16 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL On the FS Modernization Act I rise today in support of HR 9086, the Foreign Service Modernization Act, as amended. As vice ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I was proud to work alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this important legislation, which will help equip our diplomats at the State Department with the skills and knowledge they need to advance U.S. interests and values around the world. In the midst of the world’s most challenging crises, our nation’s diplomats get up every morning and risk their lives on behalf of the American people. They are often the unsung heroes in our national security workforce. The core of their mission is preventing the worst-case scenario from unfolding, a mission that comes with little recognition or medals, whether in a war zone, humanitarian crisis, or emergency evacuation. American citizens rely on the expertise and determination of these public servants to ensure they remain safe, represented, and, if needed, supported in navigating challenges abroad and returning home safely. That is why I’m pleased that this legislation was the result of bipartisan work and serious engagement with stakeholders, including the American Foreign Service Association, American Academy of Diplomacy, retired diplomats, and other experts. —Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) during House floor proceedings on September 16. “Insults to Our Intelligence” In defense of the aid cuts, Elon Musk claimed “zero” people in Africa died. Secretary Rubio likewise claimed “no one has died,” claiming that lifesaving aid and programs would be maintained or replaced. But these statements are lies, and they are insults to our intelligence. Available government data shows large reductions in spending from 2024 to 2025: a 48 percent cut to global health programs, a 39 percent cut to the Food for Peace Program, a 65 percent cut in development assistance, and a 21 percent cut to international disaster assistance. —Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) in a House floor special order on restoring USAID, September 2. Modernizing the Foreign Service I’m proud of the collaborative work in drafting the Foreign Service Modernization Act. ... By improving training opportunities for U.S. Foreign Service officers in critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, we will better prepare them with tools to navigate some of the most consequential national security and economic matters of this century. I was also glad to see my provisions to ensure the department’s commitment to the Pickering, Rangel, Payne, and Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowships included, so that these programs can continue to bring talented new diplomats into the State Department. Though this bill included several key provisions, it could have been a stronger package had Republicans not rejected several Democratic measures, including to give Congress important oversight into the reduction-in-force orders from July 2025 and to create a clear pathway for former USAID Foreign Service officers to continue their service in the department. —Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), ranking member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, statement on passage of the Foreign Service Modernization Act, September 16. JOSH Heard on the Hill Goal 3 addresses the Indo-Pacific, prioritizing supply-chain security, critical-minerals deals, and a “favorable military balance” against China, while still calling for open communication with Beijing. Goal 4 turns to Europe, framing NATO allies’ defense spending as a test of continued U.S. commitment, and describes the relationship in explicitly civilizational terms, tying it to shared “faith and values” and opposition to mass migration. Goals 5 and 6 focus on economic policy. The former sets out an aggressive reindustrialization agenda across sectors from semiconductors to shipbuilding, a 40 percent punitive tariff on countries facilitating transshipment, and controlled export of U.S. artificial intelligence technology to “trusted partners” only. The latter formalizes the dissolution of USAID and directs foreign assistance toward two categories—lifesaving aid and strategic investment—with a target of directing at least 40 percent of the assistance budget to the Western Hemi-
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