Federal Managers Association
Press Release
- CONGRESS PASSES THE COMPETITIVE SERVICE ACT - March 9, 2016
Alexandria, VA - The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is excited to announce the Competitive Service Act (S. 1580) has passed through Congress and now awaits President Barack Obama's signature. The legislation will improve the federal hiring process by allowing agencies to share their "best qualified" lists with other agencies. FMA worked with Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Rob Portman (R-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) on this commonsense reform. FMA applauded the passage of the bill in the Senate last year, and the Association is grateful to the House for its recognition of the value of this legislation. Below is FMA National President Patricia Niehaus' statement upon final passage:
"FMA is grateful for the leadership of Senators Tester, Portman, Cardin, Moran and Heitkamp on this bipartisan reform, and for the House and Senate passing it unanimously. This action is a prime example of bicameral and bipartisan work that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal workforce.
"In 2010, then-OPM Director John Berry called on Congress to allow agencies to share their lists of best qualified talent as part of a broader piece of legislation aimed at reforming the federal hiring process. S. 1580 allows agencies to review and select job candidates from another agency's best qualified list -- a list of applicants who have already undergone a rigorous competitive assessment process and are certified as eligible for selection by an agency selecting official. This legislation will provide agencies with access to highly qualified candidates and would allow for much greater efficiency in hiring. As I have said before, at a time when the federal government is struggling to improve recruitment and retention, this tool would streamline the hiring process and remove a barrier for talented men and women.
"Again, I thank the Senate and the House for their work on this legislation. I look forward to President Obama signing it into law."