Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
Introduced Sep 9, 2025 by Rep. Nancy Mace
Both chambers passed it. It's headed to the President to be signed or vetoed.
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.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Sep 30, 2026Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5295)
- Sep 30, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Sep 14, 2026Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
- Sep 14, 2026Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
- Aug 6, 2026Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Feb 24, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Feb 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Feb 23, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
- Feb 23, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
- Feb 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5235.
- Feb 23, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2247-2248)
- Feb 23, 2026Mr. Timmons moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Dec 2, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- Dec 2, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Sep 9, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sep 9, 2025Introduced in House