Rep. Mace on Passage of Bipartisan Cyber Workforce Program Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) and Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) passed "The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act." This bipartisan bill will assist the federal government in establishing a rotational program for civilian cyber employees, enabling them to spend time at another federal agency to strengthen their skills and careers.

"In light of recent events, we've seen the importance of cybersecurity now more than ever," This program will equip not only our current generation of cybersecurity professionals but our next, ensuring America's grid is prepared for attack. To strengthen our cybersecurity workforce is to strengthen our national defense,” said Rep. Mace. “I thank Congressman Ro Khanna for working with me on this important issue and look forward to seeing this bill signed into law."

To read the bill, click HERE

Background:

The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act: 

• Entrusts leadership of the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program (FRCWP) with the Office of Personnel Management and requires consultation with the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, the Chief Information Officers Council, and the Department of Homeland Security. The bill provides ample flexibility to OPM and participating agencies to ensure the FRCWP can be executed in a manner consistent with existing rotational programs to reduce administrative burden.
• Encourages the heads of each agency to identify rotational cyber positions with a focus on positions that relate to multi-agency, integrated cyber missions.
• Promotes federal workforce awareness of career development opportunities by requiring OPM to distribute an annual list of available FRCWP positions.
• Selects FRCWP applicants in a manner consistent with the merit system principles and allows participants to return to their original position (or similar) upon completion of rotational service. 
• Directs GAO to assess the program’s effectiveness ahead of the pilot program’s termination.

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