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S. 4680119th CongressPlaced on the calendarLatest action Jul 27, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
The bill would extend consular fellows' temporary appointments from five years to up to ten years.
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The Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026 would let temporary, non-career consular appointments last up to eight years, with a possible two-year extension for a maximum of ten. Currently these appointments are generally capped at five years.
This affects State Department employees in the Consular Fellows Program and similar consular roles. It also indirectly affects visa applicants, Americans abroad, families pursuing international adoptions, and the travel and tourism industry.
Congress cites rising visa demand, tourism's economic importance, and upcoming major international events between 2024 and 2034 as reasons to retain experienced consular staff longer instead of frequently hiring and training new workers.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: it was placed on the Senate floor calendar, and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 515.