On March 8, 2022, Reps. Jody Hice (R-Ga) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced the Chance to Compete Act (H.R.6967). This bill works to codify recent changes made by both the Trump Administration and the Biden Administration intended to ensure that applicants with relevant skills will be considered for federal positions with less regard for specific degree thresholds. The companion bill (S.3423) in the Senate was introduced on January 13, 2022, by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported S. 3423 during a markup in February.

FMA has endorsed this legislation and sent a letter to Congress in favor of passage. Hiring reform is a priority for FMA, and we will work towards the passage of this bill. The goal of ensuring that the federal government is focused on skills and capabilities rather than degrees is a strong step towards a healthier federal workforce.