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
Section 207 (22 U.S.C. 3927) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
(3) shall exercise appropriate and effective risk management practices to encourage each relevant Government executive branch employee in such foreign country to regularly and meaningfully engage in expeditionary diplomacy with the population of such country.
; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
(e) Tiger Team
(1) Establishment. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a team (to be known as the Tiger Team) to provide to the Secretary a plan to achieve the following:
(A) Improve the capability, and willingness, of chiefs of mission, Regional Security Officers, and Regional Medical Officers to approve expeditionary diplomacy.
(B) Improve the capability, and willingness, of members of the Foreign Service to regularly practice expeditionary diplomacy.
(2) Composition. The Tiger Team shall consist of the following individuals from the Department, to be appointed by the Secretary:
(A) A senior-level officer or employee who shall—
(i) serve as the Tiger Team Leader;
(ii) be accountable for the activities of the Tiger Team under this subsection; and
(iii) not serve concurrently in another assignment or position at the Department during their tenure as Tiger Team Leader.
(B) Not less than one officer or employee from each of the following offices:
(i) The Under Secretary for Political Affairs;
(ii) The Bureau of Diplomatic Security;
(iii) The Bureau of Administration;
(iv) The Bureau of Diplomatic Technology;
(v) The Bureau of Human Resources;
(vi) The Bureau of Medical Services; and
(vii) The Bureau of Overseas Building Operations.
(C) Not less than one individual who has international development experience and expertise;
(3) Congressional notification. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall notify Congress of the names and titles of the appointed to the Tiger Team under paragraph (2).
(4) Plan for expeditionary diplomacy
(A) In general. The plan required to be submitted by the Tiger Team shall include the following:
(i) A description of the manner in which the Secretary, working through the Tiger Team, shall—
(I) assess the current state of the Department’s ability and willingness to practice expeditionary diplomacy;
(II) review previous and current Department efforts and historical recommendation reports, external and internal, on expeditionary diplomacy;
(III) assess the current challenges experienced by the Department, chiefs of mission, and members of the Service in practicing expeditionary diplomacy; and
(IV) produce policy, regulations, and legislative recommendations to address such challenges.
(ii) A timeline for implementing, carrying out, and completing this plan by the date required under subparagraph (B).
(iii) A description of the additional funding, personnel, or other resources of the Department required to carry out the plan, including any modification of applicable statutory or administrative authorities.
(B) Implementation. The Secretary shall implement to the plan under this paragraph not later than the date that is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(5) Report
(A) In general. Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Tiger Team shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the activities of the Tiger Team undertaken pursuant to this subsection. The report shall include the following:
(i) A description of the challenges related to expeditionary diplomacy identified, including challenges identified by the Comptroller General of the United States.
(ii) A description of recommendations to address such challenges, including the resources, staffing, authorities, and legislative changes required for implementation.
(iii) A timeline for the implementation of such recommendations.
(iv) A designation of an office responsible for monitoring the implementation of such recommendations following the termination of the Tiger Team pursuant to paragraph (6).
(B) Implementation. For the period of 90 days after the date on which the report is submitted, the Tiger Team shall oversee and monitor the implementation of recommendations submitted in such report.
(6) Termination. The Secretary shall terminate the Tiger Team not later than the date that is 90 days after the date on which the final report required by paragraph (5) is submitted.
III Appointments
IV Classification of Positions and Assignments
V Promotion and retention
VI Career development, training, and orientation
VII Other matters