US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

2 U.S.C. § 1151

Congressional Office for International Leadership

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

There is established in the legislative branch of the Government an office to be known as the “Congressional Office for International Leadership” (the “Office”).

(2)

Board of Trustees

The Office shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a Board of Trustees (the “Board”) which shall be composed of 11 members as follows:
(A)
Two Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and one of whom shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(B)
Two Senators appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one of whom shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(C)
The Librarian of Congress.
(D)
Four private individuals with interests in improving relations between the United States and eligible foreign states, designated by the Librarian of Congress.
(E)
The chair of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the chair of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
Each member appointed under this paragraph shall serve for a term of 3 years. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and the individual so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term. Members of the Board shall serve without pay, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(b)

Purpose and authority of the Office

(1)

Purpose

The purpose of the Office is to establish, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2), a program to enable emerging political and civic leaders of eligible foreign states at all levels of government to gain significant, firsthand exposure to the American free market economic system and the operation of American democratic institutions through visits to governments and communities at comparable levels in the United States and to establish and administer a program to enable cultural leaders of Russia to gain significant, firsthand exposure to the operation of American cultural institutions.

(2)

Grant program

Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4), the Office shall establish a program under which the Office annually awards grants to government or community organizations in the United States that seek to establish programs under which those organizations will host nationals of eligible foreign states who are emerging political and civic leaders at any level of government.

(3)

Restrictions

(A)

Duration

The period of stay in the United States for any individual supported with grant funds under the program shall not exceed 30 days.

(B)

Limitation

The number of individuals supported with grant funds under the program shall not exceed 3,500 in any fiscal year.

(C)

Use of funds

Grant funds under the program shall be used to pay—
(i)
the costs and expenses incurred by each program participant in traveling between an eligible foreign state and the United States and in traveling within the United States;
(ii)
the costs of providing lodging in the United States to each program participant, whether in public accommodations or in private homes; and
(iii)
such additional administrative expenses incurred by organizations in carrying out the program as the Office may prescribe.
(4)

Application

(A)

In general

Each organization in the United States desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Office at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Office may reasonably require.

(B)

Contents

Each application submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought;
(ii)
include the number of program participants to be supported;
(iii)
describe the qualifications of the individuals who will be participating in the program; and
(iv)
provide such additional assurances as the Office determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.
(c)

Establishment of Fund

(1)

In general

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the “Congressional Office for International Leadership Fund” (the “Fund”), which shall consist of amounts which may be appropriated, credited, or transferred to it under this section.

(2)

Donations

Any money or other property donated, bequeathed, or devised to the Office under the authority of this section shall be credited to the Fund.

(3)

Fund management

(A)

In general

section 1105 of this titlesection 1106(b) of this titleThe provisions of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of , and the provisions of , shall apply to the Fund.

(B)

Expenditures

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to pay to the Office from amounts in the Fund such sums as the Board determines are necessary and appropriate to enable the Office to carry out the provisions of this section.

(d)

Executive Director

section 5314 of title 5On behalf of the Board, the Librarian of Congress shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be the chief executive officer of the Office and who shall carry out the functions of the Office subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director of the Office shall be compensated at the annual rate specified by the Board, but in no event shall such rate exceed level III of the Executive Schedule under .

(e)

Administrative provisions

(1)

In general

section 1108 of this titleThe provisions of shall apply to the Office.

(2)

Support provided by Library of Congress

The Library of Congress may disburse funds appropriated to the Office, compute and disburse the basic pay for all personnel of the Office, provide administrative, legal, financial management, and other appropriate services to the Office, and collect from the Fund the full costs of providing services under this paragraph, as provided under an agreement for services ordered under sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(g)

Transfer of funds

Public Law 106–31113 Stat. 93Any amounts appropriated for use in the program established under section 3011 of the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (; ) shall be transferred to the Fund and shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.

(h)

Effective dates

(1)

In general

This section shall take effect on .

(2)

Transfer

Subsection (g) shall only apply to amounts which remain unexpended on and after the date the Board certifies to the Librarian of Congress that grants are ready to be made under the program established under this section.

(j)

1
1 So in original. No subsec. (i) has been enacted.
  Eligible foreign state defined

In this section, the term “eligible foreign state” means—
(1)
section 5801 of title 22 any country specified in ;
(2)
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; and
(3)
any other country that is designated by the Board, except that the Board shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the designation at least 90 days before the designation is to take effect.

Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 313]114 Stat. 2763Pub. L. 108–7, div. H, title I, § 1401(a)117 Stat. 382Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I118 Stat. 3192Pub. L. 109–13, div. A, title III, § 3402(b)119 Stat. 272Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20703(d)(6)Pub. L. 110–5, § 2121 Stat. 39Pub. L. 111–68, div. A, title I, § 1601(a)123 Stat. 2041Pub. L. 117–103, div. I, title I, § 150(a)136 Stat. 522(, , , 2763A–120; , , ; , §§ 1501, 1502, , ; , , ; , as added , , ; , (b), , ; , (b), , , 523.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 3011 of Pub. L. 106–31Section 3011 of the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, referred to in subsec. (g), is , which is set out as a note below.

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(1)(A)2022—, substituted “Congressional Office for International Leadership” for “Open World Leadership Center” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There is established in the legislative branch of the Government a center to be known as the ‘Open World Leadership Center (the ‘Center’).”

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “The Office” for “The Center” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , (b), substituted “the Office” for “the Center” and “political and civic leaders” for “political leaders”.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , (b), substituted “the Office” for “the Center” in two places and “political and civic leaders” for “political leaders”.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(2)(C)Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(iii). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center”.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(2)(D)Subsec. (b)(4)(A). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center” in two places.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(2)(E)Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iv). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center”.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (c)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the ‘Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund’ (the ‘Fund’) which shall consist of amounts which may be appropriated, credited, or transferred to it under this section.”

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(3)(B)Subsec. (c)(2), (3)(B). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(4)Subsec. (d). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 117–103, § 150(a)(5)Subsec. (e). , substituted “the Office” for “the Center” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 111–68, § 1601(a)(1)2009—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , substituted “Members of the House of Representatives” for “members”.

Pub. L. 111–68, § 1601(a)(2)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , substituted “Senators” for “members”.

Pub. L. 111–68, § 1601(b)Subsec. (d). , substituted “On behalf of the Board, the Librarian of Congress shall appoint” for “The Board shall appoint”.

Pub. L. 109–289, § 20703(d)(6)Pub. L. 110–5Pub. L. 109–13, § 3402(b)Pub. L. 109–13, § 3402(b)2007—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). , as added by , repealed , and amended this section to read as if , had not been enacted. See 2005 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 109–13, § 3402(b)Pub. L. 109–289, § 20703(d)(6)Pub. L. 110–52005—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). , which substituted “chair of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives (or another member of such Committee designated by the chair)” for “chair of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives”, was repealed by , as added by . See Construction of 2005 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 108–447, § 1502(1)2004—Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “11 members” for “nine members” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 108–447, § 1502(2)Subsec. (a)(2)(E). , added subpar. (E).

Pub. L. 108–447, § 1501Subsec. (j)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(1)2003—, substituted “Open World Leadership Center” for “Center for Russian Leadership Development” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “a center to be known as the ‘Open World Leadership Center (the ‘Center’)” for “a center to be known as the ‘Center for Russian Leadership Development’ (the ‘Center’)”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(2)(B)(i)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted “(the ‘Board’)” after “Board of Trustees” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(2)(B)(ii)Subsec. (a)(2)(D). , substituted “relations between the United States and eligible foreign states” for “United States and Russian relations”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “eligible foreign states” for “Russia” and inserted “and to establish and administer a program to enable cultural leaders of Russia to gain significant, firsthand exposure to the operation of American cultural institutions” before period at end.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(3)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “nationals of eligible foreign states” for “Russian nationals”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(3)(C)(i)Subsec. (b)(3)(B). , substituted “3,500” for “3,000”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(3)(C)(ii)Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(i). , substituted “an eligible foreign state” for “Russia”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(4)(A)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund” for “Russian Leadership Development Center Trust Fund”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(4)(B)Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , struck out “of Trustees of the Center” after “Board”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(5)Subsec. (h)(2). , struck out “of Trustees of the Center” after “Board”.

Pub. L. 108–7, § 1401(a)(6)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 117–103, div. I, title I, § 150(c)136 Stat. 523

“Any reference in any law, rule, or regulation—
“(1)
to the Open World Leadership Center shall be deemed to refer to the Congressional Office for International Leadership; and
“(2)
to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund shall be deemed to refer to the Congressional Office for International Leadership Fund.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2022 Amendment; Transition

Pub. L. 117–103, div. I, title I, § 150(d)136 Stat. 523

“(1)

Effective date .—

This section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on or after the later of , or the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(2)

Service of current executive director .—

The individual serving as the Executive Director of the Open World Leadership Center as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Librarian of Congress to serve as the Executive Director of the Congressional Office for International Leadership.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–68, div. A, title I, § 1601(c)123 Stat. 2041

section 1601 of Pub. L. 111–68“The amendments made by this subsection [probably means , which amended this section] shall apply with respect to—
“(1)
appointments made on and after the date of enactment of this Act []; and
“(2)
the remainder of the fiscal year in which enacted, and each fiscal year thereafter.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–7, div. H, title I, § 1401(b)117 Stat. 382

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Construction of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20703(d)(6)Pub. L. 110–5, § 2121 Stat. 39

Public Law 109–13119 Stat. 272section 132b of this title“Section 3402 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 (; ) [amending this section and provisions set out as a note under ] is repealed, and each provision of law amended by such section is restored as if such section had not been enacted into law.”
, as added by , , , provided that:

Russian Leadership Program

Pub. L. 106–31, title III, § 3011113 Stat. 93Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 585]113 Stat. 1535Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 310]114 Stat. 2763

“(a)

Purpose .—

It is the purpose of this section to establish, in accordance with the provisions of this section—
“(1)
a pilot program within the Library of Congress for fiscal years 2000 and 2001; and
“(2)
a permanent program within the Executive agency designated by the President of the United States for fiscal years 2002 and thereafter,
to enable emerging political leaders of Russia at all levels of government to gain significant, firsthand exposure to the American free market economic system and the operation of American democratic institutions through visits to governments and communities at comparable levels in the United States.
“(b)

Grants.—

“(1)

In general .—

The head of the administering agency shall annually award grants to government or community organizations in the United States that seek to establish programs under which those organizations will host eligible Russians for the purpose described in subsection (a).
“(2)

Duration .—

The period of stay in the United States for any eligible Russian supported with grant funds under this section shall not exceed 30 days.
“(3)

Limitation .—

The number of eligible Russians supported with grant funds under this section shall not exceed 3,000 in any fiscal year.
“(4)

Administration.—

“(A)

In general .—

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the head of the administering agency—
“(i)
may contract with nongovernmental organizations having expertise in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a) for the purpose of carrying out the administrative functions of the program (other than the awarding of grants); and
“(ii)
may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations (or, in the case of the Librarian of Congress, any requirement for competition in hiring), appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the administering agency to perform its duties under this section.
“(B)

Waiver of competitive bidding .—

41 U.S.C. 6101The Librarian of Congress, after consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, may enter into contracts under subparagraph (A)(i) to carry out the pilot program during fiscal years 2000 and 2001 without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes [see ] or any other requirement for competitive contracting or the providing of notice of contracting opportunities.
“(c)

Use of Funds .—

Grants awarded under subsection (b) shall be used to pay—
“(1)
the costs and expenses incurred by each program participant in traveling between Russia and the United States and in traveling within the United States;
“(2)
the costs of providing lodging in the United States to each program participant, whether in public accommodations or in private homes; and
“(3)
such additional administrative expenses incurred by organizations in carrying out the program as the head of the administering agency may prescribe.
“(d)

Application.—

“(1)

In general .—

Each organization in the United States desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the head of the administering agency at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as such head may reasonably require.
“(2)

Contents .—

Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall—
“(A)
describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought;
“(B)
include the number of program participants to be supported;
“(C)
describe the qualifications of the individuals who will be participating in the program; and
“(D)
provide such additional assurances as the head of the administering agency determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.
“(3)

Waiver .—

The Librarian of Congress may waive the requirement of this subsection in carrying out the pilot program during fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
“(e)

Advisory Board.—

“(1)

In general .—

There is established a Russian Leadership Program Advisory Board which shall advise the head of the administering agency as to the carrying out of the permanent program during fiscal years 2002 and thereafter.
“(2)

Membership .—

The Advisory Board under paragraph (1) shall consist of—
“(A)
two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom one shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and one shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
“(B)
two members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, of whom one shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
“(C)
the Librarian of Congress;
“(D)
a private individual with expertise in international exchange programs, designated by the Librarian of Congress; and
“(E)
an officer or employee of the administering agency, designated by the head of the administering agency.
“(3)

Terms .—

Each member appointed under paragraph (2) shall serve for a term of 3 years. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and the individual so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term.
“(f)

Reporting .—

The head of the administering agency shall, not later than 3 months following the close of each fiscal year for which such agency administered the program, report to Congress with respect to the conduct of such program during such fiscal year. Such report shall include information with respect to the number of participants in the program and the cost of the program, and any recommendations on improvements necessary to enable the program to carry out the purposes of this section.
“(g)

Funding.—

“(1)

Fiscal year 1999.—

“(A)

In general .—

Public Law 105–275112 Stat. 2430Of funds made available under the heading ‘SENATE’ under title I of the Legislative [Branch] Appropriations Act, 1999 (; et seq.) [see Tables for classification], $10,000,000 shall be made available, subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, to the administering agency to carry out the program.
“(B)

Use of funds at close of fiscal year .—

Funds made available under this paragraph which are unexpended and unobligated as of the close of fiscal year 1999 shall no longer be available for such purpose and shall be available for the purpose originally appropriated.
“(2)

Fiscal year 2000 and subsequent fiscal years.—

“(A)

Authorization of appropriations .—

There are authorized to be appropriated to the administering agency for fiscal years 2000 and thereafter such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program.
“(B)

Availability of funds .—

Amounts appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) are authorized to remain available until expended.
“(h)

Definitions .—

In this section:
“(1)

Administering agency .—

The term ‘administering agency’ means—
“(A)
for fiscal years 2000 and 2001, the Library of Congress; and
“(B)
for fiscal year 2002, and subsequent fiscal years, the Executive agency designated by the President of the United States under subsection (a)(2).
“(2)

Eligible russian .—

The term ‘eligible Russian’ means a Russian national who is an emerging political leader at any level of government.
“(3)

Program .—

The term ‘program’ means the grant program established under this section.
“(4)

Program participant .—

The term ‘program participant’ means an eligible Russian selected for participation in the program.”
, , , as amended by , , , 1501A–117; , , , 2763A–119, provided that: