Legis Daily

Saving the Civil Service Act

USA119th CongressS-134| Senate 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (24)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "Saving the Civil Service Act," aims to significantly limit the ability of federal agencies to move positions from the competitive service to the excepted service. It mandates that any such exceptions must adhere to the schedules (A through E) and conditions outlined in federal regulations as they existed on September 30, 2020 , effectively preventing the creation of new excepted service categories. The bill introduces several restrictions on transferring positions, including requiring the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) prior consent for moving any occupied position into Schedule C. It also establishes a quantitative limit, prohibiting agencies from transferring more than 1% of their workforce or 5 employees, whichever is greater, from the competitive to the excepted service during any 4-year presidential term . Crucially, the Act requires the prior written consent of an employee before their position can be transferred from the competitive service to the excepted service. The OPM Director is also tasked with submitting an annual report to Congress detailing all such transfers, their justifications, and any violations of these new provisions.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-399
Saving the Civil Service Act
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sep 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-492
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-399
    Saving the Civil Service Act


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • September 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-492
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Government Operations and Politics

Congressional oversightFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Saving the Civil Service Act

USA119th CongressS-134| Senate 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
This legislation, known as the "Saving the Civil Service Act," aims to significantly limit the ability of federal agencies to move positions from the competitive service to the excepted service. It mandates that any such exceptions must adhere to the schedules (A through E) and conditions outlined in federal regulations as they existed on September 30, 2020 , effectively preventing the creation of new excepted service categories. The bill introduces several restrictions on transferring positions, including requiring the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) prior consent for moving any occupied position into Schedule C. It also establishes a quantitative limit, prohibiting agencies from transferring more than 1% of their workforce or 5 employees, whichever is greater, from the competitive to the excepted service during any 4-year presidential term . Crucially, the Act requires the prior written consent of an employee before their position can be transferred from the competitive service to the excepted service. The OPM Director is also tasked with submitting an annual report to Congress detailing all such transfers, their justifications, and any violations of these new provisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-399
Saving the Civil Service Act
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sep 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-492
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-399
    Saving the Civil Service Act


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • September 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-492
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (24)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel management