Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 515.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026. It allows the Secretary of State to give certain consular workers limited appointments lasting up to eight years instead of the current five-year limit. It also permits an additional two-year extension for these appointments based on the needs of the Foreign Service. These changes aim to help handle increasing workloads for consular staff due to major international events and high demand for travel and visas.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +2
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
Strengthens the Department of State's workforce capacity for consular functions.
- Scored +2
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill supports staffing capacity for consular services by extending limited appointment durations.
- Scored +2
Does this tighten control of the border?
Enhanced consular appointment terms help support rigorous security vetting and border safeguarding measures.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2 and Section 2 (amending Section 309 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980): Extending limited consular appointments up to eight years with a potential two-year extension helps increase staffing capacity, reduces recruitment costs and delays, and ensures the continued efficient delivery of consular services. This is important for protecting the safety and security of Americans abroad, safeguarding borders, supporting international adoptions, and facilitating legitimate travel.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions identifying negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Strengthens the Department of State's workforce capacity for consular functions. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Facilitates smoother diplomatic and international travel operations globally. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Supports industries dependent on international visitors and travel exports.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports staffing capacity for consular services by extending limited appointment durations. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By facilitating legitimate travel and tourism through improved consular processing, the bill supports economic activity tied to international visitors.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — Enhanced consular appointment terms help support rigorous security vetting and border safeguarding measures.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits businesses reliant on tourism and international travel by streamlining visa processing.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants additional flexibility to federal personnel management within the Department of State.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 515.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 6/4/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska