Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is being urged to end his hiring freeze at the State Department over concerns a skeletal staff could harm the nation's diplomatic efforts.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., wrote Tillerson on Wednesday, criticizing the department's "failure to replace losses" in its ranks "due to attrition and resignations," that the pair said appears intentionally aimed at reducing the department's staff.
"We know from experience that shutting off the intake of entry-level Foreign Service officers will inevitably result in shortages of appropriately experienced personnel at specific grades in future years," the senators wrote.
The pair demanded the freeze be lifted, that the department refrain from any further cuts, and that it promote high-performing officers to retain talent in the department.
The senators cited the high numbers of those leaving the department, and the decreasing numbers of entry-level applicants — both indications of "questionable management practices" and a "lack of experienced leadership."
The government-wide hiring freeze — exempting the military — was instituted by President Donald Trump on his first full work day in office.
Tillerson in August decided to maintain the freeze at State— even though other agencies had lifted theirs, The Hill reported.
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