To require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a notification of certain construction projects using nonstandard designs.

119th Congress Introduced by Darrell Issa

HR 7054 requires the Secretary of State to notify Congress about State Department construction projects that use nonstandard designs, increasing transparency and oversight.

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Summary of HR 7054 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 7054 requires the Secretary of State to notify Congress about certain construction projects that use nonstandard designs. The bill aims to ensure Congress receives timely, detailed information on projects potentially involving atypical or nonstandard architectural/engineering approaches, which may have implications for security, safety, cost, or policy considerations.

Key provisions and changes

Notification requirement: The core provision obligates the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a formal notification regarding specific construction projects that employ nonstandard designs.

Scope of projects: The bill defines the category of “nonstandard designs,” focusing on construction projects overseen or initiated by the Department of State. The exact criteria for what constitutes a nonstandard design would be determined by the implementing guidance or accompanying definitions in the bill and any related regulations.

Timing and content: The notification likely includes project identifiers (name or location), description of the nonstandard design elements, rationale for the design choice, estimated cost, project status, and potential security or strategic implications. The precise timing (e.g., prior to award, during planning, or at project milestones) would be specified in the statutory language or in accompanying guidance.

Legislative oversight: The notification enhances congressional oversight by providing a centralized reporting mechanism on design choices that deviate from standard or conventional approaches.

Who and what is affected

Primary department/agency: U.S. Department of State.

Directly affected entities: Construction projects under the State Department that utilize nonstandard designs.

Legislative actors: Members of Congress and relevant committees (notably the House Foreign Affairs Committee, given the referral and markup history) who receive the notifications and may use the information for oversight, hearings, or policy considerations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (January 14, 2026).

Committee action: The committee held a consideration and mark-up session on January 21, 2026.

Passage in committee: The bill was ordered reported by voice vote, with a tally of 47 yeas to 0 nays on January 21, 2026, indicating unanimous committee support.

Next steps: If reported, the bill would proceed to floor consideration in the House. Potential amendments or reconciliation with any companion Senate language would follow, depending on Senate action.

Practical implications and potential impact

Transparency and accountability: By mandating notifications to Congress, the bill increases transparency about design choices in State Department construction projects.

Budget and policy considerations: Detailed notifications could influence legislative scrutiny of project costs, security risk assessments, or the appropriateness of nonstandard designs.

Risk and decision-making: Stakeholders may use the information to evaluate whether nonstandard designs affect project timelines, maintenance, or long-term viability.

Note: The summary reflects the information available from the bill’s action history and title. The exact statutory language would provide definitive definitions of “nonstandard designs,” notification content, and timing.