This bill mandates that all federal civilian career employees must pass a citizenship test as a condition of initial and continued employment, with annual retesting required.
Abraham Hamadeh
Representative
AZ-8
This bill, the Federal Workforce Civics Competency and Accountability Act, mandates that all federal civilian career employees must pass a comprehensive U.S. citizenship test. New hires must pass the test to be appointed, while current employees face annual testing requirements as a condition of continued employment. Failure to pass subsequent tests after an initial failure could lead to disciplinary action, including removal.
Federal Employees Face Mandatory Civics Test: Job Security Tied to Annual Exam
Ever wonder what it takes to work for Uncle Sam? Well, a new bill, the Federal Workforce Civics Competency and Accountability Act, is looking to add a significant hurdle: a mandatory citizenship test for pretty much everyone in a federal civilian career position. This isn't just for new hires; if you're already in, get ready to hit the books.
Pop Quiz for Paychecks
Here's the deal: if you're looking to get a federal job in the competitive service, you'll have to pass the full citizenship test, the same one immigrants take for naturalization, with a 90% score, right out of the gate. No pass, no job. But it doesn't stop there. If you're already a career employee, you've got one year from when this law kicks in to pass that same full test. And just when you thought you were done, every single year after that, you'll be taking a shorter, 20-question version. Miss too many on the annual quiz (you need 15 correct), and you're back to the full test. Fail that, and your job could be on the line, with disciplinary actions ranging "up to and including removal." Talk about high stakes for a pop quiz!
Who's Grading the Papers?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), teaming up with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will be running this whole operation. They're tasked with setting up the tests, keeping all the records online, and even providing official study materials and training resources. Think of it as a government-mandated study hall. OPM will also be sending annual reports to Congress, detailing how agencies are doing, test results, and any job actions taken because of these tests. So, it's not just a one-off; it's an ongoing, accountable process.
What Does This Mean for Your Wallet and Your Work?
If you're a federal employee, this bill ties your continued employment directly to your ability to pass a civics test. For someone who's been doing their job for years, suddenly having to prove their knowledge of civics could feel pretty jarring. Imagine being a seasoned engineer, an IT specialist, or an administrator, and your job security now hinges on knowing how many amendments are in the Bill of Rights or who wrote the Declaration of Independence. It's a significant shift from focusing solely on job performance. For those thinking about joining the federal workforce, it's another barrier to entry that could deter talented individuals, especially if their expertise is in a highly specialized field rather than civics.
This also creates a new layer of administrative work for federal agencies. They'll need to manage the testing, track results, and potentially handle disciplinary actions for employees who don't pass. While the bill aims to ensure a baseline understanding of civics among federal workers, it also introduces a new, potentially stressful, and job-threatening requirement that could impact morale and retention. It's a classic example of a policy that, while seemingly straightforward on paper, could have some pretty big ripple effects on people's livelihoods and careers.