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HR 9165

Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Baumgartner and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would create a three-year pilot Diplomatic Reserve Corps to surge trained personnel for temporary diplomatic operations during crises, with evaluation for a permanent prog

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9165

Overview

HR 9165, the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026, would establish a temporary pilot program within the Department of State to create a reserve corps of trained personnel available for temporary active service to support U.S. diplomatic operations during emergencies and contingencies. The bill envisions evaluating the feasibility of a permanent Diplomatic Reserve Corps and setting up the framework, funding, and governance for a three-year pilot.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a surge workforce to bolster diplomatic operations during crises such as evacuations, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other contingencies affecting U.S. interests abroad.
  • Assess long-term needs for a permanent Diplomatic Reserve Corps, including recruitment, training, readiness, deployment, and retention.
  • Identify authorities, resources, and organizational structures needed to sustain such a corps.

Key provisions

  • Establishment timeline: The Secretary of State must establish the Pilot Program within nine months of enactment.
  • Membership and composition:
    • Initial strength of at least 250 members in the first year.
    • Potential to add up to 250 additional members each of the next three fiscal years.
    • Appointments may include retired Foreign Service personnel; no more than 30% at ranks equivalent to Foreign Service salary classes 1–2; rest at ranks equivalent to classes 3–4.
  • Training: Participants must complete orientation, security, medical, and readiness training, delivered through the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, and other State Department facilities.
  • Activation: The Secretary of State may activate members for temporary service in support of diplomatic operations, crisis response, evacuations, disaster response, consular surges, and other contingencies.
  • Evaluation: Annual readiness and deployment-eligibility assessments for each member.
  • Initial plan to Congress: A report due within six months detailing plans, structure, and implementation steps for the pilot.
  • Final report to Congress: Within three years, a comprehensive evaluation with recommendations on establishing a permanent Diplomatic Reserve Corps and potential expansion of eligibility to:
    • Retired Civil Service employees of the State Department.
    • Retired employees of other federal agencies with relevant skills.
    • Qualified non-federal individuals with specialized language, regional, technical, medical, security, or diplomatic expertise.
  • Termination: The pilot expires three years after enactment unless reauthorized by Congress.

Who is affected

  • Department of State operations and staffing, particularly in crisis and surge contexts.
  • Potential pool of participants includes retired Foreign Service members and, in the future, other federal retirees or qualified external candidates.
  • Congress will receive periodic evaluations and final legislation-based recommendations.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Enactment date: 2026 (introduced June 4, 2026).
  • Pilot program establishment: required within nine months of enactment.
  • Initial strength: at least 250 in year one; possible annual growth of up to 250 members for three subsequent years.
  • Reports:
    • Initial plan to Congress due within six months of enactment.
    • Final evaluation and recommendations due three years after establishment.
  • Termination unless reauthorized: three years post-enactment.

This bill offers a structured framework to test a Diplomatic Reserve Corps as a flexible asset for U.S. diplomacy, with built-in evaluation and potential for broader eligibility if the pilot proves successful.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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