Federal Career Opportunities in Computer Science Work Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3533) to establish occupational series for Federal positions in software development, software engineering, data science, and data management, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3533

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. OCCUPATIONAL SERIES FOR DIGITAL CAREER FIELDS.

Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall, pursuant to chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code, establish or update existing occupational series covering Federal Government positions in the fields of software development, software engineering, data science, and data management.

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Ms. NORTON. 3533.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3533, the Federal Career Opportunities in Computer Science Work Act. I commend my colleagues, Representative Obernolte and Representative Welch, for their bipartisan work on this measure.

This bill would require the Office of Personnel Management to update or establish occupational series for Federal civilian positions in software development, software engineering, data science, and data management within 270 days of enactment.

It would implement a recommendation that was included in the final report of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. In its report, the commission stated: ``The artificial intelligence competition will not be won by the side with the best technology. It will be won by the side with the best, most diverse and tech-savvy talent.''

To attract and retain digital talent, the commission recommended that the Federal Government create the civilian occupational series that are included in this bill. This bipartisan bill would help support recruitment of professionals with these specialized skills for Federal employment.

This is an important step in helping Federal agencies recruit, hire, and retain the talent that is needed to remain competitive in the digital domain.

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3533, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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