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119-s-4466119th CongressWALLET

PATH to the Foreign Service Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a formal pathway for former USAID Foreign Service officers to join the State Department Foreign Service at a rank and tenure that reflect their prior service and waives the Foreign Service Officer Test for qualifying USAID alumni. It would also require hiring preference for prior USAID service, mandate crediting that service toward seniority and retirement, set a 180-day deadline for guidance, and include a five-year sunset.

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  • Former USAID officers: Would be eligible for appointment into the Foreign Service Officer career track at a grade and tenure that match prior rank, time-in-service, and performance. They would be exempt from taking the Foreign Service Entrance Exam if they previously met entry requirements and served in good standing.
  • Department of State hiring: Would have to award hiring preference points or equivalent credit to applicants with prior USAID service and apply that preference in a transparent, consistent way.
  • Career milestones and benefits: Prior USAID service would be credited toward seniority, time-in-class, retirement eligibility, and other applicable career milestones to the maximum extent permitted by law.
  • Implementation and timeline: Would require the Secretary of State, working with USAID and the Office of Personnel Management, to issue guidance within 180 days. The authority would expire five years after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Foreign Service pathway for USAID staff

If enacted, this bill would create a pathway for former USAID employees to join the State Department Foreign Service. Former USAID Foreign Service members appointed to State would be eligible for appointment at a grade and tenure level that reflects their prior USAID rank, time in service, and performance, subject to normal suitability and security checks. The bill would waive the Foreign Service Entrance Exam for qualifying former USAID Foreign Service members, require State to give hiring preference points or equivalent credit to applicants with prior USAID service, and require prior USAID service to be credited toward seniority, time-in-class, retirement eligibility, and related career milestones to the maximum extent allowed by law. The Secretary of State, with USAID and OPM, would have 180 days after enactment to issue implementation guidance, and these rules would end five years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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