House Passes Olszewski Bills to Strengthen America’s Diplomatic Workforce

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Two bipartisan bills authored by Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, advancing efforts to strengthen America's diplomatic workforce and ensure the State Department is prepared to meet emerging global challenges.

The Foreign Service Language Readiness Act, introduced with Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), will require the State Department to maintain an up-to-date list of critical foreign languages tied to national security priorities and improve workforce planning around language proficiency and training. The Open Doors to Diplomacy Act, introduced with Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), will strengthen State Department recruitment and outreach at community colleges, junior colleges, career and technical institutions, and other nontraditional institutions of higher education.

The bills-included in the broader Foreign Service Modernization Act-will now move to the U.S. Senate. Together, they address two critical pieces of America's diplomatic readiness: ensuring the Foreign Service has the expertise it needs and making sure it can recruit the talent it needs.

"America's diplomatic strength depends on having the right people, with the right skills, ready to serve wherever our national security interests demand it," said Congressman Olszewski. "That means investing in critical language capabilities, planning ahead for emerging threats, and making sure talented Americans from every corner of our country see themselves in a career in the Foreign Service. I'm proud these bipartisan bills are moving forward as part of a broader effort to modernize our diplomatic workforce and give our diplomats the tools they need to keep America safe."

The Foreign Service Language Readiness Act would:

"Language proficiency isn't a luxury - it's a national security necessity," Congressman Olszewski said when the legislation was introduced. "Whether responding to conflict, countering strategic competitors, or protecting Americans abroad, our diplomats need the expertise to understand the countries where they serve and communicate effectively with the people there."

The Open Doors to Diplomacy Act would expand State Department outreach and recruitment efforts at nontraditional institutions of higher education, including community colleges, junior colleges, and career and technical institutions. It would also broaden eligibility for certain Foreign Service internship opportunities and expand digital and hybrid recruitment efforts.

"America needs a Foreign Service that can draw on the full depth of talent our country has to offer," Congressman Olszewski said. "Too many talented Americans may never consider a career in diplomacy simply because they have limited exposure to the opportunities available to them. We should be opening doors to public service, not narrowing the pipeline."