H.R. 9086

Foreign Service Modernization Act

Sponsor: Michael Lawler

3 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Foreign Service Modernization Act

This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to U.S. Foreign Service (FS) management and operations, including an increased focus on expeditionary diplomacy (a concept that emphasizes diplomats conducting direct diplomacy in high-risk environments outside of the embassy), expanded hiring pathways, and additional training requirements.

For example, the bill requires the Department of State to establish

  • a team to develop a plan to improve the capability and willingness of FS members and leaders to engage in expeditionary diplomacy;
  • a program to recruit qualified veterans and separating military personnel into the FS, including by integrating FS recruitment into military transition programs; and
  • a Diplomatic Reserve Corps pilot program to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a trained reserve cadre providing a surge workforce to support foreign affairs contingencies.

Additionally, the State Department is authorized to establish a structured training framework that is integrated into normal career progression with protected training periods (similar to the Armed Forces' professional military education model). 

The bill specifies that FS members

  • must successfully complete specified leadership and management training prior to assuming leadership assignments;
  • who participate in approved external training, education, or details shall have certain employment protections (such as eligibility for promotions and pay increases on the same basis as those not on such assignments); and
  • who undergo full-time, department-funded language training for more than six months must serve at least three consecutive tours in positions requiring proficiency in that language, with assignments beginning immediately after such language training.

Text of the bill

Expand all
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents Changed · Sep 16

Where this section came from

  1. Jun 2, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means, Jun 2 Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Jun 2
  2. Sep 16, 2026 · Engrossed in House
What changed in the text

(a) Short title. This Act may be cited as the Foreign Service Modernization Act.

(b) Table of contents. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Reference.Sec. 3. Effect of amendments on conforming changes to tables of contents.Title I—General provisionsSec. 101. Definitions.Sec. 102. Returning policy execution to diplomatic efforts.Sec. 103. Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher education.Title II—Management of ServiceSec. 201. Expeditionary diplomacy.Sec. 202. Additional authority.Sec. 203. Clarification of the role of Director General of the Foreign Service.Sec. 204. Board of Examiners for the Service.Sec. 205. Cybersecurity, technology governance, and operational coordination.Title III—AppointmentsSec. 301. Sense of Congress.Sec. 302. Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program.Sec. 303. Commitment in hiring process relating to participation in the Foreign Service fellowship program.Title IV—Classification of Positions and AssignmentsSec. 401. Protection of external training, education, and details.Title V—Promotion and retentionSec. 501. Joint duty requirement.Sec. 502. Timely publication and congressional notification of tenure and promotion lists.Sec. 503. Matters relating to recruitment process of public members of the Foreign Service selection boards.Sec. 504. Legislative branch experience.Title VI—Career development, training, and orientationSec. 601. Access to Information Center.Sec. 602. List of critical foreign languages.Sec. 603. Use of world language skills.Sec. 604. Diplomatic security fellowship program.Sec. 605. Bureau of African Affairs staffing.Sec. 606. Contracting Officer’s Representative and Agreement Officer’s representative training.Sec. 607. Training for Foreign Service Officers.Sec. 608. Crisis management and strategy leadership training.Sec. 609. Structured training framework and protected training periods.Sec. 610. Leadership training.Sec. 611. Training relating to critical minerals.Sec. 612. Training at consular posts.Sec. 613. Strengthening diplomatic security training standards.Sec. 614. Mandatory crisis leadership and emergency management training program for senior personnel.Sec. 615. Cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence training.Sec. 616. Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program; placement and conversion support.Sec. 617. Reviews of the Foreign Service career tracks.Sec. 618. Integration of Foreign Service recruitment into military transition programs.Title VII—Other mattersSec. 701. Tax residency for Foreign Service Officers.Sec. 702. Internships for part-time students.Sec. 703 702 . Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program.

(a) Short title. This Act may be cited as the Foreign Service Modernization Act.

(b) Table of contents. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Reference.Sec. 3. Effect of amendments on conforming changes to tables of contents.Title I—General provisionsSec. 101. Definitions.Sec. 102. Returning policy execution to diplomatic efforts.Sec. 103. Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher education.Title II—Management of ServiceSec. 201. Expeditionary diplomacy.Sec. 202. Additional authority.Sec. 203. Clarification of the role of Director General of the Foreign Service.Sec. 204. Board of Examiners for the Service.Sec. 205. Cybersecurity, technology governance, and operational coordination.Title III—AppointmentsSec. 301. Sense of Congress.Sec. 302. Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program.Sec. 303. Commitment in hiring process relating to participation in the Foreign Service fellowship program.Title IV—Classification of Positions and AssignmentsSec. 401. Protection of external training, education, and details.Title V—Promotion and retentionSec. 501. Joint duty requirement.Sec. 502. Timely publication and congressional notification of tenure and promotion lists.Sec. 503. Matters relating to recruitment process of public members of the Foreign Service selection boards.Sec. 504. Legislative branch experience.Title VI—Career development, training, and orientationSec. 601. Access to Information Center.Sec. 602. List of critical foreign languages.Sec. 603. Use of world language skills.Sec. 604. Diplomatic security fellowship program.Sec. 605. Bureau of African Affairs staffing.Sec. 606. Contracting Officer’s Representative and Agreement Officer’s representative training.Sec. 607. Training for Foreign Service Officers.Sec. 608. Crisis management and strategy leadership training.Sec. 609. Structured training framework and protected training periods.Sec. 610. Leadership training.Sec. 611. Training relating to critical minerals.Sec. 612. Training at consular posts.Sec. 613. Strengthening diplomatic security training standards.Sec. 614. Mandatory crisis leadership and emergency management training program for senior personnel.Sec. 615. Cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence training.Sec. 616. Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program; placement and conversion support.Sec. 617. Reviews of the Foreign Service career tracks.Sec. 618. Integration of Foreign Service recruitment into military transition programs.Title VII—Other mattersSec. 701. Internships for part-time students.Sec. 702. Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program.

I General provisions

II Management of Service

III Appointments

IV Classification of Positions and Assignments

V Promotion and retention

VI Career development, training, and orientation

VII Other matters