Rep. Nancy Mace's Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act Passes The House
Landmark Legislation Tears Down the Paper Ceiling and Opens Federal Contracting to All Qualified Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 23, 2026) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced today the House unanimously passed her legislation, H.R. 5235, the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act, a bipartisan victory for American workers putting skills and merit first over unnecessary degree requirements in federal contracting.
"For too long, millions of qualified Americans have been shut out of federal contracting opportunities not because they lack the skills but because they lack a diploma.
“Sixty percent of Americans do not have a four-year degree. Seventy-five percent of job postings require one.
“We call it the paper ceiling and today we tore through it. This is a win for every American who has put in the work, built real skills, and deserves a fair shot.
“Taxpayers deserve the right person for the job. Not just the one with the right piece of paper.
“Skills and merit first. Always."
Read more about the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act HERE.
SEE BILL TEXT BELOW:
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