Congressman Crow Introduces the Overseas CRISIS Act
Legislation would improve the State Department’s crisis response in US-involved conflicts abroad
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Afghanistan veteran and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability, introduced the Overseas Crisis Response Implementation System and Immediate Strategy Act(Overseas CRISIS Act) to consistently evaluate and improve the US response to emergency situations abroad. The legislation follows the US Department of State’s After Action Review on Afghanistan, which highlighted the critical need to strengthen the Department’s overall crisis preparedness and response capabilities, utilize Department personnel more effectively in a crisis, and bolster our existing infrastructure for crisis communications.
The Overseas CRISIS Act addresses these recommendations to ensure that the United States is ready and empowered to respond effectively to crises, wherever they may occur. Specifically, this bill would establish a Crisis Management and Strategy Unit within the State Department to coordinate the Department’s overall response to international crises and establish a Department of State Reserve Corps to leverage expert personnel when circumstances demand them. By requiring regular crisis simulations and exercises, creating a red team capability, and strengthening training through a clearinghouse of best practices and Foreign Service Institute curriculum, these measures will support US capabilities to address emergent threats and protect key diplomatic personnel and assets worldwide.
“As an Afghanistan veteran, I know the importance of readiness and decisive action when we respond to emergency situations abroad,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m proud to lead this effort to strengthen the State Department’s preparation for, and response to, international crises. Proactively assessing best practices, challenging existing assumptions, and investing in our workforce will help protect American citizens and our allies while advancing our national security interests around the world.”
As a former Army Ranger in Afghanistan, Congressman Crow continues his work to honor our promises to our Afghan partners and advance US interests abroad. Crow’s efforts include introducing the Afghan Allies Protection Act to expand and extend the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, and co-leading the Afghan Adjustment Act to provide a legal adjustment process for Afghan allies already in the US. This year, Crow’s fierce advocacy, alongside House and Senate colleagues, resulted in the authorization of 12,000 additional Afghan SIVs in the State Department's Fiscal Year 2024 foreign operations funding bill.
Read the full text of the legislation here.
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