This bill formally codifies and authorizes the White House Fellows Program, which was previously established by Executive Order 11183 in 1964. The legislation aims to ensure the program's continuity, provide a stable statutory basis for its administration and funding, and formally recognize its value to the United States Government. It establishes the program within the Executive Office of the President, with the purpose of providing outstanding citizens with first-hand experience working at senior levels of the Federal Government. The bill also establishes the President's Commission on White House Fellowships , composed of up to 30 Presidentially-appointed private citizens. This Commission is tasked with establishing criteria for the recruitment, screening, and selection of Fellows, recommending individuals to the President, and designing an educational program for participants. The Commission is required to recommend between 11 and 19 individuals annually, subject to appropriations. To be eligible, individuals must be U.S. citizens, hold an undergraduate degree, be early in their careers, and demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and moral character. Federal employees are generally ineligible, except for active-duty members of the Armed Forces. Fellows serve for a term of 12 months, extendable by three months, as full-time employees assigned to senior federal officials, receiving pay and benefits consistent with the General Schedule. The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for providing administrative, budgetary, and personnel support for the program and the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of Fellows, their assignments, program expenditures, and any recommendations for legislative or administrative changes. The bill authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and clarifies that this Act supersedes any inconsistent provisions of the existing Executive Order.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
White House Fellows Program Authorization Act
USA119th CongressHR-10265| House
| Updated: 9/3/2026
This bill formally codifies and authorizes the White House Fellows Program, which was previously established by Executive Order 11183 in 1964. The legislation aims to ensure the program's continuity, provide a stable statutory basis for its administration and funding, and formally recognize its value to the United States Government. It establishes the program within the Executive Office of the President, with the purpose of providing outstanding citizens with first-hand experience working at senior levels of the Federal Government. The bill also establishes the President's Commission on White House Fellowships , composed of up to 30 Presidentially-appointed private citizens. This Commission is tasked with establishing criteria for the recruitment, screening, and selection of Fellows, recommending individuals to the President, and designing an educational program for participants. The Commission is required to recommend between 11 and 19 individuals annually, subject to appropriations. To be eligible, individuals must be U.S. citizens, hold an undergraduate degree, be early in their careers, and demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and moral character. Federal employees are generally ineligible, except for active-duty members of the Armed Forces. Fellows serve for a term of 12 months, extendable by three months, as full-time employees assigned to senior federal officials, receiving pay and benefits consistent with the General Schedule. The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for providing administrative, budgetary, and personnel support for the program and the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of Fellows, their assignments, program expenditures, and any recommendations for legislative or administrative changes. The bill authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and clarifies that this Act supersedes any inconsistent provisions of the existing Executive Order.