PATH to the Foreign Service Act

Dina Titus

Democrat · NV · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

2026-04-30

Source: Congress.gov

Former officers who worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) would gain a new pathway to become Foreign Service officers, allowing them to transition more easily into diplomatic careers. This would let experienced development professionals leverage their existing expertise in international work without having to start from scratch in the Foreign Service hiring process. The change would benefit both the officers seeking career advancement and the State Department, which could recruit people with proven experience working abroad.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8642 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8642 To provide a Foreign Service officer career pathway for former United States Agency for International Development officers. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2026 Ms. Titus introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To provide a Foreign Service officer career pathway for former United States Agency for International Development officers. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Pathways for Advancement, Transition, and Hiring to the Foreign Service'' or the ``PATH to the Foreign Service Act''. SEC. 2. FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER CAREER PATHWAY FOR FORMER USAID OFFICERS. (a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``USAID'' means the United States Agency for International Development. (b) Foreign Service Officer Career Pathway.--Former USAID Foreign Service members who are appointed to positions within the Department of State shall be eligible for appointment into the Foreign Service Officer career track at a grade and tenure status commensurate with their prior Foreign Service rank, time-in-service, and performance, subject to applicable suitability and security requirements. (c) Foreign Service Officer Test Waiver.--Former USAID Foreign Service members are not required to take the Foreign Service Entrance Exam, including any written or oral elements, as a condition of appointment or conversion or any hiring mechanism to the Foreign Service of the Department of State if such officers previously met Foreign Service entry requirements and served in good standing at USAID. (d) Hiring Preference Points.--The Department of State shall award hiring preference points or equivalent hiring credit to applicants for Department of State positions who have prior USAID service, whether in the Foreign Service or the Civil Service. Such preference shall be formally incorporated into hiring and selection processes and applied in a transparent and consistent manner. (e) Recognition of Prior Service.--Prior USAID service shall be fully credited toward a Foreign Service Officer's seniority, time-in- class, retirement eligibility, and other applicable career milestones to the maximum extent permitted by law. (f) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with appropriate officials of USAID and the Office of Personnel Management, shall issue guidance for the timely implementation of this section to ensure uniform application. (g) Sunset.--The provisions of this section shall cease to be effective beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. <all>

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