H.R. 9730 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9730 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 16, 2026Mr. Beyer (for himself, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Walkinshaw, Ms. Titus, Mr. Olszewski, and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To expedite the rehiring of certain former career members of the Foreign Service, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act of 2026. 2. Expedited rehiring of former career members Section 308 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3948) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) With respect to any former career member of the Service involuntarily separated or retired as part of a reduction in force or other expedited retirement process during the period beginning January 20, 2025, and ending January 31, 2030, who was serving in good standing as of the date of such separation or retirement, the Secretary may reappoint such former career member without requiring any written or oral examination or other threshold qualification described in section 301. (2) For purposes of this subsection— (A) the term serving in good standing, with respect to an individual who was separated or retired, means that the individual did not receive any low rankings within the 5 years prior to their separation or retirement date to the extent that such review with respect to such individual is clearly documented; and (B) the authority provided under paragraph (1) may not be exercised with respect to any former career service member that was not involuntarily separated or retired— (i) during the period described in that paragraph; and (ii) as part of a reduction in force or other expedited retirement process. .