S. 4466

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4466 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4466

To provide a Foreign Service officer career pathway for former United 
States Agency for International Development officers.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Schatz (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. Merkley) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide a Foreign Service officer career pathway for former United 
States Agency for International Development officers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

This Act may be cited as the ``Pathways for Advancement, 
Transition, and Hiring to the Foreign Service'' or the ``PATH to the 
Foreign Service Act''.

SEC. 2. FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER CAREER PATHWAY FOR FORMER USAID 
OFFICERS.

(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``USAID'' means the 
United States Agency for International Development.
(b) Foreign Service Officer Career Pathway.--Former USAID Foreign 
Service members who are appointed to positions within the Department of 
State shall be eligible for appointment into the Foreign Service 
Officer career track at a grade and tenure status commensurate with 
their prior Foreign Service rank, time-in-service, and performance, 
subject to applicable suitability and security requirements.
(c) Foreign Service Officer Test Waiver.--Former USAID Foreign 
Service members are not required to take the Foreign Service Entrance 
Exam, including any written or oral elements, as a condition of 
appointment or conversion or any hiring mechanism to the Foreign 
Service of the Department of State if such officers previously met 
Foreign Service entry requirements and served in good standing at 
USAID.
(d) Hiring Preference Points.--The Department of State shall award 
hiring preference points or equivalent hiring credit to applicants for 
Department of State positions who have prior USAID service, whether in 
the Foreign Service or the Civil Service. Such preference shall be 
formally incorporated into hiring and selection processes and applied 
in a transparent and consistent manner.
(e) Recognition of Prior Service.--Prior USAID service shall be 
fully credited toward a Foreign Service Officer's seniority, time-in-
class, retirement eligibility, and other applicable career milestones 
to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(f) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with 
appropriate officials of USAID and the Office of Personnel Management, 
shall issue guidance for the timely implementation of this section to 
ensure uniform application.
(g) Sunset.--The provisions of this section shall cease to be 
effective beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
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