The voteHow many members voted yes and how many voted no.
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Worked the billThese groups paid lobbyists to work this bill's issue area. Totals are their full 2025 lobbying, not a bill-specific amount.
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In the distanceElection money: PAC money the voting members' campaigns got from this bill's industry. It is not payment for this bill.
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SummaryA plain summary of what the bill actually does.
What the bill does
This bill allows the Secretary of State to rehire former Foreign Service members who were forced to leave their jobs between January 2025 and January 2030 due to budget cuts or early retirement programs. These former employees can be reappointed without taking the usual written or oral exams, as long as they left in good standing.
Why it mattersWho it affects and what is at stake.
The stakes
The bill affects the State Department's ability to quickly bring back experienced diplomats during a time of staffing shortages. It could help the department fill critical roles faster, but some worry it bypasses standard hiring procedures.
The debateThe main reasons each side gives, with a link to the source.
What each side says
Supporters
✓It speeds up rehiring experienced Foreign Service officers who were let go due to budget cuts, saving time and money on training new people.bill
✓Former officers who left in good standing already proved their skills, so retesting them is unnecessary.bill
Critics
✕Waiving exams could lower hiring standards and let in people who might not be the best qualified.report
✕The bill only covers a specific time period, which might be seen as favoring certain former employees over others.report
Each point links to its source. The views are attributed to those sources, not stated as ours.
Lobbying filings, contributions, and votes are public records shown side by side. The further down the chain, the further the money is from this bill. This page does not assert that money caused any vote.