22 APRIL 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The Rogers Bill, which to the minds of many in the field seems on the verge of becoming a perennial topic, if not indeed a service tradition, is in the Department a matter of intensive activity. The hearings began on January 14 and closed on January 18, the bill being reported to the House by the committee on February 5. As some amendments were made in the committee the bill which took the number H.R. 17 at the time of its introduction was reintroduced in its amended form as H.R. 6357 and reported to the House under that number. In substance it contains everything that was embodied in the bill of last year with certain improvements in the language and several additions. ... As of great interest to many who have experienced the financial burden of returning to the United States on sixty-day leave there is now a section which authorizes the Secretary of State whenever he deems it to be in the public interest, to order to the United States on statutory leave of absence any foreign service o±cer who has performed three years or more of continuous service abroad. In such cases the expenses of transportation and subsistence of the o±cer and his immediate family would be paid under the same rules and regulations applicable in the case of o±cers going to and returning from their posts under orders. ... A special fund, known as the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund, is created, and the administration of the entire system is placed in the Department of State. ... The President having endorsed the bill and recommended legislation for the reorganization and improvement of the foreign service in his first message to Congress, the project is considered as an administration measure and therefore is entitled to preferential treatment over others of lesser importance in Congress. In other words, instead of awaiting its turn on the House Calendar it may be brought up at any time under a special rule. Naturally with such issues as tax reduction, the bonus bill, and the appropriation bills in the way ... the bill has been waiting for an appropriate moment. ... As this article is being written the prospect looks pretty good for such a moment to arrive before the Bulletin reaches the field. To those who may have felt a tinge of discouragement let it be said that there is no formidable obstruction to the bill and that it is almost certain of enactment in due course. ... This, of course, is a pardonable optimistic view but it is based upon the fact that very little opposition to the bill is known to exist in any quarter. —From “Foreign Service Legislation,” American Consular Bulletin (precursor to the FSJ), April 1924. Foreign Service Legislation: The Rogers Bill 100 Years Ago time under a spe plan to depart the State Department at the end of March. Campbell previously served as deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for Indo-Paci c a airs on the National Security Council. He was assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Paci c a airs from 2009 to 2013. He is the author or editor of 10 books on foreign a airs and politics. “Today’s challenges are truly global,” Campbell stated during his con rmation Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE hearing. “What happens in one region a ects the others. Our competitors are collaborating—just look at China, Iran, and North Korea’s support for Russia’s war of aggression. We are stronger across-the-board due to our alliances and partnerships.” is edition of Talking Points was compiled by Donna Scaramastra Gorman. n
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