Promoting reutilization of language skills in the Foreign Service

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) foreign language skills are essential to effective diplomacy, particularly in high-priority positions, such as Chinese- and Russian-language designated positions focused on the People's Republic of China and Russia; (2) reutilization of acquired language skills creates efficiencies through the reduction of language training overall and increases regional expertise; (3) often, investments in language skills are not sufficiently utilized and maintained throughout the careers of members of the Foreign Service following an initial assignment after language training; (4) providing incentives or requirements to select out-year bidders for priority language-designated assignments would decrease training costs overall and encourage more expertise in relevant priority areas; and (5) incentives for members of the Foreign Service to not only acquire and retain, but reuse, foreign language skills in priority assignments would reduce training costs in terms of both time and money and increase regional expertise to improve abilities in those areas deemed high priority by the Secretary. (b) Incentives to reutilize language skills Section 704(b)(3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)) is amended by inserting and reutilize after to acquire or retain proficiency in.