Rep. Nancy Mace Moves To Bar Violent Criminals From Government Jobs And Contracts
Legislation blocks violent felons from federal and D.C. jobs and contracts
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 19, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced two bills to prohibit individuals with final convictions of violent crimes from working for the federal government and the District of Columbia government.
The No Violent Criminals in the Federal Workforce Act bars anyone convicted of a violent crime from accepting or holding any position in federal civil service or working on federal contracts. The No Convicts Running the Capital Act applies the same prohibition to D.C. government employment and contracts.
"This is common sense. If you've been convicted of a violent crime, you have no business working for the government or cashing taxpayer checks," said Congresswoman Mace. "Hard-working Americans shouldn't have their tax dollars funding the salaries of violent criminals, and the American people should not have to wonder if violent felons are put in positions of public trust."
The federal government and the nation's capital should be setting the standard for public safety and accountability, not employing people who have committed violent crimes. Rep. Mace’s newest legislation closes a dangerous loophole and ensures violent offenders are kept off government payrolls.
Key Provisions:
No Violent Criminals in the Federal Workforce Act:
- Prohibits individuals with final convictions for crimes of violence from federal civil service positions.
- Bars federal contracts with entities controlled by violent criminals or who have violent criminals working on the contract.
- Requires removal of current employees with violent crime convictions.
- Includes waiver authority for unique circumstances where contract termination would impose undue burden to the government.
See the bill text for the No Violent Criminals in the Federal Workforce Act here:
No Convicts Running the Capital Act:
- Prohibits D.C. government from hiring individuals with final convictions for crimes of violence or dangerous crimes.
- Bars D.C. contracts with entities controlled by violent criminals or who have violent criminals working on the contract.
- Requires termination of current employees and contracts within 90 days.
See the bill text for the No Convicts Running the Capital Act here:
Both pieces of legislation define "finally convicted" as convictions where appeals have been exhausted or the time to appeal has expired.
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