Economy and Commerce
Training on critical minerals and supply chains
Establishes a mandatory academic program for Economic Officers on global supply chains, critical minerals, and strategic competition with the People's Republic of China.
Education and Research
Internships for part-time students
Amends existing law to allow students enrolled at least half-time, not just full-time, in higher education to be eligible for internships and requires outreach to nontraditional institutions.
Government Operations
Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher education
Directs the Secretary of State to actively recruit Foreign Service candidates from nontraditional institutions, including community colleges, junior colleges, and career and technical colleges.
Expeditionary diplomacy Tiger Team
Establishes a "Tiger Team" to provide the Secretary of State with a plan to improve the capability and willingness of Foreign Service members to engage in expeditionary diplomacy.
Cybersecurity and technology governance framework
Mandates the Secretary of State to establish a cybersecurity and technology governance framework to support operations at U.S. missions abroad, clarifying roles and responsibilities.
Hiring commitment for Foreign Service fellowship graduates
Requires the Secretary of State to assess graduates of Foreign Service fellowship programs for hire and prohibits withdrawing consideration due to administrative or policy changes.
Career protections for external training and details
Provides uniform career protections for Foreign Service members participating in approved external training, education, or details, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in promotions or assignments.
Joint duty requirement for promotion to Senior Foreign Service
Requires Foreign Service officers to complete at least one joint duty assignment (e.g., in another agency or Congress) to be eligible for promotion to the Senior Foreign Service.
Anti-nepotism rules for selection boards
Prohibits nepotism and personal favoritism in the recruitment of public members for Foreign Service selection boards, requiring disclosure of personal connections and recusal.
Congressional access to Information Center
Requires the Director of the Overseas Briefing Center to provide appropriate congressional committees with access to the Information Center and its materials upon request.
List of critical foreign languages
Mandates the Secretary of State to designate a list of critical foreign languages for national security and incorporate this into workforce planning and training.
Mandatory service for language-trained officers
Requires any Foreign Service member receiving over six months of language training to serve three consecutive tours in positions that utilize that language skill.
Diplomatic security fellowship program
Establishes a fellowship program to recruit, train, and prepare qualified individuals for service within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Bureau of African Affairs staffing program
Establishes a program to facilitate and expedite the hiring of qualified individuals with expertise on African countries into the Foreign Service.
New training requirements for Foreign Service Officers
Mandates new training for Foreign Service Officers on antisemitism, the AUKUS partnership, international narcotics, online scams, and defense cooperation.
Structured training framework for Foreign Service
Authorizes a structured training framework with protected training periods at defined career milestones, making completion a requirement for promotion.
Mandatory leadership training
Requires Foreign Service members to receive comprehensive leadership and management training before assuming any supervisory or managerial position.
Mandatory post-specific consular training
Requires Foreign Service officers assigned to consular duties to complete mandatory, post-specific training upon arrival before independently adjudicating visas.
Annual cybersecurity and AI training
Mandates annual training for all Foreign Service members on cybersecurity, technology use, and artificial intelligence governance to protect against modern threats.
Independent review of Foreign Service career tracks
Convenes an independent commission to review the structure, relevance, and effectiveness of the Foreign Service’s career tracks and recommend improvements.
Tax residency for Foreign Service Officers
Prevents a member of the Foreign Service from losing or acquiring a tax residence or domicile solely because they are absent from or present in a tax jurisdiction due to official orders.
Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program
Establishes a three-year pilot program to create a reserve cadre of retired Foreign Service personnel available for temporary service to support diplomatic operations during crises and other contingencies.
Veteran affairs
Foreign Service Pathway for Veterans Program
Establishes a program to recruit, prepare, and support veterans for Foreign Service careers, including a five-year pilot program for streamlined hiring into designated positions.
Support for Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship
Establishes policies to improve placement and hiring outcomes for participants in the Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship, creating pathways to employment.
Integration of Foreign Service recruitment into military transition programs
Establishes a formal recruitment program within military transition programs to support the entry of veterans into the Foreign Service, in coordination with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.