S.Amdt. 3540

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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