Bill · H.R. 8138· House(119-HR-8138)
DPA Specialized Staffing Act
- Introduced
- 3/27/2026
- Last activity
- 3/27/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Josh Gottheimer
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "DPA Specialized Staffing Act," aims to allow for Special Hiring Authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950. It allows agencies on the Defense Production Act Committee to appoint subject matter experts directly to competitive service positions. This authority is granted regardless of the standard provisions found in sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code. The specific purpose for these appointments is to identify, solicit, evaluate, or approve activities that may receive financial assistance under this Act.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands federal agency authority by allowing them to bypass standard competitive service hiring regulations.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+1
The bill enhances agency ability to manage defense production activities that could impact veteran-related industries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Direct Appointment of Experts: Agencies represented on the Defense Production Act Committee can appoint subject matter experts directly to positions in the competitive service (Section 2). This could allow agencies to quickly bring in specialized knowledge for specific tasks.
-
Streamlined Activity Oversight: The authority is intended for the sole purpose of identifying, soliciting, evaluating, or approving activities that may receive financial assistance under this Act (Section 2). This allows for specific oversight of activities receiving financial assistance.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Bypassing Standard Hiring Procedures: Agencies may appoint experts without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code (Section 2). This removes the standard rules usually required for hiring into the competitive service.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 3/27/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House