Bill would bar top officials from holding two federal posts at once
In committeeH.R. 7483Latest action
Sponsor: Yassamin Ansari · Representative · AZ
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Official title: Dual Hatting Limitation Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Dual Hatting Limitation Act of 2026 would stop key agency heads from simultaneously running another federal office.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would prevent the heads of the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Special Counsel, Office of Government Ethics, and National Archives—whether permanent or acting—from also performing duties of another federal position at the same time. It would also bar the president from naming someone as acting head of a vacant office if that person already serves as acting head elsewhere, and it extends this one-job rule to all Level I Executive Schedule officials, such as cabinet secretaries.
Who does it affect?
Senior federal officials leading these agencies, other Level I officials, and the presidential administration's staffing decisions during vacancies would be affected.
Why does it matter?
The bill would limit the president's flexibility to have one official temporarily oversee multiple agencies, a practice that has grown more common amid delayed Senate confirmations. This could affect how quickly agencies receive permanent leaders and how they operate during leadership gaps.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 11, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Feb 11, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.