Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act

The Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act aims to make layoffs and reorganizations of U.S. diplomatic personnel more transparent, fair, and protective. It places a 6-month cap on how many employees in a “covered agency” can be separated through reductions in force (RIF), unless the agency provides a detailed justification and briefings to key congressional committees. The bill also overhauls Foreign Service RIF procedures to require worldwide competition among similarly ranked employees, emphasizes performance and certain other factors (like tenure and language), and guarantees longer notice and stronger protections for Foreign Service personnel. Additionally, it expands oversight and consultation requirements for changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual and broadens the appeal and adjudication framework for RIF grievances. The overall effect is to curb abrupt or large-scale personnel cuts in diplomacy, increase congressional visibility, and harden due process protections for affected employees.