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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 12598 (95th)

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1979

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

8 May 1978

Last action

7 October 1978 · President

Status

Public Law 95-426.

Sponsors

Rep. Fascell, Dante B. [D-FL-19], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Rep. Bingham, Jonathan B. [D-NY-22], Rep. Bonker, Don [D-WA-3], Rep. Buchanan, John [R-AL-6], Rep. Cavanaugh, John J. [D-NE-2], Rep. Diggs, Charles C., Jr. [D-MI-13], Rep. Fraser, Donald M. [D-MN-5], Rep. Hamilton, Lee H. [D-IN-9], Rep. Harrington, Michael J. [D-MA-6], Rep. Meyner, Helen S. [D-NJ-13], Rep. Pease, Donald J. [D-OH-13], Rep. Rosenthal, Benjamin S. [D-NY-8], Rep. Ryan, Leo J. [D-CA-11], Rep. Solarz, Stephen J. [D-NY-13], Rep. Whalen, Charles W., Jr. [R-OH-3], Rep. Winn, Larry, Jr. [R-KS-3], Rep. Wolff, Lester L. [D-NY-6], Rep. Zablocki, Clement J. [D-WI-4]

Subjects

Taxation

Source updated

14 January 2025

Taxation

Summary

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1979 - Title I: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1979 to conduct the foreign affairs of the United States for functions relating to: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) international organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; and (5) increases in salary, pay, retirement, and employee benefits. Authorizes appropriations to be set aside from the above Department of State authorization under this Act for: (1) the undocumented alien program; (2) the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development; and (3) assistance for refugees settling in Isreal; and (4) assistance for refugees in Africa. Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide emergency medical assistance and dietary supplements to destitute United States citizens abroad. Authorizes the Secretary of State to consolidate administrative services with other Federal agencies if such consolidation would result in the better performance of such services. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to authorize the Secretary to establish medical treatment and health care facilities at foreign posts where sufficient personnel are employed to warrant such facilities. Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries. Declares it to be the sense of Congress that the President should direct the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to use all means to obtain action by the General Assembly to terminate the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights. Changes the position of Deputy Under Secretary of State to Under Secretary of State for Management. Establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters and requires the Assistant Secretary to be responsible for the overall coordination of the role of the Department of State in the international aspects of narcotics problems. Title II: International Communication Agency - Authorizes appropriations for the International Communication Agency for fiscal year 1979, to carry out international communication, educational, cultural, and exchange programs. Renames the United States Information Agency the International Communication Agency. Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 for the Board for International Broadcasting. Prohibits funding of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) if any Communist country is permitted to use its broadcasting facilities, unless that country permits RFE/RL to use that country's broadcasting facilities on a comparable basis. Title IV: Foreign Service and Other Personnel - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to redefine the term "Chief of mission." Sets forth provisions affecting Foreign Service employees concerning: (1) assignments to public or private nonprofit organizations; (2) career counseling; (3) orientation and language training for family members; (4) special computation of annuities for foreign service employees; (5) special allowances; (6) per diem and subsistence allowances; (7) the responsibilities of a Chief of mission; (8) detailed State Department personnel; and (9) compensatory time off at posts in foreign areas. Title V: Science, Technology, and American Diplomacy - Makes findings that: (1) the consequences of modern scientific and technological advances are of major significance in United States foreign policy; and (2) many opportunities for development in diplomacy lie in scientific and technological fields. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to maximize the benefits and to minimize the adverse consequences of science and technology in the conduct of foreign policy. Sets forth responsibilities of the President and the Secretary of State in order to achieve this policy goal, including: (1) an annual report submitted by the President to Congress; and (2) requiring the Secretary, who is directed to have primary responsibility with respect to all science and technology agreements and activities between the United States and foreign governments, to make grants and other measures to achieve the policy goal. Title VI: Commission on Proposals for a Center for Conflict Resolution - Makes findings that: (1) many conflicts are largely the results of misunderstanding and poor communication; and (2) the techniques of conflict resolution are teachable and usable. Establishes the Commission on Proposals for a Center for Conflict Resolution to study: (1) whether to establish a Center for Conflict Resolution; and (2) the application of the behavioral sciences to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Requires the Commission to issue a report to the President and to the Congress. Title VII: Institute for International Human Rights - Institute for International Human Rights Act - Establishes as an independent agency of the United States a body corporate to be known as the Institute for International Human Rights in order to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Authorizes the Institute to provide assistance, primarily to nongovernmental organizations and individuals for programs that promote respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Directs the Institute to only carry out or provide assistance for activities relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms in foreign countries. Vests management of the Institute in a board of directors. Sets forth the powers of the Institute. Requires the Institute to report annually to Congress. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Increases the annual authorization of appropriations for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated to the President to acquire tin metal to contribute to the buffer stock of the International Tin Council.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 8 May 1978

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on International Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 8 May 1978

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 8 May 1978

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 15 May 1978

    Reported

    Reported to House from the Committee on International Relations with amendment, H. Rept. 95-1160.

    Source: Committee

  5. 15 May 1978

    Reported

    Reported to House from the Committee on International Relations with amendment, H. Rept. 95-1160.

    Source: Committee

  6. 31 May 1978

    Floor

    Measure called up by special rule in House.

    Source: Floor

  7. 31 May 1978

    Vote

    Measure passed House, amended, roll call #390 (240-124).

    Source: Floor

  8. 31 May 1978

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #390 (240-124).

    Source: Floor

  9. 5 June 1978

    Introduced

    Referred to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

  10. 28 June 1978

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference scheduled in Senate.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  11. 28 June 1978

    Floor

    Measure considered in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  12. 28 June 1978

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 3076, roll call #192 (64-17).

    Source: Floor

  13. 28 June 1978

    Discharge

    Committee on Foreign Relations discharged in Senate.

    Source: Discharge

  14. 28 June 1978

    Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations discharged in Senate.

    Source: Committee

  15. 10 July 1978

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference scheduled in House.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  16. 6 September 1978

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 95-1535.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  17. 6 September 1978

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 95-1535.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  18. 19 September 1978

    Vote

    House agreed to conference report, roll call #799 (240-153).

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  19. 19 September 1978

    Vote

    Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report, roll call #799 (240-153).

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  20. 20 September 1978

    Passed

    Senate agreed to conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  21. 20 September 1978

    Passed

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  22. 25 September 1978

    President

    Measure enrolled in House.

    Source: President

  23. 26 September 1978

    Floor

    Measure presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  24. 26 September 1978

    President

    Measure presented to President.

    Source: President

  25. 26 September 1978

    President

    Measure enrolled in Senate.

    Source: President

  26. 7 October 1978

    President

    Public Law 95-426.

    Source: President

  27. 7 October 1978

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  28. 7 October 1978

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

    Versions

    No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

    Documents

    3 official files

    Public Law (PDF)

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    • Public Law (PDF)

      Public Law · EN · 8 October 1978

      ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    • Conference report filed in House

      summary · EN · 6 September 1978

      Open at official source

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    • Introduced in House

      summary · EN · 8 May 1978

      Open at official source

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