Bill · S. 359· Senate(119-S-359)
Federal Employee Performance and Accountability Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/3/2025
- Last activity
- 2/3/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to implement a performance-based pay structure for specific Federal employees. The program targets eligible employees in Executive agencies, including those at GS-11 through GS-15 levels and certain senior-level positions. Participating agencies will use annual metrics focused on productivity, quality, and timeliness to evaluate staff. Employees who exceed expectations may receive a 15 percent pay increase, while those who fail to meet metrics face a 15 percent pay reduction. The program aims to enhance productivity, accountability, and employee satisfaction in public service.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill requires annual productivity reports and an assessment of the program's impact to be submitted to Congress.
Would high-income households be better off under this?+2
High-performing federal employees at senior levels can receive a 15 percent pay increase.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+2
The bill aims to increase productivity and efficiency within federal agencies using existing funds.
The opposite
Would union members be better off under this?-3
The bill introduces a pay structure that includes potential 15 percent salary reductions for employees failing to meet metrics.
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?-2
The bill replaces standard federal pay advancements and bonuses with a performance-based system that includes mandatory pay reductions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Pay Increases for High Performers: Employees who significantly exceed their performance metrics can receive a 15 percent increase in their basic pay (Section 5(a)(2)).
-
Additional Incentives: High-performing employees, categorized as "tier 1," may be eligible for bonuses at the discretion of their agency head (Section 5(b)).
-
Non-Monetary Perks: Top-performing employees may receive benefits such as flexible scheduling, telework options, technology upgrades, or parking options (Section 5(c)).
-
Support and Growth: The program requires agencies to provide training, resources, and quarterly feedback to help employees meet their required metrics (Section 4(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Pay Reductions for Underperformance: Employees who do not meet established performance metrics will have their basic pay reduced by 15 percent (Section 5(a)(3)(A)).
-
Loss of Standard Pay Benefits: While participating in this program, employees are ineligible for other standard pay adjustments, advancements, bonuses, or performance awards under title 5 of the United States Code (Section 5(d)).
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Strict Participation Limits: Agency heads are required to ensure that between 1 percent and 10 percent of eligible employees participate in the program (Section 3(b)(1)).
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
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For High Income Households+2Good For Union Workers-3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+2Improves Union Protections-2
- 2/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina