Notification of intent to reduce personnel at covered diplomatic posts

(a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), not later than 30 days before the date on which the Secretary carries out a reduction in United States Foreign Service personnel of at least 10 percent at a covered diplomatic post, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of the intent to carry out such a reduction, which shall include a certification by the Secretary that such reduction will not negatively impact the ability of the United States to compete with the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Russian Federation. (b) Exception Subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a security risk to personnel at a covered diplomatic post. (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the term covered diplomatic post means a United States diplomatic post in a country in which the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Russian Federation also have a diplomatic post.