H.R. 9086 · Passed House · International Affairs

Foreign Service Modernization Act

What it does

Require the State Department to establish a team to develop a plan for improving Foreign Service capacity and willingness to conduct expeditionary diplomacy in high-risk environments.
Direct the State Department to recruit qualified veterans and separating military personnel into the Foreign Service, including by integrating recruitment into military transition programs.
Authorize the State Department to establish a structured training framework integrated into normal career progression with protected training periods, modeled on military professional education.
Create a Diplomatic Reserve Corps pilot program to assess the feasibility of a trained reserve workforce supporting foreign affairs contingencies.

Official summary

Foreign Service Modernization Act This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to U.S. Foreign Service (FS) management and operations, including an increased focus on expeditionary diplomacy (a concept that emphasizes diplomats conducting direct diplomacy in high-risk environments outside of the embassy), expanded hiring pathways, and additional training requirements. For example, the bill requires the Department of State to establish a team to develop a plan to improve the capability and willingness of FS members and leaders to engage in expeditionary diplomacy; a program to recruit qualified veterans and separating military personnel into the FS, including by integrating FS recruitment into military transition programs; and a Diplomatic Reserve Corps pilot program to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a trained reserve cadre providing a surge workforce to support foreign affairs contingencies. Additionally, the State Department is authorized to establish a structured training framework that is integrated into normal career progression with protected training periods (similar to the Armed Forces' professional military education model). The bill specifies…

Latest action

Sep 17, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations