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
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by sections 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, and 616, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
718. Reviews of the Foreign Service career tracks
(a) In general. The Secretary shall convene an independent commission to review the structure, relevance, and effectiveness of the Service’s career tracks.
(b) Composition
(1) In general. The commission shall be composed of individuals who are to be selected from—
(A) the Department, including personnel other than those assigned to the Bureau of Human Resources;
(B) other relevant Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate;
(C) former Service officers;
(D) academia; and
(E) the private sector.
(2) Congressional selection. The chair and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate shall each select one individual to be a member of the commission.
(3) Balanced perspective requirement. Individuals shall be selected to be members of the commission to ensure a balanced perspective on diplomatic priorities, Department personnel needs, and evolving global challenges.
(c) Scope of review. The commission shall—
(1) assess the alignment of existing career tracks with current and anticipated United States diplomatic priorities, national security objectives, and global trends;
(2) evaluate recommendations to add, consolidate, eliminate, modify, or otherwise affect, career tracks of the Service; and
(3) consider any other matters related to career track structure, qualifications, standards, assignment processes, promotion precepts, track-specific training, or workforce planning that the commission determined relevant to the effectiveness of the Service.
(d) Report. Not later than one year after the date on which the commission is convened, the commission shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report containing—
(1) the findings and assessments under subsection (c);
(2) any recommendations for regulatory, or administrative action to improve the Service; and
(3) a description of the composition of the membership of the commission as required by subsection (b).
(e) Inapplicability of other law. The provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to either the composition or the operation of the Commission.
(f) Sunset. The commission shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the report required by subsection (d) has been submitted in accordance with such subsection.
VII Other matters