Congress·In Progress·H.R. 5300

Department of State Policy Provisions Act

House Bill Would Speed Visa Interviews, Ban COVID Vax Rules for Travelers Abroad

Sep 18, 2025·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

This bill is one vehicle in a longer effort. See the full story across every version.View effort →

StalledNext up: A house committeeNo action in 10 months

This bill is currently in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. It has not seen any official action since September 2025, which means it has been inactive for about nine months. The bill must be reported out of committee before it can move forward, but it is not showing any signs of progress.

Legislative Progress

House

No action since September 2025

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Creates new State Department powers and rules, including a way to label countries that wrongfully detain Americans abroad.
Pushes the State Department to buy from U.S.-based companies first, and requires quick notice to Congress when foreign vendors win contracts.
Aims to speed up visitor visa interviews by setting a goal that 80% of applicants are interviewed within three weeks, when resources allow.
Blocks use of funds to enforce COVID-19 vaccination requirements for Americans traveling outside the United States.
Requires extra reporting and advance notice for certain foreign governments’ meetings with U.S. state/local officials, and adds oversight on opening or closing embassies.

Foreign PolicyImmigrationNational SecurityTradeCybersecurity

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Negative Impacts(1)

Criminal Record

Hurts

Mixed Impacts(4)

Federal Employee

Neutral

Small Business Owner

Neutral

Gig Worker

Neutral

Tribal Member

Neutral

Positive Impacts(2)

Military Active

Helps

Military Veteran

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones5 actions

Sep 18, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 24.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Sep 18, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 17, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 11, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sep 11, 2025

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Related News

2 articles

Roll Call·Sep 19, 2025

House panel backs sweeping State Department overhaul package

The House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced H.R. 5300, a major reauthorization bill that modernizes U.S. diplomatic operations. Key provisions include 'Buy American' procurement mandates, a goal to reduce visitor visa interview wait times to three weeks, and new tools to counter wrongful detentions.

Center

newZWire·Sep 16, 2025

EXPLAINER | Paying the Bill: The USA could finally repeal ZDERA sanctions on Zimbabwe. But new bill comes with a heavy price

The Department of State Policy Provisions Act proposes repealing the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA). However, the bill conditions future financial support on Zimbabwe compensating white former farmers, maintaining strict pressure despite the repeal of the older sanctions law.

No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Department of State Policy Provisions Act

Bill NumberHR 5300

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 24.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.