Sec. 2. Findings
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Congress finds the following: The Foreign Service Act of 1980 ( Public Law 96–465 ) states, An individual appointed or assigned to be a chief of mission should possess clearly demonstrated competence to perform the duties of a chief of mission, including, to the maximum extent practicable, a useful knowledge of the principal language or dialect of the country in which the individual is to serve, and knowledge and understanding of the history, the culture, the economic and political institutions, and the interests of that country and its people and continues that, accordingly, positions as chief of mission should normally be accorded to career members of the [Foreign] Service. .
The percentage of ambassadorships filled by political appointees has increased over the past 40 years. During President Jimmy Carter’s term, between 1977 and 1981, about 26 percent of ambassadorships were filled by political appointees. During President Ronald Reagan’s terms, between 1981 and 1989, about 38 percent were. More recently, under President Barack Obama, about 30 percent of ambassadors were political appointees, while about 43 percent were under President Donald J.
Trump as of September 14, 2020. The United States practice of appointing political ambassadors is atypical globally. According to a 2017 University of Texas at Austin study, At the senior level, the United States is an extreme outlier among foreign services in the number of political appointees as ambassadors, even in key posts. . Political appointees are not necessarily unsuccessful ambassadors. According to the 2017 University of Texas study, there have been highly accomplished political appointees who have been superb ambassadors.
The report continues, however, there have been many more patronage appointees with no relevant qualifications, having been chosen principally for their support in presidential election campaigns. Contrast these U.S. ambassadors with their counterparts from other countries, who typically speak several languages, are well versed in the country to which they are assigned and are career professionals with extensive knowledge of their home ministries. . The Foreign Service Act of 1980 states, Contributions to political campaigns should not be a factor in the appointment of an individual as a chief of mission. .
However, this law has not forestalled the appointment—by both Democratic and Republican presidents—of campaign donors without apparent qualifications to serve in these posts. To ensure the United States has the best representation possible abroad, it will be necessary to preserve the option to appoint political ambassadors while enacting safeguards to ensure these appointees are nominated because of their qualifications, not their campaign contributions.
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- Pub. L. 96-465
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Sec. 2
Findings
Pub. L.Pub. L. 96-465
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