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. Chapter 7 (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by section 608, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
710. Structured training framework and protected training periods
(a) Structured training framework
(1) In general. The Secretary is authorized to establish and maintain a structured training framework applicable at defined career milestones for members of the Service.
(2) Matters to be included. Training under the structured training framework established under paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be integrated into normal career progression;
(B) shall reflect evolving foreign policy priorities, emerging threats, technological developments, national security requirements, and the President’s National Security Strategy; and
(C) shall be a mandatory and institutionalized component of Service career development.
(b) Protected training periods
(1) In general. The Secretary shall ensure that protected training periods are built into the assignment and promotion cycle of members of the Service to permit completion of required training.
(2) Matters to be included. Protected training periods required by paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be treated as a standard component of service;
(B) shall not be contingent solely upon post-level staffing flexibility; and
(C) shall be structured to ensure that operational demands do not routinely preclude required training.
(3) Coordination. The Department shall plan workforce and assignment cycles to accommodate protected training periods required by paragraph (1) in a manner comparable to professional military education models within the Armed Forces.
(c) Scope of training. Training under the structured training framework established under subsection (a) and protected training periods under subsection (b) may include instruction in—
(1) national security, diplomatic security, and counterintelligence;
(2) cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence;
(3) economic statecraft, sanctions, export controls, and trade policy;
(4) energy security and strategic resources;
(5) interagency coordination and crisis response;
(6) Fellowship opportunity outside of the Department;
(7) leadership and management; and
(8) such other subjects as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(d) Career stage training. Training under the structured training framework established under subsection (a) and protected training periods under subsection (b) may include instruction in the following:
(1) Entry-level: cohesion and rotations.
(2) Mid-level: leadership and interagency exposure.
(3) Pre-senior: professional development tours.
(4) Senior: capstone training.
(e) Evaluation metrics. The Secretary—
(1) shall establish metrics for evaluating the completion and effectiveness of training under the structured training framework established under subsection (a) and protected training periods under subsection (b); and
(2) shall ensure that instructors of such training certify such training for members of the Service upon satisfactory completion of such training.
(f) Strategic planning training. Establish National Foreign Affairs Training Center curriculum within one year including best practices, challenges, and simulations.
(g) Periodic review and update. The Secretary shall periodically review and update requirements for training under the structured training framework established under subsection (a) and protected training periods under subsection (b) every four years to ensure responsiveness to changes in the global operating environment.
(b) Promotion eligibility and training requirement. Section 601(c) (22 U.S.C. 4001(c)), as amended by section 501, is further amended by adding at the following:
(8) Promotion eligibility and training requirement
(A) In general. A member of the Service shall not be eligible for promotion to any class above FS–03 or into the Senior Foreign Service unless—
(i) the member has completed the applicable training requirements established under section 710; and
(ii) the completion of such training requirements is certified by the Director General of the Service prior to consideration by a promotion board with respect to the proposed promotion.
(B) Waiver authority. The Secretary may waive the requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to a member of the Service in the case of extraordinary circumstances if the Secretary approves such waiver in writing. The Secretary may not delegate the waiver authority under this subparagraph.
VII Other matters