Contact Congress about H.R. 5245: To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
The State Department would get clearer leadership roles and official bureaus for major work like passports, visas, security, technology, and buildings. The bill also lets some fees support consular services in 2026 and 2027, while adding new rules for post closures and foreign mission property.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State. is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Latest action on H.R. 5245: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects the State Department workers and offices that run passports, visas, overseas security, technology systems, buildings, hiring, and training. It could also affect people applying for passports or visas, U.S. citizens who need help overseas, foreign missions with property in the United States, and congressional committees that oversee State Department spending and post closures.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it could change how quickly and reliably the State Department runs core services and protects U.S. diplomats. Clearer management may help with passports, visas, embassy security, technology systems, hiring, training, and property decisions. The tradeoff is that the bill also gives the Department broader tools over data sharing, spending flexibility, law enforcement roles, and foreign mission property. The real effect would depend on how the State Department uses these powers and how Congress funds them.
Key provisions in H.R. 5245
- Creates or confirms several senior management jobs under the Under Secretary for Management. These include Assistant Secretaries for Administration, Consular Affairs, Diplomatic Security, Asset Management, and Human Resources, plus a technology chief and a chief medical officer.
- Creates official State Department bureaus for Administration, Diplomatic Technology, Consular Affairs, Diplomatic Security, Asset Management, and Human Resources. Each bureau gets a defined mission.
- Moves the Office of Consular Systems and Technology out of Consular Affairs and into the new Diplomatic Technology bureau. The Department must give Congress a transition plan within 90 days and finish the move within 180 days after enactment.
- Lets passport surcharges, immigrant visa surcharges, other listed fees, and some unused funds pay for consular services through fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The Department must send a spending report within 90 days after that authority ends.
- Makes it harder to close U.S. consular or diplomatic posts overseas. Congress must usually get 45 days’ notice, and closure costs count as a formal funding shift under existing oversight rules. Exceptions apply when relations break off or serious security threats arise.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5245
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 5245
- What is H.R. 5245?
- The State Department would get clearer leadership roles and official bureaus for major work like passports, visas, security, technology, and buildings. The bill also lets some fees support consular services in 2026 and 2027, while adding new rules for post closures and foreign mission property.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 5245?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 5245?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5245 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
