COVID–19 International Response and Recovery Act of 2020

II 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 3669 To respond to the global COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 7, 2020 Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. COONS, Mr. UDALL, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. KAINE, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. MERKLEY, and Mr. BOOKER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To respond to the global COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 3 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 4 ‘‘COVID–19 International Response and Recovery Act of 5 2020’’. 6 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 7 this Act is as follows: 8 Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Sense of Congress. VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6211 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •S 3669 IS TITLE I—ENHANCING PROTECTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD DURING A PANDEMIC Sec. 111. Administration of foreign affairs diplomatic and consular programs. Sec. 112. Authority to waive reimbursement requirements related to certain evacuations. Sec. 113. Operationalizing expedient American Citizen Services during the COVID–19 pandemic: Intracountry travel. Sec. 114. Operationalizing expedient American Citizen Services during the COVID–19 pandemic: Consular affairs, task forces, and regu- lations. Sec. 115. Consular affairs and repatriation resources of the Department of State. Sec. 116. After action reports and worldwide remote American Citizen Services drills. TITLE II—GLOBAL PROGRAMMING AND AUTHORITIES Subtitle A—United States Leadership and Multilateral Issues Sec. 201. Sense of Congress on transnational cooperation in support of pan- demic preparedness and response. Sec. 202. Multilateral leadership and assistance to international organizations. Sec. 203. Authorization for United States participation in the Coalition for Epi- demic Preparedness Innovations. Sec. 204. Supporting humanitarian and development assistance related to COVID–19 response through the United States combatant commands. Sec. 205. United States Government actions to detect and prevent global pandemics. Sec. 206. Additional authorities. Sec. 207. Support for efforts of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria to respond to COVID–19. Subtitle B—International Economic Pandemic Response Sec. 211. Sense of Congress on building resilience. Sec. 212. Financial support for pandemic preparedness and global health secu- rity. Sec. 213. Sense of Congress on the United States International Development Finance Corporation. Sec. 214. Prohibition on the transfer of sovereign loan guarantees to the United States International Development Finance Corporation. Sec. 215. Surge financing mechanism. Sec. 216. Sense of Congress on contributions to the Currency Exchange Fund. Sec. 217. Sense of Congress on bilateral debt restructuring. Sec. 218. Clearing World Bank Group arrears. Subtitle C—Refugee, Humanitarian, and Migration Provisions Sec. 231. Protection of refugees and asylum seekers. Sec. 232. Humanitarian assistance to countries affected by the COVID–19 pan- demic. Sec. 233. Addressing threats to women and girls in the COVID–19 pandemic. Sec. 234. Safeguarding democracy and human rights during the COVID–19 pandemic. VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6211 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •S 3669 IS Subtitle D—Other Regional Matters Sec. 241. Assistance for the West Bank and Gaza related to the COVID–19 pandemic. Sec. 242. Preventing the spread of COVID–19 at the United States-Mexico border. Sec. 243. Limitations on removal of foreign nationals. Sec. 244. Sense of Congress on ensuring that sanctions do not inhibit the provi- sion of humanitarian relief to Iran. Sec. 245. Sense of Congress on clarifying that sanctions do not inhibit the pro- vision of humanitarian relief to Venezuela. Sec. 246. Sense of Congress on ensuring that sanctions do not inhibit the provi- sion of humanitarian relief to the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea. Sec. 247. Sense of Congress on relations with the European Union. Sec. 248. International financial institution assistance for COVID–19 recovery efforts in Sudan. TITLE III—UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITIES Subtitle A—Enhancing United States Government Response to Pandemics Sec. 301. Roles for United States Agency for International Development, De- partment of State, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sec. 302. Enhanced support for global health security. Sec. 303. Global health security strategy and reports. Sec. 304. Requirement to consult with Congress before restricting travel to or from the United States. Sec. 305. Sense of Congress on using a scientific term for COVID–19. Subtitle B—Other United States Government Authorities Sec. 311. Sense of Congress on provision of personal protective equipment to United States Government personnel overseas. Sec. 312. Report on COVID–19 infection risk mitigation procedures. Sec. 313. Extension of expiring immigration statuses and employment author- ization. Sec. 314. Sense of Congress on helping foreign assistance recipients mitigate effects from loss of operations and economic disruption related to the COVID–19 pandemic. Sec. 315. Sense of Congress on disinformation about COVID–19. Sec. 316. United States Agency for Global Media. Sec. 317. Global Engagement Center. Sec. 318. Pandemic unemployment assistance for Peace Corps volunteers. Sec. 319. Additional paid leave to employees of certain independent agencies in- volved in the conduct of foreign affairs. Sec. 320. Millennium Challenge Corporation compact extensions. Sec. 321. Annual National Intelligence Estimate and briefing on novel diseases and pandemic threats. Sec. 322. Applicability of Government in the Sunshine Act. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 1 In this Act: 2 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •S 3669 IS (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- 1 TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com- 2 mittees’’ means— 3 (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations 4 and the Committee on Appropriations of the 5 Senate; and 6 (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 7 the Committee on Appropriations of the House 8 of Representatives. 9 (2) COVID–19.—The term ‘‘COVID–19’’ 10 means the novel coronavirus disease caused by se- 11 vere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 12 (SARS–CoV–2). 13 (3) EBOLA.—The term ‘‘Ebola’’ means the 14 Ebola virus disease. 15 (4) GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY.—The term 16 ‘‘global health security’’ means activities, at the 17 country, regional, and global levels, to improve epi- 18 demic and pandemic preparedness and capabilities in 19 order to minimize vulnerability to acute public 20 health events that can endanger the health of popu- 21 lations at the country level and across international 22 boundaries. 23 (5) GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AGENDA; 24 GHSA.—The terms ‘‘Global Health Security Agenda’’ 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 5 •S 3669 IS and ‘‘GHSA’’ refer to the partnership, established in 1 2014, of nations, international organizations, and 2 nongovernmental stakeholders that is committed to 3 helping— 4 (A) build countries’ capacities to create a 5 world safe and secure from infectious disease 6 threats; and 7 (B) elevate global health security as a na- 8 tional and global priority. 9 (6) HEALTH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘health sys- 10 tem’’ means all of the organizations, institutions, 11 and resources, including resources from public, pri- 12 vate, traditional, and informal sectors, that are dedi- 13 cated to improving the health of individuals, includ- 14 ing through service provision, resource generation, 15 financing, and stewardship, especially those aspects 16 of a system which are foundational to success in 17 multiple United States Government supported health 18 programs and for which constraints should be ad- 19 dressed in a comprehensive way. 20 (7) PRIVATE SECTOR.—The term ‘‘private sec- 21 tor’’ includes local, national, and multinational cor- 22 porations, academia, and nongovernmental entities 23 and organizations with relevant expertise. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 6 •S 3669 IS (8) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED 1 HEALTH PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘United States Gov- 2 ernment supported health program’’ means any pro- 3 gram or activity supported by United States foreign 4 assistance that addresses a specific disease or health 5 issue, such as malaria, tuberculosis, neglected trop- 6 ical diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, 7 family planning, or HIV/AIDS. 8 (9) UNITED STATES NATIONAL DEFINED.—The 9 term ‘‘United States national’’ means an individual 10 who is— 11 (A) a United States citizen; or 12 (B) an alien lawfully admitted for perma- 13 nent residence to the United States. 14 SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 15 It is the sense of Congress that— 16 (1) as we attempt to manage the scale and 17 scope of the impact of COVID–19 in the United 18 States, a coordinated global response and recovery 19 effort is in the national security and economic inter- 20 ests of the United States; and 21 (2) in the same way that the world witnessed 22 increased international counterterrorism cooperation 23 following the tragic terrorist attacks against the 24 United States on September 11, 2001, countries 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 7 •S 3669 IS around the world need to increase information-shar- 1 ing and coordination on global health issues, includ- 2 ing to address COVID–19. 3 TITLE I—ENHANCING PROTEC- 4 TION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS 5 ABROAD DURING A PAN- 6 DEMIC 7 SEC. 111. ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DIPLO- 8 MATIC AND CONSULAR PROGRAMS. 9 (a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro- 10 priated for the Department of State $15,770,000 for fiscal 11 year 2021 for ‘‘Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Con- 12 sular Service’’, for necessary expenses for emergency evac- 13 uations of United States nationals, and third country na- 14 tionals connected to such persons, including private med- 15 ical evacuation support, during the COVID–19 outbreak. 16 (b) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 15 days after an 17 expenditure pursuant to this section, the Secretary of 18 State shall notify the appropriate congressional commit- 19 tees of the amount, purposes, and national interests served 20 by such expenditure. 21 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 8 •S 3669 IS SEC. 112. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE REIMBURSEMENT RE- 1 QUIREMENTS RELATED TO CERTAIN EVACU- 2 ATIONS. 3 Section 4(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the State Department Basic 4 Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2671(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is 5 amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the 6 following: ‘‘: Provided, that the Secretary of State may pay 7 expenses related to the evacuation of private United States 8 nationals abroad, and third-country nationals connected to 9 such persons, on a non-reimbursable basis in connection 10 with the response to COVID–19 or other situations when 11 it is in the national interest, taking into consideration the 12 financial need of each such individual’’. 13 SEC. 113. OPERATIONALIZING EXPEDIENT AMERICAN CIT- 14 IZEN SERVICES DURING THE COVID–19 PAN- 15 DEMIC: INTRACOUNTRY TRAVEL. 16 The Secretary of State shall immediately petition the 17 government of any country that closes its borders and air- 18 space due to COVID–19 or a future pandemic to make 19 arrangements with each United States mission in that 20 country to ensure United States nationals are able to trav- 21 el intracountry to United States Government evacuation 22 points or to access commercial travel when possible. 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 9 •S 3669 IS SEC. 114. OPERATIONALIZING EXPEDIENT AMERICAN CIT- 1 IZEN SERVICES DURING THE COVID–19 PAN- 2 DEMIC: CONSULAR AFFAIRS, TASK FORCES, 3 AND REGULATIONS. 4 The Secretary of State shall direct the Assistant Sec- 5 retary of State for Consular Affairs to immediately, and 6 for 45 days after the President determines the COVID– 7 19 pandemic is over— 8 (1) provide United States missions worldwide 9 with explicit guidance to protect United States na- 10 tionals and empower officers, specialists, and local 11 staff as they protect lives during and immediately 12 after the pandemic period; 13 (2) augment the staffing of the Consular Af- 14 fairs Task Force 2 to better assist posts and United 15 States nationals overseas, including— 16 (A) increasing staffing of the Overseas 17 Consular Services call center and activation of 18 the National Passport Information Center and 19 the National Visa Center to immediately im- 20 prove consular response times; and 21 (B) direct public access to Task Force 2 22 through the Overseas Consular Services call 23 center; and 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:05 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3669.IS S3669 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with BILLS 10 •S 3669 IS (3) notify Congress of any additional monetary 1 or technical resources needed to carry out the ac- 2 tions described in this subsection. 3 SEC. 115. CONSULAR AFFAIRS AND REPATRIATION RE- 4 SOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 5 Section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities 6 Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended by adding at 7 the end the following new section: 8 ‘‘(h) RESPONDING TO EPIDEMICS OR PANDEMICS.— 9 ‘‘(1) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It shall be the 10 policy of the United States, during any public health 11 emergency caused by an epidemic or pandemic— 12 ‘‘(A) to not leave any United States na- 13 tional involuntarily stranded in a foreign coun- 14 try; and 15 ‘‘(B) to provide all appropriate and avail- 16 able assistance to United States nationals to fa- 17 cilitate their return to the United States, when 18 requested, for the duration of the public health 19 emergency. 20 ‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subse [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]