Sponsors (3)
The bill guarantees pay, lodging, and related statutory benefits for Foreign Service members and their families during ordered leave—providing financial and housing stability and clearer rules—while increasing State Department costs and administrative responsibilities.
Foreign Service members ordered to take leave: will receive allowances, lodging, and related benefits during that leave, ensuring continued financial support for employees required to relocate or be absent.
Dependents and households of affected Foreign Service members: will have housing/lodging covered during required leave, supporting family stability during relocations or emergency leaves.
The Department of State and affected employees: the bill explicitly requires benefits under 5 U.S.C. § 5702, reducing legal ambiguity and improving consistency in support and eligibility determinations.
U.S. taxpayers and the Department of State: providing additional paid allowances and lodging will increase personnel costs and may raise federal spending.
The Department of State and managing offices: mandating these benefits could create administrative burdens to implement and manage eligibility, payments, and lodging arrangements.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Requires that Foreign Service members ordered to take leave receive allowances, lodging, and related benefits, including those in 5 U.S.C. § 5702.
Requires that any Foreign Service member ordered to take leave under the relevant Foreign Service Act provision must be eligible for and receive allowances, lodging, and related benefits for that leave, including benefits listed in 5 U.S.C. § 5702. The change makes receipt of those allowances and benefits mandatory when the Secretary orders leave under that statute. The provision is a single statutory amendment adding an explicit requirement that the Department provide these pay and travel-related benefits during ordered leave; it does not itself appropriate new funds or set detailed implementation rules.
Official title: To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to provide per diem eligibility for required leave of members of the Foreign Service.
Introduced August 13, 2026 by William R. Keating · Last progress August 13, 2026