Tester’s Competitive Service Act unanimously passes Senate

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after his Competitive Service Act unanimously passed the U.S. Senate:

“The Competitive Service Act strengthens the federal workforce while saving taxpayers money. It’s the kind of common-sense legislation that folks expect from their elected leaders, and that’s why it passed the Senate unanimously. I urge the House to quickly pass this bill so we can make sure federal agencies are using an efficient hiring process.”

Tester’s Competitive Service Act would allow federal agencies to review and select job candidates from other federal agencies’ “best qualified list” of applicants, cutting down on duplication for applicants who have already undergone a competitive assessment process and are certified as eligible for selection. Currently, agencies that have similar hiring needs cannot share applicant information with one another.

This bill is supported by the Partnership for Public Service and the Federal Managers Association (FMA), as well as the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

“One of the main deterrents into a federal career is the cumbersome hiring process. By providing agencies with access to highly qualified candidates who already went through a rigorous assessment, the Competitive Service Act, S. 1580, allows for greater efficiency in the hiring process,” said FMA National President Patricia Niehaus.

“We applaud the Senate for passing the bipartisan Competitive Service Act of 2015,” said Partnership for Public Service President Max Stier. “This common-sense measure will enable federal agencies to fill mission-critical vacancies in government efficiently and smartly. Streamlining the hiring process will make it easier for top talent to enter federal service and allow the government to operate as an enterprise in its quest to attract the best and brightest. We encourage the House to follow the Senate’s lead and swiftly pass the bill.”

Tester’s bill must now pass the U.S. House of Representatives before it can be signed into law.