1. (a) Authorization of activities; grants or contracts for exchanges with foreign countries Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.] and using the authorities contained therein, the President is authorized, when the President considers that it would strengthen international cooperative relations, to provide, by grant, contract, or otherwise, for exchanges with countries that are in transition from totalitarianism to democracy, which include, but are not limited to Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania—

   1. (1) by financing studies, research, instruction, and related activities—

      1. (A) of or for American citizens and nationals in foreign countries; and
      2. (B) of or for citizens and nationals of foreign countries in American private businesses, trade associations, unions, chambers of commerce, and local, State, and Federal Government agencies, located in or outside the United States; and
   2. (2) by financing visits and interchanges between the United States and countries in transition from totalitarianism to democracy.

   The program under this section shall be coordinated by the Department of State.

2. (b) Transfer of funds The President is authorized to transfer to the appropriate appropriations account of the Department of State such sums as the President shall determine to be necessary out of the travel accounts of the departments and agencies of the United States, except for the Department of State, as the President shall designate. Such transfers shall be subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. In addition, the President is authorized to accept such gifts or cost-sharing arrangements as may be proffered to sustain the program under this section.

(Pub. L. 101–610, title VI, § 602, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3186; Pub. L. 105–277, div. G, subdiv. A, title XIII, § 1335(c), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–787.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 87–256, Sept. 21, 1961, 75 Stat. 527, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2451 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, and not as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–277, § 1335(c)(1), substituted “Department of State” for “United States Information Agency” before period at end.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–277, § 1335(c)(2), in first sentence, substituted “appropriate appropriations account of the Department of State” for “appropriations account of the United States Information Agency” and struck out “and the United States Information Agency” before “, as the President”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–277 effective Oct. 1, 1999, see section 1301 of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6531 of this title.