The American FATE Act focuses on expanding diversity and inclusion in U.S. foreign affairs and development. It outlines measures for improving transparency and accountability, enhancing workforce diversity, supporting minority communities globally, and increasing opportunities for minority-owned businesses and minority-serving institutions in international contexts.

The text defines several terms used in a bill, including various roles and groups related to diversity and government agencies. Some of these terms include “Administrator,” referring to the head of USAID, “DEIA” for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and “HBCU” for historically Black colleges and universities, among others.

Congress highlights the importance of its diverse international affairs workforce for national security and human rights interests but notes challenges in hiring and promoting diverse talent. It underscores the need to bolster diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts in these agencies.

The policy statement affirms that the United States aims to have a diverse and talented workforce within its international affairs agencies to enhance diplomacy and development. It highlights the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts, requiring collective involvement from leaders, managers, and all employees, and emphasizes investing in recruiting and developing talent from all segments of the population.

Congress recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion offices for promoting fairness and effectiveness in international affairs agencies. These offices, led by a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, are responsible for developing strategies to foster a diverse workforce, ensuring compliance with equal employment laws, and coordinating with other agencies to improve hiring and retention practices.

The section amends a part of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2021 to update the strategic plan name from “Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for 2016–2020” to “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan for 2022–2026.” It also requires the President to make sure other international affairs agencies follow the same recruitment, retention, and training policies as the Department of State.

Congress wants international affairs agencies to create and update strategic plans that focus on fairness and transparency in their workforce practices, including recruitment and employee treatment. These plans should remove barriers to equal employment, adhere to merit-based practices, and set up a system to regularly report progress, with results being shared on the agency’s website.

The text outlines requirements for international affairs agencies to submit annual reports on their workforce diversity, including demographic data, promotional activities, and effectiveness in promoting equality and inclusion. It also details the measures agencies should take to foster an inclusive work environment and recruit a diverse workforce.

Congress emphasizes the importance of employee surveys for gathering insights on satisfaction and workplace issues. The bill mandates annual satisfaction surveys and standardized exit surveys across international affairs agencies, aiming to understand and improve employees' working conditions, experiences, and reasons for leaving.

The section outlines a comprehensive policy for international affairs agencies to improve vetting processes, ensuring individuals with proven claims of discrimination or harassment are not promoted to senior positions. It mandates agencies to report and respond to such allegations and to submit an annual report on candidates considered for senior roles who had such allegations against them.

Congress emphasizes the importance of efficient and clear reporting processes for discrimination, bullying, and harassment in workplaces. It requires each international affairs agency to set up a straightforward reporting system within one year, and to regularly report on resources to effectively handle such complaints.

Congress believes that embassy leaders should help employees and their families deal with unfair treatment overseas due to characteristics like race or gender, even if local laws don't protect them. The Secretary requires every diplomatic mission to create a policy against such treatment, using actions like contacting local officials, and ensure the policy is communicated clearly to all employees and their families.

Congress believes that restricting people from job assignments based on race or other personal traits might limit important skills needed at diplomatic posts. They want agencies to keep track of and report any assignment issues related to these restrictions and ensure all staff with pending assignment issues get updated status reports within a year. Additionally, agencies must train staff to avoid using personal traits improperly when deciding job assignments.

Congress suggests that government agencies should work on reducing bias in artificial intelligence when using it in their operations. This involves hiring experts to develop a framework that ensures AI systems are fair and trustworthy, and submitting regular reports on their progress and needs.

Congress emphasizes the importance of maintaining merit-based principles in hiring and managing employees within international affairs agencies. This includes recruiting from diverse backgrounds, fair treatment for all without discrimination, equal pay, integrity, protecting employees from political coercion, and safeguarding whistleblower rights.

Congress emphasizes the importance of locally employed staff in U.S. diplomatic missions and mandates that international affairs agencies maintain competitive wages and provide training to keep skilled workers. Additionally, $500,000 is authorized annually from 2025 to 2030 to support overseas recruitment and run regional workshops on HR policies, which must include both locally employed staff and U.S. citizen staff members.

Prime contractors and subcontractors must follow nondiscrimination rules when recruiting personal services contractors, and they should actively seek candidates from minority groups, individuals with disabilities, rural communities, and other underrepresented groups. Each year, for the next five years, a report will be provided to Congress detailing demographic data on the personal services contractors hired, including their state of residence at the time of application.

Congress expresses that mid-career mentorship programs are important for retaining employees at the Department of State, particularly African American women, and highlights the achievements of Patricia Roberts Harris and Valerie Dickson-Horton. Additionally, an amendment is made to rename an existing mentoring program in their honor.

The section outlines a program that permits mid-career professionals to join the Foreign Service through lateral entry, particularly aiming to increase diversity by attracting individuals from underrepresented groups. The program requires agencies to publish eligibility criteria, actively recruit candidates from various sectors, and provide mentorship opportunities, while also requiring annual reports on the program's progress and demographics.

The section details a Congressional suggestion that the Department of State, USAID, and other related agencies benefit from reappointing mid-career Foreign Service Officers, especially from underrepresented groups, to address higher attrition rates. It mandates, within 60 days of enacting the American FATE Act, the creation of a reappointment program for these agencies, targeting groups such as alumni of specific graduate fellowship programs.

Congress believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) should be part of the criteria for promoting employees at the Department of State, emphasizing fairness and varied perspectives. This proposal includes updating the Foreign Service guidelines to reflect a commitment to DEIA principles.

The section highlights Congress's belief that allowing flexible work options like telecommuting and job sharing can help international affairs agencies perform better, attract skilled workers, and improve employee satisfaction. It requires agency leaders to include training on these policies in employee introductions and management training, as well as to report yearly on their flexibility practices and outcomes.

The section expands fellowship programs by authorizing funds for the Rangel, Pickering, and Payne fellowships, allocating $20 million annually from 2025 to 2029 for their operations and participants' stipends. It also updates the State Department's authority to provide grants, emphasizing support for minority-serving institutions and students, and includes USAID's participation in these initiatives.

The bill proposes expanding the curriculum of the Foreign Service Institute to include training for U.S. personnel and Foreign Service Officers on U.S. history, government, and cultural norms of service countries, along with knowledge about underserved communities. This training is intended for those serving both domestically and abroad to enhance understanding of historical, governmental, and cultural contexts relevant to their roles.

The bill allows the Department of State and USAID to have up to 60 diplomats stationed around the United States to raise awareness about careers in international services. Each diplomat must submit a plan and a final report detailing their efforts and achievements in promoting these careers to various communities.

The section outlines the United States policy on promoting equity, emphasizing a global approach to human rights for vulnerable and marginalized communities. It supports the establishment of Agency Equity Teams to develop comprehensive strategies, train staff, and publish annual updates to ensure equal access to government policies and initiatives.

The bill section outlines that a Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) is to be appointed within the Department of State to promote equity in national security and support underserved communities through various programs. The DAS is responsible for managing equity initiatives, coordinating with different bureaus and offices, enhancing transparency in procurement, and providing training on issues related to underserved communities.

The section mandates the development of a new strategy to enhance public diplomacy efforts by reaching geographically remote and underserved communities overseas. Key plans include improving access and support for these populations to engage in U.S. programs, increasing funding for outreach, and enhancing services like translation and accessibility at American Spaces, with the ultimate goal of fostering greater inclusivity and diverse representation in public diplomacy roles.

The bill section establishes support for young leaders initiatives, allowing the Secretary of State to create programs that provide training, networking, and fellowships for individuals aged 18-35 who demonstrate leadership potential and make positive impacts in their communities. The initiatives will focus on various sectors, including business and governance, and they emphasize participation from marginalized groups, incorporating both regional centers and U.S.-based activities, while also enabling public-private partnerships to enhance program effectiveness.

The bill establishes the Office of Race and Ethnic Relations and Affairs within the Secretary's office to address racial and ethnic issues. It outlines the roles, responsibilities, and funding of the Office and the establishment of a global fund to support initiatives for marginalized racial and ethnic populations.

The section outlines the appointment and responsibilities of a Senior Advisor for Race and Ethnic Affairs within USAID, who will oversee racial and ethnic equity efforts, develop strategies and indicators, and manage an action fund. It authorizes $10 million for the advisor's activities and $15 million for the Action Fund for fiscal year 2025 and beyond, with the fund also open to private contributions.

The section outlines the requirement for the United States to create and update a global strategy to support inclusion and empowerment while preventing racial and ethnic discrimination and violence. It mandates collaboration with various government and non-government entities and provides guidelines for foreign assistance in areas like civil society leadership, law enforcement, economic growth, health, environmental protection, and international research.

Congress acknowledges an increase in racially and ethnically motivated extremist incidents worldwide and authorizes funds for the Bureau of Counterterrorism to tackle these issues by countering harmful narratives, supporting communities, improving government intervention, and coordinating efforts with various bureaus. Additionally, annual reporting on the status and strategies for addressing such extremism is required.

The Secretary is tasked with supporting a new United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent from 2025 to 2034, promoting human rights, combatting racial discrimination, and working with various groups to advance these goals. The bill also authorizes funding, establishes a People of African Descent Fund and an international scholars program, and requires an annual report on the activities undertaken.

Congress has expressed its belief that agencies like the Department of State have valuable experience in helping countries address and heal from historical injustices. It proposes funding to appoint a Special Envoy to support the descendants of the transatlantic slave trade in seeking restitution and remembrance. Additionally, the bill suggests forming a working group and creating programs that focus on justice strategies related to the transatlantic slave trade.

The United States Institute of Peace Act has been amended to establish the James S. Jackson and Robert L. Green Program, which will focus on supporting research and education about race and ethnic relations in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This program will provide scholarships, appoint scholars for research, and develop educational resources, with an annual budget of $2 million from 2025 to 2035.

The section authorizes $1,000,000 annually from 2025 to 2030 to enhance collaboration between the Department of State and the Smithsonian Institution. This funding will support an international exchange program for cultural heritage experts and establish the Dorothy Raiford Honoring Heritage Program, which focuses on celebrating Dorothy Raiford's legacy and conducting workshops in U.S. public schools with significant minority populations.

The text authorizes funds for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 to support activities that promote tolerance and combat antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region. It includes specific allocations for combating anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, supporting programs in Europe and Central Asia, aiding OSCE tolerance initiatives, and conducting training on human rights, with a requirement for the Secretary to report annually on the use of these funds.

The bill section focuses on empowering Afro-descendant and indigenous communities globally by promoting economic development, increasing access to education and finance, supporting local development plans, and improving environmental conservation efforts. It aims to involve these communities in decision-making processes and provides assistance for natural resource management, disaster preparedness, and protection of their ancestral lands.

The section outlines Congress's ongoing support for the Department of State and USAID's partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), which focuses on recruitment, retention, and partnerships like student exchanges and faculty fellowships. Additionally, it mandates a report and plan of action for future activities and budget for 2025 to 2030 within 90 days of the law’s enactment.

This section establishes the "Alcee L. Hastings International Affairs Institutions Program," which provides grants to historically black and other minority-serving universities to develop international affairs programs. The goal is to prepare diverse students for global roles through educational opportunities such as scholarships, language instruction, and study abroad programs, with funding authorized at $100 million annually from 2025 to 2034.

The section allows the Administrator, alongside the Secretary, to set up up to six Centers of Excellence at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to enhance U.S. diplomacy and international development through grants and partnerships. Additionally, the section provides $25 million annually from 2025 to 2030 for these Centers and requires technical support from the Administrator to help these institutions with necessary contracts and agreements.

The Foreign Affairs Bridge Program allows up to six grants to be awarded to eligible colleges and universities, especially those serving minority or underrepresented students, to help them participate in foreign affairs careers through internships, fellowships, and training. Additionally, the program provides stipends to assist low-income students with expenses, and it requires annual reports on the program’s activities and participant demographics, with an annual funding authorization of $2,000,000 from 2025 to 2035.

The section establishes an International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program to support underrepresented individuals in pursuing careers at the Department of State and USAID by offering seminars, tuition assistance, allowances, and potential employment in the excepted service. Eligible participants include juniors or seniors at minority-serving institutions, members of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, or residents of U.S. territories, with the program offering direct hiring authority and requiring annual reporting to Congress on participant demographics and employment outcomes.

The section aims to increase minority representation in international organizations by promoting and securing employment opportunities through the creation of programs targeted at underrepresented groups and expanding recruitment to minority-serving institutions. It also authorizes funding to support these initiatives.

In this section, Congress emphasizes the importance of paid internships for increasing recruitment into international affairs careers. The amendment to a previous act ensures that a significant portion of these internships are reserved for individuals from racially or ethnically diverse backgrounds who have faced challenges due to past government actions or financial need, and for residents of U.S. territories.

The section mandates that leaders of international affairs agencies must create fellowship programs for the Foreign Service. These programs should last at least four months and are aimed at minority graduate students and faculty from colleges or universities with significant enrollment of racially or ethnically underrepresented groups in the Foreign Service.

This section encourages international affairs agencies to support minority-owned businesses by increasing their involvement in procurement processes. It outlines the definition of minority-owned businesses, authorizes necessary funding to support these initiatives, and requires annual reports and spending plans to be submitted to Congress to detail the progress and usage of funds.

The section authorizes $1,000,000 per year from 2025 to 2030 to support legal and financial consulting, technical assistance, and training at Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers at HBCUs, MSIs, and rural communities. The funds are distributed equally between the Secretary and the Administrator to help businesses and new audiences seeking contracts with the Department of State or USAID.

The bill section authorizes funding for the Secretary to help at least 50 minority-owned businesses from the United States participate in international expos, especially Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The participation would focus on businesses involved in specific government programs like section 8(a) businesses and HUBZone small business concerns, and may involve collaboration with organizations like the Global Diversity Export Initiative, the Export-Import Bank, or other international affairs agencies.

Congress expresses the belief that the Secretary and the Administrator should continue supporting an initiative aimed at increasing exports from U.S. businesses that are owned or led by historically underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, veterans, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Congress outlines that recipients of federal awards funded by foreign assistance cannot discriminate against beneficiaries or in employment decisions. If a contractor discriminates and does not resolve it, USAID can reduce or terminate funding without penalty.

USAID contractors and subcontractors cannot discriminate against people using their services or employees working on the contract unless allowed by U.S. law. If discrimination happens, they must report it and take action, like firing the responsible employee.

Congress emphasizes the importance of inclusive economic policies that expand access and participation in the economy for all communities, especially marginalized groups like women, youth, and indigenous peoples. These practices involve consulting diverse community members, offering technical support, and promoting sustainable economic growth through inclusive trade and investment, with a focus on examples such as the U.S. Trade Representative’s efforts with Kenya.