Letter to the Hon. Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State - Hiring Freeze Exemptions for Rangel and Pickering Fellows

Letter

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We understand the State Department last week contacted the most recent graduating class of Rangel and Pickering fellows to inform them that, due to the State Department's hiring freeze, instead of joining the Foreign Service, they would have to choose by the end of the week either indefinite unemployment or a non-career track, temporary position. Given the substantial investments the U.S. government has made to prepare these fellows for careers in diplomacy, we urge you to issue waivers to accommodate their immediate appointment to the State Department Foreign Service. Recognizing that USAID Payne fellows may face a similar situation, we urge you to continue their induction into the USAID Foreign Service without interruption.

Congress explicitly authorized these programs to improve diversity in the Foreign Service, and authorized their expansion in the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of State Authorities Act. There is substantial bipartisan and bicameral support for these fellowships and the talented young people who earn them. The new employment option the State Department is providing graduating fellows is a temporary consular position, which does not meet Congressional intent.

The Rangel, Pickering, and Payne fellowship programs prepare outstanding students from historically underrepresented groups for careers as U.S. diplomats. Combined, these programs facilitate the hiring and training of fewer than 100 exceptionally-qualified candidates per class. In exchange for a five-year service commitment, the U.S. government invests an average of $85,000 in each fellow. This investment includes financing for undergraduate and graduate education programs as well as professional development support through activities such as paid internships. Upon graduation, fellows begin a rewarding and challenging career in the Foreign Service. Instead, this year's class of fellows faces uncertainty about their future and immediate employment.

Again, we urge you to proceed immediately with issuing waivers to accommodate the induction of pending Rangel and Pickering fellows into the State Department Foreign Service in alignment with Congressional intent. We also urge you to continue the induction process for Payne Fellows into the USAID Foreign Service without interruption.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.