Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9165
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-22T20:14:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9165: Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill establishes a temporary pilot program within the Department of State to create a reserve group of trained personnel. The goal is to provide additional support during foreign affairs emergencies and to evaluate whether a permanent reserve corps would be feasible and effective.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Establishment and Timeline: The Secretary of State must create the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program within nine months of the bill's enactment.
- Membership and Size: The program is limited to retired Foreign Service members. It starts with at least 250 participants in the first year, with the option to add up to 250 more each year for the following three years.
- Rank Structure: No more than 30 percent of members can be at the highest equivalent ranks (salary classes 1 and 2); the rest are at mid-level ranks (salary classes 3 and 4).
- Training Requirements: Members must complete orientation, security, medical, and readiness training through designated State Department facilities.
- Activation Authority: The Secretary may call up members for short-term duties during crises, evacuations, disasters, consular needs, or other contingencies.
- Oversight and Evaluation: Annual readiness assessments are required, along with reports to Congress.
- Reports to Congress:
- An initial implementation plan due within six months.
- A final evaluation report due three years after establishment, including recommendations for a permanent corps and potential expansion to other retirees or qualified civilians.
- Termination: The program ends three years after enactment unless Congress extends it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The bill creates a new, time-limited pilot initiative that does not amend core statutes but adds authority for the Department of State to recruit and activate a reserve workforce from retired personnel. It introduces structured limits on program size, ranks, and duration, along with mandatory congressional reporting requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of State would gain a surge capacity tool for overseas operations, potentially improving response times in emergencies while requiring new administrative resources for recruitment, training, and management.
- On Citizens: Retired Foreign Service officers could gain opportunities for temporary re-employment in diplomatic roles.
- On International Relations: Enhanced ability to support U.S. diplomatic efforts during crises abroad could strengthen crisis response without relying solely on active-duty staff.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of State and its leadership.
- Retired members of the Foreign Service.
- Congressional committees on foreign affairs and relations (for oversight).
- Potentially other federal agencies and qualified non-government experts if the program expands in the future.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The legislation operates within existing executive authority over foreign affairs and personnel management, with no apparent constitutional conflicts. It emphasizes congressional oversight through required reports and a sunset clause, reflecting a balance between executive flexibility and legislative review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (5 pages)