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Krishnamoorthi calls for vote on skills-based contracting bill
The measure would require federal agencies to justify any minimum education or experience requirement included in contract solicitations.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 03, Dec 2025
- 13:03 EST
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Raja Krishnamoorthi / File Photo
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Dec. 2 called for a House vote on his Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act following its bipartisan approval by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Krishnamoorthi said the vote marked “an important step toward tearing down the ‘paper ceiling’ that has kept too many hardworking Americans—especially workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs)—from competing for federal contracting opportunities.”
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He said ensuring agencies evaluate contractors “based on demonstrated skills rather than outdated degree requirements” would strengthen the federal workforce and improve the use of taxpayer dollars, urging House leadership to bring the bill to the floor “without delay.”
The measure would require federal agencies to justify any minimum education or experience requirement included in contract solicitations, shifting contracting practices toward skills-based evaluation.
The bill builds on the federal government’s ongoing effort to reduce credential barriers across hiring and procurement, a shift reinforced by recent Office of Personnel Management guidance promoting skills-first hiring frameworks.
Skills-based hiring has gained traction across the public sector as agencies confront shortages in technical and emerging fields, where practical competencies are often considered more reliable indicators of readiness than traditional academic pathways.
Krishnamoorthi has been a prominent advocate of lowering barriers, arguing that expanding access for STARs would widen the contractor pool and improve federal performance.
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