Nancy Mace
10/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2026 15:53
Rep. Nancy Mace's Jobs Bill Heads To President's Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 1, 2026) - If you can do the job, you shouldn't need a diploma to prove it. That's the idea behind Congresswoman Nancy Mace's (SC-01) Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act, which passed the Senate unanimously late last night and now goes to President Trump to be signed into law.
Right now, federal agencies can require degrees or years of experience for contract work, even when those requirements have nothing to do with the job. Mace's bill changes that. Under the bill, agencies can only demand those credentials if they put in writing why they're truly needed.
The result: more skilled Americans get a fair shot at government work, more companies can compete, and taxpayers get the best people for the job.
"The best people for the job can now get the job," said Congresswoman Mace. "For too long, Washington has rewarded unnecessary college degrees over proven work skills and shut hardworking Americans out of job opportunities. My bill tears down this wall down and puts merit and skills first. If you can do the job, you deserve the job. Taxpayers deserve the best results, and America deserves the best workforce built on skill known to man."
The Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act prohibits federal agencies from including minimum education or experience requirements in contract solicitations unless they provide a written justification demonstrating those standards are essential to meeting mission needs. The legislation expands opportunities for skilled American workers, promotes greater competition, and helps ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on the most qualified talent rather than unnecessary credential requirements.
If signed by President Trump, the bill will become law, marking a bipartisan milestone in modernizing the federal contracting process and expanding opportunities for skilled American workers. The last republican before Rep. Mace to have a bill signed in to law was Congressman Henry Brown more than 25 years ago, in 2010.
"Talent doesn't always come with a college diploma attached," added Congresswoman Mace.
Rep. Nancy Mace discusses the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act
Senate passes the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act by unanimous consent
Legislative History of the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act:
Sept. 9, 2025: Introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace; referred to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Dec. 2, 2025: Passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a vote of 44-0
Feb. 23, 2026: Passed the House of Representatives by voice vote
Feb. 24, 2026: Transmitted to the Senate and referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Aug. 6, 2026: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs by a vote of 10-0
Sept. 30, 2026: Passed the Senate by unanimous consent
###
Nancy Mace published this content on October 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 01, 2026 at 21:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]