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

VI Career development, training, and orientation

Sec. 613. Strengthening diplomatic security training standards Since introduced

Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by sections 608, 609, 610, 611, and 612, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

714. Strengthening diplomatic security training standards

(a) In general. The Secretary of State, acting through the Director of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, shall establish and maintain Department-wide standards for diplomatic security training to ensure such training is mission-relevant, integrated across threat vectors, and responsive to evolving risk environments.

(b) Required elements. The training standards established pursuant to subsection (a) shall—

(1) integrate physical security, counterintelligence, cybersecurity, technical security and countersurveillance, legal and use of force requirements, and fraud-related threats into a unified training framework;

(2) incorporate post-specific risk factors, including high-risk, high-threat environments;

(3) ensure consistency in training quality and requirements across bureaus, posts, and personnel categories; and

(4) be reviewed and updated not less frequently than once every three years.

(c) Coordination. The Secretary shall ensure that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, and other relevant bureaus of the Department coordinate in the establishment and implementation of training standards under this section.

VII Other matters