Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on House Passage of State Department Authorization Act (H.R. 3352)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after the House passed the State Department Authorization Act (H.R. 3352), including an amendment offered by Rep. Omar codifying the Office of Global Criminal Justice.

"This is a watershed moment in reestablishing Congressional oversight over the executive branch. Passing this bill into law is a major step in reasserting the House Foreign Affairs Committee's role in providing direction to the State Department. I am also proud that my amendment to codify the Office of Global Criminal Justice was included, which is essential to advance American leadership on transitional justice and accountability for human rights atrocities and crimes against humanity—accountability which has been under threat by the current administration."

It has been 17 years since the State Department authorization was signed into law and 6 years since House Foreign Affairs Committee passed State Authorization Act. This act will strengthen the management of the Department of State by retaining a diverse workforce, improve public diplomacy, anticorruption, security assistance and funding for. Embassy security, construction and maintenance.

The Office of Global Criminal Justice codified by Rep. Omar would:

1. Advise the Secretary and other senior officials on issues related to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
2. Assist in formulating United States policy on the prevention of, responses to, and accountability for mass atrocities.
3. Coordinate United States Government positions relating to the international and hybrid courts currently prosecuting persons responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity anywhere globally.
4. Work with other governments, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations to establish and assist international and domestic commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions and tribunals to investigate, document and prosecute atrocities in every region of the globe.
5. Coordinate the deployment of diplomatic, legal, economic, military and other tools to help expose the truth, judge those responsible, protect and assist victims enable reconciliation, deter atrocities and build the rule of law.
6. Provide advice and expertise on transitional justice to the United States personnel operating in conflict and post-conflict environments.
7. Act as a point of contact for international hybrid and mixed tribunals exercising jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed around the world.
8. Represent the Department on any interagency whole-of-government coordinating entities addressing genocide and other mass atrocities.
9. Perform any additional duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of the State may prescribe.

You can read the full text here.