Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act
Sponsored By: Representative Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expands recall and reappointment for retired and separated Foreign Service career members. This bill would let the Secretary recall former career members and create a time-limited path for them to rejoin the Foreign Service.
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- Former career members: Creates a reappointment process for people who retired or separated and seek to return. Members approved for reappointment must be reappointed no later than 180 days and placed into the next assignment application cycle with full standing.
- Foreign Service staffing: Broadens who can be recalled so departments can reuse experienced personnel and ease retention of career officers.
- Congressional oversight: Would require the Secretary to report not later than 60 days after enactment and annually to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Reports must list how many career members were recalled and reappointed and each member's grade at separation and at recall or reappointment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Recall and Rehire for Former Diplomats
This bill would let former career Foreign Service members who retired or separated be recalled for five years after that date. The Secretary would be able to use recall and reappointment without regard to section 306 during that five-year window. Members seeking reappointment under this authority would be reappointed no later than 180 days after approval and placed in the next onward assignment cycle with full standing. The Secretary would report to the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees within 60 days of enactment and then every year, listing recalled and reappointed members and their grades and positions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov