▶ 0:17:04Roll call vote. The first order of business is ratifying the new subcommittee roster. The clerks have distributed the roster electronically. I ask unanimous consent that the committee approved the appointments and assignments as shown on the roster. Without objection, the subcommittee roster is approved. I would also like to congratulate representative tim burchett on his chairmanship of the subcommittee.
▶ 0:17:30I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish leading this subcommittee. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 7274, the federal acquisition security council improvement act of 2026. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r. 7274, the federal acquisition security council improvement act of 2026, a bill to amend title 41, united states code, to make changes with respect to the federal acquisition security council and for other purposes.
▶ 0:17:58>> without objection, the bill shall be considered as read and open for amendment. Any point without objection so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk will designate the amendment. >> an amendment. The nature of a substitute to h.r. 7274 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read. The substitute will be considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on the bill and the amendment.
▶ 0:18:22Foreign adversaries like the chinese communist party have been using information technology and telecommunications equipment to infiltrate and exploit federal agency systems. Congress has worked to address this threat by passing legislation to prohibit federal agencies from purchasing or using technology from sources of concern. This includes legislation to prevent federal agencies from using telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, semiconductors or drones provided by certain companies with ties to the chinese communist party.
▶ 0:18:51In addition to these outright prohibitions, congress also established the federal acquisition security council, or fast. The fast currently has the limited legal authority to recommend that agencies exclude certain sources from federal procurement processes, or remove certain technologies from federal information systems. H.r. 7274. The fast improvement act would authorize fast to issue binding, removal, and exclusion orders when directed by congress.
▶ 0:19:16This new binding removal and exclusion order authority would complement and strengthen the existing authorities of the fast to issue recommendations, and this new authority provides congress a streamlined and standardized process for prohibiting federal agencies from buying or using a source of concern in the future. The fast improvement act builds on seven years of legislation addressing national security procurement risk by reforming established processes and expanding authorities. H.r.
▶ 0:19:447274 strengthens the governing structure of fast by moving it into the executive office of the president, elevating fast agency membership requirements. This bill expands fast focus to include emerging acquisition security threats more broadly, and requires the fast to proactively monitor and evaluate certain sources for risk. The bill also establishes a program office to provide the fast, additional operational, legal, and policy support it needs to draft and issue removal and exclusion orders.
▶ 0:20:12I'm also pleased that this bill incorporates best practices and lessons learned from recent government wide procurement prohibitions, including due process considerations, national security exemptions, a case by case waiver processes, and second order prohibitions. This bipartisan bill provides the fast with the teeth and resources it needs to protect the federal supply chain.
▶ 0:20:33I want to thank representative timmons and representatives superman for leading this critical legislation, which was crafted in close coordination with the select committee on the chinese communist party. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary and timely national security reform legislation, which passed the committee in a nearly identical form last congress. I now recognize the ranking member for his opening statement. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:21:02I support this bill as well. This bill would strengthen and improve the council, which oversees supply chain security for the federal government. It helps identify and exclude risky products or dangerous companies from the federal supply and through a fair and rigorous process, of course, involving both congress and the executive branch. It's a good bipartisan bill. The bill will protect our national security by keeping companies with links to hostile governments, those who steal our technology and illegal activity out of our supply chain, while ensuring that we don't overreach or target companies unfairly with due process procedures.
▶ 0:21:32I'd like to thank the sponsor of this bill. It's bipartisan and we support that. I yield back the balance of my time. >> the ranking member yields back. I now recognize the sponsor of the bill, representative timmons from south carolina. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, my friend and counterpart on the military and foreign affairs subcommittee, Mr. subramanium, for co-leading this important piece of legislation.
▶ 0:21:54As new technologies continue to transform the way the federal government delivers services and provides for our national defense, it is essential that we proactively, continually and thoroughly counter efforts from malicious foreign actors like china that aim to infiltrate and exploit our information technology and communications equipment. Recognizing this, congress created the federal acquisition security council, or in 2018 to coordinate how agencies respond to supply chain threats.
▶ 0:22:22However, over the past several years, congress has had to step in multiple times to block agencies from buying or using risky technologies such as huawei during 5g implementation. Those actions have been necessary, but they have also shown that our current process is not working. When congress is the faster option, the status quo must be cumbersome and fragmented, which is why my bill, the federal acquisition security council improvement act, enhances the authorities and operational support to ensure that it can achieve its mission.
▶ 0:22:51In doing so, the bill requires establishment of a program office within the executive office of the president to provide operational, legal and policy support. The bill also ensures that its reactive and accountable to investigating new threats by creating a streamlined process for congress to designate sources of concern, and requires investigation into these congressionally designated sources. Last congress, a nearly identical bill passed unanimously and later passed the house with bipartisan support.
▶ 0:23:18My hope is to continue this bipartisan work to enable the executive branch to promptly act to protect the federal supply chain and agency information systems from nefarious technology influenced by a foreign adversary. I want to again thank chairman comer for including this consequential reform in the markup today, and thank my colleague, Mr. subramaniam subramaniam, for his participation, for his partnership. I urge all of my colleagues to support the federal acquisition security council improvement act. And with that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. Thank you. >> thank you.
▶ 0:23:47Chair now recognizes Mr. silberman, the democrat sponsor of the bill. >> thank you. Yes. And I, too, want to speak in support of hr 7274. I want to thank congressman timmons for introducing this bill and for his leadership. Foreign adversary influence in our, uh, information and communication technology systems are a huge risk, a huge risk. And unfortunately, we don't often see the vulnerabilities until it's too late.
▶ 0:24:11And so the fsc performs a critical role in protecting national security by removing high risk vendors and products from the supply chain and stopping crises before they happen. This bill strengthens the fsc by moving it to the executive office of the president and establishing a program office to support their operations and broadening their authorities. I think this is really necessary, and this is a bipartisan goal that I think we can all get behind. So I encourage you to join me and representative timmons in supporting this bill. And I yield back.
▶ 0:24:41>> gentleman yields back. Do any members seek recognition? Seeing none, the question is now on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. In the opinion. Chair. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now on favorably reporting h.r. 7274, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. >> Mr.
▶ 0:25:10Chairman, I request a recorded vote. >> recorded vote is ordered as previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 2985, the modernizing government technology reform act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r. 2985, the modernizing government technology reform act, a bill to amend section 1078 of the national defense authorization act for fiscal year 2018 to increase the effectiveness of the technology modernization fund and for other purposes.
▶ 0:25:41>> without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open for amendment without objection so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer amendment in the nature of substitute the clerk please designate the amendment. >> amendment. In the nature of a substitute to h.r. 2985 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read. The substitute will be considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the bill. I support h.r.
▶ 0:26:042985, the modernizing government technology reform act, the technology modernization fund, or the tmf, was established by the bipartisan, republican led modernizing government technology act of 2017. The tmf was established because of the immense challenges in planning and budgeting for large scale federal legacy it modernization projects, to limitations presented by an annual appropriations cycle.
▶ 0:26:31The tmf addresses this problem by acting as a self-sustaining funding mechanism to flexibly assist agencies with legacy it modernization. Funding these projects is important because it delays because delayed it modernization efforts create cyber risk and inefficiencies in government operations. Tmf program operations in recent years, however, have strayed from the original congressional intent established by the bipartisan law congress passed in the biden administration.
▶ 0:27:00The tmf did not consistently require agencies to repay their awards at a level that would allow the program to be self-sustaining as originally intended. This operational choice by the previous administration put a strain on tmfs resources and hindered its ability to help address future legacy it modernization projects. This bill reforms the tmf to ensure repayment plans are properly negotiated, and the agencies fully reimburse the tmf for all administrative costs incurred in support of this project.
▶ 0:27:28The trump administration has taken steps to ensure the fund remains solvent into the future, but congress must act to ensure these practices and prevent any future abuse. These reforms also provide congress with new oversight mechanisms to ensure the fund remains focused on its mission to fix the most costly and risky federal it systems across our government. I believe the bill before us is a smart reform.
▶ 0:27:49I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I want to thank representatives nancy mace and shontel brown, the leaders of the cybersecurity, information technology and government innovation subcommittee, for their hard work drafting and championing this important reauthorization bill for the committee to consider here today. I now recognize the ranking member. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I want to also support this bill. The federal government, of course, must ensure that our digital systems are secure, safe and effective.
▶ 0:28:19Tech monitoring was something I've always supported, including when I was mayor of my hometown. We know that better technology means that agencies work more efficiently, and that accessing services or government data is easier for the public. The technology modernization fund was established by the 27th in 2017 as an innovative, self-sustaining funding model allowing federal agencies flexibility to address current projects as it relates to it and and within the traditional budget cycle. I want to applaud representative brown and mace for leading this important bill. It's a good bipartisan bill and we support it.
▶ 0:28:49>> ranking member yields back. I now recognize the chairman of the bill, the chairman of the of our cyber security subcommittee, miss nancy mace from south carolina. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. The modernizing government technology reform act is a culmination of years of work in the subcommittee on cybersecurity, information technology and government innovation to bring the federal government into the 21st century. Every year, the federal government spends over 100 billion on it systems, with a large portion of this money spent on maintaining outdated legacy systems.
▶ 0:29:18Gao has documented how efforts to modernize government technology are years behind schedule. A few examples pilots, air traffic controllers, and other airport personnel currently communicate using systems that are in some cases, more than 30 years old. Veterans health records are currently stored in a system that is more than 30 years old. Usda maintains a system which is 41 years old.
▶ 0:29:41The epa maintains a system which is 51 years old, and the treasury maintains a system which is 59 years old, older than most people on this committee. Mr. chairman, um, maintaining these legacy systems is immensely costly, drives inefficiency in government, and makes executing the functions of the federal government more difficult. It's like seeing your family use who could use starlink and deciding you're better off with a dial up. It's nonsensical, and the american people deserve better.
▶ 0:30:11The modernizing government technology reform act would reauthorize the technology modernization fund and its governing board, the technology modernization board, through 2032, allowing long term investments in tech modernization. The bill would also make crucial reforms to ensure technology modernization efforts are being done in a responsible manner, by requiring the tmf be reimbursed at the level needed to ensure the fund is operational until the sun sets in 2032, and creates a new requirement that agencies reimburse administrative fees.
▶ 0:30:40Importantly, this bill also requires each agency to create an inventory of its legacy it systems, a new oversight tool which will allow congress to evaluate agency and government wide priority items for legacy it modernization, and to assess how well the tmf does in funding these projects. This is common sense legislation addressing a real area of concern in our government. These legacy platforms drive up costs, create inefficiencies, their national security risks and expose our government to major cyber risks and are in desperate need of modernization.
▶ 0:31:10It's my privilege to work with our late colleague gerry connolly on this bill. Over the last few years, gerry was among one of the strongest supporters of technology modernization fund and a good faith partner on this bill. I want to thank the ranking member, shontel brown, for continuing Mr. connolly's work with me on this bill, and I'm hopeful together we can finally see this to its fruition. I urge all my colleagues to support the bill and I yield back. >> the gentlelady yields back. Thank you for your work on this bill.
▶ 0:31:37The chair recognizes the democrat sponsor of the bill, shontel brown. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I am honored to co-lead this legislation with chairwoman mace and continuing the work of our colleagues, congressman connolly, this legislation ensures that government efficiency delivers for the american people.
▶ 0:31:55Extending the technology modernization fund is critical to ensuring federal agencies, many of which still rely on outdated it systems, can modernize their infrastructure and defend against growing cyber threats, continuing support resources into aging systems is costly, inefficient, and leaves our government unnecessarily vulnerable to hacks and security breaches. This is what good government looks like. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation.
▶ 0:32:26Thank you so much. And with that, I yield back. >> thank you. >> gentlelady yields back. Thank you for your leadership on this bill. Do any I know we have an amendment. Do any other members want to speak on the bill before we have an amendment? Seeing none. Chair. For what purpose do you seek recognition, Mr. walker? >> Mr. chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. >> with the clerk. Please report. >> an amendment. Amendment? The nature of a substitute to h.r. 295 is offered by Mr.
▶ 0:32:56Wakenshaw virginia. >> and without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I reserve a point of order. Uh, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. My amendment adjusts the repayment framework by extending the standard payback period from 5 to 7 years, while paring that extension with added flexibility and stronger congressional accountability.
▶ 0:33:22I'm a strong supporter of the underlying legislation and want to thank chairwoman mace and ranking member brown for their work to extend the tmf through 2032. I was here when we passed the modernizing government technology act. Some great members who worked on it Mr. connolly, Mr. hurd and others.
▶ 0:33:44As has been said, the tmf has provided more than $750 million to 45 it modernization projects and is integral to securing and modernizing federal it. Much of its success is due to the fact that in 2021, it received a historic influx of funds from the american rescue plan, and gsa changed the repayment requirements.
▶ 0:34:04That came at the urging of members of this committee, including congressman connolly, who recognized that some of those urgently needed high impact projects wouldn't generate full repayment within the funds standard five year window.
▶ 0:34:18The purpose is to encourage agencies to undertake those large, transformative projects that they're not incentivized to pursue through the normal appropriations cycle, and without a mechanism like tmf that works for agencies, they frequently defer critical. It upgrades because the costs can't be absorbed within a single budget year.
▶ 0:34:40The result, as we heard from chairwoman mace, is the accumulation of outdated systems that cost taxpayers more and pose serious cybersecurity risks. And many of those high impact projects do have the potential to generate long term cost savings for the taxpayers that would allow repayment. They often accrue over a longer time frame than when the bill is structured to dictate. Five years is not always long enough, in fact, is often not long enough to realize the full cost savings for these projects.
▶ 0:35:10As of last year, gsa reversed some of the relaxed repayment policies that were implemented in 2021. And as we've heard, there were reasons for that decision. The fund had struggled to remain self-sustaining and has faced repeated challenges in this body securing annual appropriations.
▶ 0:35:31We do have to balance maintaining the fund's solvency with its original purpose, which is to incentivize agencies to take on the large modernization projects they would otherwise avoid so that we no longer have 59 year old it projects. And look, it's one of the things that we don't do often around here, which is take a long term view.
▶ 0:35:55What tmf does is give agencies the ability to spend $5 and return to the taxpayers a dollar every year for decades, generating significant savings over time. And my goal with the amendment is just to to raise this issue for discussion and for the committee's consideration. I really appreciate the majority staff and the chairwoman having this dialog with us. As I said, my amendment would extend the repayment period from 5 to 7 years.
▶ 0:36:24It would pair it with additional accountability, requiring congressional briefings for the committees with oversight of the affected agency. When projects experience significant delays or overruns, I recognize it's not a perfect solution. There isn't one, and I do appreciate that the current version of the bill maintains the option for omb to extend the repayment window past five years, at their discretion.
▶ 0:36:49I hope they will do that when there are opportunities to get savings for the taxpayers, and I plan to to withdraw the amendment, Mr. chairman, but I did want to raise this topic for the committee's consideration and discussion and hope we can continue to have a dialog on it. With that, I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Does anybody seek recognition on his amendment number one? Seeing none, Mr. warshaw, do you. >> yeah. Mr. chairman, I'm happy to withdraw the amendment. Number one.
▶ 0:37:18>> the walkinshaw amendment, number one has been withdrawn. Now, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Mr. walkinshaw? >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. >> amendment number two, report. >> amendment number two to the amendment. In the nature of a substitute to h.r. 2985 is offered by Mr. walkinshaw, virginia. >> without objection, the amendment is considered. Read I reserve a point of order. The gentleman from virginia is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment number two. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:37:44The goal of my amendment is to ensure that tmf funds are being used to modernize critical federal legacy it projects. The current bill requires that the federal cao create a prioritized list of legacy it projects yearly, based on input from agencies.
▶ 0:38:00My amendment would simply require gao to report biannually and in tandem with other reporting requirements that are already in the bill, on the extent to which tmf funds have been used to address those prioritized legacy it projects, it would allow us to better understand whether the tmf is achieving its stated goals and give us additional tools to understand how well the federal government is or is not modernizing its critical federal it systems.
▶ 0:38:31And with that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back, and I'll just recognize myself for five seconds. I'm I'm fine with the bill. I support the amendment, which would add a reporting requirement to goals biennial report to evaluate which priority modernization projects are being funded by the tmf. As a result, congress will have additional information to assess the extent to which tmf is meeting congressional intent. So I support amendment number two.
▶ 0:39:00Does any other member seek recognition on the amendment? Seeing no ranking member? >> I just want to briefly say I support this amendment. Of course, from representative walkinshaw. It would require the gao to evaluate the priority list of information technology projects developed by the administration. In a report that's already required by this bill. It's common sense, it's good oversight. And I want to thank the the author for the amendment. >> yields back any other member seek recognition seeing none.
▶ 0:39:27The question is now on the amendment number two offered by Mr. walkinshaw. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair. The ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. The question is now on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? No. The chair the ayes have it. And the amendment is agreed to.
▶ 0:39:57The question is now on favorably reporting h.r. 2985, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair. The chair recognizes Mr. burlison. Mr. burlison, do you seek a recorded vote? Thank you. I appreciate that a recorded vote is ordered by Mr.
▶ 0:40:24Burlison from missouri, as previously announced, further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 4123. The federal improvement in technology procurement act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r. 4123. The federal improvement in technology fit procurement act, a bill to improve federal technology procurement for other purposes.
▶ 0:40:53>> without objection, the bill shall be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk will designate the amendment. >> an amendment. The nature of a substitute to h.r. 4123 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and the substitute will be considered as original text. For the purposes of further amendment, I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on the bill and the amendment.
▶ 0:41:21The federal improvement in technology procurement act or procurement act, streamlines the procurement process for small businesses, ensures federal contracting officers are focused on larger acquisitions where the potential for waste, fraud and abuse is high and will unlock tens of millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers every year.
▶ 0:41:39The bill increases the micro purchase threshold, or the npt, from $10,000 to 25,000, and increases the simplified acquisition threshold, or the sat, from a quarter of a million to half a million, as npt transactions do not record the involvement of a federal contracting officer.
▶ 0:41:59Increasing the npt threshold is estimated by george mason's center for government contracting to save taxpayers more than 40 million annually in federal administrative costs. This increase will also allow contracting officers to spend more time scrutinizing larger acquisitions, where the potential for waste, fraud and abuse is far greater.
▶ 0:42:19Further purchases above the npt and below the threshold are subject to simplified procedures in order to reduce administrative costs and promise opportunities for small businesses. By increasing the sat from 250,000 to 500,000, this bill provides even more opportunities for small businesses and reduces administrative burdens for small government contracts. The bill would also authorize an advance payments for certain types of software and cloud computing products, consistent with commercial practices.
▶ 0:42:50Advanced payment authorization will save taxpayer dollars by allowing federal agencies to access discounts that are only available through upfront payments. I thank the sponsor of the bill, representative burleson from missouri, and representative silberman for their leadership on this important government modernization legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this important government efficiency reform legislation, which passed the committee unanimously last congress. I now recognize the ranking member. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I strongly support this bill.
▶ 0:43:20This bill, of course, will help agencies purchase technology more efficiently and make it easier for businesses to compete for federal contracts. The bill would require new training for certain federal employees who work on government contracts. It would also save taxpayer money by reducing the time officials spend on smaller and lower cost contracts. This is a good common sense, bipartisan bill, improving these partnerships and making contracts more efficient has always been a priority for many members of this committee, and I'm glad to support improving this process at the federal level.
▶ 0:43:48I want to thank congressman burlinson and of course, congressman subramaniam for this work. I urge all of our colleagues to support the bill and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the sponsor of the bill, Mr. burleson from missouri. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Um, you know, our hard working taxpayers expect the federal government to be responsible stewards of their hard earned dollars. They make tough financial decisions every day, and they rightly expect us to exercise the same discipline.
▶ 0:44:17Too often, our federal procurement system does the opposite. It rewards inefficiency, layers on unnecessary administrative burdens, and slows down agency operations, all at the expense of the taxpayer. These inefficiencies drive up costs and limit agencies ability to deliver timely and effective results.
▶ 0:44:40My bill, the procurement act, addresses these challenges through targeted common sense reforms in the federal procurement process. The legislation focuses on reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, improving coordination across agencies, and strengthening the acquisition force through better training and clear guidance to improve workforce capability.
▶ 0:45:03The bill requires the director of federal acquisition institute to develop and implement cross-functional information and communication technology training for acquisition professionals. This ensures that those responsible for purchasing information and communication technology have the tools and the knowledge that they need to make smart and cost effective decisions. The procurement act also increases efficiency by expanding the use of simplified commercial style purchasing.
▶ 0:45:30It raises the micro purchase threshold from 10,000 to 25,000, and the simplified acquisition threshold from 250,000 to 500,000. Purchases under the micro purchase threshold require no contracting offer officer involvement, and significantly reduces the administrative overhead.
▶ 0:45:52Raising this threshold alone is estimated to save more than 40 million annually, while allowing contracting officers to focus on larger, higher risk acquisitions where waste, fraud and abuse is far greater. Increasing the simplified acquisition threshold further reduces the administrative costs and improves economic efficiency for small businesses competing for federal contracts. In addition, the procurement act authorizes advance payments for cloud computing services.
▶ 0:46:22This is just very common sense, allowing federal agencies to access the exact same upfront discounts that are commonly available to other businesses in the private sector, saving taxpayer dollars. Taken together, these reforms streamline procurement, reduce wasteful spending, and improve accountability without expanding government or creating a new bureaucracy, ultimately leading to disciplined acquisition practices and real savings for the american taxpayer.
▶ 0:46:52I urge my colleagues to support this, and I'll just make one final personal note is that, um, for 20 plus years, I worked in the private sector in, in it procurement for for large hospital systems. And I can tell you that, um, it, it no private sector entity would ever have the um, the thresholds as low as, as, as the federal government does, um, and would, would function this way.
▶ 0:47:21This is going to make the procurement process much more efficient. And with that, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And I greatly thank the chairman for the opportunity to pass this bill. And I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Great work. Uh, chair now recognizes Mr. silberman, the democrat sponsor of the bill. >> uh, thank you, Mr. chairman. I want to thank representative burleson for his leadership on this. And I fully agree with him. And it was well said.
▶ 0:47:46I think raising the micro purchase threshold, the simplified acquisition threshold I mean this is common sense now. Things cost more money now. And it's been a while since we raised these thresholds. So this is win win for everyone. It's also going to lead to more opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts. And you know, most importantly, it's going to cut waste and save millions of dollars for taxpayers. And so I think it's common sense, and I'm glad it's bipartisan. And I look forward to seeing the support of the committee on this. So I yield back. And thank you, Mr. burleson.
▶ 0:48:15>> gentleman, yields back to any other members seek recognition on the bill. Chair recognizes Mr. may from maryland. >> thank you very much. Mr. chairman I want to congratulate both of the uh sponsors of this legislation. This discussion has taken place in the small business committee for at least the last three years.
▶ 0:48:30And to some extent in this committee, and the fact that now we are actually looking at providing oversight by streamlining acquisitions, uh, threshold and reforming the process, particularly when it comes to having in place discipline practices is very, very significant. So this gets us a long way to where we have to go. Again, I want to thank both co-sponsors for looking at this and for working through the process of bringing it before this committee, I yield back.
▶ 0:49:01>> gentleman yields back to any other member. Seek recognition saying none. The question is now on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion. Chair. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now favorably reporting. H.r. 4123, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying I. I all those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, what purpose does Mr.
▶ 0:49:30Burleson seek recognition? >> I seek a recorded vote, Mr. chair. >> a recorded vote is ordered by the gentleman from missouri. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. And our next item for consideration. What is that noise? Uh, our next item for consideration is h.r. 7256, the federal workforce early separation incentives act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r.
▶ 0:50:007256, the federal workforce early separation incentives act, a bill to amend section 3523 of title five, united states code, to increase the limit on voluntary separation incentives, payments, and for other purposes. >> without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment. The nature of a substitute. The clerk. Please designate the amendment. >> amendment. In the nature of a substitute to h.r. 7256 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the movement is considered as read.
▶ 0:50:28The substitute will be considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on. Actually, I'll recognize the gentleman, the sponsor of the bill, uh, Mr. langworthy from new york. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. When taxpayers fund the government, they rightly expect efficiency, accountability and results in too often outdated workforce structures and excessive bureaucracy prevent agencies from aligning staffing decisions with current mission needs.
▶ 0:50:57For more than three decades, federal agencies have relied on the voluntary separation incentive payment program, or vsip, to manage workforce reductions without layoffs or major disruptions. Vsip was designed to help agencies rightsize their workforces, reduce payroll costs, and provide employees with voluntary and dignified paths to to depart government service.
▶ 0:51:21But over for over 30 years, despite inflation, rising wages and higher personnel costs, the maximum payout under vsip has remained frozen at $25,000. What may appear fiscally responsible at first glance has, in practice, become a barrier to responsible workforce management in truly saving taxpayer dollars. This outdated cap has limited agencies ability to offer competitive, voluntary off ramps.
▶ 0:51:47As a result, the federal government often misses opportunities to reduce payroll costs early and instead turns to more expensive and disruptive alternatives such as involuntary separations, extended administrative leave, or simply paying positions that no longer align with mission needs. This cost taxpayers more, creates uncertainty for employees and leaves agencies with fewer options.
▶ 0:52:10The federal workforce early separation incentives act fixes this problem by modernizing vsip caps and allowing agencies to offer incentives of up to six months pay by tying the incentive to earned income rather than an arbitrary dollar figure, the program would automatically adjust over time and once again function as an effective and competitive workforce management tool by restoring the vsip as a meaningful option.
▶ 0:52:38This legislation allows agencies to reduce payroll costs sooner in a more orderly and predictable way. Just as important, this bill treats federal employees with dignity and respect. When agencies must downsize or restructure, providing a voluntary path forward gives employees greater control over their future.
▶ 0:52:57The bottom line is simple my bill today helps agencies reduce costs responsibly, treats employees fairly, and provides a path to help rightsize the federal workforce without unnecessary disruption. I urge my colleagues to support the federal workforce early separation incentives act. And Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes Mr. walkinshaw. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I want to thank the gentleman for the bill. This is long overdue.
▶ 0:53:28As he noted, cap has not been increased since 1994. So the increase in future adjustments for inflation are appropriate. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> gentleman yields back. I'll recognize myself to speak on behalf of the bill. The federal government bureaucracy often grows, but rarely shrinks. Federal employees have certain workforce protections and job security expectations that would be unfamiliar to their private sector counterparts.
▶ 0:53:53The american people elected president trump to take control of the federal workforce, which has become bloated at the expense of efficiency and accountability to the taxpayer. But president trump's hamstrung by outdated federal law, which provides only limited tools to downsize agency employment roles. Exercising authorities for voluntary federal agency downsizing, such as voluntary separation, incentive payments or vsip authority, is often preferable to involuntary options, such as implementing a cumbersome reduction in force process.
▶ 0:54:23The vsip authority offers voluntary payments, incentivize employees to depart, effectively saving taxpayer money on salaries and benefits for the employee. Unfortunately, current law generally limits vsip payments to $25,000, a figure that has not been updated in nearly three decades. Given the status quo, too many employees would choose not to take the offer, leaving taxpayers on the hook for their continued salaries and benefits. Mr.
▶ 0:54:48Langworthy's bill would expand this authority to make vsip offers more attractive for downsizing agencies to offer their employees. It does so by increasing the payment limits to the equivalent of half of an employee's annual salary, a figure that will naturally grow with inflation. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. langworthy, for offering this helpful government reform bill and urge my colleagues to support h.r. 7256 to any other members, seek recognition.
▶ 0:55:15Seeing none, the question is now on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. In the opinion. Chair. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now in favor of reporting h.r. 7256, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye, I all those opposed signify by saying no. In the. What purpose does Mr.
▶ 0:55:44Biggs from arizona seek recognition? Mr. biggs has has ordered a recorded vote. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 7283, the ensuring federal purchasing efficiency act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r.
▶ 0:56:067283, the ensuring federal purchasing efficiency act, a bill to amend title 41, united states code, to amend the time period for certain acquisition related dollar thresholds. >> without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open for amendment without objection, so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk please designate the amendment. >> an amendment. The nature of a substitute to hr 7283 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and the substitute will be considered as original text. For the purposes of further amendment.
▶ 0:56:35I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on the bill and the amendment. The ensuring federal purchasing efficiency act is a simple common sense reform to government procurement. The federal acquisition regulatory council is required to adjust certain dollar thresholds, such as the simplified acquisition threshold, every five years. Everyone has seen how quickly the value of money can change. In five years, the bill would simply require the thresholds be updated every three years instead of every five years.
▶ 0:57:03These dollar thresholds define the applicability of different policies, procedures, and restrictions to the procurement of property or services needed by federal agencies to achieve their missions. Raising these dollar thresholds more frequently saves taxpayer dollars on administrative costs and increases competition to do business with the government, especially for small businesses. I urge my colleagues to support this important government efficiency reform legislation. I want to thank representative fallon from texas and representative walkinshaw for leading this bill.
▶ 0:57:32I now recognize Mr. walkinshaw. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Uh, I want to thank Mr. fallon and very proud to co-lead hr 72 7283. This is a common sense bill that will make inflation related adjustments for purchasing thresholds to define the applicability of different policies, procedures and restrictions to the procurement of goods or services by government agencies.
▶ 0:57:57It allows the fa to make these adjustments every three years instead of five, which will help ensure that those purchasing requirements better reflect the real world costs and realities. It has the potential to improve efficiency, generate savings, and increase small business participation across the federal procurement landscape.
▶ 0:58:19More frequent inflation adjustments to the fa's micro purchase threshold, for example, would better align federal purchasing authority with actual buying power. Speed up contract awards that should reasonably qualify as micro purchases but currently do not due to inflation and the outdated thresholds, by preventing the exclusion of contracts that would otherwise qualify as micro purchases.
▶ 0:58:44If the threshold reflected current purchasing power, the government can reduce administrative burden associated with the more complicated acquisition processes for the same good or services. It would improve small business participation and ensure that they're not excluded from using those simplified acquisition pathways. Because dollar thresholds haven't kept pace with inflation. Again, I want to thank Mr.
▶ 0:59:11Fallon for his great work on the bill, and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Do any other members seek recognition on this bill? Seeing none, the question is now on the amendment. The nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. In the chair. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now favorably reporting h.r. 7283, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. In the opinion, what for what purpose does Mr.
▶ 0:59:39Higgins seek recognition? You request a roll call. Vote, Mr. higgins. Roll call. Alright. Recorded vote is ordered by Mr. higgins from louisiana, as previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 1118, the value over cost act of 2025. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r.
▶ 1:00:071118, the value over cost act of 2025, a bill to amend title 41, united states code, and title ten united states code, to provide best value through the multiple awards scheduled program and for other purposes. >> without objection, the bill to be considered as read and open for amendment any point without objection so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment. The nature of a substitute. The clerk will designate the amendment. >> an amendment in the nature of a substitute to h.r. 1118, as offered by Mr. comer of kentucky.
▶ 1:00:33>> without objection, the amendment is considered as read and substitute will be considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. I now recognize the sponsor of the bill, Mr. donald, from florida to, uh, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Uh, chairman, thank you for considering my bill. H.r. 1118, the value over cost act. Also want to thank my co-sponsor on the legislation. Uh, Mr. moskowitz of florida, h.r.
▶ 1:01:021118 is a simple and common sense procurement reform that will modernize the federal procurement process. Currently, the gsa multiple award schedule program awards contracts with respect to the lower lowest overall cost alternative. When procurement decisions prioritize the lowest overall costs, agencies risk durability and performance for short term savings, leading to eventual higher costs.
▶ 1:01:28Contracting officers should have the authority to evaluate products with the best value in mind, including vendors with strong past performance and products that deliver consistent results. It's both fiscally wasteful and operationally inefficient to use taxpayer funds on low quality products to cut costs that are prone to fail early or cost more to replace.
▶ 1:01:52Overall, my bill increases contractual flexibility and contracting competition, clarifies standards for acquisition stakeholders, maximizes the federal government's ability to procure modern technology, and helps the small business community by reducing regulatory burdens associated with federal procurement. And some.
▶ 1:02:12I urge the members of this committee to vote in favor of this common sense and bipartisan piece of legislation to modernize the federal procurement procedures, and I yield back the balance of my time. >> gentleman. Yields back. Chair. Mr. walker. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Happy to support the bill. The gsa maintains a list of goods and services for multiple vendors at varying prices, which agencies can order. And, uh, this would provide a simplified process for agencies to acquire those goods and services and get discounts for bulk purchasing. And as Mr.
▶ 1:02:43Donald donald's noted, make clear that the government can approve contracts that consider quality and expertise alongside price, better known as best value contracts, help ensure that the federal government takes competitive bids, but also ensures that those vendors are reliable. It's a common sense bill. Make sure the federal government spends its dollars more wisely while delivering for the american people. And I want to thank Mr. donald's and Mr. moskowitz for their work on the bill. I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. I recognize myself for statement.
▶ 1:03:12I support the value over cost act, which modernizes the general services administration's government wide multiple award schedule program. Gsa multiple award schedule program is the federal government's most used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the multiple award schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, gsa is required to evaluate the lowest overall cost alternative when determining what will be available on the multiple award schedule.
▶ 1:03:41This requires a burdensome process which can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden, administrative or ongoing support costs along to the federal government. Sometimes the lowest overall cost alternative process leads to some contractors not wanting to do business with the government at all. This bill allows gsa to consider awarding contracts based on best value instead of lowest overall cost alternative. By allowing gsa to choose to award contracts based on best value.
▶ 1:04:07This bill puts the multiple award schedule program on a level playing field with other acquisition procedures. This bill will maximize the federal government's ability to procure modern technology and and help empower the small business community. I want to thank representative donalds from florida for his leadership on the issue. Despite his questionable co-lead on the on the bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency. Any other member seek recognition.
▶ 1:04:36Seeing none, the question is on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. And the chair? The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now in favor of the reporting. H.r. 1118, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye, I all those opposed signify by saying no. For what purpose does Mr. crane seek recognition?
▶ 1:05:06Uh, recorded vote is ordered by Mr. crane from arizona. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. And that was all you, Mr. donald's. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 5438, the incentivized savings act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r.
▶ 1:05:325438, the incentivized savings act, a bill to incentivize federal agencies to create savings for the american people and for other purposes. >> without objection, the bill shall be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment. The nature of a substitute. The clerk will designate the amendment. >> amendment. In the nature of a substitute to h.r. 5438 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and the substitute will be considered as original text.
▶ 1:05:59For the purposes of further amendment, I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the bill. Federal agency spending continues to grow while the national debt continues to rise. We're in a grave financial situation which requires innovative solutions. The incentivized savings act addresses a perverse incentive presented by the annual federal budgeting system. Agencies are incentivized to spend every dollar they are appropriated before the end of each fiscal year, even if they don't actually need to.
▶ 1:06:29It's an open secret. In washington, agencies fear that their budgets will be reduced if they do not completely spend all appropriated dollars, so they wastefully spend money on things they don't actually need before the end of the fiscal year. The incentivized savings act intends to flip such a use it or lose it incentive.
▶ 1:06:48This bill would authorize agencies to retain 49% of their expiring funds for an additional year, thereby incentivizing agencies to save such appropriated funds instead of spending them on things they don't need. 2% would be made available for retention bonuses, rewarding employees who identified appropriated funds as wasteful, and 49% of the identified expiring funds go toward paying down the national debt.
▶ 1:07:15I want to thank representative richard mccormick for taking the incentive to raise a taxpayer savings proposal for this committee's consideration. I now recognize Mr. walkinshaw. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I strongly oppose this legislation despite advocating for agency incentives to identify savings. It contains significant legal, constitutional and technical problems that would make it both harmful and unworkable.
▶ 1:07:45The trump administration, as we know, has taken drastic actions to illegally withhold and impound funds that it's opposed to, in violation of appropriations law, and this is a bill that would actually incentivize those actions. The gao has already found at least five instances to date of the trump administration violating the impoundment control act. The law and more of those decisions could come in the future. The administration illegally froze and cut federal funding for five states.
▶ 1:08:15Omb also announced a government wide initiative to identify federal spending provided to state, local and tribal governments, colleges and nonprofits, and 14 states and D.C. that all voted against president trump and the 2024 election. This bill would signal to the trump administration that it endorses their illegal impoundment and withholding of funds, funds that belong to the american people, undermining congress's power of the purse. And it would reward those actions.
▶ 1:08:43All congressional appropriations that have not been spent by the end of its appropriation are already returned to the treasury. This bill instead splits those unexpended funds where less than half would return to the treasury. Another 49% would be extended for another year, and 2% would be paid to employees in the form of retention bonuses. Rather than producing savings, cbo will likely estimate a high score for this bill.
▶ 1:09:12It will cost money. In addition, the bill contains a series of technical issues that would make it almost impossible to execute. I, like all democrats on the oversight committee and the congress, want federal agencies to identify savings and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in programs and activities wherever possible. We have a number of good bipartisan bills today that will do that. Unfortunately, this bill would not. I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I yield back.
▶ 1:09:42>> gentleman yields back. Any other members seek recognition on this bill? Chair recognizes Mr. nguyen minh. Yeah. >> thank you, chair comber I appreciate the opportunity to speak. So, uh, last year, um, ezra klein wrote an op ed. It was titled the republican party's npc problem and ours.
▶ 1:10:03And the gist of that is that house republicans, congressional republicans, were very comfortable conceding authority to trump, that they were acting as non-player characters, to use a video game term, uh, and not expressing any agency, uh, in standing up for congress's constitutional prerogatives. Uh, our article one authority is very clear that we have exclusive rights and authorities to appropriate money.
▶ 1:10:28And what we've seen over the last 12 months is donald trump and this administration, elon musk, who's an on again, off again buddy of trump, uh, deciding that they're going to illegally and unconstitutionally infringe upon our article one appropriations authority. And this bill, as, uh, Rep. walkinshaw eloquently expressed, uh, incentivizes future administrations to do the exact same thing. And so I would urge my republican colleagues to not be non-player characters, to stand up for our constitutional rights here.
▶ 1:10:57Uh, this is a permanent, uh, infringement that you are authorizing and incentivizing. You are basically telling the trump administration and future administrations that they can ignore congress. They can their agencies can withhold funding, and that that will just be fine. And in the future, it might be to states like yours, some of the states you represent, it might be the programs that you care about. Uh, and so I urge my republican colleagues to stand up. This bill is is just poorly constructed. It is poorly thought out. It creates adverse incentives.
▶ 1:11:26Uh, and really ex post facto authorizes and condones the unconstitutional and illegal behavior we've seen in violating the impoundment control act and infringing upon our article one authority. So, uh, stand up for our constitutional rights, be members of congress, uh, protect our constitutional authorities here. With that, I yield back. >> chair recognizes you have a chair. For what purpose does Mr. charles seek recognition? >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:11:53I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from crewe. The project on government oversight, protect democracy and public citizen, which states that the incentivized savings act would, quote, create fiscal chaos rather than fiscal savings. >> without objection. So ordered chair Mr. randall. Randall. >> thank you, Mr. chair.
▶ 1:12:12I support responsible use of taxpayer dollars, but congress, not the executive branch, controls federal spending at a time when this body, under republican leadership has chosen to cede our congressional authority over and over and over again to the president. This bill is the exact opposite of what we need. Congress.
▶ 1:12:36All of us need to stand up for our constitutional mandate and protect our appropriations authority, pure and simple. Russ vote, the head of the omb and the architect of project 2025, has been wreaking havoc across our communities by illegally withholding funds, rescinding grants, and reallocating money without the authorization of congress.
▶ 1:12:55From the very beginning of last year, right after trump's inauguration, we heard from organization after organization after organization in our communities who unexpectedly had their funds frozen and have lived in chaos ever since. That's why the very first bill I introduced was the office of management and budget inspector general act.
▶ 1:13:21We have to ensure that independent, nonpartisan oversight of the omb exists so that we can prevent unlawful withholding of funds. H.r. 5438, the bill we are debating today, does the opposite. It rewards agencies for not spending funds congress has already appropriated, encouraging illegal impoundment. Gao, an independent, nonpartisan watchdog, has found multiple violations of the impoundment control act. Mr.
▶ 1:13:50Min laid them out. Mr. walkinshaw laid them out. We have to stand up for our congressional authority. Congress should not enable this behavior. This bill would increase spending, not reduce it. And it would continue to give this rogue administration a blank check. I oppos Mr. chai, chair recognizes the gentleman from louisiana. >> Mr. chairman, I support this bill.
▶ 1:14:18The our republic is is $38 trillion in debt. That's $38,000 billion. If we were to run a $1 billion surplus, balance the budget and run a $1 billion surplus in this body, it would require 38,000 years of billion dollar surplus.
▶ 1:14:48We don't have 38,000 years to fix this thing. We have to rein in federal spending and eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and theft. And constitutionally, under article one, congress authorizes a project or an endeavor for the federal government and then funds through appropriations that
▶ 1:15:20Authorized federal government action. And then under article two, the executive branch has administrative authority, and they're responsible for spending the money and executing the federal endeavor that was authorized and funded by congress and within the framework of the execution of that federal endeavor.
▶ 1:15:47The executive branch has a responsibility to audit the bureaucratic performance of that authorized and funded endeavor. And they're they're responsible to identify what's cited in this law is incompetence and failure.
▶ 1:16:10And we have a responsibility to control the expenditures therein. The money that that congress authorizes and appropriates for a particular purpose must be executed in a manner that's reflective of an absence of incompetence and failure, waste, fraud, abuse and theft. This is common sense.
▶ 1:16:46So the american citizenry that we serve, Mr. chairman, demands enhanced control of their treasure because it is their treasure. There's no such thing as federal money. Every dollar that comes into this town has been seized from the paycheck of an american working citizen.
▶ 1:17:23I vigorously support this bill, and many like it, that codifies the efforts of president trump's team and this executive branch, which is determined to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and theft from the federal sphere of spending that has driven us to a $38 trillion debt. Mr. chairman, I yield. >> to thank the gentleman for his comments.
▶ 1:17:51Any other member seek recognition? Seeing none, the question is now on the amendment. In the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. And the chair? The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now favorably reporting. H.r. 5438, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
▶ 1:18:19The bill is ordered favorably. >> Mr. chair. Recorded vote, please. >> okay. The gentleman from louisiana, Mr. higgins, has ordered a recorded vote. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is h.r. 5000, the cyber security hiring modernization act. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> h.r.
▶ 1:18:415000, the cyber security hiring modernization act, a bill to amend title five, united states code to limit the use of educational requirements or qualifications in evaluating candidates for certain cybersecurity positions in the competitive service and for other purposes. >> without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open for amendment without objection, so ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer amendment. The nature of substitute the clerk. Please designate the amendment. >> the amendment in the nature of a substitute to h.r. 5000 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read.
▶ 1:19:11The substitute will be considered as original text for the purpose of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on the bill. The federal government relies on cybersecurity professionals to protect personally identifiable information, defend against cyber threats, and build secure government technology. To ensure this work is done effectively, the federal government desperately needs to hire more exceptionally qualified cybersecurity experts.
▶ 1:19:35But historically, for many cybersecurity jobs, the federal government has effectively required applicants achieve a certain level of education to even be considered for employment, regardless of their actual skill sets and expertise. This posture prevents the government from hiring the best and brightest cybersecurity professionals. Many experts have the right technical skills and experience, but federal hiring managers are not even allowed to consider them because they lack a formal college degree.
▶ 1:19:58The cybersecurity hiring modernization act reforms this process to allow federal agencies to hire qualified cybersecurity professionals. Those the right knowledge and skills, even if they lack an expensive and sometimes unnecessary college degree. I urge my colleagues to support this timely, necessary bipartisan bill, which passed the committee unanimously last congress.
▶ 1:20:20And I thank representative nancy mace and shontel brown, the leaders of the cybersecurity, information technology and government innovation subcommittee, for championing this federal hiring reform bill. Does any other member seek recognition on the bill? Before I recognize the sponsor, chair recognizes the sponsor of the bill, miss mace. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:20:46Degree requirements function as a poor substitute for what actually matters in the labor market merit, skills and talent. A diploma may signal someone mostly showed up somewhere for a few years, but it does not reliably indicate whether a worker can perform the tasks a job requires, adapt to new technologies, or contribute productively. Hiring can today's federal cybersecurity workforce too often mistakes credentials for competence from working in federal cybersecurity jobs?
▶ 1:21:12Too often, talented young people who excel at computer science and cybersecurity are barred from competing for opportunities to compete for jobs in the federal cybersecurity workforce simply because they lack a piece of paper from a four year college or university. Today, college dropouts like mark zuckerberg or larry ellison would have a hard time getting an entry level cybersecurity job in the federal government.
▶ 1:21:33Countless private companies have recognized unnecessary degree requirements, don't serve the employee or employer, and have begun to phase out or entirely do away with degree requirements for many positions. This is why I introduced the cybersecurity hiring modernization act. This bill is an important step to tearing through the paper ceiling, preventing so many talented americans from reaching their full potential.
▶ 1:21:54The cybersecurity hiring modernization act would eliminate the use of mandatory education requirements in hiring for federal cybersecurity related positions, unless they are legally required in the state or locality they are in. My bill also requires the office of personnel management to annually publish online changes to education qualification standards for federal cybersecurity jobs, and information about the education level of new hires to these jobs.
▶ 1:22:19Nationwide, there is a shortage of approximately half a million cybersecurity professionals in the public and private sector. On top of this, in the federal workforce alone, there are five times more cybersecurity workers over the age of 55 than there are under the age of 30, with just 1 in 16 under the age of 30.
▶ 1:22:36In the midst of a workforce shortage, and with the rapid evolution of technology from quantum computing to artificial intelligence to the array of advanced cyber threats, it is of great concern so much of the federal cybersecurity workforce is nearing retirement. This bill would help the federal government attract top cybersecurity talent at a time when it needs it more than ever, safeguarding our nation's critical infrastructure and national security from malign actors.
▶ 1:23:01I want to thank the ranking member, shontel brown, for partnering with me on this bill to help to tear up the paper ceiling, holding back very talented and qualified americans. And I urge all members to support this bill and I yield back. >> gentle lady is back. Chair. And the ranking member. >> thank you, Mr. chair. Oh. >> okay. >> oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. >> who are you? Can go first. >> we'll recognize the co-sponsor. >> I will yield to.
▶ 1:23:28I will yield to the ranking member of the committee. >> I'm happy. I just want to. Look, Mr. chairman, I just want to support the bill. I mean, this bill is really, is really is really good common sense. The bill is also something that actually makes the federal government more attractive, competitive, competitive. It's great, of course, for cybersecurity professionals and improves our nation's cybersecurity defenses. I want to thank representative brown, representative mace, for the work on this bipartisan legislation, and happy to support it I yield back. >> gentleman yields back.
▶ 1:23:56Chair now recognizes the sponsor of the bill, the ranking member of the cybersecurity subcommittee, Mr. brown. >> thank you. My apologies again. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you, ranking member I am proud to co-lead this important legislation with chairwoman mace. This common sense bill will help the federal government hire talented people, hire the talented people it needs to keep the nation's cybersecurity safe.
▶ 1:24:19This bill does not lower the qualifications, but instead recognizes educational experience is not one size fits all. And in the field, like cybersecurity, real world expertise is critical. This legislation lowers barriers to entry and opens the door for capable, diverse candidates to enter the cyber workforce.
▶ 1:24:40It will help level the playing field for veterans, community college graduates, career changers and people who have had nontraditional educational pathways. Like myself and representative mace. I thank representative mace for her leadership on this, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation. And with that, I thank you and yield back. >> gentlelady yields back. Any other member seek recognition. Seeing none, the question is on the amendment.
▶ 1:25:09The nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. And the chair? The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is now in favor of h.r. 5000, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. >> Mr. chairman, before you ask a recorded vote. >> please, a recorded vote is ordered by miss mace from south carolina. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Our next item for consideration is hr 7265.
▶ 1:25:37Oh, yeah, I keep yeah. The clerk will please designate the bill. >> hr 7265. The vote by mail tracking act, a bill to amend title 39, united states code to require mail in ballots to use the postal service, barcode service and for other purposes. >> without objection, the bill should be considered as read open for amendment without objection. So ordered. The chair recognizes himself to offer an amendment. The nature of substitute. The clerk will designate the amendment. >> an amendment in the nature of a substitute to h.r.
▶ 1:26:057265 is offered by Mr. comer of kentucky. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read substitute be considered as original text for the purposes of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes for a statement on the bill and the amendment. Every american citizen who votes deserves to know that their vote has been counted and their voice has been heard. This bill, the vote by mail tracking act, would ensure that this is the case. H.r.
▶ 1:26:287265 requires that all ballots for federal election mailed within the united states to or from a voter contain a postal service barcode. This barcode will allow voters to track the status of their ballot in the us postal service system, allowing voters to know in real time when their ballot is received by the postal service, when it is in transit, and when it is arrived at their election authority.
▶ 1:26:51Beyond a postal service barcode, the bill requires a ballot to meet other requirements, including utilizing postal services envelope design standards in order to be considered available. Additionally, the ballot must include the official election mail logo, any future logo the postal service establishes for ballots. If a ballot does not meet these requirements, it cannot be mailed. Don't get me wrong, I encourage every citizen who wishes to vote in person on election day to do so, but many people choose to vote by mail.
▶ 1:27:20This is a reality we must recognize. And the us postal service has delivered nearly all election mail on time in recent years, according to the postal service, over 97% of election mail was delivered on time for the 2024 midterm election, according to the inspector general of the postal service. But without safeguards, bad actors could attempt to influence our election. We must take election security seriously and account for the fact that a significant number of americans choose to cast their ballot by mail.
▶ 1:27:50This bill is common sense, bipartisan response to rising levels of mail in voting nationwide. I want to thank my colleagues. Representative, uh, information and government operations subcommittee chairman pete sessions, for their work on this important legislation, which passed the house in identical form last congress under suspension of the rules. I encourage all my colleagues to support this important election integrity bill. I now recognize the ranking member. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I also support this bill.
▶ 1:28:19Uh, we know that voting by mail is incredibly safe, reliable and critical to our democracy. The us postal service delivered nearly 100 million mail in ballots in the 2024 primary and general elections, with nearly one third of voters choosing to vote by mail in the 2026 election, millions of americans will cast their ballot by mail. We can always do more to increase confidence and security. The vote by mail tracking act would require every mail in ballot to contain a unique barcode and an official election mail logo.
▶ 1:28:48This will make it easier for voters and election officials to track ballots. The bill would also require mail in ballots to meet specific postal service guidelines, making it easier for the postal service and election officials to track and verify the authenticity of mail in ballots. This is bipartisan, it's common sense legislation and would make sure that voters can confirm their vote when counted. I'd like to thank representatives, mfume and sessions for their work on this bipartisan legislation, and I urge all of our colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back. >> thank you. Yields back.
▶ 1:29:19Chair recognizes the sponsor of the bill, Mr. may from maryland. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. I want to thank you and the ranking member for bringing this vote by mail tracking act back before the committee today. And I also want to thank my friend and the chair of the government operations committee, pete sessions, for co-leading this legislation again, as well as the nine other members of this committee who have co-sponsored the bill.
▶ 1:29:46Uh, simply put, and I'm going to be just a little deliberately redundant. The vote by mail tracking act requires that voters who choose to cast their ballots by mail can then track those ballots and have confidence that they are delivered securely and counted.
▶ 1:30:03The bill requires mail in ballot envelopes, as you stressed, to include a legally certified ups barcode, meet postal service design standards and display the official election mail logo. More than 47 million americans, about 30% of all voters, voted by mail in the 2024 election.
▶ 1:30:24This legislation provides that those voters will have greater visibility into the mail ballot processing system. It will also strengthen their confidence in our elections for voters of all parties, and helps the postal service deliver ballots more efficiently, easing election administration for state and local officials.
▶ 1:30:47We believe this is a common sense, bipartisan reform package that first surfaced in the last congress. As some of you in this committee know, this bill was approved in the last congress by a vote of 3396 to 6 and was, of course, approved unanimously as well by this committee. So I would urge my colleagues to support the vote by mail tracking act. I want to thank you again, Mr. chairman and ranking member, for your support. And Mr.
▶ 1:31:17Sessions, in his absence, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. Before I recognize Mr. simon, I have to always point out, Mr. mfume, I appreciate the good working relationship that you and Mr. sessions have and the good work that you all do on the government operations subcommittee. Appreciate that, chair, Mr. simon. >> thank you, chair, and thank you, ranking member garcia, I really am excited about us moving this piece of legislation through.
▶ 1:31:43I'm proud to support the vote by mail tracking act and thank congressman mfume and sessions for their leadership and insight to move this forward, this congress, this bill would help track voters, would help voters track their mail in ballots, and require all mail in ballot envelopes to have the usps barcode, which and has been already stated, is extremely important to help voters track where their ballot
▶ 1:32:14Is. Voters should be able to rely on the premise that when they perform their sacred duty of voting, that their vote will be carefully tracked, improving transparency and in the vote by mail process is essential for all voters who choose to vote this way, but especially for voters with disabilities. And so much has been said about how important this bill is, and we're really excited for it to hit the floor.
▶ 1:32:42But just for a second, if you can imagine yourself living in middle america, or frankly, even in parts of my county, alameda county, where transit is hard to find, or you have to wait for two hours, three hours for paratransit to get to your voting space, you'd know how important this bill is, not only to uphold vote by mail, but to ensure the efficacy in the process.
▶ 1:33:08Whether you use a wheelchair or whether you're visually impaired or you have intellectual disabilities, we know that vote by mail is a critical component for you to be able to express your god given right to vote. And I just want to thank again, the authors of this bill for acknowledging our disabled americans who have been extraordinarily, oftentimes ignored in the process of lifting up their democracy.
▶ 1:33:38And with that, I'll yield the rest of my time. I am in deep support. Thank you. >> the lady yields back, and I meant to do this on h.r. 1118, but I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter of support from the center for procurement advocacy for h.r. 1118. Without objection, so ordered. Any other members seek recognition? Miss randall. >> thank you so much, Mr. chair.
▶ 1:34:06I'm also, um, speaking in strong support of this policy. Nearly every washingtonian votes by mail and has been doing so safely and securely for over a decade. Voting by mail is not an experiment. It's our lived reality in washington and oregon and so many other states, and it's been critical to ensuring that all us citizens can participate in our democracy.
▶ 1:34:33And for so many of my constituents, so many americans proudly serving their country overseas, it is essential for them to be able to participate in our democracy. This bill ensures that when a voter mails their ballot, they can track it every step of the way, something that most counties in washington already do, and that all americans have gotten really used to, from ordering domino's pizza to tracking an amazon order.
▶ 1:35:01Like if you can track things in other aspects of your life, why wouldn't you be able to track it with your very important sacred ballot? No one should have to worry whether their ballot made it back to the election officials. No one should be left guessing whether their vote was counted.
▶ 1:35:21Ballot tracking provides transparency and peace of mind, and this bill is so important that in ensuring that we have secure and reliable and trustworthy elections, this bill doesn't change who can vote or how ballots are counted. It doesn't advantage one party or the other. It simply modernize, modernizes election infrastructure using tools that the postal service already uses every day.
▶ 1:35:51Also helps election administrators identify mail delays and resolve issues quickly, and allows a voter who, you know, is able to identify maybe that their ballot didn't make it all the way to follow up. That's an incredible sense of empowerment that all of our constituents deserve. Democracy works the best when people trust it. Washington has shown this can work effectively.
▶ 1:36:17Some of our county auditors even livestream their vote counting rooms so that anyone can watch them. It's, you know, welcome to the modern world. Um, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the vote by mail tracking act, I yield back. Thank you. >> lady. Yields back. Any other member seek recognition? Seeing none questions on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no in the opinion. Chair. The ayes have it.
▶ 1:36:47The amendments agreed to chair. >> request the order. >> okay. You mean on the next one. That was the the. Yeah. Right. Okay. The question is now on favorably reporting h.r. 7265 as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed signify by saying no. Uh, to the gentleman from maryland, Mr. mfume has ordered a recorded vote. As previously announced. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Pursuant to the previous order.
▶ 1:37:13The chair declares that the committee in recess, subject to the call of the chair. We plan to reconvene at 245. The committee stands recess.
▶ 5:03:32To order. We're going to go ahead and get started. I know there are a few members coming in. We said 245, it's 250 and we have votes and a minute. But uh, before we start with the votes, uh, we have a couple of announcements that, uh, the ranking member and I want to make. First of all, I want to recognize we did at the start.
▶ 5:03:55But, uh, also say again, since we have more people in attendance now, I want to recognize, uh, tim burchett and congratulate him for being the new chairman of the doge subcommittee. Now, tim burchett is in charge of complaints. If anybody has any complaints, they can take them up with tim burchett. So congratulations. I yield to the ranking member. >> thank you. Uh, thank you, Mr. chairman. Yeah.
▶ 5:04:21I just want to also add and look, we're going to have an opportunity at a later time, uh, to actually celebrate her work and her legacy. Uh, and so that's not what's happening now, but this is our first meeting as a committee, uh, since we've had the announcement for the our incredible congresswoman, congresswoman norton, that is going to be retiring, of course, from the congress. And I just wanted to just add on behalf of us that we are looking forward to celebrating you in the weeks and months ahead, which we're going to do.
▶ 5:04:50But for those that may not know, uh, congresswoman norton has served the district for over 30 years, in 34, over 30 years.
▶ 5:05:0334 as as question just reminded me of and long before that, as an advocate, a teacher, an educator and activist and organizer and an incredible person and a scholar, obviously, of all the work that you've done, I also want to add, and I think it's important to note, for those of us that are newer to congress, that we we we do view you as one of one of the key figures in whether it relates to issues around civil rights, the leader of statehood.
▶ 5:05:36And you are a true giant in the work of congress. We respect you, we honor you, and we look forward to uplifting your work and your legacy not just now, but a lot of special things ahead in the in the many weeks and months ahead as you as you serve out the rest of this incredible term. And so we just want to thank you, eleanor, for everything.
▶ 5:06:19>> gentleman yields back. And, uh, Mr. thornton, on behalf of the republicans, we want to thank you for your service. And you are a legend in congress. And we appreciate, uh, all your your time in washington, especially on the house oversight committee. So the question is now on favorably reporting h.r. 72, 74 members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r.
▶ 5:06:487274, sponsored by representative timmins. >> yes. >> I have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded. Okay, we got a few.
▶ 5:07:19>> all set. >>? Seeing none, the clerk will, uh. The votes closed. The clerk will report the vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 40, the nays are one. >> the ayes have it, and the bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now on favorably reporting h.r.
▶ 5:07:472985 members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably, reporting h.r. 2985 by representative bass. >> that a member.
▶ 5:08:35>> is she on the phone? >> I held it open just for you, sir. >> and?
▶ 5:09:05>> have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? >> one.
▶ 5:09:53>> the clerk will close the vote. Report the vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 42. The nays are zero. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now on favorably reporting h.r. 41. 23 members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r. 4123. Mr. burleson.
▶ 5:10:18Have all members been recorded to wish to be recorded? The clerk will close the vote. Report the vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the yeas are 42. The nays are zero. >> the ayes have it.
▶ 5:10:46The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now favorably reporting. H.r. 7256. Members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r. 7256 by Mr. langworthy.
▶ 5:11:17Does any member wish to change the vote? The clerk will close the vote reports. Vote total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 43. The nays are zero. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now favorably reporting h.r. 7283 members record to vote using electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r.
▶ 5:11:447283 by representative phalen. Have all members. Voted? Does any member wish to change the vote?
▶ 5:12:19Have all members been recorded? The clerk will close the vote. Report the vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 44. The nays are zero. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now favorably reporting h.r. 1118. Members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r.
▶ 5:12:451118 representative donalds. >> barton. Barton. >> have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Does any member wish to change or vote? >> this is a little. Oh. I'm sorry.
▶ 5:13:15>> the clerk will close the vote. Report to vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 44. The nays are zero. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now favorably reporting h.r. 5438 members are recorded to vote using electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting h.r. 5438 by representative mccormick.
▶ 5:13:54>> microphones. >> yeah, I've heard worse. >> have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? The clerk will close the vote. Report the vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 25. The nays are 19. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now unfavorably reporting h.r.
▶ 5:14:225000 members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will now open the vote on favor, reporting h.r. 5000, sponsored by representative mace. Have all members been recorded? The wish to be recorded? I think we've got a couple. For the.
▶ 5:14:50The clerk will close the vote. Report to vote. Total. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the yeas are 44, the nays are zero. >> the ayes have it. And the bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The question is now in favorably reporting hr 7265 members will record their vote using electronic voting system.
▶ 5:15:17The clerk will now open the vote on favorably reporting hr 7265, sponsored by representative mfume. >> this is. >> have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
▶ 5:15:40The clerk will close the vote. Report to vote. Total. >> all. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 43. The nay is one. >> the ayes have it. The bill is ordered favorably reported. Without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice.
▶ 5:16:03I now call up the following en bloc postal naming bills, which were distributed in advance on this markup. H.r. 60, 20, 68, zero eight and 6995. Without objection, the bills are considered read. If any member would like to speak on any of the measures, they may do so now. Does any member wish to be heard. >> be heard? Okay.
▶ 5:16:33>> seeing none, the question is now unfavorably reporting the en bloc package. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. The chair. The ayes have it. The en bloc measures are favorably reported. Pursuant to house rule 11, clause two. I ask that committee members have the right to file with the clerk of the committee, supplemental, additional, minority, and dissenting views without objection.
▶ 5:16:59Additionally, the staff is authorized to make necessary technical and conforming changes to the committee print, subject to the approval of the minority, without objection so ordered. If there is no further business before the committee. Without objection, the committee stands adjourned. >> hey!