Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act

Key Points

• This bill prevents foreign affairs agencies from laying off more than 50 employees in a six month period unless they give Congress a detailed explanation. Agencies like the State Department and USAID would have to show they tried other options first, such as moving workers to different roles.
• It requires the government to give diplomatic workers more warning before they lose their jobs. Most employees would get 120 days of notice, and the law would strictly forbid giving less than 60 days of notice.
• The bill changes the rules for how layoffs are handled in the Foreign Service. It requires that decisions about who keeps their job be based mainly on how well the employee performed in the past, while also considering things like military service and language skills.
• Supporters say these changes are necessary to make sure the United States has enough trained staff to represent the country abroad. It also requires the State Department to talk to Congress before changing its official rulebook for employees.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.