Castro, Bass, Chu, Haaland, Titus Introduce New Legislation to Promote State Department Diversity and Inclusion

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced the Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act.

This legislation establishes a senior-level office of the Chief Diversity Officer to advocate for diversity within the Department, changes promotion and other practices to improve retention and equity, and includes Reps. Castro's and Titus' Promotion Accessibility Act, which codifies the practice of allowing diplomats with disabilities include "gap memos" to explain gaps in their service as a result of medical treatment.

The Diversity and Inclusion at the State Department Act has been endorsed by the Open Society Foundation, Foreign Policy for America, the Truman National Security Project, Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security, and the Center for American Progress.

"America's diplomats who represent the United States to the world should reflect the diversity of the American people. For years, the State Department has failed to look like the face of our country and the lack of diversity in the diplomatic corps is appalling," said Congressman Castro. "Our country's diversity and heritage as a nation of immigrants is one of our greatest strengths, providing a competitive advantage over adversaries. The Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act will increase accountability for retaining and promoting a diverse diplomatic workforce that both better reflects our values and also advances our interests around the world."

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