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119-s-591119th CongressWALLET

Restore Merit to Government Service Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Introduced

Summary

Merit-based federal hiring is the bill's core aim. It would require a government-wide Federal Hiring Plan to speed appointments, raise technical standards, and increase agency accountability.

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  • Job candidates would get clearer timelines, regular status updates, and explanations of decisions, and the Plan would set a target that appointments occur in less than 80 days from when a position is first listed.
  • Agency human resources teams would be pushed to use technical and alternative assessments, modern hiring technology, and data analytics to screen and engage candidates.
  • Heads of agencies or their designees must be active in hiring and each agency would be asked to improve how Senior Executive Service positions are allocated to support democratic leadership.
  • The Director of the Office of Personnel Management would set performance metrics, request regular analyses from agency heads, and consult agency leaders, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to monitor progress.

The bill also directs that appointments should not be made based on race, sex, or religion and expresses concern about prioritizing a concept described as "gender identity" over sex within appointment practices.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New federal hiring plan and deadlines

If enacted, the bill would require a Federal Hiring Plan within 120 days for listed agencies (executive departments, EPA, OMB, SBA, SSA, NSF, OPM, and GSA). The Plan would push agencies to hire highly skilled U.S. applicants, try to fill posted jobs within 80 days, use modern recruiting tech and data, improve candidate communications, and adopt technical assessments where possible. Agency heads would be expected to participate and each agency must include ways to better allocate Senior Executive Service positions. The Director of OPM would set performance measures and ask agency leaders for regular reports. Implementation would have to follow other law and only proceed if funds are available.

OMB and Federal Reserve powers unchanged

If enacted, the bill would state that nothing in it may be read to change OMB's budget or administrative duties or the Federal Reserve's power to conduct monetary policy.

No private right to sue the government

If enacted, the bill would say it does not create any right or benefit that a person could enforce in court against the United States, its agencies, or employees. People and groups could not bring enforcement claims based only on this Act.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scott, Rick [R-FL]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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