Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 4026
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Jun 22, 2020
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Jun 22, 2020
Latest Action
Jun 22, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
4026
Congress
116
Policy Area
International Affairs
International Affairs
Primary focus of measure is matters affecting foreign aid, human rights, international law and organizations; national governance; arms control; diplomacy and foreign officials; alliances and collective security. Measures concerning trade agreements, tariffs, foreign investments, and foreign loans may fall under Foreign Trade and International Finance policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Overseas (EVACS) Act of 2020

This bill establishes requirements for the Department of State to expand American Citizen Services at U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions worldwide during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

American Citizen Services are the range of services provided by the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, such as emergency passports, consular reports of birth abroad, emergency financial assistance, and repatriation.

The State Department must petition the government of any country that closes borders and airspace or establishes travel restrictions due to COVID-19 to make provisions with the appropriate U.S. consular service in that country to ensure U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, or the immediate family members of such persons can travel to U.S. government evacuation points or access commercial travel. The State Department must also waive or reimburse certain repatriation travel expenses incurred due to COVID-19.

Further, the State Department must

  • provide U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions with explicit guidance to protect American lives abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic,
  • increase certain consular affairs staffing,
  • develop a comprehensive plan for COVID-19 infection risk mitigation procedures for all persons under chief of mission authority at overseas posts,
  • regularly report on the Bureau of Consular Affairs' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
  • prioritize regular and continued hiring of Foreign Service officers and specialists.
Text (1)
Actions (2)
06/22/2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
06/22/2020
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:46:11 PM