H.R. 10101House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Open Doors to Diplomacy Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 14, 2026 at 8:22 AM UTC

The Open Doors to Diplomacy Act amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Secretary of State to expand recruitment and outreach for Foreign Service careers to nontraditional higher‑education institutions such as community colleges, junior colleges, and technical schools. It also broadens eligibility so that students enrolled at least half‑time can apply. The changes aim to diversify the diplomatic workforce by reaching students who may not attend traditional four‑year universities.

Key Provisions

Adds a congressional sense that the Foreign Service should actively recruit from nontraditional institutions, including community colleges, junior colleges, and career‑technical schools.
Directs the Secretary of State to conduct regular outreach, information sessions, and provide preparation resources at these schools, partnering with career centers, faculty, and student groups.
Allows the Secretary to use digital and hybrid outreach methods and to collaborate with other federal agencies that conduct workforce outreach at nontraditional schools.
Amends eligibility language to include students enrolled either full‑time or at least half‑time in higher‑education institutions.
Requires the Secretary, when practicable, to ensure recruitment efforts specifically target community colleges, vocational, technical, and other nontraditional institutions.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

August 13, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 13, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

August 13, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued August 13, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10101

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 13, 2026

Mr. Olszewski (for himself and Mrs. Radewagen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to ensure that the Secretary of State improves outreach and recruitment efforts at nontraditional institutions of higher education, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Open Doors to Diplomacy Act.

Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher education

(a)

In general

Section 105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3905) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Recruiting from nontraditional institutions of higher education

(1)

Sense of congress

It is the sense of Congress that the Service should actively recruit candidates from nontraditional institutions of higher education, including community colleges, junior colleges, career and technical colleges, and other open- access or workforce-oriented institutions.

(2)

Outreach

The Secretary should ensure that outreach, information sessions, and preparation resources related to the Foreign Service officer selection process and other entry programs are regularly conducted at nontraditional institutions of higher education. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may—

(A)

partner, where appropriate, with institutional career centers, faculty, and student organizations to expand awareness of Service careers;

(B)

leverage digital and hybrid outreach methods to reach students and alumni who may not be geographically near current recruitment hubs; and

(C)

collaborate with other Federal departments and agencies engaged in workforce out- reach at nontraditional institutions of higher education.

(b)

In general

Section 1202(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4141a(c)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking Students enrolled full-time in institutions of higher education and inserting Students enrolled, whether full-time or at least half-time, in institutions of higher education,; and

(2)

by adding at end the following:

(4)

The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that recruitment efforts include out- reach to potential applicants enrolled at community colleges, vocational or technical institutions, and other nontraditional institutions of higher education.