A bill to address the importance of foreign affairs training in national security, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-3492
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2022-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Area studies and international education
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Homeland security

Summary:
action_date: 2022-01-12
text: 
This bill establishes bodies in the Foreign Service Institute and addresses other issues related to training Foreign Service and Department of State Civil Service personnel.
 
The bill establishes within the institute (1) the Center for Innovation in Training, which shall allow the institute to periodically evaluate its courses and curricula to identify needed updates to address ever-changing global dynamics; (2) the Board of Visitors, which shall provide the State Department with advice and recommendations pertaining to the institute; and (3) the position of provost, which shall have duties such as overseeing and coordinating the institute's academic curriculum.
 
The State Department must report to Congress a strategy to (1) allow 10%-15% of Civil Service and Foreign Service officers to participate in long-term training at any given time, and (2) establish residential training for the A-100 orientation course administered by the institute. 
 
The bill also establishes within the State Department the position of Chief Learning Officer. The officer shall be the principal advisor to the State Department on intellectual preparation and development of the entire State Department workforce for 21st century diplomacy. 
 
The Foreign Service must (1) establish new fellowship programs for Foreign Service and Civil Service officers that include opportunities in certain organizations, such as think tanks and industry entities; and (2) expand certain existing fellowship programs to allow fellows in those programs to undertake follow-on State Department opportunities that will benefit from practical knowledge of the people and processes of Congress.

action_date: 2022-04-04
text: 
This bill makes changes to the Foreign Service Institute and addresses other issues related to training Foreign Service and Department of State Civil Service personnel.
 
The bill establishes within the institute (1) the Board of Visitors, which shall provide the State Department with advice and recommendations pertaining to the institute; and (2) the position of provost, which shall have duties such as overseeing and coordinating the institute's academic curriculum.
 
The State Department may establish and implement an incentive program to encourage Foreign Service members with critical foreign language skills to maintain such skills. 
 
The bill also requires the State Department to expand its professional development and training, including by increasing offerings at partner organizations and offering courses using computer-based or computer-assisted simulations. 
 
The Foreign Service must (1) establish new fellowship programs for Foreign Service and Civil Service officers that include opportunities in certain organizations, such as think tanks and industry entities; and (2) report to Congress on how to expand certain existing fellowship programs to allow fellows in those programs to undertake follow-on State Department opportunities that will benefit from practical knowledge of the people and processes of Congress.
 
The State Department must report to Congress on (1) offering certain training and professional development opportunities to congressional staff at State Department facilities, (2) a strategy for adapting and evolving training requirements to better meet current and future needs for 21st century diplomacy, and (3) a strategy for broadening and deepening training at the State Department. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 319.
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-03-23
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2022-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S190-191)
action_date: 2022-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate