Us Congress House Bill HB4255

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/21/23
• Refer: 6/21/23

Caption

Stop WOKE at State Act Stop Wasteful, Odious, and Kooky Exercises at State Act

Impact

If enacted, HB 4255 would significantly alter the criteria used in the assessment and promotion of Foreign Service officers. It eliminates the requirement to consider DEIA in evaluations, focusing instead on objective performance metrics. This shift could lead to a reevaluation of existing practices and policies within the Foreign Service and affect the professional development of officers who prioritize diversity and inclusion in their roles. The bill also requires a mandatory review of Performance Improvement Plans over a five-year period as part of the tenure and promotion processes.

Summary

House Bill 4255, known as the 'Stop WOKE at State Act', is legislation aimed at reforming the evaluation and promotion processes for Foreign Service officers. The bill mandates that evaluations must be based solely on merit system principles, removing any consideration for a person's advocacy for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) during performance appraisals. This change is intended to establish a more uniform standard that emphasizes individual performance over advocacy for current social issues.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate regarding its implications for workplace culture within the Foreign Service. Proponents argue that it will uphold merit-based evaluations, thereby promoting fairness and transparency in promotions. Detractors, however, contend that stripping DEIA from performance assessments undermines efforts to create an inclusive and representative workforce, potentially exacerbating disparities in an already diverse field. This has led to concerns about the message it sends about the importance of equity and inclusivity in government service.