Bill · H.R. 8987· House(119-HR-8987)
Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Johnny Olszewski
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act. It makes changes to the Foreign Service Act of 1980 regarding how career members are recalled and reappointed. The bill allows separated members, alongside retired members, to be recalled and reappointed. It sets a five-year time limit after retirement or separation for former career members to seek reappointment without regard to section 306. It also requires that members seeking reappointment be reappointed within 180 days after the request is approved and put into the next onward assignment application cycle with full standing. Finally, the bill orders the Secretary to submit annual reports detailing specific information about recalled and reappointed members to congressional committees.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+3
Improving the retention and reappointment process for Foreign Service personnel strengthens overall diplomatic capability.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+3
Streamlining the return of experienced personnel supports robust diplomatic engagement.
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+2
Experienced professionals in their middle-career years benefit from expanded reappointment pathways.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 allows both retired and separated career members to be recalled and reappointed, which broadens the pool of experienced people who can return to service.
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Section 2 sets a clear timeline requiring that a member seeking reappointment must be reappointed not later than 180 days after their request is approved, ensuring people are not left waiting indefinitely.
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Section 2 mandates that reappointed members be incorporated into the next onward assignment application cycle with full standing, which helps people get back to work smoothly.
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Section 2 requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to congressional committees detailing the number of reappointed members, their grades at retirement or separation, and their grades and positions at recall, which holds our officials accountable to Congress for how this program is run.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the text provided in the bill, there are no explicit negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+3Improves International Alliances+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Retirees+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ami BeraDemocrat · California
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia