H.R. 9086
Foreign Service Modernization Act
Sponsor: Michael Lawler
3 cosponsors
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
I General provisions
II Management of Service
III Appointments
IV Classification of Positions and Assignments
V Promotion and retention
Section 601 (22 U.S.C. 4001) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d) Requirement. Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of any Service tenure or promotion board whose recommendations require the advice and consent of the Senate, the Secretary—
(1) should finalize the list of Service members recommended for tenure as well as Service officers and specialists recommended for promotion to and within the Senior Foreign Service; and
(2) transmit such list to the President for nomination consideration to the Senate.
(e) Expedient processing. It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should ensure that the administrative review, clearance, and transmission of tenure and promotion recommendations are conducted in an expeditious manner, and that no avoidable administrative delay prevents compliance with the deadline established under subsection (a).
(f) Limited exceptions. The Secretary may delay publication of an individual name beyond the period specified in subsection (a) only if the delay is necessary due to an ongoing disciplinary, suitability, or security investigation; and the affected officer is provided written notice of the reason for such delay. Any delay under this subsection should be limited to the minimum period necessary and shall not affect the publication of the remaining list.
(g) Accountability. If the Secretary fails to meet the requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary shall, not later than 30 days after the expiration of the deadline, provide a briefing to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on the reasons for the failure to meet such requirements and corrective actions taken to prevent future delays.
(h) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section may be construed to alter the constitutional role of the Senate in providing advice and consent.
VI Career development, training, and orientation
VII Other matters