Report concerning Department of State consular officers joining Coast Guard and Navy missions to Pacific island countries

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Pacific island countries, especially, but not limited to, the Freely Associated States, include close United States partners located across highly strategic waters critical for United States national security; and (2) it is in the national security interests of the United States to maintain and strengthen relations with the governments and the citizens of Pacific island countries. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Chief of Naval Operations, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report analyzing the feasibility of attaching Department of State consular officers to Coast Guard and Navy missions in the Pacific Island countries. (2) Elements The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of the current demand for consular services from citizens of Pacific Island countries and challenges that these citizens face in obtaining services; (B) an assessment of the approximate value, including in time and resources saved, such an initiative could save citizens of Pacific Island countries that do not host United States embassies to have their United States visas adjudicated or to receive other services; (C) an assessment of the cost for the Department of State, United States Coast Guard, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and United States Navy, including potential alternative cost-effective options and recommendations for providing consular services to Pacific Island countries; (D) an assessment of the frequency and duration of United States Coast Guard and United States Navy deployments to Pacific Island countries, including— (i) deployment frequency measured against desired number of visits; (ii) amount of time typically spent in port for such visits; and (iii) disruption to planned United States Coast Guard and United States Navy missions in order to visit locations needing consular assistance; and (E) an evaluation of the logistical issues to be addressed including, including— (i) analysis of spacing requirements to host Department of State personnel and equipment aboard United States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels; (ii) analysis of the information technology and connectivity requirements to conduct consular affairs activities; (iii) the feasibility of printing visas aboard United States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels; (iv) maintaining physical security of consular officers and relevant adjudication equipment, including computer systems and visa foils, during such missions; (v) impacts to United States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels’ operations and security; and (vi) the estimated amount of time that consular officers would spend on board United States Coast Guard and United States Navy vessels between visits to Pacific Island countries. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Judiciary of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Judiciary of the House of Representatives.