In the News

House panel advances bills extending probationary periods to two years - December 2, 2025
By Erich Wagner, Government Executive

A House panel on Tuesday voted along party lines to advance legislation that would double the amount of time new federal employees must serve before earning their full civil service protections.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted 24-19 to send the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act (H.R. 5750) favorably to the chamber’s floor. Introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, the legislation would double the length of probationary periods across government from one to two years as well as require agency heads to affirmatively convert new hires into permanent appointments at the conclusion of their trial period.

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