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. 302. Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program Since introduced

Chapter 3 of title I (22 U.S.C. 3941 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

313. Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program

(a) Establishment. The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Veterans and Foreign Service Pathway Program, to recruit, prepare, and support qualified individuals for service in the Service.

(b) Eligibility. The program required by subsection (a) shall be open to—

(1) veterans, as such term is defined in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code;

(2) members of the Armed Forces who are within one year of separation, retirement, or release from active duty in the Armed Forces.

(c) Matters To be included. The program required by subsection (a) shall include—

(1) targeted recruitment aligned to Service career tracks, including Diplomatic Security, security engineering, cybersecurity, medical, and other roles;

(2) mentorship and preparatory training for the Service application and assessment process;

(3) coordination with relevant Department offices to facilitate candidate readiness for Service entry requirements;

(4) outreach and engagement with military installations and transition programs; and

(5) coordination with existing fellowship and recruitment programs of the Department, including the Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship, to support pathways to Service employment.

(d) Streamlined accession pilot program

(1) In general. The Secretary is authorized to establish a pilot program to recruit and appoint qualified individuals described in subsection (b) into designated Service positions through streamlined hiring procedures.

(2) Covered positions. The Secretary shall designate positions eligible under the pilot program, which may include the following:

(A) Diplomatic Security special agent positions.

(B) Diplomatic courier positions capped at 10 percent annually.

(C) Security engineering officer and security technical specialist positions.

(D) Cybersecurity and technology-related positions.

(E) Other Service positions identified by the Secretary as critical to mission readiness.

(e) Requirements. The pilot program shall—

(1) maintain all applicable merit-based hiring principles and qualification standards; and

(2) provide for expedited processing, assessment, and onboarding of candidates.

(f) Coordination with Department of Defense transition programs. The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall—

(1) integrate information on Service career opportunities, including Diplomatic Security roles, into the curricula and materials of the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense;

(2) conduct regular outreach to transitioning servicemembers at military installations; and

(3) develop and maintain military occupational specialty crosswalks aligned to Service career tracks.

(g) Sunset. The pilot program shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of enactment of this section.

(h) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section may be construed to alter or diminish existing Service hiring standards or the authority of the Secretary to determine qualifications for appointment.

IV Classification of Positions and Assignments

V Promotion and retention

VI Career development, training, and orientation

VII Other matters