A resolution emphasizing the importance of a career, nonpartisan Foreign Service of the United States.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 376 Emphasizing the importance of a career, nonpartisan Foreign Service of the United States. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 24, 2019 Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. COONS, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. KAINE, Mr. REED, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. MARKEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Emphasizing the importance of a career, nonpartisan Foreign Service of the United States. Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Foreign Service’’), established under the Act of May 24, 1924 (commonly known as the ‘‘Rogers Act’’) (43 Stat. 140, chapter 182), and strength- ened by the Foreign Service Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 999, chapter 957) and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.), provides indispensable support to the President, the Secretary of State, and other senior leaders in conducting the foreign policy of the United States; Whereas the Foreign Service consists of members from the Department of State, the United States Agency for Inter- VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR376.IS SR376 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 376 IS national Development, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the United States Agency for Global Media; Whereas members of the Foreign Service take an oath to de- fend the Constitution of the United States and to remain above partisan and political considerations; Whereas members of the Foreign Service are deployed world- wide— (1) to serve the people of the United States; (2) to advance the interests and values of the United States; and (3) to project the leadership of the United States globally; Whereas the work of the Foreign Service is vital to the na- tional security, foreign policy, and commercial interests of the United States; Whereas members of the Foreign Service often serve in ex- treme hardship and difficult security situations; Whereas not fewer than 250 members of the Foreign Service have given their lives in service of the United States while serving the people of the United States abroad; Whereas the presence of the Foreign Service abroad gives the United States a competitive advantage in advancing the interests of the United States; Whereas the knowledge and expertise of members of the For- eign Service are invaluable in shaping the foreign policy of the United States; Whereas, through diplomatic engagement, the Foreign Serv- ice promotes partnerships that further good governance, the rule of law, and democratic institutions; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR376.IS SR376 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 376 IS Whereas the contributions of the Foreign Service are extraor- dinarily valuable to the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) highlights— 2 (A) the nonpartisan nature of the Foreign 3 Service of the United States (referred to in this 4 resolution as the ‘‘Foreign Service’’); and 5 (B) the oath taken by members of the For- 6 eign Service— 7 (i) to defend the Constitution of the 8 United States; 9 (ii) to advance the foreign policy of 10 the democratically elected officials of the 11 United States; and 12 (iii) to serve the people of the United 13 States; 14 (2) recognizes the importance of a nonpartisan 15 Foreign Service in advancing the foreign policy of 16 the United States; 17 (3) calls on all people of the United States to 18 respect the nonpartisan, nonpolitical work of the 19 Foreign Service; 20 (4) condemns political retaliation against mem- 21 bers of the Foreign Service; and 22 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR376.IS SR376 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 376 IS (5) urges all people of the United States to sup- 1 port a strong Foreign Service as essential to the na- 2 tional security and interests of the United States. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR376.IS SR376 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS