U.S. House Passes Sinema’s Bipartisan Bill Making It Easier for More Arizonans to Build Successful Careers

Jan 26, 2023

Senator’s Chance to Compete Act cuts traditional bureaucratic barriers that limit opportunities for Arizonans seeking federal careers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act – bipartisan legislation introduced with Republican Senators Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and James Lankford (Okla.) and Democratic Senator Tom Carper (Del.) that makes job hiring fairer for Arizonans seeking federal jobs by reducing traditional bureaucratic barriers, such as relying on resume reviews and agency self-assessments that limit opportunities.
 
“We’re looking forward to Senate-passage of our bipartisan bill giving Arizonans a fair shot at federal jobs regardless of unnecessary educational requirements unrelated to the jobs they’re applying for,” said Sinema.
 
Sinema’s legislation helps eliminate long-time challenges that often prevent skilled workers from getting federal jobs. Instead of relying on subjective self-evaluations, key-word search resume reviews, and binary credentials for positions, federal agencies will be required to use actual job evaluations and tests to determine if applicants can do the job. Sinema’s bipartisan Chance to Compete Act expands job opportunities and possibilities for Arizonans who have the ability and skill to perform these jobs but might not have the traditional requirements, such as a college degree.
 
The Chance to Compete Act also allows agencies to share information more easily about job candidates when they are working to fill similar positions. This will decrease time to hire for all applicants, making the federal hiring process more efficient and effective. The bill also takes steps to increase federal hiring transparency and improve federal Human Resource Departments.
 
Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act successfully passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last Congress with bipartisan approval.