# 119-s-4642: Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act

119-s-4642, Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-25).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4642
- As of: 2026-07-25
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4642
- Congress: 119
- Title: Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-05-21
- Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-25

## Summary

**Expands recall and reappointment eligibility to include Foreign Service members who have separated, not just those who retired.** It would also impose a firm 180-day reappointment deadline after approval and require annual reporting to congressional foreign affairs committees. - Former career members: Individuals who separated from the Foreign Service, in addition to retirees, would be eligible for recall or reappointment. Approved requests must be acted on within 180 days and reappointed members get full standing. - Assignments and standing: Reappointed members would be placed into the next onward assignment cycle with full standing, changing how returning officers are slotted for posts. - Congressional oversight: The Secretary would report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee within 60 days of enactment and then annually, listing counts and grade/position details for recalled and reappointed members.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Rehire rules for former diplomats: mixed, medium. This bill would change who can be recalled or reappointed to the Foreign Service. It would add people who "separated" (not just retirees) to those eligible for recall or reappointment. It would limit eligibility to five years after the date of retirement or separation. It would also require the Dep…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act
- 119-s-2231: GLOBE Act of 2025
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-s-4642 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4642)

## Related
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3869)
- [119-s-2231: GLOBE Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2231)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4642 (as of 2026-07-25).