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. 615. Cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence training Since introduced

Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by sections 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, and 614, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

716. Cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence training

(a) In general. The Secretary shall require each member of the Service, including a career member, a career candidate, a non-career appointee, a chief of mission, and a deputy chief of mission, to complete, on an annual basis, training on cybersecurity, technology use, and artificial intelligence governance.

(b) Matters To be included. The training required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum—

(1) cybersecurity hygiene and threat awareness;

(2) phishing, social engineering, and insider threat risks;

(3) safeguarding classified information and sensitive but unclassified information;

(4) secure handling, storage, and transportation of Government-issued hardware and electronic devices, including while assigned to a post abroad;

(5) requirements for the use of Department-approved software, cloud systems, and collaboration platforms;

(6) risks associated with the use of personal devices, removable media, and foreign telecommunications networks;

(7) reporting requirements for a suspected cyber incident or technology compromise;

(8) responsible use, security implications, and data protection requirements relating to artificial intelligence systems and automated tools;

(9) semiconductor supply chain security, technology dependency risks, and foreign sourcing vulnerabilities relevant to diplomatic operations and national security; and

(10) responsibilities of personnel under Department cybersecurity, technology management, and artificial intelligence governance policies.

(c) Role-Specific and advanced training. The Secretary shall establish enhanced cybersecurity and technology training requirements for—

(1) a chief of mission and a deputy chief of mission, including training on post-level technology risk management and artificial intelligence oversight;

(2) senior bureau leadership, including governance responsibilities and technology risk accountability;

(3) personnel with system administrator or other privileged network access;

(4) personnel assigned to a high-risk or high-threat post;

(5) personnel serving in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data management, or security-related career tracks; and

(6) personnel responsible for the procurement, management, or oversight of an information technology system or an artificial intelligence tool.

(d) Pre-Assignment and device security abroad. The Secretary shall ensure that a member of the Service assigned to a post abroad receives pre-assignment training on—

(1) secure device usage in a foreign environment;

(2) counterintelligence risks associated with foreign infrastructure;

(3) secure communications practices; and

(4) protection of Government hardware from compromise, tampering, or unauthorized access.

(e) Integration into career development. The requirements under this section shall be incorporated into pre-assignment training, leadership training, tradecraft instruction, and professional development programs under this chapter.

(f) Compliance and accountability. The Secretary shall ensure that completion of required training under this section is tracked and recorded and may consider such completion as part of performance evaluations and eligibility for leadership assignments.

VII Other matters