,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fbci ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #ab1 #bjbj,mr4 ,hastings introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement to develop a diverse community of transatlantic leaders at all levels of government1 including emerging leaders1 committed to democratic institutions4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement ,act or ,,lite ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the ,united ,states diversity of backgrounds1 cultures1 perspectives1 skills1 and experiences is a national asset that has assisted in realizing ,united ,states foreign policy1 security1 and economic goals1 yet according to recent government statistics1 diverse communities continue to be underrepresented in international public service careers and leadership roles4 7#b7 ,according to census data1 the ,united ,states1 ,european1 and other societies are becoming more diverse1 indicating an increasing need for global leaders with expertise in policymaking and governance that can competently represent the needs of diverse constituencies and ensure that democratic values and practices are equally applied to and offer the same protections and opportunities for all4 7#c7 ,there is therefore a compelling need to encourage outstanding young people from diverse and underserved populations to pursue international public service careers4 7#d7 ,there is also a need for international leadership training opportunities for individuals serving in national1 regional1 and local governments and parliaments around the world1 and for individuals serving as employees of ,members of ,congress and as employees of members of other legislatures1 that includes a focus on civil and human rights and the inclusion of diverse and underserved populations in policymaking and governance4 7#e7 ,the establishment and operation of an institute for the training and development of a diverse and inclusive group of global leaders to serve in international public service careers would address these critical needs4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,the term ,institute means the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement established under section #d4 7#b7 ,the term ,board means the ,board of ,trustees of the ,institute4 7#c7 ,the term ,fund means the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement ,trust ,fund under section #f4 7#d7 ,the term underrepresented population means a population of individuals who have historically been outside the purview of leadership in international or domestic public or private sector careers1 based upon race1 ethnicity1 color1 religion1 gender1 sex 7including pregnancy1 gender identity1 and sexual orientation71 national origin1 youth 7under #be71 disability1 or other demographic factors4 7#e7 ,the term minority serving institutions as defined in section #cfe7c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgk7#c774 #d4 ,establishment of ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the legislative branch the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement4 7b7 ,board of ,trustees ,the ,institute shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a ,board of ,trustees which shall be composed of five members as follows3 7#a7 ,two members appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives1 one of whom shall be designated by the majority leader of the ,house of ,representatives and one of whom shall be designated by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,two members appointed by the ,president pro tempore of the ,senate1 one of whom shall be designated by the majority leader of the ,senate and one of whom shall be designated by the minority leader of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,the ,executive ,director of the ,institute1 who shall serve as an ex officio member of the ,board4 7c7 ,term ,each member of the ,board appointed under this section shall serve for a term of three years4 ,any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and the individual so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term4 ,a ,member of ,congress appointed to the ,board may not serve as a member of the ,board for more than a total of six years4 7d7 ,chair and ,vice-,chair ,at the first meeting and at its first regular meeting in each calendar year thereafter the ,board shall elect a ,chair and ,vice-,chair from among the members of the ,board4 ,the ,chair and ,vice-,chair may not be members of the same political party4 7e7 ,pay not authorized2 expenses ,members of the ,board 7other than the ,executive ,director7 shall serve without pay1 but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel1 subsistence1 and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties4 7f7 ,location of institute and regional offices ,the ,institute shall be located in ,washington1 ,,dc1 and the ,board may also establish other offices for the ,institute in regions of the ,united ,states and ,europe4 #e4 ,purposes and authority of ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,institute shall be to develop a diverse community of transatlantic leaders1 including emerging leaders1 at all levels of government committed to democratic institutions by-- 7#a7 increasing awareness of the importance of public service careers that focus on international affairs1 civil and human rights1 social inclusion1 and global security among underrepresented populations2 7#b7 providing training and development opportunities for ,members of ,congress1 parliaments1 and national1 ,state1 and locally elected or appointed government officials and their employees in the ,united ,states and abroad to become more effective and more efficient in performing their public duties and to develop their potential for accepting increased international public service opportunities2 and 7#c7 enabling transatlantic political leaders1 at all levels of government to gain significant1 firsthand exposure to ,united ,states democratic institutions through visits to the ,united ,states1 and for ,united ,states political leaders at all levels of government to support democratic institutions globally through travel abroad and knowledge sharing4 7b7 ,authority ,the ,institute is authorized1 consistent with this ,act1 to develop such programs1 activities1 and services as it considers appropriate to carry out the purposes described in subsection 7a74 ,such authority shall include the following3 7#a7 ,the development and implementation of training and educational programs and tools for transatlantic leaders and their staff1 including ,members of ,congress1 parliaments1 and national1 ,state1 and locally elected or appointed government officials and their employees in the ,united ,states and abroad to enhance and foster excellence in their skills and abilities as public servants and to increase support for democratic institutions4 7#b7 ,the development and implementation of training1 educational programs1 and tools for secondary and post-secondary schools and colleges in the ,united ,states and abroad1 including a focus on minority serving institutions1 to encourage ,united ,states and international students to increase their civic engagement and consider international public service careers in civil and human rights1 international affairs1 global security1 and in other areas4 7#c7 ,the development and implementation of media and telecommunications productions1 as well as online and social media methods1 to assist the ,institute in expanding the reach of its programs throughout the ,united ,states and abroad4 7#d7 ,the establishment of library and research facilities for the collection1 publication1 compilation1 and distribution of research materials for use in carrying out the programs of the ,institute4 7c7 ,program priorities ,the ,board shall determine the priority of the programs to be carried out under this ,act and the amount of funds to be allocated for such programs4 7d7 ,grant program 7#a7 ,grant program ,the ,institute shall establish a program to awards grants in the ,united ,states and abroad on an annual basis to colleges and universities1 other research institutions and organizations1 public departments and ,federal agencies 7including ,state1 territorial1 and overseas departments71 private organizations or corporations1 and individuals for the purposes of assisting the ,institute's work in conducting research1 international exchanges1 education or training activities1 and outreach to facilitate strengthening-- 7,a7 democratic institutions1 including civil and human rights2 7,b7 emerging and current political leaders and their employees at any level of government2 and 7,c7 interest and excellence in international public service careers4 7#b7 ,application ,each organization that seeks a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the ,institute at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,institute may reasonably require4 7#c7 ,set-aside for centers of excellence ,the ,institute shall ensure that not less than #ej percent of amounts made available to carry out this subsection are used to provide grants to minority-serving institutions and entities that have made significant efforts to work with under-represented populations in the ,united ,states or abroad4 7#d7 ,consortium ,one or more research institutions may constitute themselves as a consortium for purposes of seeking a grant under this subsection4 #f4 ,leadership institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement ,trust ,fund 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states a trust fund to be known as the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement ,trust ,fund4 ,the ,fund shall consist of amounts which may be appropriated1 credited1 or transferred to it under this section4 7b7 ,donations ,any money or other property donated1 bequeathed1 or devised to the ,institute under the authority of this section shall be credited to the ,fund4 7c7 ,fund management and investment 7#a7 ,investment ,at the request of the ,institute1 it shall be the duty of the ,secretary of the ,treasury to invest in full the amounts appropriated to the ,fund4 ,such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the ,united ,states issued directly to the ,fund4 7#b7 ,issuance of obligations ,the purposes for which obligations of the ,united ,states may be issued under chapter #ca of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 are hereby extended to authorize the issuance at par of special obligations directly to the ,fund4 ,such special obligations shall bear interest at a rate equal to the average rate of interest1 computed as to the end of the calendar month next preceding the date of such issue1 borne by all marketable interest-bearing obligations of the ,united ,states then forming a part of the public debt1 except that if such average rate is not a multiple of one-eighth of #a per centum1 the rate of interest of such special obligations shall be the multiple of one-eighth of #a per centum next lower than such average rate4 ,all requests of the ,institute to the ,secretary of the ,treasury provided for in this section shall be binding upon the ,secretary4 7d7 ,authority ,to sell obligations ,at the request of the ,institute1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall redeem any obligation issued directly to the ,fund4 ,obligations issued to the ,fund under subsection 7c77#b7 shall be redeemed at par plus accrued interest4 ,any other obligations issued directly to the ,fund shall be redeemed at the market price4 7e7 ,proceeds from certain transactions credited to ,fund ,in addition to the appropriations received pursuant to this ,act1 the interest on1 and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of1 any obligations held in the ,fund pursuant to this ,act1 shall be credited to and form a part of the ,fund4 7f7 ,fund reserves ,five to ten percent of the original amount appropriated to the ,fund must remain in the ,fund at all times4 7g7 ,expenditures ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury is authorized to pay to the ,institute from the interests and earnings of the ,fund1 and moneys credited to the ,fund pursuant to this section1 such sums as the ,board determines are necessary and appropriate to enable the ,institute to carry out the provisions of this ,act4 #g4 ,administrative provisions 7a7 ,executive ,director ,the ,board shall appoint an ,executive ,director who shall be the chief executive officer and principal executive of the ,institute and who shall supervise the affairs of1 assist the directions of1 and carry out the functions of the ,board to administer the ,institute4 ,the ,executive ,director of the ,institute shall be compensated at an annual rate specified by the ,board4 7b7 ,other duties ,the ,executive ,director1 in consultation with the ,board shall appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as may be necessary to carry out this ,act1 including personnel to carry out duties at any locations of the ,institute which are established outside of ,washington1 ,,dc4 7c7 ,institute personnel 7#a7 ,staff appointments ,all staff appointments shall be made without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of such title relating to classification and general schedule pay rates4 7#b7 ,treatment as congressional employees ,for purposes of pay and other employment benefits1 rights1 and privileges and for all other purposes1 any employee of the ,institute shall be considered to be a ,congressional employee under section #bajg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,coverage under ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7,a7 ,treatment of employees as covered employees ,section #aja7c7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7c77 is amended-- 7i7 by striking or at the end of subparagraph 7,j72 7ii7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,k7 and inserting 2 or2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,l7 the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement4 4 7,b7 ,treatment of institute as employing office ,section #aja7i77;,d7 of such ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7i77;,d77 is amended-- 7i7 by striking and the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center and inserting the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center2 and 7ii7 by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting the following3 1 and the ,leadership ,institute for ,transatlantic ,engagement24 #h4 ,administrative provisions ,in order to carry out this ,act1 the ,institute may carry out any of the following3 7#a7 ,prescribe such regulations as it considers necessary governing the manner in which its functions shall be carried out4 7#b7 ,procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants as are necessary to the extent authorized by section #caji of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,accept and utilize the services of voluntary and uncompensated personnel and reimburse them for travel expenses1 including per diem1 as authorized by section #egjc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,request and utilize the assignment of any ,federal officer or employee from a department1 agency1 or ,congressional office to the ,institute1 including on a rotating basis1 by entering into an agreement for such assignment4 7#e7 ,solicit and receive money and other property donated1 bequeathed1 or devised1 without condition or restriction other than it be used for the purposes of the ,institute1 and to use1 sell1 or otherwise dispose of such property for the purpose of carrying out its functions4 7#f7 ,enter into contracts1 grants1 or other arrangements1 or modifications thereof1 to carry out the provisions of this ,act1 including with any office of the ,federal ,government or of any ,state or any subdivision thereof1 and international public and private sector entities4 7#g7 ,make expenditures for any expenses in connection with official training sessions or other authorized programs or activities of the ,institute4 7#h7 ,apply for1 receive1 and use for the purposes of the ,institute grants or other assistance from ,federal sources4 7#i7 ,establish1 receive1 and use for the purposes of the ,institute fees or other charges for goods or services provided in fulfilling the ,institute's purposes4 7#aj7 ,invest1 as specified in section #f7;c71 moneys authorized to be received under this ,act4 7#aa7 ,establish advisory committees or other bodies composed of persons eminent in international affairs1 global security1 and civil and human rights1 to advise the ,board without compensation 7other than travel related expenses7 on matters determined to be necessary by the ,board4 7#ab7 ,respond to the request of offices of ,congress and other departments or agencies of the ,federal ,government to examine1 study1 or report on any issue within the ,institute's competence1 including the use of classified materials if necessary4 7#ac7 ,work with the appropriate security offices of the ,house of ,representatives and ,senate to obtain or retain need-based security clearances for ,institute personnel4 7#ad7 ,assign ,institute personnel to temporary duty with offices of the ,federal ,government1 international organizations1 agencies and other entities to fulfill this ,act4 7#ae7 ,make other necessary expenditures4 #i4 ,authorization of appropriations2 disbursements 7a7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4 7#b7 ,availability ,amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph 7#a7 are authorized to remain available until expended4 7b7 ,disbursements ,amounts made available to the ,institution shall be disbursed on vouchers approved by the ,chair and ,vice-,chair of the ,board or by a majority vote of the ,board4 7c7 ,use of foreign currencies ,for purposes of section #ejb7;b7 of the ,mutual ,security ,act of #aied 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #aged7;b771 the ,institute shall be deemed to be a standing committee of the ,congress and shall be entitled to use funds in accordance with such section4 7d7 ,foreign travel ,foreign travel for official purposes by ,members of the ,institute who are ,members of ,congress and ,institute staff may be authorized by the ,chair1 ,vice-,chair1 or ,executive ,director of the ,institute4 7e7 ,effective date ,this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this ,act4