Embassy Construction Integrity Act of 2025
The Embassy Construction Integrity Act of 2025 would require the Secretary of State to avoid or minimize the United States’ acquisition, lease, or contracts related to constructing or maintaining consular or diplomatic buildings that are built or owned by entities tied to the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bill defines what counts as a covered building, covered construction, and a covered entity, focusing on PRC government ownership or control. It also imposes an oversight mechanism: the Secretary must notify Congress (the House and Senate foreign affairs committees) at specified times if an action would be inconsistent with these restrictions, and must provide assessments of national security interests and mitigation steps. Overall, the bill aims to reduce potential national security vulnerabilities by limiting Chinese state-linked involvement in U.S. embassy-related construction abroad.
Key Points
- 1- Restrictions apply to acquiring, leasing, or renewing contracts for a “covered building” (consular/diplomatic post facilities outside the U.S.) or having a “covered entity” perform “covered construction” for such buildings.
- 2- A “covered entity” is an entity owned or controlled by the PRC government or its agents/instrumentalities, directly or indirectly, including through contracts, arrangements, or relationships that indicate significant ownership or control.
- 3- “Covered construction” covers all construction-related work on the building, including development, alterations, repairs, and the installation/maintenance of systems like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, communications, and energy management.
- 4- The Secretary of State must take necessary steps to avoid or minimize the restricted actions, and may pursue other measures to mitigate risks if avoidance is not possible.
- 5- Notification and congressional oversight: the Secretary must inform the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at least 7 days before entering into an inconsistent acquisition/lease/contract, and within 7 days after becoming aware of any such inconsistent action. The notices must include a national security determination, the interest served, an explanation, and any mitigation steps planned or taken.