Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
In Committee
Summary
Expand limited consular appointments to give the State Department more flexible hiring for visa and other consular work. The bill would let consular personnel serve up to 8 years and create a new 2-year limited noncareer appointment to speed staffing and increase continuity.
Show full summary
- Consular staff: Would gain an 8-year appointment option and a new 2-year limited noncareer slot, allowing longer placements and short-term hires.
- Travel public and visa applicants: Could see steadier consular coverage and faster processing as posts fill vacancies more quickly.
- Department of State operations: Aims to reduce recruitment delays and lower hiring costs by expanding appointment types under the Foreign Service Act.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Longer consular appointments for State employees
This bill would change limited appointment rules at the Department of State for people who perform consular services. It would let limited appointments for those consular workers run up to 8 years. Other limited appointments would still have a 5-year maximum. The bill would also create a new limited noncareer appointment for consular workers lasting up to 2 years. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov