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Parity in Diplomatic Security Investigations Act
To provide that the Secretary of State should delegate to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security the pre-approval authority for Diplomatic Security special agents seeking authorization under section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, to carry out the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.
Summary
This bill directs the Secretary of State to delegate pre-approval authority for Diplomatic Security special agents seeking authorization to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. Currently, such pre-approval authority rests with the Secretary of State, which the bill suggests delays the approval process for investigations. The delegation would allow Diplomatic Security special agents to obtain timely approval from an appropriate law enforcement entity within the State Department for conducting recordings and electronic surveillance. The Secretary of State is directed to update the Foreign Affairs Manual within 90 days to reflect this delegation of authority.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
Actions (2)
- Jul 29, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. · house
- Jul 29, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 29, 2025
Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To provide that the Secretary of State should delegate to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security the pre-approval authority for Diplomatic Security special agents seeking authorization under section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, to carry out the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Parity in Diplomatic Security Investigations Act”.
SEC. 2. DELEGATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) Diplomatic Security special agents should be able to conduct recordings, like those of other United States Federal law enforcement agencies, during the course of their official activities to ensure accountability and promote public confidence in law enforcement efforts; and
(2) the Department of State’s current process of obtaining the Secretary of State’s pre-approval for creating each instance of these objective accounts of key investigations and interactions significantly restricts Diplomatic Security special agents from obtaining timely approval from an appropriate law enforcement entity for critical information.
(b) In General.—The Secretary of State should delegate to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security the pre- approval authority for Diplomatic Security special agents seeking authorization under section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, to carry out the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications—
(1) in furtherance of carrying out the duties described in section 37(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2709(a)); and
(2) in accordance with the requirements under chapter 119 of title 18, United States Code.
(c) Update to the Foreign Affairs Manual.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State should revise section 221.5 of volume 12 of the Foreign Affairs Manual to reflect the delegation to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security under subsection (b). <all>
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