Bill would double federal job probation to two years for most new hires
Placed on the calendarH.R. 5750Latest action
Sponsor: Brandon Gill · Representative · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: EQUALS Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The EQUALS Act of 2025 would extend federal employees' probationary period from one year to two, with veterans keeping one year.
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What does this do?
This bill would double the probationary period for most new federal "competitive service" hires from one year to two years, while veterans classified as "preference eligible" keep the one-year period. It also creates a new two-year trial period for "excepted service" hires, who currently have no standard trial period, and extends related job-protection deadlines and applies the changes to the FAA and TSA.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects newly hired federal employees and the agency managers who make hiring and firing decisions; it does not affect employees who already completed probation, and it excludes the Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, and Congress.
Why does it matter?
Agencies would gain more time to evaluate new hires before jobs become permanent, but employees, including some veterans, could face a longer period without full job protections and risk automatic termination if agencies don't actively certify their continued employment serves the public interest.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedOct 14, 2025
- House committee
- House voteYou are here · Apr 9, 2026
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 524.