of a terrorist attack. Directs the Secretary to provide educational assistance to a widow, widower, familial designee, or child of any U.S. national Foreign Service employee who dies while on duty abroad as a result of a terrorist attack.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Embassy Security and Enhancement Act of 2013

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16] · 21 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Brad Sherman (D-CA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), William R. Keating (D-MA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL), Ami Bera (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL)

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 (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113hr2723.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/hr>

Record fed-us-cong113-hr2723 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113