EXCEL Act Expand eXpertise in China Education and Language Act
If enacted, the bill would authorize the Department of State to directly hire candidates with expertise relevant to competing with the PRC. This includes appointing a minimum of 31 individuals with pertinent expertise within two years of the bill's enactment. By potentially bypassing traditional bureaucratic hiring processes, the bill seeks to fill key vacancies swiftly and ensure that the U.S. has the necessary knowledge and skills to handle various challenges associated with the PRC. Additionally, it establishes the China Strategic Advisory Board to provide ongoing strategic advice and guidance pertinent to U.S. policies concerning China.
House Bill 2409, also known as the Expand eXpertise in China Education and Language Act (EXCEL Act), aims to enhance the hiring capabilities of the Secretary of State to better address the strategic competition posed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It recognizes that effective engagement with the PRC requires heightened linguistic, cultural, and regional expertise, arguing that current hiring authorities are not adequate for this purpose. The bill proposes additional flexibility to recruit and retain necessary talents to strengthen U.S. foreign policy efforts in this area.
Notable points of contention around HB 2409 include concerns regarding the expansion of government hiring authority and potential implications for the composition of the U.S. foreign service. Critics may argue that increased direct hiring could lead to politicization within the recruitment process and might not guarantee the diversity or balance needed in the diplomatic corps. Furthermore, skepticism exists around whether enhancing the capability to recruit expertise alone will be sufficient to address complex geopolitical dynamics; thus, ongoing discussions will likely focus on what training and resources are necessary for effective competition with the PRC.