[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S5310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3540. Mr. VAN HOLLEN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1265. ESTABLISHMENT OF REHIRING AND RECALL RIGHTS FOR 
                   SEPARATED DIPLOMATS.

       Section 611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
     4010a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Priority Reemployment List.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a priority 
     reemployment list for career members of the Foreign Service 
     separated pursuant to subsection (a).
       ``(2) First opportunity.--During the 5-year period 
     beginning on the date of a reduction-in-force separation 
     pursuant to subsection (a), a former career member of the 
     Service who applies and is qualified for a Foreign Service 
     position at the same or lower class (grade) and skill code 
     (cone) held on the date of such separation and meets the 
     requirements for worldwide availability or any specific 
     qualifications of the position shall be offered reappointment 
     to such position before any new applicant is appointed.
       ``(3) Surge staffing registry.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a surge staffing registry consisting of former 
     members of the Foreign Service included on the list 
     established pursuant to paragraph (1) who are willing to 
     return to the Foreign Service on short notice for temporary 
     assignments, contracting opportunities, or reappoint to the 
     Foreign Service in the event of a sudden surge in the need 
     for experienced diplomats.''.
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