Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 7, 2025
Bottom line
This bill seeks to fundamentally reorient federal policy towards proactive peacebuilding and nonviolent conflict resolution by creating a dedicated cabinet-level department.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new executive branch Department of Peacebuilding, led by a Secretary, Under Secretary, and several Assistant Secretaries. It creates offices dedicated to peace education, domestic and international peacebuilding activities, technology for peace, arms control and disarmament, peacebuilding information and research, and human and economic rights. The Department is tasked with cultivating peace as a national policy objective, reducing violence, strengthening nonmilitary peacemaking, and addressing the root causes of conflict both domestically and internationally.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue the bill addresses the root causes of violence, both domestically and internationally, by investing in peacebuilding strategies, education, and nonviolent conflict resolution. They contend that current approaches are too focused on military intervention and punitive measures, and that a dedicated department would save lives and trillions of dollars by preventing conflict and promoting human rights and economic justice.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that establishing a new cabinet-level department is an unnecessary expansion of government bureaucracy, potentially duplicating efforts of existing agencies like the State Department or USAID. Concerns could also be raised about the broad scope of responsibilities, potential for mission creep, and the significant financial investment required without clear metrics for success or a defined return on investment. Some may also view certain responsibilities as encroaching on national security prerogatives traditionally held by the Department of Defense.
The bill is substantial and requires careful reading to grasp the full scope of the proposed department's functions.
Sec. 101
Establishment of Department of Peacebuilding
This provision formally creates a new executive branch Department of Peacebuilding, to be headed by a Secretary appointed by the President with Senate consent. The Department's mission is to cultivate peace as a strategic national policy objective, reduce and prevent violence, strengthen nonmilitary peacemaking, and address the interconnection of peace with justice, equality, health, national security, and other civil and human rights.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that elevating peacebuilding to a cabinet-level priority is essential to ensure a strategic, proactive, and coordinated approach to conflict prevention and resolution, both domestically and globally.
Critics contend
Opponents may argue that this constitutes an unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, potentially duplicating existing efforts of other federal agencies or creating jurisdictional conflicts.
Tradeoffs
The provision navigates the tension between the perceived need for a dedicated focus on peacebuilding and concerns about government size and interagency coordination.
Sec. 102
Responsibilities and Powers of the Secretary
This section outlines the extensive domestic and international responsibilities of the Secretary of Peacebuilding. Domestically, it includes developing policies for personal and family violence, drug abuse, gun violence, hate crimes, and supporting community prevention programs. Internationally, it involves advising the Secretaries of Defense and State, training post-conflict personnel, sponsoring conflict-prevention initiatives, and advocating for women and victims of human trafficking. It also mandates developing metrics for peace progress and consultation with media and educational institutions.
Sec. 104
Office of Peace Education and Training
This section establishes the Office of Peace Education and Training, headed by an Assistant Secretary. Its role is to create, encourage, and assess the impact of peace education and training across all educational levels, from pre-kindergarten to postgraduate. The office will develop and disseminate peace curricula focusing on nonviolent conflict resolution, empathy, historical nonviolence, and the benefits of a peaceful society. It also establishes grant programs for peace studies departments and community peace block grants for innovative school and neighborhood programs.
Sec. 105
Office of Domestic Peacebuilding Activities
This section establishes the Office of Domestic Peacebuilding Activities, led by an Assistant Secretary, to focus on domestic peace initiatives. Its responsibilities include developing policies and best practices for treating drug/alcohol abuse, promoting diversity, preventing the school-to-prison pipeline through restorative practices, and addressing hate crimes and police violence. It also supports re-entry programs for incarcerated individuals, peaceful parenting, restorative justice, and the training and deployment of nonmilitary domestic conflict prevention personnel.
Sec. 106
Office of International Peacebuilding Activities
This section establishes the Office of International Peacebuilding Activities, led by an Assistant Secretary, to manage the Department's international peace initiatives. Its responsibilities include training and deploying nonmilitary conflict prevention personnel, supporting international conflict-prevention and dispute-resolution initiatives, and fostering cultural exchanges. The office also aims to address root causes of global violence such as hunger, disease, poverty, genocide, human trafficking, and the dehumanization of individuals.
Sec. 108
Office of Arms Control and Disarmament
This section establishes the Office of Arms Control and Disarmament, led by an Assistant Secretary. This office is tasked with advising the Secretary on international negotiations regarding the reduction and elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, and efforts to limit their development, testing, and use. It also aims to develop nonviolent strategies to deter the use of such weapons, protect space from militarization, and address nuclear waste cleanup at various sites.
Sec. 110
Office of Human Rights and Economic Rights
This section establishes the Office of Human Rights and Economic Rights, led by an Assistant Secretary. Its responsibilities include furthering the incorporation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights principles into U.S. international agreements, documenting domestic and international human rights abuses (e.g., genocide, torture, human trafficking), and recommending nonviolent responses. It also conducts economic analyses of resource scarcity and the impact of violence on human displacement, and promotes compliance with domestic and international labor rights law.
Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to include the Secretary of Peacebuilding as a statutory member of the National Security Council.
Sec. 102(d)
Why it matters:While amending existing statutes is standard legislative practice, the placement within a lengthy section detailing general responsibilities could lead a casual reader to overlook its profound implications for national security decision-making.
Case for: Proponents would argue this ensures peacebuilding considerations are integrated at the highest level of national security decision-making, providing a crucial non-military perspective and fostering a more holistic approach to global challenges.
Case against: Opponents might argue it politicizes the National Security Council or adds an unnecessary voice to a body traditionally focused on military and intelligence threats, potentially slowing down critical decisions or creating internal friction.
Estimated impact: Significant, as it formally integrates peacebuilding into the core national security strategy and decision-making process of the United States.
Mandates that the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State consult with the Secretary of Peacebuilding in cases of foreseeable, imminent, or ongoing conflict. It also establishes a formal consultation process with State, Defense, and the National Security Council prior to initiating policies that may lead to violence, armed conflict, or the domestic use/distribution of Department of Defense personnel or equipment.
Sec. 114
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for outlining interagency coordination and consultation. However, given the potential impact on national security operations, its placement might obscure its significance.
Case for: Proponents would argue this ensures peacebuilding and nonviolent conflict resolution are thoroughly considered before military action, potentially preventing costly conflicts and promoting more effective, long-term solutions, and ensuring civilian oversight of military assets.
Case against: Opponents might argue it could impede rapid decision-making in national security crises, create bureaucratic hurdles, or allow the Department of Peacebuilding to overstep its advisory role into operational command.
Estimated impact: High, as it could significantly influence U.S. foreign policy, military engagements, and domestic security operations by mandating a peacebuilding perspective at critical junctures.
Establishes a 4-year Peace Academy, modeled after military service academies, to provide instruction in peace education. Graduates would be required to serve 5 years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.
Sec. 102(g)(8)
Why it matters:It could be viewed as a specific detail within a larger set of educational initiatives. However, its scope and implications for federal infrastructure and personnel suggest it could warrant more prominent placement.
Case for: Proponents would argue this provides a dedicated, highly trained cadre of professionals for peacebuilding efforts, mirroring the investment in military training and creating a pipeline for specialized expertise in nonviolent conflict resolution.
Case against: Opponents might question the significant cost of establishing a new federal academy, the necessity of duplicating existing educational institutions, or the practical application and enforcement of a 5-year public service requirement in nonviolent conflict resolution.
Estimated impact: Significant, as it would create a new federal educational institution and a dedicated workforce for peacebuilding, representing a substantial long-term investment in human capital for peace.