Emilia Sykes (D-OH)
NASA Talent Exchange Program Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The NASA Talent Exchange Program Act aims to amend title 51 of the United States Code. This legislation establishes a public-private talent program managed by the NASA Administrator. The program allows for the temporary assignment of NASA employees to private sector entities and vice versa. These assignments are subject to written agreements and specific terms regarding duration and obligations. The Administrator is responsible for establishing the necessary policies and procedures to oversee these exchanges. Finally, the bill requires annual reports to Congress and a GAO report to evaluate the program's implementation.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill allows private sector entities to have their employees temporarily assigned to NASA for expertise exchange.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates annual reports to Congress and a GAO report to ensure oversight of the talent program.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill specifically identifies cybersecurity as a potential area for private sector expertise to be utilized by NASA.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Skill Development and Training: The program can be used to help meet the needs of the Administration regarding employee training (Section 2(11)(A)).
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Expertise Exchange: The program considers specific areas of private sector expertise, such as cybersecurity, which can be utilized (Section 2(11)(B)).
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Workforce Flexibility: The Administrator can arrange for temporary assignments between NASA and private sector entities through written agreements (Section 2(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Liability for Employees: Employees of the Administration who enter an agreement must serve in the civil service for a period equal to twice the length of their assignment; failure to do so makes them liable to the United States for all assignment expenses (Section 2(2)(A)(i)-(ii)).
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Debt Treatment: Any amount an employee is liable for under the agreement is treated as a debt due to the United States (Section 2(2)(B)).
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Workforce Restrictions: The program specifies that no more than two percent of the Administration's civil servant workforce may participate in such assignments at the same time (Section 2(8)(C)).
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Prohibition on Certain Pay: Private sector employees assigned to the Administration continue to receive pay and benefits from their private sector entity and are not to receive pay or benefits from the Administration (Section 2(7)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill allows private sector entities to have their employees temporarily assigned to NASA for expertise exchange. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill provides certain legal protections to private sector employees while they are assigned to the federal government.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to Congress and a GAO report to ensure oversight of the talent program. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The Administrator has the authority to waive debt collection if it is against equity and good conscience.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows private sector entities to access NASA expertise through temporary employee assignments. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill classifies private sector employees assigned to NASA as federal employees for certain labor law purposes.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill specifically identifies cybersecurity as a potential area for private sector expertise to be utilized by NASA.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill facilitates talent exchange to support NASA's missions and training needs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill establishes strict ethics and conflict of interest oversight for employees moving between public and private sectors.
- 1/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio