US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 5235Passed Second Chamber Committee

Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Aug 9, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became Law

Overview

This bill changes how the federal government hires contractors. It prohibits federal agencies from requiring a minimum level of education for contractors bidding on government contracts, unless they can justify the requirement. The Office of Management and Budget will provide guidance to agencies on using alternatives to education requirements. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous rule that made it easier for agencies to require education qualifications.

Key provisions

Prohibits minimum education requirements for contractor personnel in federal contract solicitations.
Requires agencies to justify any education requirements with a written explanation.
Directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies.
Encourages agencies to use alternatives to education requirements.
Repeals a 2001 law that simplified education requirements for federal contracts.
Requires a GAO report on executive agency compliance with the new rules.

Who is affected

Federal Government Agencies
Contractors bidding on federal contracts
Businesses providing services to the federal government

Notable changes

Replaces a previous rule that made it easier for agencies to require education qualifications.
Shifts the focus from minimum education requirements to demonstrating the ability to meet agency needs.

Bill text

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Sep 9, 2025XMLView source

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Legislative history

12 recorded actions

Sep 9, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sep 9, 2025

Introduced in House

Dec 2, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

Dec 2, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Feb 23, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Feb 23, 2026House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)

Feb 23, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)

Feb 23, 2026House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5235.

Feb 23, 2026House

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2247-2248)

Feb 23, 2026House

Mr. Timmons moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Feb 24, 2026Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Aug 6, 2026Senate

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

2/23/2026HouseVoice vote
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
2/23/2026Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

Feb 23, 2026HouseVoice vote
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Feb 23, 2026Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Geography

Recorded positions across the country.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025

Progress