A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
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 Hire American Act aims to amend title 5 of the United States Code to restrict federal employment. It mandates that, with specific exceptions, no individual may be an employee of the federal government unless they are a citizen or national of the United States. To ensure compliance, new hires must sign an affidavit attesting to their status, and the appointing entity must verify it. The bill includes specific exceptions for temporary translators, emergency field services, international broadcasters, and certain wildland firefighters. Additionally, it establishes penalties for false declarations and requires specific reporting and guidance regarding these employment restrictions.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill centralizes control over federal employment eligibility through the Office of Personnel Management.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the publication of specific details regarding excepted employment in the Federal Register.
- Scored +1
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill aligns federal employment with citizenship requirements which is often a component of stricter immigration policy.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill creates significant legal and employment barriers for non-citizens and immigrants seeking federal work.
- Scored -3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill restricts the pool of potential employees for federal positions to only citizens and nationals.
- Scored -2
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill restricts the potential workforce available for unionized federal roles like the United States Postal Service.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Accountability through verification: The bill requires that an individual sign an affidavit and that the appointing entity verify their status, which aims to ensure compliance with the new rules (Sec. 2(b)).
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Penalties for dishonesty: The bill establishes strict punishments, including fines of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years, for anyone who knowingly makes a false affidavit regarding their citizenship status (Sec. 2(f)).
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Transparency in exceptions: Through the requirement to publish appointments made under exceptions in the Federal Register, the government must disclose which exceptions were used, the agency involved, and the duration of the appointment (Sec. 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict employment restrictions: The bill prohibits the employment of individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States, which could impact those currently serving in federal roles, including those in the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission (Sec. 2(a), Sec. 2(h)).
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Legal consequences for false statements: Individuals who provide a false affidavit regarding their status face significant legal burdens, such as fines up to $50,000 and potential prison time of up to 5 years (Sec. 2(f)).
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Reporting burdens: The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is tasked with creating new guidance, publishing specific appointment details in the Federal Register, and submitting detailed reports to Congressional committees (Sec. 2(d), Sec. 2(e), Sec. 2(g)).
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 immigrants be better off under this? — The bill creates significant legal and employment barriers for non-citizens and immigrants seeking federal work. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill restricts the potential workforce available for unionized federal roles like the United States Postal Service. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Limiting federal employment opportunities can disproportionately affect those seeking entry-level government roles.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill restricts the pool of potential employees for federal positions to only citizens and nationals. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill creates new administrative and reporting requirements for the Office of Personnel Management.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of specific details regarding excepted employment in the Federal Register. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill centralizes control over federal employment eligibility through the Office of Personnel Management.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill aligns federal employment with citizenship requirements which is often a component of stricter immigration policy. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill imposes strict employment barriers for non-citizens regardless of their legal status.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina