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HR10064119th CongressWALLET

Foreign Service Language Readiness Act

Sponsored By: Representative Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

Introduced

Summary

Create a formal, rotating List of Critical Foreign Languages and lock those language needs into Foreign Service training, assignments, and staffing. This bill would require the Secretary of State to publish a list within 180 days and to update it at least every three years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Foreign Service language readiness plan

This bill would require the Secretary of State to publish a List of Critical Foreign Languages within 180 days of enactment. The list would be updated at least once every three years and would name minimum tested proficiency levels and which jobs need each language. The Secretary would coordinate with other federal agencies to avoid duplicate training. The bill would add critical-language planning to Foreign Service career development, training at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, and assignment rules. The Secretary could use limited noncareer hires and recall authorities (sections 308 and 309) and could keep a surge reserve of rehired, cleared officers with needed language skills. The bill would also require language instruction, testing, and use policies to explicitly preserve skills in the listed critical languages.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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