H.R. 9086

Foreign Service Modernization Act

Sponsor: Michael Lawler

3 cosponsors
Follow this bill

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

I General provisions

II Management of Service

III Appointments

Sec. 301. Sense of Congress Since introduced

Section 304 (22 U.S.C. 3944) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(c) Sense of Congress. It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) detailed knowledge and requisite experience formulating and executing United States foreign policy, including a working understanding of Department operations and procedures, is vital for chiefs of mission, Assistant Secretaries of State, and other senior officials at the Department to successfully advance United States national security, and for managing the Federal workforce, in order to effectively assert and expand United States competitiveness and leadership abroad; and

(2) the People’s Republic of China and other adversaries are rapidly expanding their global diplomatic presences and it is imperative that the Department is appropriately staffed by empowered, nonpartisan foreign policy professionals and thoroughly qualified and vetted political appointees, who work together to protect United States citizens and advance United States interests across the globe.

IV Classification of Positions and Assignments

V Promotion and retention

VI Career development, training, and orientation

VII Other matters