Foreign Service Language Readiness Act

This bill would change the Foreign Service Act of 1980 so the Secretary of State designates a list of critical foreign languages within 180 days and at least every three years after, and shares it with the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees. For each language, the list must state the minimum test levels for proficiency and the criteria for deciding which jobs require that language. The Secretary would coordinate with other federal agencies and would be expected to build language planning into training and assignments, including a surge reserve of rehired officers. The Department of State would also have to report to Congress by December 31, 2027 on its critical language staffing and capabilities.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Johnny Olszewski, Jr. Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors