Establishment of quad inter-parliamentary working group

(a) Establishment Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall seek to enter into negotiations with the Governments of Australia, India, and Japan (collectively, with the United States, known as the Quad) with the goal of reaching a written agreement to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values. (b) United States Group (1) In general At such time as the governments of the Quad countries enter into a written agreement described in subsection (a) to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, there shall be established a United States Group, which shall represent the United States at the Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group. (2) Membership (A) In general The United States Group shall be comprised of not more than 24 Members of Congress. (B) Appointment Of the Members of Congress appointed to the United States Group under subparagraph (A)— (i) half shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, based on recommendations from the minority leader, from among Members of the House, not fewer than 4 of whom shall be members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and (ii) half shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, based on recommendations of the majority leader and minority leader of the Senate, from among Members of the Senate, not fewer than 4 of whom shall be members of the Committee on Foreign Relations (unless the majority leader and minority leader determine otherwise). (3) Meetings (A) In general The United States Group shall seek to meet not less frequently than annually with representatives and appropriate staff of the legislatures of Australia, India, and Japan, and any other country invited by mutual agreement of the Quad countries. (B) Limitation A meeting described in subparagraph (A) may be held— (i) in the United States; (ii) in another Quad country during periods when Congress is not in session; or (iii) virtually. (4) Chairperson and vice chairperson (A) House delegation The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate the chairperson or vice chairperson of the delegation of the United States Group from the House from among members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. (B) Senate delegation The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate the chairperson or vice chairperson of the delegation of the United States Group from the Senate from among members of the Committee on Foreign Relations. (5) Private sources The United States Group may accept gifts or donations of services or property, subject to the review and approval, as appropriate, of the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Ethics of the Senate. (6) Certification of expenditures The certificate of the chairperson of the delegation from the House of Representatives or the delegation of the Senate of the United States Group shall be final and conclusive upon the accounting officers in the auditing of the accounts of the United States Group. (7) Annual report The United States Group shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report at the end of each year that outlines the group’s activities that year, including a description of its expenditures, and its recommendations for enhancing the Quad. (8) Engagement with U.S. officials on the Quad Senior United States officials shall provide regular updates and briefings to the United States Group, including leading up to and after major Quadrilateral dialogues, to ensure close coordination with Congress.