H.R. 5235 Passed both chambers Government Operations and Politics

Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025

To amend title 41, United States Code, to prohibit minimum educational requirements for proposed contractor personnel in certain contract solicitations, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1] Introduced September 9, 2025 Cosponsors 2 (2 D) Latest action September 30, 2026

Summary

Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act
This bill prohibits federal contract bid solicitations for contractor personnel from including minimum educational requirements unless the contracting officer justifies the requirements. The prohibition applies to educational requirements that may be met through education alone, education or experience, or a combination of education and experience.
The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies, including instructions for contracting officers that encourage using alternatives to education requirements.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 30, 2026 Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5295)
  2. Sep 30, 2026 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  3. Sep 14, 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
  4. Sep 14, 2026 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
  5. Aug 6, 2026 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  6. Feb 24, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  7. Feb 23, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. Feb 23, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
  9. Feb 23, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5235.
  10. Feb 23, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2247-2248)
  11. Feb 23, 2026 Mr. Timmons moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  12. Dec 2, 2025 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

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