S. 4320 would provide the Department of State greater flexibility in meeting security standards for new diplomatic facilities overseas and require it to report to the Congress on its actions. It also would require the department to consider a wider range of threats in preparing for emergencies at overseas facilities. On the basis of information from the department about how it plans for and acquires overseas facilities, CBO estimates that implementing S. 4320 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2027 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The department indicated that under S. 4320 it would need to update its policies and procedures for construction and security. Providing greater flexibility (especially in the distance between a facility and the property’s perimeter) could reduce the department’s costs to acquire land and construct or lease facilities. It also could lead the department to build or lease in more densely populated areas, resulting in taller facilities with sophisticated security systems that could offset such savings. However, CBO has no basis for estimating the net effect on spending from the department’s use of that enhanced flexibility.
