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

I General provisions

II Management of Service

III Appointments

IV Classification of Positions and Assignments

V Promotion and retention

Sec. 501. Joint duty requirement Since introduced

Section 601(c) (22 U.S.C. 4001(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(7) Promotions

(A) In general. The opening of a promotion window, on or after the date that is five years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, of any Service officer, appointed under section 302(a)(1), who has general responsibility for carrying out the functions of the Service to the Senior Foreign Service should be contingent upon such individual completing at least one joint duty assignment.

(B) Exceptions. The Secretary may—

(i) identify circumstances under which the requirements under subparagraph (A) shall not apply, which may include that the individual proposed for promotion to the Senior Foreign Service—

(I) has met all other requirements applicable to such promotion; and

(II) was unable to complete a joint duty assignment because there was not a reasonable opportunity for such individual to be assigned to such a position; and

(ii) exempt Foreign Service Medical Specialists who entered as a FS–01 rank and serve as a Regional Medical Officer from the requirements under subparagraph (A).

(C) Joint duty assignment defined. In this paragraph, the term joint duty assignment means a tour of duty of not less than 12 months in—

(i) a Federal department or agency other than the Department;

(ii) the Congress, pursuant to a fellowship or detail program approved by the Secretary;

(iii) an international organization of which the United States is a member, pursuant to a fellowship or detail program approved by the Secretary; or

(iv) a State or local government.

VI Career development, training, and orientation

VII Other matters