Review - HR 4502 Introduced – Cybersecurity Hiring

Earlier this month, Rep Mace (R,SC) introduced HR 4502, the Modernizing the Acquisition of Cybersecurity Experts Act. The bill would limit the ability of federal agencies to require minimum educational requirements in the hiring of personnel to fill cybersecurity positions in the competitive service. No funding is authorized in this legislation.

The House Oversight Committee held a business meeting on July 12^th, 2023, which included consideration of HR 4502. The Committee adopted substitute language and ordered the bill reported favorably by a vote of 40 to 0.

Moving Forward

Once the Committee report (along with the revised language) is printed, the House will be cleared to take up the bill. With the Committee voting unanimously to adopt the amended bill points to strong bipartisan support for the bill. This means that it would likely be considered under the House suspension of the rules process. This would limit debate, prohibit floor amendments, and require a super majority for passage.

 

For more details about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-4502-introduced - subscription required.