Responsive Counterterrorism Policy Act

The Responsive Counterterrorism Policy Act would require the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism to create and maintain written counterterrorism (CT) strategies for each country or region where there is a significant terrorist threat or ongoing U.S. CT engagement. These strategies would be forward-looking, operational planning documents that are distinct from the department’s annual Country Reports on Terrorism, and they would aim to improve the effectiveness, coordination, and accountability of U.S. CT policy. The plans would identify threats, set objectives, outline coordinated actions with U.S. interagency and international partners, and specify metrics to measure progress. The Bureau would lead these efforts, with updates reviewed annually (or more often if threats change), and the strategies would be subject to congressional briefings. The bill also requires initial congressional briefings within 90 days of enactment and annual briefings on the development, implementation, and updates of these strategies, including how the strategies inform funding and diplomatic engagement.