Hire American Act

119th Congress Introduced by Pat Harrigan and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would require all federal jobs to be filled only by U.S. citizens or nationals, tightening eligibility across federal employment.

Introduced in House

Summary of HR 9063 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 9063 seeks to amend title 5 of the United States Code to restrict federal employment to individuals who are United States citizens or nationals.

The bill aims to tighten eligibility standards for federal employment beyond existing rules, focusing on citizenship/national status as a core qualification.

Key provisions and changes

Citizenship/National requirement: The core change would require federal employment positions to be filled only by U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals. This would narrow the pool of eligible applicants for federal jobs.

Scope: The bill would modify statutory provisions in title 5 to formalize the citizenship/nationality requirement across federal employment, potentially affecting appointments, eligibility determinations, and any preferential hiring practices that rely on non-citizen status considerations.

Implementation considerations: While the text provided does not include detailed regulatory timelines, such amendments typically require agencies to assess existing non-citizen employment arrangements, identify positions affected, and adjust hiring processes to ensure compliance with the new standard.

Who or what would be affected

Federal agencies and departments that hire employees under title 5 of the U.S. Code.

Applicants and potential employees who are not U.S. citizens or nationals would be ineligible for most federal positions under the scope of the bill.

Current federal employees who are non-citizens (if any are covered under existing arrangements) could face changes in status, although specifics would depend on how the bill’s provisions are interpreted and implemented.

Human resources and hiring policies within federal agencies would need to be updated to reflect the citizenship/nationality eligibility criteria.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on May 29, 2026.

Sponsors: Co-sponsors include Pat Harrigan and Nancy Mace.

Next steps (typical legislative process): The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform would review, possibly amend, and vote on the bill. If reported favorably, it would move to the full House for debate and vote, and then potentially to the Senate. If enacted, it would require presidential approval to become law.

Effective date: The bill as summarized does not specify an effective date; implementation would typically follow enactment, with agencies given a compliance timeline through regulations or amendments to agency hiring practices.

Potential impact considerations

Staffing and workforce implications: Agencies may need to adjust recruitment strategies and timelines to ensure all hires are U.S. citizens or nationals, potentially reducing the applicant pool for certain positions.

Compliance and enforcement: Agencies would need mechanisms to verify citizenship or nationality status in accordance with the amended statute, including documentation and potential penalties for noncompliance.

Policy trade-offs: The bill concentrates on citizenship status as a primary criterion, which could affect considerations related to national security, specialized skill needs, and the use of foreign-trained talent in certain roles, depending on how strictly the provision is interpreted and applied.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to a specific agency (e.g., Department of Defense, CIA, or civilian agencies) or provide a comparison with existing federal citizenship requirements and related laws.