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1 1 (June 6, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govzyu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressinal Research Service I fo r an the legisiative debate sice 1914 0 June 6, 2019 U.S. Overseas Diplomatic Presence: Background and Issues for Congress Members of Congress maintain enduring interests in the U.S. diplomatic presence overseas. Congress plays an ongoing role in shaping the U.S. overseas presence by authorizing and appropriating funding for the construction and security of diplomatic facilities and, separately, the hiring of U.S. diplomatic personnel. Members of the 116th Congress may continue to monitor and oversee these issues, including potential implementation of restructuring or reform initiatives proposed by the executive branch. History of U.S. Overseas Diplomacy The conduct of U.S. diplomacy overseas predates the Declaration of Independence, tracing its history to the inception of the Continental Congress. Early U.S. diplomats played a vital role in efforts to attain independence from the British Empire. Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic efforts were instrumental in the signing of the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778. By 1797, an independent United States maintained diplomatic relations with France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. U.S. overseas staffing levels and global presence have increased throughout American history, experiencing significant growth in the 20th century as the United States assumed a greater leadership role in global affairs. The United States engaged in its greatest expansion of overseas diplomatic presence following World War II. From 1940 to 1950, the number of overseas diplomatic personnel rose from 840 to 7,710. The number of overseas diplomatic missions experienced a concomitant expansion, rising from 58 in 1940 to 74 in 1950 and to 170 by 2018 (see Figure 1). Figure I. Composition of U.S. Department of State Personnel, 1940-2018 Overseas Personnel Domestic Personnel Thousands 30 20 10 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 200c, 2010 2018 Source: Created by CRS based on data from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, Department Personnel, 1781-2010, and Bureau of Human Resources, HR Fact Sheet 2018; Plischke, Elmer. U.S. Department of State: A Reference History. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. Types of Diplomatic Posts The United States has expanded the diversity and functions of its overseas posts over the years. Types of overseas posts vary in terms of their roles within missions, the rank of Foreign Service Officers at post, and the types of functions the post performs. The State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual describes the types of diplomatic and consular posts. Descriptions of many of such posts are as follows: * Permanent Bilateral Missions. Embassies headed by ambassadors and established to conduct continuing diplomatic relations with the government of another country or authority. * Multilateral Mission. U.S. missions to international organizations rather than foreign governments, such as the U.S. Mission to the United Nations (USUN). * U.S. Interest Sections (USINTs). Offices operating under the auspices of a protecting power in countries with which the United States does not maintain diplomatic relations, tasked with maintaining U.S. interests and providing consular services to U.S. citizens in such countries. * Consulates General (CGs): The offices and staff of a consul general, often located in major, noncapital cities of the host country. Consulates General normally have a greater diversity of multidisciplinary staff than Consulates, and they often house personnel from non- State agencies. * Consulates: Typically smaller than Consulates General, consulates comprise the office and staff of consuls. Lacking the broader remit of Consulates General, consulates focus almost exclusively on consular functions such as the adjudication of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications and the provision of passport services to U.S. citizens abroad. * Consular Agencies. An office that provides non-visa consular services, typically staffed by local residents working part-time. * American Presence Posts (APPs). Small diplomatic and consular offices, typically staffed by one U.S. direct-hire officer. Legally, APPs are considered consulates. * Virtual Presence Posts (VPPs). Established to provide remote diplomatic engagement with important cities or regions, these posts have no resident U.S. employees. https:!icrsreports~cong --sq

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