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Senator's Chance to Compete Actcuts traditional bureaucratic barriers that limit opportunities for Arizonans seeking federal careers

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously approved Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema's Chance to Compete Act - bipartisan legislation introduced with Republican Senators Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and James Lankford (Okla.) and Democratic Senator Tom Carper (Del.). The bill makes job hiring fairer for Arizonans seeking federal jobs by reducing traditional bureaucratic barriers, such as relying on resume reviews and agency self-assessments that limit opportunities.

"Our bill reduces unnecessary barriers to ensure Arizonans who have the ability and skill for certain federal jobs get a fair chance to compete. I'm proud our legislation earned strong bipartisan support - I look forward to getting it passed into law so Arizonans of all backgrounds can build the lives they choose for themselves and their families," said Sinema.

Sinema's legislation helps eliminate long-time challenges that often prevent skilled workers from getting federal jobs. Instead of relying on subjective self-evaluations, key-word search resume reviews, and binary credentials for positions, federal agencies will be required to use actual job evaluations and tests to determine if applicants can do the job. Sinema's bipartisan Chance to Compete Act expands job opportunities and possibilities for Arizonans who have the ability and skill to perform these jobs but might not have the traditional requirements, such as a college degree.

The Chance to Compete Act also allows agencies to share information more easily about job candidates when they are working to fill similar positions. This will decrease time to hire for all applicants, making the federal hiring process more efficient and effective. The bill also takes steps to increase federal hiring transparency and improve federal human resource departments.

Last year, Sinema's Chance to Compete Actsuccessfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives following the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimous approval of the bill last Congress.