Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act

Summary

Limits large staff cuts at seven U.S. foreign-affairs agencies by capping separations at 50 employees per 6-month period unless the agency gives advance written justification and congressional briefings. It raises minimum advance-notice periods, changes Foreign Service reduction-in-force (RIF) rules to rely more on prior selection board rankings and to extend protections and grievance authority, and requires 30-day congressional notice and briefings before changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual take effect.

• Caps separations at covered agencies to 50 employees per 6-month period unless agencies provide specified pre-notification and justification to Congress.
• Requires agencies to submit a written explanation at least 20 days before notifying employees when a RIF would exceed the 50-employee cap, and to brief congressional committees before carrying it out.
• Sets a minimum 60-day advance notice for workforce reductions under 5 U.S.C. §3502 at covered agencies, and a standard 120-day (minimum 60-day) notice for Foreign Service RIFs.
• Amends Foreign Service RIF rules to use prior selection board rankings as the primary retention criterion and to create a worldwide competitive area.
• Extends transfer-of-function protections to Foreign Service employees and gives the Foreign Service Grievances Board MSPB-like authority over RIF grievances.
• Requires 30-day written notice, consultation, and briefings to appropriate congressional committees before changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual take effect.
• Defines the covered agencies to include State, USAID, MCC, DFC, Peace Corps, USTDA, and USAGM; but the text lacks a filled-in definition of 'appropriate congressional committees.'
• Does not appropriate funds or change tax policy; focuses on personnel procedures and oversight.