Sunita D’Monte

The Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2018 (HR 3776) would codify the role and responsibilities of an existing office within the Department of State that works to advance US interests in cyberspace and coordinates US efforts to promote open, reliable, and secure communications technology. In addition, the act would require the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess and report to the Congress on the extent to which international actors threaten the personal information of US citizens and the department’s efforts to protect such personal information.

The Digital GAP Act (HR 5537) would codify many of the guiding principles and practices of the federal government’s efforts to promote Internet access in developing countries. In addition, the bill would require the President to report to the Congress on his policy to promote such access and on partnerships between federal agencies to provide access and expand infrastructure.

On the basis of information from the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2017-2021 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply because enacting H.R. 5537 would not affect direct spending or revenues. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 5537 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027. H.R. 5537 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.