[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 CONG