Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act of 2026

Purpose and intent

• HR 8561, titled the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act of 2026, would establish a dedicated Commission on Americans Living Abroad (the Commission) within the executive branch.
• The Commission is charged with studying how Federal laws and policies affect U.S. citizens living overseas, with the goal of identifying burdens, costs, and barriers, and proposing actions to improve access to Federal services and reduce compliance burdens.

Key provisions and changes

• Establishment and structure

  • Creates the Commission on Americans Living Abroad, an 10-member body appointed by the President.
  • Appointments are to reflect input from Congress: 2 members each from recommendations by the Speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader, and Senate minority leader.
  • Limitations: no more than 6 members may be U.S. officials; no more than 6 members may share the same political party; non‑federal members must have relevant overseas experience or representation in organizations of Americans living abroad.
  • Term: members serve for the life of the Commission; vacancies filled using the same process as original appointments.
  • Chair: selected by the President from among the members.

• Duties and study framework

  • The Commission must conduct a comprehensive study addressing:
  • How Federal laws and policies affect Americans living abroad.
  • Costs and burdens imposed by these laws and policies.
  • Access to Federal benefits and health care for veterans abroad.
  • Federal financial reporting requirements (including 31 U.S.C. 5314) for overseas citizens.
  • Interactions with financial institutions abroad and at home, including FATCA and USA PATRIOT Act implications.
  • Federal requirements for non-citizen family members seeking U.S. citizenship.
  • Voting processes for U.S. citizens abroad and engagement with Federal elections.
  • Interaction with Social Security, Medicare, and other Federal programs.
  • Jurisdictional responsibility and coordination among Federal agencies serving overseas citizens.
  • Tax filing, information reporting, retirement savings, and use of financial products in home countries.
  • Taxation and other policies affecting remittance flows.
  • Impacts on establishing and operating small to medium-sized businesses abroad.
  • The Commission must consult with outside organizations representing Americans living abroad.

• Reports and timelines

  • Initial report due within one year of enactment, detailing findings, conclusions, and recommendations to reduce tax/compliance costs, improve access to Federal services, and propose legislative/administrative actions.
  • An update to the initial report is due within one year after the initial report is submitted, describing administrative actions taken by relevant Federal departments/agencies in response to the recommendations.

• Powers and procedures

  • The Commission may hold hearings, receive testimony, and obtain information directly from Federal agencies (subject to applicable law) to carry out its work.
  • May use the U.S. mail for official business.

• Commission support and funding

  • Compensation: non-federal members are paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of Executive Schedule level IV; federal staff serving on the Commission may have no additional compensation beyond their federal pay.
  • Travel, per diem, and staff: provisions for travel expenses, possible appointment of an executive director, and authority to procure temporary/intermittent services within statutory pay limits.
  • Details of government employees may be arranged without reimbursement to preserve civil service status.

• Termination and appropriations

  • The Commission terminates upon submission of the required update under section 4(c)(2).
  • Authorization of appropriations: $2 million for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to carry out the act.

Who/what would be affected

• U.S. citizens living abroad and their families, particularly in matters of taxation, banking, benefits (Social Security, Medicare), voting, and eligibility for U.S. programs.
• Federal agencies that administer programs or enforce policies affecting overseas citizens (e.g., Treasury/IRS, Department of State, Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and agencies related to health, taxation, and immigration).
• Organizations representing Americans living overseas, which would provide input to the Commission.

Significant procedural and timeline aspects

• Establishes a new Commission within the executive branch with a 1-year initial reporting deadline.
• Requires a follow-up update within one year after the initial report.
• Recommends interagency coordination and responses from affected departments within 180 days of the Commission’s recommendations.
• Termination occurs after the required update is submitted, effectively making this a temporary investigative body.
• Funding is limited to two fiscal years (2027-2028), contingent on appropriation.

Overall, the bill creates a structured, time-bound process to evaluate and propose reforms aimed at reducing overseas compliance burdens and improving access to Federal services for Americans living abroad.