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State Department Integrity and Transparency Act

USA119th CongressS-4719| Senate 
| Updated: 6/9/2026
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (3)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The State Department Integrity and Transparency Act seeks to enhance the professionalism and nonpartisan nature of the Department of State, particularly for senior officials like Chiefs of Mission and Assistant Secretaries. It emphasizes the critical need for detailed knowledge and experience in U.S. foreign policy to effectively advance national security and manage the federal workforce abroad, especially in the face of expanding global diplomatic presences from competitor nations. To achieve this, the bill mandates that not fewer than 75 percent of Assistant Secretaries in the Department of State must have served in the Senior Foreign Service or Senior Executive Service. It also expands disclosure requirements for nominees to Chief of Mission or Assistant Secretary roles, requiring detailed reports on their knowledge of the principal language or dialect of the country or region, and their understanding of its history, culture, economics, politics, and interests, along with any relevant business interests. Furthermore, the legislation introduces new financial disclosure requirements, defining terms like "bundled contribution" and "immediate family." Nominees must disclose all bundled contributions facilitated by them , and these reports, along with "Certificates of Competency," must be published on a publicly available State Department website. The President is also required to certify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Chief of Mission nominees meet all qualifications and that any political contributions played no role in their nomination. Finally, the bill places limitations on certain overseas appointments, stating that special appointments to a U.S. diplomatic mission, including Schedule B or C positions, may not exceed 90 days . An individual is also prohibited from holding more than one such position in a single calendar year, with these limitations taking effect on January 1, 2029.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4476
State Department Integrity and Transparency Act
Jun 9, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 9, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4476
    State Department Integrity and Transparency Act


  • June 9, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 9, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

State Department Integrity and Transparency Act

USA119th CongressS-4719| Senate 
| Updated: 6/9/2026
The State Department Integrity and Transparency Act seeks to enhance the professionalism and nonpartisan nature of the Department of State, particularly for senior officials like Chiefs of Mission and Assistant Secretaries. It emphasizes the critical need for detailed knowledge and experience in U.S. foreign policy to effectively advance national security and manage the federal workforce abroad, especially in the face of expanding global diplomatic presences from competitor nations. To achieve this, the bill mandates that not fewer than 75 percent of Assistant Secretaries in the Department of State must have served in the Senior Foreign Service or Senior Executive Service. It also expands disclosure requirements for nominees to Chief of Mission or Assistant Secretary roles, requiring detailed reports on their knowledge of the principal language or dialect of the country or region, and their understanding of its history, culture, economics, politics, and interests, along with any relevant business interests. Furthermore, the legislation introduces new financial disclosure requirements, defining terms like "bundled contribution" and "immediate family." Nominees must disclose all bundled contributions facilitated by them , and these reports, along with "Certificates of Competency," must be published on a publicly available State Department website. The President is also required to certify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Chief of Mission nominees meet all qualifications and that any political contributions played no role in their nomination. Finally, the bill places limitations on certain overseas appointments, stating that special appointments to a U.S. diplomatic mission, including Schedule B or C positions, may not exceed 90 days . An individual is also prohibited from holding more than one such position in a single calendar year, with these limitations taking effect on January 1, 2029.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4476
State Department Integrity and Transparency Act
Jun 9, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 9, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4476
    State Department Integrity and Transparency Act


  • June 9, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 9, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (3)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted