House Oversight Committee advances bills aimed at improving transparency across federal workforce

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has approved eleven bills aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the federal workforce, agencies, and the District of Columbia.

Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) emphasized the importance of openness in government, stating, "It is essential that the federal government maintains openness and accountability at every level so that the American people have a government that effectively serves them. The House Oversight Committee remains committed to protecting the integrity of Americans’ voices and ensuring they can serve in the federal workforce without unnecessary obstacles or bureaucratic interference. The Committee will continue to work in alignment with President Trump’s efforts to modernize and reform federal operations, review agencies’ performances, and eliminate barriers that prevent Americans from fully engaging in their government."

Among the measures advanced was H.R. 151, known as the Equal Representation Act. Introduced by Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), this bill would add a citizenship question to the census and exclude noncitizens from congressional apportionment calculations. Chairman Comer explained, "Are you a citizen of the United States? Yes or no. That’s it. By requiring this question, the United States government will be able to collect accurate data on the makeup of our population…It is an easy question, it is not confusing, and it does not reveal anything about an individual’s specific immigration status. Although the census will count and enumerate all individuals residing in the United States, this bill would ensure that only citizens are included in the apportionment base from which representation in Congress is determined." Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) added, "Non-citizens cannot vote, but they are counted the same as voting citizens during apportionment. Under the current scheme, that means districts with fewer actual voters gain more political power despite having fewer Americans participating in elections…My job is to protect the voting rights of Arizona citizens, not to enhance political power for states that encourage illegal immigration. This should not be controversial. Only Americans should decide American elections, and that means starting at the apportionment process. And that means starting at the Census process."

Another bill passed was H.R. 5750—the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act (EQUALS) Act of 2025—introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas). It establishes one-year probationary periods for preference-eligible competitive service positions such as veterans or widows and two-year periods for other federal employees while requiring supervisors to certify continued employment after probation completion. Chairman Comer noted support for aligning agency approval requirements with recent executive orders: "President Trump noted in a recent Executive Order that agency approval should be required before probationary employees become tenured federal employees. This is in line with a February 2015 Government Accountability Office report, which stated that the supervisory probationary period may not be long enough for the supervisor to conduct performance management responsibilities." Rep. Gill said his bill builds upon these reforms: "[President Trump’s] executive order states that ‘the American people deserve a federal workforce that is high quality, efficient, dedicated to the public interest, and no larger than necessary.’ President Trump could not be more right... I introduced the EQUALS Act to build upon President Trump’s Executive Order."

H.R. 5749—the Official Time Reporting Act—was introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). It requires annual reporting by agencies on taxpayer-funded union activity time ("official time") submitted to OPM for public reporting on costs associated with such activities rather than direct public service work. Chairman Comer commented on its intent: "Following his reelection, President Trump’s Office of Personnel Management directed the release of a study on ‘union time’ in the federal workforce... Dr. Foxx’s bill would codify reporting requirements necessary to ensure that... transparency and accountability provided by such reports transcends changes in Executive Branch leadership." Rep. Foxx added: "The Official Time Reporting Act will let the American people know exactly how much of their hard-earned money is spent not providing valuable services but on union activities..."

H.R. 5810—the Federal Supervisor Education Act of 2025—was put forward by Rep. William Timmons (R-S.C.) directing agencies to improve training programs for supervisors with an aim toward better mission execution and employee development initiatives within their first year as leaders.

Chairman Comer remarked: "The American public relies on federal supervisors to lead a workforce that provides high quality customer service and faithful execution of law... [Mr.Timmons's] bill would do just that..." Rep.Timmons said: "Right now too many federal supervisors step into leadership roles without training needed... This bill takes a practical approach... It requires agencies provide real meaningful training..."

Other bills included H.R 6330—the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act—allowing lump-sum payments for relocation expenses; H.R 6329—the Information Quality Assurance Act—requiring agencies use best available evidence when issuing rules; H.R 3766—prohibiting D.C.courts from deferring automatically to mayoral interpretations; H.R 5457—the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act—to reduce duplicative software spending; H.R 5235—the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act—to allow skills-based hiring over degree requirements; H.R 143—the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act—to phase out unauthorized appropriations over three years; and H.R 5578—the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act—which extends whistleblower protections against reprisal for disclosures made by contractors.

On extending whistleblower protections specifically through H.R 5578 introduced by Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) along with Chairman Comer: "Every person employed by the federal government should have adequate protection if he or she reports instances of fraud,waste or abuse of taxpayer dollars... The Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act would address this by strengthening whistleblower protections for federal contractors by prohibiting reprisal for certain actions," said Chairman Comer.

These legislative measures reflect ongoing efforts within Congress to oversee agency operations while seeking greater efficiency,cost savings,and improved standards across multiple aspects of federal employment policy.