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
VI Career development, training, and orientation
(a) In general. Section 702 (22 U.S.C. 4022), as amended by section 602(b), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
(d) Use of world language skills
(1) Requirement. Any member of the Service who undergoes full-time, Department-funded language training for a period exceeding six months shall be required to serve no fewer than three consecutive tours in positions for which proficiency in such language is a documented requirement for the position.
(2) Timing of assignments. The requirement under paragraph (1) shall commence with the first assignment immediately following the completion of the language training and shall continue without interruption, except as provided in paragraph (3).
(3) Waiver authority. The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a member of the Service only if the Secretary certifies to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that—
(A) the member has developed a medical condition preventing service at the required posts;
(B) the member is assigned to a position of higher priority; or
(C) there is no vacant position for which the member is qualified where the language skill is required.
(4) Consecutive tours defined. The term consecutive tours refers to sequential assignments either overseas at posts where the trained language is the primary local or official language, or domestic assignments where the primary duties involve direct use of the trained language or the trained language is helpful to the completion of domestic assignment duties.
(b) Effective date. The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any member of the Service who begins language training on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
VII Other matters