Americas Act

This bill establishes a regional trade, investment, and people-to-people partnership with countries in the Western Hemisphere to stimulate growth and integration through private sector development. It creates new agencies, programs, and incentives for re-shoring, near-shoring, trade expansion, investment, and cultural exchange.

Sec. 101, Americas Institute for Digital Governance: Establishes a nonprofit organization to develop and maintain an e-governance framework for partner countries.

Sec. 102, E-governance framework: The Institute will create a comprehensive e-governance framework to harmonize and facilitate government services within and between partner countries.

Sec. 103, Additional duties of Institute: The Institute will promote collaboration between partner countries on e-governance systems.

Sec. 104, Funding: Authorizes $10,000,000 to establish the Institute, with additional funds from the Re-shoring and Near-shoring Account.

Sec. 201, Partnership agreements: The Secretary of State may enter into partnership agreements with Western Hemisphere countries, which serve as a gateway to USMCA accession.

Sec. 202, Americas Partnership business advisory board: A business advisory board will be established to inform discussions on business environments.

Sec. 203, Administration: Creates a Deputy Under Secretary in the Department of Commerce for administration of the title.

Sec. 204, Americas Partnership Secretariat: Establishes a Secretariat to coordinate diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people efforts.

Sec. 205, Report: Requires annual reports to Congress on efforts under this title.

Sec. 212, Incentives for re-shoring and near-shoring: Authorizes up to $60,000,000,000 in loans to covered entities for moving inventory, equipment, and supplies.

Sec. 213, Tax credit for qualifying re-shoring and near-shoring expenses: Creates a tax credit equal to 50% of qualifying expenses.

Sec. 222, Expansion of USMCA: Expresses the sense of Congress that USMCA is the gold standard and that accession of additional countries would be beneficial.

Sec. 223, Americas Partnership Threshold Program: Establishes a program to prepare partner countries for possible USMCA accession.

Sec. 231, Textile and apparel grant program: Creates a grant program for textile or apparel manufacturers with headquarters or significant presence in the U.S. or partner countries.

Sec. 241, Special enforcement unit: Establishes a unit to monitor implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Sec. 242, Payments to whistleblowers: Authorizes payments up to 30% of seized assets for whistleblowers disclosing money laundering or illicit financial transactions.

Sec. 243, Borders and Ports Protection Program: Establishes a program to enhance border and port security.

Sec. 245, Medical equipment and supplies grant program: Creates a grant program for manufacturers of medical equipment and supplies.

Sec. 252, BUILD Americas Unit: Establishes a unit within the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to advance U.S. interests.

Sec. 253, Americas Partnership Enterprise Fund: Authorizes the President to designate an enterprise fund for investment in partner countries.

Sec. 254, Near-shoring of strategic supply chains: States the policy to assist Western Hemisphere countries in hosting strategic industries.

Sec. 255, Transformational Energy Development: Amends the BUILD Act to include early-stage project technical assistance.

Sec. 262, Department of State: Authorizes additional cultural affairs programming, including English language programs and Fulbright scholarships.

Sec. 263, Peace Corps: Directs the Peace Corps to double volunteers in each partner country within 27 months.

Sec. 265, USAID Caribbean and Latin American Scholarship Program III: Establishes a scholarship program modeled after CLASP-II.

Sec. 266, CARE visa program: Creates a nonimmigrant visa program for aliens providing direct care for elderly populations.

Sec. 270, Biennial Presidential Summit: Requires the President to host a summit for partner countries at least every two years.

Sec. 301, Re-shoring and Near-shoring Account: Establishes an account within the Treasury for funds related to re-shoring and near-shoring.

Sec. 302, Modification of de minimis entries: Amends the Tariff Act to establish reciprocity for de minimis entry thresholds.

Sec. 401, Annual report: Requires an annual report on activities under the Americas program.

Sec. 402, Branding and marketing: Requires branding consistent with Department of State policies.