Employment Abundance Act
Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Introduced
Summary
Limits unnecessary college degree requirements for federal contractors to open more federal contract jobs to workers with experience or certifications. The bill would direct the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to issue rules within 1 year that set how contractors must justify degree requirements.
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- Job seekers and workers: More positions on federal contracts could be filled by people with relevant work experience, certifications, or skills assessments instead of a bachelor’s degree. This creates clearer alternatives for applicants without four-year degrees.
- Federal contractors: Contractors would have to review all contract-related job classifications, identify roles that list a bachelor’s degree, and decide whether those degree requirements are truly necessary. They must report findings and a plan to revise any unjustified requirements within 180 days after the regulations take effect.
- Procurement and enforcement: The bill would allow administrative actions for noncompliance, including possible ineligibility for future federal contracts, under rules set by the FAR Council.
- Professional and legal exceptions: Contractors may keep degree requirements when those requirements are necessary for job performance or are required by law, regulation, or professional licensure.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New hiring rules for federal contractors
This bill would require the federal contracting council to issue rules within 1 year of enactment. When those rules take effect, federal contractors would review all contract‑related job titles and degree requirements. They would decide if a degree is truly needed for essential duties and list roles where it is not. Within 180 days, contractors would file a report and a plan to use options like experience, certifications, or skills tests. Noncompliance could trigger administrative actions, including ineligibility for future federal contracts. Contractors could keep degree rules when needed or required by law or licensure; the rules would apply to contracts signed after they take effect.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov