HouseH.R. 9086119th Congress
Foreign Service Modernization Act
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9086 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9086
To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to modify and improve that
Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 2, 2026
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Mr. Mast) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to modify and improve that
Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Foreign Service
Modernization Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reference.
Sec. 3. Effect of amendments on conforming changes to tables of
contents.
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Returning policy execution to diplomatic efforts.
Sec. 103. Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher
education.
TITLE II--MANAGEMENT OF SERVICE
Sec. 201. Expeditionary diplomacy.
Sec. 202. Additional authority.
Sec. 203. Clarification of the role of Director General of the Foreign
Service.
Sec. 204. Board of Examiners for the Service.
Sec. 205. Cybersecurity, technology governance, and operational
coordination.
TITLE III--APPOINTMENTS
Sec. 301. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 302. Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program.
Sec. 303. Commitment in hiring process relating to participation in the
Foreign Service fellowship program.
TITLE IV--CLASSIFICATION OF POSITIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Sec. 401. Protection of external training, education, and details.
TITLE V--PROMOTION AND RETENTION
Sec. 501. Joint duty requirement.
Sec. 502. Timely publication and congressional notification of tenure
and promotion lists.
Sec. 503. Matters relating to recruitment process of public members of
the Foreign Service selection boards.
Sec. 504. Legislative branch experience.
TITLE VI--CAREER DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND ORIENTATION
Sec. 601. Access to Information Center.
Sec. 602. List of critical foreign languages.
Sec. 603. Use of world language skills.
Sec. 604. Diplomatic security fellowship program.
Sec. 605. Bureau of African Affairs staffing.
Sec. 606. Contracting Officer's Representative and Agreement Officer's
representative training.
Sec. 607. Training for Foreign Service Officers.
Sec. 608. Crisis management and strategy leadership training.
Sec. 609. Structured training framework and protected training periods.
Sec. 610. Leadership training.
Sec. 611. Training relating to critical minerals.
Sec. 612. Training at consular posts.
Sec. 613. Strengthening diplomatic security training standards.
Sec. 614. Mandatory crisis leadership and emergency management training
program for senior personnel.
Sec. 615. Cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence
training.
Sec. 616. Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program; placement
and conversion support.
Sec. 617. Reviews of the Foreign Service career tracks.
Sec. 618. Integration of Foreign Service recruitment into military
transition programs.
TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 701. Tax residency for Foreign Service Officers.
Sec. 702. Internships for part-time students.
Sec. 703. Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program.
SEC. 2. REFERENCE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section, chapter, title, or other provision, the reference shall
be considered to be made to a section, chapter, title, or other
provision, respectively, of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
3901 et seq.).
SEC. 3. EFFECT OF AMENDMENTS ON CONFORMING CHANGES TO TABLES OF
CONTENTS.
When an amendment in this Act to the Foreign Service Act of 1980
(22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) adds a section or larger organizational unit
to the Act, repeals or transfers a section or larger organizational
unit in the Act, or amends the designation or heading of a section or
larger organizational unit in the Act, that amendment also shall have
the effect of amending any table of contents or similar tabular entries
in the Act to alter the table to conform to the changes made by the
amendment.
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
Section 102 (22 U.S.C. 3902) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (12) as
paragraphs (4) through (13), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) `appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
``(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate.''.
SEC. 102. RETURNING POLICY EXECUTION TO DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS.
Section 104 (22 U.S.C. 3904) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) implement and execute the foreign policy of the
United States through the conduct of diplomacy, the management
of programs, and the advancement of United States interests
consistent with policies established by the President and
Secretary in accordance with this Act.''.
SEC. 103. RECRUITING FROM NONTRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION.
Section 105 (22 U.S.C. 3905) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Recruiting From Nontraditional Institutions of Higher
Education.--
``(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Service should actively recruit candidates from
nontraditional institutions of higher education, including
community colleges, junior colleges, career and technical
colleges, and other open-access or workforce-oriented
institutions.
``(2) Outreach.--The Secretary should ensure that outreach,
information sessions, and preparation resources related to the
Foreign Service officer selection process and other entry
programs are regularly conducted at nontraditional institutions
of higher education. In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary may--
``(A) partner, where appropriate, with
institutional career centers, faculty, and student
organizations to expand awareness of Service careers;
``(B) leverage digital and hybrid outreach methods
to reach students and alumni who may not be
geographically near current recruitment hubs; and
``(C) collaborate with other Federal departments
and agencies engaged in workforce outreach at
nontraditional institutions of higher education.''.
TITLE II--MANAGEMENT OF SERVICE
SEC. 201. EXPEDITIONARY DIPLOMACY.
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.''.
SEC. 202. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.
Section 207(a)(1) (22 U.S.C. 3927(a)(1)) is amended by inserting
before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, Diplomatic Security
special agents assigned as Regional Security Officers shall support the
chief of mission in meeting security responsibilities for the United
States Government by serving as the principal security and lead law
enforcement representatives to chiefs of mission.''.
SEC. 203. CLARIFICATION OF THE ROLE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE FOREIGN
SERVICE.
Section 208 (22 U.S.C. 3928) is amended by striking the period at
the end of the first sentence and inserting the following: ``and shall
be appointed to serve concurrently as the Assistant Secretary for Human
Resources.''.
SEC. 204. BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE SERVICE.
Section 211 (22 U.S.C. 3931) is amended in the second sentence by
striking ``or training in the fields of testing'' and inserting
``academic study, background in diplomacy,''.
SEC. 205. CYBERSECURITY, TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE, AND OPERATIONAL
COORDINATION.
Chapter 2 of title I is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 212. CYBERSECURITY, TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE, AND OPERATIONAL
COORDINATION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain a
cybersecurity and technology governance framework to support Service
operations at United States missions abroad, including unified
authority, accountability, and coordination for the protection of
information systems, data, and mission technology.
``(b) Roles and Responsibilities.--The framework required under
subsection (a) should--
``(1) delineate the roles and responsibilities of the
Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, the Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, regional bureaus, and chiefs of mission with respect
to--
``(A) cybersecurity policy and standards;
``(B) operational cybersecurity implementation;
``(C) technology lifecycle management, including
hardware accountability and supply chain risk;
``(D) artificial intelligence governance and risk
management;
``(E) incident detection and response;
``(F) vulnerability management; and
``(G) risk mitigation and reporting;
``(2) establish clear lines of authority for cybersecurity
and technology incident response and escalation, including at a
post abroad;
``(3) require coordination mechanisms between the Bureau of
Diplomatic Technology and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to
ensure integration of cyber, physical, personnel, and supply
chain security measures; and
``(4) ensure that a chief of mission is informed of, and
accountable for, the cybersecurity and technology posture at
the post of such chief of mission, consistent with section 207.
``(c) Secure Hardware and Supply Chain Protections.--The Secretary
shall ensure the implementation of policies governing--
``(1) inventory control and accountability of Government-
issued hardware at a United States mission abroad;
``(2) mitigation of foreign supply chain risks at United
States missions abroad;
``(3) inspection and validation of equipment before
deployment at United States missions abroad; and
``(4) procedures for handling equipment that is compromised
or suspected to be compromised at United States missions
abroad.
``(d) Incident Response Protocols.--The Secretary shall ensure the
development and implementation of standardized cybersecurity and
technology incident response protocols for United States missions
abroad, including defined reporting timelines and inter-bureau
coordination requirements.
``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to limit the authority of a chief of mission under section
207 with respect to oversight of cybersecurity and technology posture
at a United States mission abroad.''.
TITLE III--APPOINTMENTS
SEC. 301. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
Section 304 (22 U.S.C. 3944) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
``(1) detailed knowledge and requisite experience
formulating and executing United States foreign policy,
including a working understanding of Department operations and
procedures, is vital for chiefs of mission, Assistant
Secretaries of State, and other senior officials at the
Department to successfully advance United States national
security, and for managing the Federal workforce, in order to
effectively assert and expand United States competitiveness and
leadership abroad; and
``(2) the People's Republic of China and other adversaries
are rapidly expanding their global diplomatic presences and it
is imperative that the Department is appropriately staffed by
empowered, nonpartisan foreign policy professionals and
thoroughly qualified and vetted political appointees, who work
together to protect United States citizens and advance United
States interests across the globe.''.
SEC. 302. FOREIGN SERVICE PATHWAY FOR VETERANS PROGRAM.
Chapter 3 of title I (22 U.S.C. 3941 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 313. FOREIGN SERVICE PATHWAY FOR VETERANS PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program, to
be known as the `Veterans and Foreign Service Pathway Program', to
recruit, prepare, and support qualified individuals for service in the
Service.
``(b) Eligibility.--The program required by subsection (a) shall be
open to--
``(1) veterans, as such term is defined in section 2108 of
title 5, United States Code;
``(2) members of the Armed Forces who are within one year
of separation, retirement, or release from active duty in the
Armed Forces.
``(c) Matters To Be Included.--The program required by subsection
(a) shall include--
``(1) targeted recruitment aligned to Service career
tracks, including Diplomatic Security, security engineering,
cybersecurity, medical, and other roles;
``(2) mentorship and preparatory training for the Service
application and assessment process;
``(3) coordination with relevant Department offices to
facilitate candidate readiness for Service entry requirements;
``(4) outreach and engagement with military installations
and transition programs; and
``(5) coordination with existing fellowship and recruitment
programs of the Department, including the Veterans Innovation
Partnership Fellowship, to support pathways to Service
employment.
``(d) Streamlined Accession Pilot Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to establish
a pilot program to recruit and appoint qualified individuals
described in subsection (b) into designated Service positions
through streamlined hiring procedures.
``(2) Covered positions.--The Secretary shall designate
positions eligible under the pilot program, which may include
the following:
``(A) Diplomatic Security special agent positions.
``(B) Diplomatic courier positions capped at 10
percent annually.
``(C) Security engineering officer and security
technical specialist positions.
``(D) Cybersecurity and technology-related
positions.
``(E) Other Service positions identified by the
Secretary as critical to mission readiness.
``(e) Requirements.--The pilot program shall--
``(1) maintain all applicable merit-based hiring principles
and qualification standards; and
``(2) provide for expedited processing, assessment, and
onboarding of candidates.
``(f) Coordination With Department of Defense Transition
Programs.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of
Defense, shall--
``(1) integrate information on Service career
opportunities, including Diplomatic Security roles, into the
curricula and materials of the Transition Assistance Program of
the Department of Defense;
``(2) conduct regular outreach to transitioning
servicemembers at military installations; and
``(3) develop and maintain military occupational specialty
crosswalks aligned to Service career tracks.
``(g) Sunset.--The pilot program shall terminate on the date that
is five years after the date of enactment of this section.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to alter or diminish existing Service hiring standards or the
authority of the Secretary to determine qualifications for
appointment.''.
SEC. 303. COMMITMENT IN HIRING PROCESS RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN THE
FOREIGN SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Chapter 3 of title I (22 U.S.C. 3941 et seq.), as amended by
section 302, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 314. COMMITMENT IN HIRING PROCESS RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN
THE FOREIGN SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, with consideration of Department
needs, shall assess the fitness and suitability for hire of any
individual who--
``(1) was selected for participation in a Foreign Service
fellowship program administered or funded by the Department;
and
``(2) has successfully completed all educational and
programmatic requirements of such fellowship program.
``(b) Eligibility for Appointment.--An individual described in
subsection (a) shall remain eligible for appointment as a Service
officer, subject to--
``(1) successful completion of applicable security,
medical, and suitability requirements; and
``(2) satisfaction of the appointment standards set forth
in this Act.
``(c) Prohibition on Arbitrary Withdrawal.--The Secretary shall
assess the fitness and suitability for service of any individual
described in subsection (a) without regard to--
``(1) changes in workforce planning, hiring targets, or
staffing levels; or
``(2) administrative or policy changes occurring after the
individual's selection for the fellowship program.
``(d) Prioritizing Department Needs.--In all cases of hiring of
individuals described in subsection (a), the Secretary--
``(1) shall make final hiring decisions based on the
utility of the hire to the Department's mission; and
``(2) shall weigh favorably the prior military service and
other relevant experiences of such individuals with respect to
fitness for service.
``(e) Timing of Appointment.--The Secretary shall consider for
appointment all eligible individuals described in subsection (a) not
later than 12 months after completion of the fellowship's educational
requirements, unless the individual--
``(1) requests a deferral; or
``(2) is temporarily ineligible due to pending security,
medical, or suitability determinations.
``(f) Notification and Reporting.--If the Secretary delays the
assessment of the fitness and suitability for hire of an eligible
individual described in subsection (a) beyond the period specified in
subsection (f), the Secretary shall--
``(1) provide written notice to the individual describing
the reason for the delay not later than 15 days after the date
on which the delay begins; and
``(2) provide written notice to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives describing the reason for the
delay not later than 30 days after the date on which the delay
begins.''.
TITLE IV--CLASSIFICATION OF POSITIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
SEC. 401. PROTECTION OF EXTERNAL TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND DETAILS.
Chapter 5 of title I (22 U.S.C. 3981 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 506. PROTECTION OF EXTERNAL TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND DETAILS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `external training or education' means
training, education, or fellowship programs conducted by
entities other than foreign affairs agencies, including--
``(A) other Federal departments or agencies;
``(B) the Legislative branch;
``(C) State, local, Tribal, or territorial
governments;
``(D) international organizations;
``(E) accredited academic institutions; and
``(F) other entities approved by the head of the
foreign affairs agency concerned; and
``(2) the term `external detail' means a temporary
assignment, fellowship, or detail to an entity described in
paragraph (1).
``(b) Authorization.--A member of the Service may, with the
approval of the head of the foreign affairs agency concerned,
participate in external training, education, or details when such
participation is determined to be in the interest of the United States.
``(c) Uniform Career Protections.--A member of the Service
participating in an approved external training, education, or detail--
``(1) shall retain Service status, grade, and appointment;
``(2) shall continue to accrue time-in-class, time-in-
service, tenure eligibility, and retirement credit as if
serving in a domestic assignment or an assignment in a foreign
country;
``(3) shall remain fully eligible for promotion, pay
increases, tenure, and awards on the same basis as members not
on such assignments;
``(4) shall not be disadvantaged in assignments, bidding,
performance evaluations, or career progression solely because
of such participation; and
``(5) shall not be required to resign, accept a limited
appointment, or otherwise relinquish Service status as a
condition of participation.
``(d) Performance Evaluation Requirements.--Each foreign affairs
agency shall ensure that members on approved external training or
detail receive--
``(1) timely and meaningful performance evaluations;
``(2) evaluation standards and promotion precepts that
recognize the nature and value of external service; and
``(3) written guidance to supervisors outside foreign
affairs agencies regarding evaluation responsibilities.
``(e) Reentry and Assignment Rights.--Upon completion of an
approved external training or detail, a member--
``(1) shall be eligible for reassignment to positions
consistent with the member's grade and professional
qualifications; and
``(2) shall not be required to compete for reentry into the
Service or otherwise be treated as a new entrant.
``(f) Limitation on Waivers.--The protections of this section may
not be waived except by statute.
``(g) Regulations.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the head of each foreign affairs agency--
``(1) shall issue regulations implementing this section,
which shall be consistent across agencies to the maximum extent
practicable.
``(2) shall revise applicable regulations, evaluation
precepts, and personnel policies to ensure full implementation
of this section.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to conflict with the requirements of section 504 or the
regulations to implement such section.''.
TITLE V--PROMOTION AND RETENTION
SEC. 501. JOINT DUTY REQUIREMENT.
Section 601(c) (22 U.S.C. 4001(c)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(7) Promotions.--
``(A) In general.--The opening of a promotion window, on or
after the date that is five years after the date of enactment
of this paragraph, of any Service officer, appointed under
section 302(a)(1), who has general responsibility for carrying
out the functions of the Service to the Senior Foreign Service
should be contingent upon such individual completing at least
one joint duty assignment.
``(B) Exceptions.--The Secretary may--
``(i) identify circumstances under which the
requirements under subparagraph (A) shall not apply,
which may include that the individual proposed for
promotion to the Senior Foreign Service--
``(I) has met all other requirements
applicable to such promotion; and
``(II) was unable to complete a joint duty
assignment because there was not a reasonable
opportunity for such individual to be assigned
to such a position; and
``(ii) exempt Foreign Service Medical Specialists
who entered as a FS-01 rank and serve as a Regional
Medical Officer from the requirements under
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Joint duty assignment defined.--In this paragraph,
the term `joint duty assignment' means a tour of duty of not
less than 12 months in--
``(i) a Federal department or agency other than the
Department;
``(ii) the Congress, pursuant to a fellowship or
detail program approved by the Secretary;
``(iii) an international organization of which the
United States is a member, pursuant to a fellowship or
detail program approved by the Secretary; or
``(iv) a State or local government.''.
SEC. 502. TIMELY PUBLICATION AND CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION OF TENURE
AND PROMOTION LISTS.
Section 601 (22 U.S.C. 4001) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of
any Service tenure or promotion board whose recommendations require the
advice and consent of the Senate, the Secretary--
``(1) should finalize the list of Service members
recommended for tenure as well as Service officers and
specialists recommended for promotion to and within the Senior
Foreign Service; and
``(2) transmit such list to the President for nomination
consideration to the Senate.
``(e) Expedient Processing.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary should ensure that the administrative review, clearance, and
transmission of tenure and promotion recommendations are conducted in
an expeditious manner, and that no avoidable administrative delay
prevents compliance with the deadline established under subsection (a).
``(f) Limited Exceptions.--The Secretary may delay publication of
an individual name beyond the period specified in subsection (a) only
if the delay is necessary due to an ongoing disciplinary, suitability,
or security investigation; and the affected officer is provided written
notice of the reason for such delay. Any delay under this subsection
should be limited to the minimum period necessary and shall not affect
the publication of the remaining list.
``(g) Accountability.--If the Secretary fails to meet the
requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary shall, not later than 30
days after the expiration of the deadline, provide a briefing to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on the reasons for the
failure to meet such requirements and corrective actions taken to
prevent future delays.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to alter the constitutional role of the Senate in providing
advice and consent.''.
SEC. 503. MATTERS RELATING TO RECRUITMENT PROCESS OF PUBLIC MEMBERS OF
THE FOREIGN SERVICE SELECTION BOARDS.
(a) Prohibition on Nepotism.--Section 602 (22 U.S.C. 4002) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Prohibition on Nepotism in Recruitment Process.--
``(1) In general.--No employee of the Department who is
involved in, or has influence over, the recruitment,
evaluation, or selection of public members of selection boards
established under this section may refer, recommend, or
otherwise facilitate the consideration of any individual with
whom such employee has a personal connection.
``(2) Personal connection defined.--In this section, the
term `personal connection', with respect to an employee,
includes--
``(A) a family member, including a spouse, domestic
partner, parent, child, sibling, or any individual
related by blood, marriage, or adoption, to the
employee; and
``(B) any individual with whom the employee has a
close personal relationship, including a friend, former
colleague, or any other relationship that could
reasonably give rise to an appearance of favoritism or
bias.
``(3) Disclosure.--
``(A) In general.--Any Office of Performance
Evaluation employee or other personnel described in
subsection (a) who becomes aware that an applicant for
service as a public member of a selection board
established under this section has a personal
connection to such employee shall--
``(i) promptly disclose such relationship
in writing to the Director of the Office of
Performance Evaluation; and
``(ii) recuse himself or herself from any
further involvement in the recruitment,
evaluation, or selection of that applicant.
``(B) Recordkeeping.--The Department shall maintain
written records of all disclosures and recusals made
under this paragraph.
``(4) Prohibition.--No applicant for service as a public
member of a selection board established under this section may
advance to the interview or selection stage if such applicant
was referred, recommended, or otherwise introduced into the
applicant pool by an employee in violation of this subsection.
``(5) Administrative discipline.--Any employee who
knowingly violates the terms and conditions of this subsection
shall be subject to appropriate administrative discipline, in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.''.
(b) Clarification of Recruitment Sources.--
(1) In general.--Section 602 (22 U.S.C. 4002), as amended
by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) Clarification of Recruitment Sources.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to revise
and standardize all contract request memoranda used for the
appointment of public members to selection boards established
under this section to ensure accuracy, transparency, and
accountability in the recruitment process.
``(2) Matters to be included.--Each contract request
memorandum described in paragraph (1) shall include--
``(A) a clear description of the recruitment
process through which the individual was identified and
selected;
``(B) the specific recruitment source of the
individual, including whether the individual was
identified through formal outreach, open application,
or word-of-mouth referral;
``(C) the name and position of any Department
employee or other individual who referred, recommended,
or otherwise facilitated the individual's entry into
the recruitment process; and
``(D) any relevant documentation required under
Department policies governing recruitment and
selection.
``(3) Additional matters to be included.--Each contract
request memorandum described in paragraph (1) shall also
include a signed written certification from the individual
identified as the recruitment source stating that, to the best
of that individual's knowledge, the individual selected for
appointment--
``(A) is not a family member; and
``(B) does not have a close personal relationship
that could reasonably give rise to an appearance of
favoritism or bias.
``(4) Forms and procedures.--The Secretary shall establish
standardized forms and procedures for the certification
required under paragraph (3).
``(5) Limitation.--No contract for service as a public
member of a selection board established under this section may
be approved or executed unless the contract request memorandum
complies with the requirements of this subsection.
``(6) Recordkeeping.--The Department--
``(A) shall retain all contract request memoranda
and associated certifications required under this
subsection for three years; and
``(B) shall make such records available for review
by appropriate oversight entities.''.
(2) Effective date.--Subsection (e) of section 602 (22
U.S.C. 4002), as added by paragraph (1), shall apply to all
contract request memoranda described in such subsection that
are prepared on or after the date that is 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Internal Controls for Word-of-Mouth Referrals.--
(1) In general.--Section 602 (22 U.S.C. 4002), as amended
by subsections (a) and (b), is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(f) Internal Controls for Word-of-Mouth Referrals.--
``(1) Policy.--The Director General of the Service, acting
through the Office of Performance Evaluation, shall establish
and implement a standardized, transparent, and consistently
applied policy governing the use of `word-of-mouth referrals'
in the recruitment of public members for selection boards
established under this section.
``(2) Matters to be included.--The policy required by
paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) define the term `word-of-mouth referral' to
include any informal or direct communication by
Department personnel to an individual encouraging or
inviting that individual to apply for service as a
public member;
``(B) establish uniform procedures governing when
and how such referrals may be made;
``(C) ensure that such referrals are conducted in a
manner consistent with merit-based selection principles
and applicable ethics requirements; and
``(D) prohibit the use of informal referrals in a
manner that circumvents established recruitment or
outreach processes.
``(3) Documentation.--The Assistant Secretary shall require
that all word-of-mouth referrals be documented in writing. Such
documentation shall include--
``(A) the name of the Department employee making
the referral;
``(B) the name of the individual referred;
``(C) the date and method of communication; and
``(D) a brief description of the nature of
communication, including whether the individual was
encouraged or invited to apply.
``(4) Limitation.--No individual may advance in the
recruitment process for service as a public member for a
selection board established under this section unless the
documentation required under this subsection has been completed
and retained.
``(5) Recordkeeping.--The Department shall maintain records
of all word-of-mouth referrals in a centralized system to
ensure transparency, accountability, and auditability for not
less than three years, which shall be made available for review
upon request by appropriate oversight entities.''.
(2) Effective date.--Subsection (f) of section 602 (22
U.S.C. 4002), as added by paragraph (1), shall take effect on
the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 504. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH EXPERIENCE.
Section 603(b) (22 U.S.C. 4003(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) experience with the Legislative branch, including
fellowships in a congressional office or committee, or within
the Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the Department.''.
TITLE VI--CAREER DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND ORIENTATION
SEC. 601. ACCESS TO INFORMATION CENTER.
Section 701 (22 U.S.C. 4021) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(h) Access to Information Center.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the Overseas Briefing
Center, in coordination with the Director of the National
Foreign Affairs Training Center, shall provide the appropriate
congressional committees with access to the Information Center
and its materials, including digital and physical materials.
``(2) Scheduling options.--Not later than two days after a
request by the appropriate congressional committees for access
to the Information Center and its materials under paragraph
(1), the Director of the Overseas Briefing Center, in
coordination with the Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the
Department, shall provide to the congressional committees a
list of options to schedule such access on a timely basis.''.
SEC. 602. LIST OF CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
(a) In General.--Section 701 (22 U.S.C. 4021), as amended by
section 601, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) List of Critical Foreign Languages.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this subsection, and not less frequently
than once every three years thereafter, the Secretary should
designate, and make available to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate, a list of critical foreign
languages for purposes of this Act.
``(2) Matters to be included.--For each critical foreign
language designated pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall include information in the list describing--
``(A) minimum tested levels at which a member of
the Service shall be considered to be proficient in the
language; and
``(B) criteria for determining positions for which
such critical foreign language capability is mission
essential.
``(3) Coordination.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate
with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies that
maintain foreign language capabilities, in order to promote
interoperability, avoid duplication, and achieve cost savings
to the taxpayer.
``(4) Workforce planning.--The Secretary should incorporate
critical foreign language capability planning into the career
development, training, and assignment processes under this
chapter, including through--
``(A) the use of training at the National Foreign
Affairs Training Center;
``(B) the use of limited noncareer appointments and
recall and reappointment authorities under sections 308
and 309 to address temporary or surge requirements; and
``(C) the development of a surge reserve of rehired
officers and other appropriately cleared individuals
with critical foreign language capabilities who may be
activated rapidly in response to crises.
``(5) Critical foreign language defined.--In this
subsection, the term `critical foreign language' means a
foreign language identified by the Secretary, in consultation
with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as
appropriate--
``(A) as essential to the protection of United
States national security interests, United States
economic prosperity, and the protection of United
States citizens abroad;
``(B) with respect to which required levels of
proficiency are limited in the United States workforce
relative to strategic needs and operational demand; and
``(C) as corresponding to category I, II, III, or
IV languages, as specified in section 3911.2 of volume
3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual (3 FAM 3911.2) or
successor guidance, encompassing difficult, hard, and
super hard languages that are less commonly taught or
studied in the United States.''.
(b) Critical Foreign Language Requirement.--Section 702 (22 U.S.C.
4022) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Critical Foreign Language Requirement.--In carrying out this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that policies for the instruction,
testing, and use of foreign languages explicitly support the
preservation of capabilities with respect to critical foreign languages
identified pursuant to section 701(i).''.
SEC. 603. USE OF WORLD LANGUAGE SKILLS.
(a) In General.--Section 702 (22 U.S.C. 4022), as amended by
section 602(b), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Use of World Language Skills.--
``(1) Requirement.--Any member of the Service who undergoes
full-time, Department-funded language training for a period
exceeding six months shall be required to serve no fewer than
three consecutive tours in positions for which proficiency in
such language is a documented requirement for the position.
``(2) Timing of assignments.--The requirement under
paragraph (1) shall commence with the first assignment
immediately following the completion of the language training
and shall continue without interruption, except as provided in
paragraph (3).
``(3) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the
requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a member of the
Service only if the Secretary certifies to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that--
``(A) the member has developed a medical condition
preventing service at the required posts;
``(B) the member is assigned to a position of
higher priority; or
``(C) there is no vacant position for which the
member is qualified where the language skill is
required.
``(4) Consecutive tours defined.--The term `consecutive
tours' refers to sequential assignments either overseas at
posts where the trained language is the primary local or
official language, or domestic assignments where the primary
duties involve direct use of the trained language or the
trained language is helpful to the completion of domestic
assignment duties.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to any member of the Service who begins language training on or
after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 604. DIPLOMATIC SECURITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 703 (22 U.S.C. 4023) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Diplomatic Security Fellowship Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, shall administer a
fellowship program to recruit, retain, train, and prepare
qualified individuals for service within the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security.
``(2) Objectives.--The objectives of the fellowship program
established under paragraph (1) shall be--
``(A) to leverage specialized skills relevant to
the diplomatic security mission;
``(B) to provide structured training and mentorship
for fellows; and
``(C) to support recruitment into a position within
the Bureau of Diplomatic Security through the existing
competitive hiring processes of the Department.''.
SEC. 605. BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS STAFFING.
Section 703 (22 U.S.C. 4023), as amended by section 604, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Bureau of African Affairs Staffing.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretaries for Human Resources and for
African Affairs, shall establish a program to facilitate and expedite
the hiring of qualified individuals with expertise on African countries
into the Service to fill positions at missions under the authority of
the Bureau of African Affairs and domestic positions under the Bureau
of African Affairs.''.
SEC. 606. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE AND AGREEMENT OFFICER'S
REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING.
Section 704 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Contracting Officer's Representative and Agreement Officer's
Representative Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Foreign Assistance, is authorized to establish a
program to recruit, train, and retain personnel serving as
Contracting Officer's Representatives and Agreement Officer's
Representatives for the Department, to ensure that the Bureau
has sufficient personnel with the skills and expertise
necessary to plan, implement, and manage United States foreign
assistance operations and programs.
``(2) Training.--Personnel recruited, trained, or retained
under the program authorized by paragraph (1) shall receive
training necessary to effectively oversee and administer
foreign assistance instruments and disaster assistance
operations, which may include training in procurement, grants
and cooperative agreement oversight, logistics, financial
management, monitoring and evaluation, and emergency response
operations.''.
SEC. 607. TRAINING FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS.
(a) Antisemitism Training.--Section 708(a) (22 U.S.C. 4028(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting before the semicolon
``, including instruction on identifying and addressing
antisemitism, including contemporary forms of antisemitism and
Holocaust distortion and denial''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), in the first sentence, by
inserting ``, the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and
Combat Antisemitism, the Office of the Special Envoy for
Holocaust Issues,'' after ``Training Center''.
(b) AUKUS Training.--Section 708 (22 U.S.C. 4028) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(f) AUKUS Training.--The Secretary, with the assistance of other
relevant Federal officials, shall ensure that any member of the Service
who is assigned to a position in Australia or the United Kingdom or
that may be called upon to work on issues related to the enhanced
trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom,
and the United States (referred to as the `AUKUS partnership', as that
term is defined in section 1321(2) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C.
10401(2))) have access to training and briefings needed to coordinate
on the AUKUS partnership, including training on--
``(1) Australia, United Kingdom, and United States
governance infrastructure and policies related to the sale,
development, production, and co-production of advanced defense
technology;
``(2) overview of AUKUS security pact Pillar I and Pillar
II technologies, capabilities, and their strategic impetus; and
``(3) workforce challenges and needs in the host country
related to the AUKUS partnership.''.
(c) International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Training.--Section
708 (22 U.S.C. 4028), as amended by subsection (b), is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(g) International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs (INL) and such other officials as the
Secretary considers appropriate, may establish training courses
on--
``(A) international narcotics control, including
the mechanisms, legal authorities, and programmatic
requirements applicable to assistance provided under
INL's statutory authorities relating to international
narcotics control and law enforcement assistance;
``(B) international law enforcement cooperation,
including the use of bilateral and multilateral legal
assistance frameworks;
``(C) countering transnational organized crime,
money laundering, and other tools of illicit finance;
and
``(D) anti-corruption efforts, including most
effective methods of countering corruption and
promoting the rule-of-law abroad.
``(2) Required training.--Any member of the Service who is
directly responsible for the administration, oversight, or
management of assistance described in paragraph (1)(A) should
receive training in the areas described in paragraph (1) prior
to the beginning of service in such assignment or, if receiving
such training prior to the beginning of service is not
practicable, not later than one year after beginning such
assignment.
``(3) Consultation.--In developing the curriculum required
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with--
``(A) the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs;
``(B) the Office of the Legal Adviser; and
``(C) other relevant bureaus and offices of the
Department as the Secretary determines appropriate.''.
(d) Foreign Scam Syndicates Training.--Section 708 (22 U.S.C.
4028), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(h) Foreign Scam Syndicates Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may establish training for
chiefs of mission, deputy chiefs of mission, and Foreign
Service officers who will be assigned to a country that, as
determined by the Secretary, is home to significant online scam
activity targeting Americans, on appropriate training on
matters related to online scam activity.
``(2) Matters to be included.--The training required under
paragraph (1)--
``(A) should address--
``(i) transnational criminal organizations
conducting the scams;
``(ii) online scam centers and human
trafficking inside such centers; and
``(iii) foreign government complicity and
corruption; and
``(B) should identify diplomatic methods to
identify, prevent, and respond to such activities.''.
(e) Training for Chiefs of Mission on Defense Cooperation
Authorities.--Section 708 (22 U.S.C. 4028), as amended by subsections
(b), (c), and (d), is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(i) Training for Chiefs of Mission on Defense Cooperation
Authorities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a training
course for chiefs of mission on the authorities, requirements,
and limitations applicable to defense cooperation programs that
do not fall under the authority of the chief of mission.
``(2) Matters to be included.--The training course required
under paragraph (1) shall include instruction on--
``(A) the role of the chief of mission in providing
concurrence for programs conducted under the
authorities described in paragraph (1), including the
scope of the chief of mission's role and procedures to
request information from the Department of Defense
prior to providing or withholding such concurrence;
``(B) the foreign policy implications of defense
cooperation programs, including risks of mission creep
and adverse effects on bilateral relationships; and
``(C) the relationship between defense cooperation
programs and the chief of mission's responsibility for
the direction, coordination, and supervision of all
United States Government Executive branch activities,
operations, and employees in the country to which such
chief of mission exercises authority, pursuant to
section 207.
``(3) Pre-assignment training.--Any chief of mission
assigned to a post at which a defense cooperation program
described in paragraph (1) is in effect or proposed, as
determined by the Secretary, should complete the training
course established under paragraph (1) prior to the beginning
of service at such post or, if completing such training prior
to the beginning of service is not practicable, not later than
180 days after beginning such service.
``(4) Consultation.--In developing the curriculum required
under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consult with--
``(A) the Office of the Legal Adviser of the
Department;
``(B) the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of
the Department; and
``(C) other offices and bureaus of the Department,
as appropriate.''.
(f) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 707 the
following:
``Sec. 708. Training for foreign service officers.''.
SEC. 608. CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 709. CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
``All principal officers and Chiefs of Mission shall be required to
receive a post-specific brief by the Crisis Management and Strategy
Office at the Department Operations Center prior to departing the
District of Columbia on assignment.''.
SEC. 609. STRUCTURED TRAINING FRAMEWORK AND PROTECTED TRAINING PERIODS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
section 608, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 710. STRUCTURED TRAINING FRAMEWORK AND PROTECTED TRAINING
PERIODS.
``(a) Structured Training Framework.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to establish
and maintain a structured training framework applicable at
defined career milestones for members of the Service.
``(2) Matters to be included.--Training under the
structured training framework established under paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall be integrated into normal career
progression;
``(B) shall reflect evolving foreign policy
priorities, emerging threats, technological
developments, national security requirements, and the
President's National Security Strategy; and
``(C) shall be a mandatory and institutionalized
component of Service career development.
``(b) Protected Training Periods.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that
protected training periods are built into the assignment and
promotion cycle of members of the Service to permit completion
of required training.
``(2) Matters to be included.--Protected training periods
required by paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall be treated as a standard component of
service;
``(B) shall not be contingent solely upon post-
level staffing flexibility; and
``(C) shall be structured to ensure that
operational demands do not routinely preclude required
training.
``(3) Coordination.--The Department shall plan workforce
and assignment cycles to accommodate protected training periods
required by paragraph (1) in a manner comparable to
professional military education models within the Armed Forces.
``(c) Scope of Training.--Training under the structured training
framework established under subsection (a) and protected training
periods under subsection (b) may include instruction in--
``(1) national security, diplomatic security, and
counterintelligence;
``(2) cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and artificial
intelligence;
``(3) economic statecraft, sanctions, export controls, and
trade policy;
``(4) energy security and strategic resources;
``(5) interagency coordination and crisis response;
``(6) Fellowship opportunity outside of the Department;
``(7) leadership and management; and
``(8) such other subjects as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(d) Career Stage Training.--Training under the structured
training framework established under subsection (a) and protected
training periods under subsection (b) may include instruction in the
following:
``(1) Entry-level: cohesion and rotations.
``(2) Mid-level: leadership and interagency exposure.
``(3) Pre-senior: professional development tours.
``(4) Senior: capstone training.
``(e) Evaluation Metrics.--The Secretary--
``(1) shall establish metrics for evaluating the completion
and effectiveness of training under the structured training
framework established under subsection (a) and protected
training periods under subsection (b); and
``(2) shall ensure that instructors of such training
certify such training for members of the Service upon
satisfactory completion of such training.
``(f) Strategic Planning Training.--Establish National Foreign
Affairs Training Center curriculum within one year including best
practices, challenges, and simulations.
``(g) Periodic Review and Update.--The Secretary shall periodically
review and update requirements for training under the structured
training framework established under subsection (a) and protected
training periods under subsection (b) every four years to ensure
responsiveness to changes in the global operating environment.''.
(b) Promotion Eligibility and Training Requirement.--Section 601(c)
(22 U.S.C. 4001(c)), as amended by section 501, is further amended by
adding at the following:
``(8) Promotion eligibility and training requirement.--
``(A) In general.--A member of the Service shall
not be eligible for promotion to any class above FS-03
or into the Senior Foreign Service unless--
``(i) the member has completed the
applicable training requirements established
under section 710; and
``(ii) the completion of such training
requirements is certified by the Director
General of the Service prior to consideration
by a promotion board with respect to the
proposed promotion.
``(B) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive
the requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to a
member of the Service in the case of extraordinary
circumstances if the Secretary approves such waiver in
writing. The Secretary may not delegate the waiver
authority under this subparagraph.''.
SEC. 610. LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608 and 609, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 711. LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
``(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
``(1) effective leadership, including the management of
personnel and resources, is essential to the execution of
United States foreign policy and the management of United
States missions abroad;
``(2) Foreign Service Officers frequently assume
supervisory and managerial responsibilities in complex, high-
risk environments; and
``(3) mandatory leadership and management preparation
enhances mission performance, accountability, workforce morale,
and the responsible stewardship of public resources.
``(b) In General.--Members of the Service shall receive appropriate
and comprehensive leadership training, including personnel and resource
management, prior to assuming a leadership assignment, including any
Service position of a duration of not less than one month that includes
supervisory, managerial, executive, or chief-of-section authority over
not fewer than one United States Government employee, eligible family
member employed at the mission, or locally employed staff person.
``(c) Requirement.--A member of the Service may not assume a
leadership position as described in subsection (b) unless such a member
has successfully completed the leadership and management training
required under subsection (d) within the preceding three years.
``(d) Leadership and Management Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, shall
establish a curriculum for tiered joint leadership and
management training requirements appropriate to--
``(A) first-time supervisors;
``(B) mid-level managers;
``(C) senior leaders, including Deputy Chiefs of
Mission, Chiefs of Mission, and Principal Officers; and
``(D) any other category the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(2) Duration.--The leadership and management training
required under paragraph (1) shall, at minimum, consist of at
least one month of training per tier.
``(3) Frequency and capacity.--The Secretary shall ensure
that leadership and management training required under
paragraph (1) is made available with sufficient frequency and
capacity to prevent undue delay in assignments.
``(e) Waiver Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may waive the leadership
and management training required under subsection (d) on a
temporary basis in emergent circumstances where a member of the
Service must assume a supervisory, managerial, or leadership
position immediately to ensure continuity of operations.
``(2) Short-term waiver.--A waiver issued under paragraph
(1) may permit a member of the Service to serve in a position
described in paragraph (1) for a period not to exceed 30 days
without having completed the required training.
``(3) Extended temporary service.--In cases in which a
member of the Service is expected to serve in a position
described in paragraph (1) for a period exceeding 30 days, the
chief of mission and the Director General of the Service shall
coordinate to ensure that the member is scheduled to complete
the required training for the position within a reasonable
amount of time, not to exceed the date that is 60 days after
the date on which the member assumes such position.
``(4) Congressional notification.--Not later than 15 days
after issuing a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
notify the appropriate congressional committees of such waiver,
including the justification for the waiver and the expected
duration of the assignment.
``(f) Sunset.--This section shall take effect on the date that is
180 days after the enactment of this section.''.
SEC. 611. TRAINING RELATING TO CRITICAL MINERALS.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608, 609, and 610, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 712. TRAINING RELATING TO CRITICAL MINERALS.
``(a) People's Republic of China.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and the Director of the
George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center,
shall establish an academic program focused on global supply
chains and their relation to strategic competition with the
People's Republic of China.
``(2) Training requirements.--The academic program
established under paragraph (1) shall be mandatory for--
``(A) entry-level Service officers identified as
Economic Officers prior to the end of the second tour
in the Department; and
``(B) Service officers identified as Economic
Officers prior to deployment at a United States
presence post abroad to fill a billet where the primary
focus of the portfolio will be critical minerals or
energy.
``(3) Contents.--The academic program established under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
``(A) Instruction on international documents,
treaties, and agreements relevant to global energy and
critical mineral supply chains.
``(B) United States Government policies and
strategies for mitigating vulnerabilities in global
supply chains.
``(C) Basic geological knowledge about critical
minerals.
``(D) Analysis of the effects of strategic
competition, including with the People's Republic of
China, on United States interests.
``(E) Regional- and country-specific instruction
tailored to the resources, economy, and international
trade relationships of the receiving country.
``(F) Practical guidance for officers to advance
United States foreign policy objectives in diplomacy,
trade negotiations, multilateral forums, and crisis
scenarios related to supply chains.
``(G) Specialized training related to critical
minerals as described in subsection (b).
``(b) Critical Mineral-Specific Training Relating to Certain Other
Countries.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require specialized
training on critical minerals for Service officers identified
as Economic Officers prior to deployment to United States
presence posts in countries that--
``(A) produce, process, refine, or export
significant quantities of critical minerals;
``(B) host critical mineral reserves of strategic
importance to the United States; or
``(C) play a significant role in global critical
mineral supply chains, including through
transportation, processing, or downstream
manufacturing.
``(2) Contents.--The specialized training related to
critical minerals required under paragraph (1) shall include
the following:
``(A) An overview of United States critical
minerals policy and interagency roles.
``(B) Basic geological knowledge of critical
minerals and extraction processes.
``(C) Country- and region-specific analysis of
critical mineral resources, governance, and market
structures.
``(D) Geopolitical and national security
implications of critical mineral supply chains.
``(E) Risk factors related to supply disruption,
foreign ownership or control, corruption, and resource
nationalism.
``(F) Tools and best practices for advancing United
States commercial, economic security, and strategic
objectives related to critical minerals through
diplomatic engagement.''.
SEC. 612. TRAINING AT CONSULAR POSTS.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608, 609, 610, and 611, is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 713. TRAINING AT CONSULAR POSTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall require that each Service
officer, including temporary duty assignments and permanent change of
stations, assigned to perform consular duties complete mandatory, post-
specific consular training--
``(1) upon arrival at post, conducted concurrently with the
performance of official duties through supervised, on-the-job,
and practical instruction, and building upon the consular
training received prior to departure to such post; and
``(2) before independently adjudicating visas, or otherwise
performing services for United States citizens.
``(b) Training Requirement.--The training required under subsection
(a) shall--
``(1) be conducted at post;
``(2) have a duration of not less than four weeks, unless
shortened by the Secretary based on demonstrated prior
experience or exigent operational needs;
``(3) be completed under the supervision of experienced
consular officers designated by the chief of mission or
principal officer;
``(4) be documented as part of the officer's official
training and assignment record; and
``(5) be conducted by an individual at post with an
equivalent or superior rank or responsibility level as the
officer.
``(c) Training Content.--The required training shall include
instruction and supervised practice in--
``(1) country- and post-specific visa adjudication trends,
risks, and fraud patterns;
``(2) applicable immigration law, regulations, and
Department guidance as applied at post;
``(3) local processing procedures and workflow;
``(4) use of consular information systems;
``(5) coordination with locally employed staff and relevant
host-nation entities;
``(6) national security screening considerations; and
``(7) quality assurance and error prevention measures.
``(d) Limitation on Independent Adjudication.--A Service officer
may not independently adjudicate visas or perform unsupervised consular
functions until the officer has--
``(1) completed the training required under subsection (b);
or
``(2) received a written waiver from the chief of mission
or principal officer based on prior consular experience and
demonstrated proficiency.
``(e) Responsibilities.--
``(1) Chiefs of mission and principal officers.--Chiefs of
mission and Principal officers shall ensure compliance with the
training requirements of this section at post.
``(2) Consular section leadership.--Consular Section
Leadership shall develop, maintain and update as necessary
post-specific training plans of this section consistent with
Department standards.
``(3) Secretary.--The Secretary shall issue Department-wide
guidance to standardize minimum expectations with respect to
training under this section and provide for post-level
flexibility.
``(f) Performance and Workload Considerations.--The time spent by a
Service officer in required post-specific consular training--
``(1) shall be considered official duty time; and
``(2) shall not be treated as a negative factor in
performance evaluations.
``(g) Oversight.--The Secretary--
``(1) shall periodically review compliance with the
requirements of this section; and
``(2) may take corrective action in cases in which training
requirements are not being adequately implemented.''.
SEC. 613. STRENGTHENING DIPLOMATIC SECURITY TRAINING STANDARDS.
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:
``SEC. 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.''.
SEC. 614. MANDATORY CRISIS LEADERSHIP AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING
PROGRAM FOR SENIOR PERSONNEL.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, and 613, is further amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 715 MANDATORY CRISIS LEADERSHIP AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SENIOR PERSONNEL.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and implement a
mandatory crisis leadership and emergency management training program
for members of the Service assigned to senior leadership positions at
United States diplomatic and consular posts.
``(b) Covered Positions.--The training program required by
subsection (a) applies to--
``(1) chiefs of mission;
``(2) deputy chiefs of mission;
``(3) principal officers; and
``(4) such other senior positions as the Secretary may
designate.
``(c) Condition of Assignment.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
individual may not be assigned to a position described in
subsection (b) unless the individual has successfully completed
the training required under this section.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement
under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis in exigent
circumstances, except that an individual granted such a waiver
shall complete the required training as soon as practicable
after assignment.''.
SEC. 615. CYBERSECURITY, TECHNOLOGY, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
TRAINING.
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:
``SEC. 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.''.
SEC. 616. VETERANS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM; PLACEMENT
AND CONVERSION SUPPORT.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, and 615, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 717. VETERANS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM;
PLACEMENT AND CONVERSION SUPPORT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish policies and
procedures to improve placement and hiring outcomes for participants in
the Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship, including structured
pathways to employment within the Department.
``(b) Elements.--The policies and procedures required under
subsection (a) should include--
``(1) designation of a bureau or office responsible for
coordinating post-fellowship placement efforts;
``(2) procedures to match a fellow with employment
opportunities in the Service, as appropriate;
``(3) guidance to bureaus on the use of existing hiring
authorities to facilitate the conversion of a fellow into a
permanent or term position;
``(4) mentorship and career counseling for a fellow during
and after the fellowship period;
``(5) tracking and evaluation of conversion rates and
employment outcomes; and
``(6) procedures to facilitate placement of a fellow into a
position under the Veterans and Foreign Service Pathway
Program, where applicable.''.
SEC. 617. REVIEWS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE CAREER TRACKS.
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:
``SEC. 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.''.
SEC. 618. INTEGRATION OF FOREIGN SERVICE RECRUITMENT INTO MILITARY
TRANSITION PROGRAMS.
Chapter 7 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.), as amended by
sections 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, and 617, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 719. INTEGRATION OF FOREIGN SERVICE RECRUITMENT INTO MILITARY
TRANSITION PROGRAMS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall
establish a formal recruitment program within military transition
programs to support entry into the Service of veterans.
``(b) Matters To Be Included.--The program required by subsection
(a) shall--
``(1) provide information, guidance, and preparatory
resources to facilitate participation in the Veterans and
Foreign Service Pathway Program established under section 313;
and
``(2) support the development of a sustained pipeline of
candidates aligned with workforce needs of the Department.
``(c) Implementation.--In carrying out the program required by
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) integrate Service career information, including
Diplomatic Security roles, into Transition Assistance Program
curriculum and materials;
``(2) conduct targeted outreach at military installations
and transition centers;
``(3) identify and refer qualified candidates to the
program required by subsection (a) and any pilot hiring
authority established under section 313; and
``(4) provide pre-application guidance and onboarding
support to prospective candidates.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to create a separate or noncompetitive hiring process for
members of the Armed Forces or veterans.''.
TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 701. TAX RESIDENCY FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS.
Chapter 9 of title I (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 906 the following:
``SEC. 906A. TAX RESIDENCY FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS.
``(a) Preservation of Domicile.--A member of the Service shall
neither lose nor acquire a residence or domicile for purposes of
taxation with respect to the person, personal property, or income of
the member solely by reason of being absent from or present in any tax
jurisdiction of the United States in compliance with official orders
assigning the member to duty.
``(b) Situs of Personal Property.--The personal property of a
member of the Service shall not be deemed to be located or present in,
or to have a situs for taxation in, any jurisdiction in which the
member is assigned pursuant to official orders.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `personal property' includes motor vehicles;
and
``(2) the term `taxation' includes licenses, fees, or
excises imposed with respect to motor vehicles and their use,
if such license, fee, or excise is paid by the member in the
member's State of domicile or residence.''.
SEC. 702. INTERNSHIPS FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS.
Section 1202(c) (22 U.S.C. 4141a(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Students enrolled full-
time in institutions of higher education'' and inserting
``Students enrolled, whether full-time or at least half-time,
in institutions of higher education,''; and
(2) by adding at end the following:
``(4) The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable,
ensure that recruitment efforts include outreach to potential
applicants enrolled at community colleges, vocational or
technical institutions, and other nontraditional institutions
of higher education.''.
SEC. 703. DIPLOMATIC RESERVE CORPS PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than nine months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall establish a
Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program (in this section referred to as
the ``Pilot Program'') in the Department of State to assess the
feasibility and effectiveness of maintaining a reserve cadre of trained
personnel available for temporary active service in support of foreign
affairs contingencies.
(b) Purpose.--The Pilot Program shall--
(1) provide a surge workforce to support diplomatic
operations during crises, evacuations, armed conflicts, natural
disasters, and other contingencies affecting United States
interests abroad;
(2) assess recruitment, training, readiness, deployment,
and retention requirements for a permanent Diplomatic Reserve
Corps; and
(3) identify authorities, resources, and organizational
structures necessary to sustain such a corps.
(c) Membership.--The Secretary of State may appoint to the Pilot
Program retired members of the Foreign Service.
(d) Initial Strength.--The Secretary of State shall recruit and
maintain not fewer than 250 members in the Pilot Program during the
first year of the Pilot Program and may increase membership by up to
250 additional members annually for the following three fiscal years.
(e) Reserve Corps Structure.--Of the members of the Pilot Program
appointed by the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (c)--
(1) not more than 30 percent shall be appointed at ranks
equivalent to salary class 1 and salary class 2 of the Foreign
Service schedule; and
(2) those not appointed at ranks equivalent to salary class
1 and salary class 2 of the Foreign Service schedule shall be
appointed at ranks equivalent to salary class 3 and salary
class 4 of the Foreign Service schedule.
(f) Training.--Members of the Pilot Program shall complete such
orientation, security, medical, and readiness training as the Secretary
of State determines appropriate, including training conducted through
the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, the Foreign Affairs
Security Training Center, and other Department of State facilities.
(g) Activation.--The Secretary of State may activate members of the
Pilot Program for temporary service in support of diplomatic
operations, crisis response, evacuation efforts, disaster response,
consular surge requirements, or other foreign affairs contingencies.
(h) Evaluation.--The Secretary of State shall establish readiness
standards and conduct annual evaluations of the training status and
availability for deployment of each member of the Pilot Program.
(i) Initial Plan to Congress.--Not later than six months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report detailing the
Secretary's plans and timeline to establish, structure, and implement
the Pilot Program.
(j) Final Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than three years after the
establishment of the Pilot Program, the Secretary of State
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate a report evaluating the Pilot Program and providing
recommendations regarding establishment of a permanent
Diplomatic Reserve Corps.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall additionally include an assessment on
expanding eligible appointment to the Diplomatic Reserve Corps
to--
(A) retired Civil Service employees of the
Department of State;
(B) retired employees of other Federal agencies
possessing relevant skills and experience; and
(C) qualified individuals from outside the Federal
Government possessing critical language, regional,
technical, medical, security, consular, management, or
diplomatic expertise.
(k) Termination.--The Pilot Program shall terminate on the date
that is three after the date of the enactment of this Act, unless
reauthorized by Congress.
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