Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act

Summary

Strengthens protections and oversight for employees at U.S. foreign-affairs agencies by limiting large reductions in force (RIFs), increasing required notice and written justification to Congress before major separations, lengthening review timelines for changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual, and revising how Foreign Service RIFs are carried out and appealed. It raises advance-notice requirements for most covered agencies, expands factors considered in Foreign Service RIF decisions, and gives Foreign Service employees grievance rights similar to other federal employees.

• Limits covered agencies from carrying out more than 50 RIF separations in any 6-month period unless Congress receives enhanced justification and briefings beforehand.
• Requires agencies to submit a detailed written explanation and brief appropriate congressional committees at least 20 days before issuing RIF notices when proposed separations exceed 50.
• Sets a 60-day RIF notice requirement for covered agencies under the civil-service RIF statute.
• Revises Foreign Service RIF rules: worldwide competitive areas, emphasis on prior selection-board performance, consideration of tenure/language/military preference, and longer advance-notice expectations.
• Gives the Foreign Service Grievance Board authority comparable to the Merit Systems Protection Board to adjudicate RIF grievances.
• Extends a statutory review period from 5 to 8 years and requires a 30-day congressional notice and briefing before changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual take effect.
• Defines a specific set of foreign-affairs agencies as 'covered agencies' for these protections and requirements.
• Does not include new funding; imposes administrative and reporting requirements on covered agencies and increases congressional oversight.