FORCE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Introduced
Summary
National Defense Executive Reserve would create a cadre of private experts trained and ready to serve temporarily in federal positions during declared national defense emergencies. The bill also reshapes voluntary agreement rulemaking so Reserve units can be used in major responses like catastrophic cyberattacks.
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- Private experts could volunteer, receive training, and be temporarily appointed to federal positions. They would receive pay, travel and lodging reimbursement, and reemployment protections comparable to FEMA intermittent personnel.
- Reserve units would be created inside the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Homeland Security, and the President could add other agencies. Units must be established no later than 180 days after issuance of the final rules the bill requires.
- The Office of Personnel Management would issue rules within 270 days after enactment covering selection, appointment authorities, compensation, training, security clearances, and oversight. The bill also shifts voluntary-agreement rulemaking toward the Department of Commerce and the Attorney General and allows the President to tie Reserve units to voluntary national defense agreements for critical incidents.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Public private crisis plans with safeguards
If enacted, the President would set up a public‑private voluntary agreement to tackle a current defense risk. The deadline would be the later of 18 months after enactment or when the Attorney General issues a related rule. The plan must use one or more Reserve units and can focus on restoring critical infrastructure after a major cyber attack. Within 270 days, the Attorney General would issue rules to protect competition when these agreements are used. After AG approval, Commerce would set procedures and publish any rule at least 30 days before it takes effect. The President could delegate this authority to an agency head.
Volunteer reserve for defense emergencies
If enacted, this would create a National Defense Executive Reserve for private experts to volunteer and train. OPM would set the rules within 270 days of enactment; Commerce, Defense, and Homeland Security would form units within 180 days after the final rules. Only the President could activate units, and only during a declared national emergency with a public need finding. Volunteers could get pay for service plus travel and lodging reimbursement; job and reemployment protections would apply when they serve. Existing Defense Production Act funds could be used to run the Reserve.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4]
CT • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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