Mandate use of the embassy standard plan

(a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may not construct, cause to be constructed, or begin planning for construction of an embassy that does not conform to the Standard Embassy Design. (b) Exception If the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, that the Standard Embassy Design is inappropriate for the construction of an embassy, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes a robust justification for the Secretary’s determination of inappropriateness and a description, including dollar figures, of proposed costs beyond what construction of a Standard Embassy Design building would incur. (c) Applicability Subsection (a) shall only apply in cases of new construction. (d) Definition In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.