Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB66

Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency ActThis bill requires certain executive branch employees to disclose their federal student loan debt in an annual report.The bill's requirement applies to an employee serving in a Senior Executive Service position or a position of a confidential or policy-determining nature (i.e., a Schedule C position). Covered employees must file a report detailing the principal and interest owed on loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. The bill also requires the Office of Government Ethics to submit an annual report to Congress that contains (1) the total amount owed by all covered employees, and (2) the name of any covered employee who failed to report the required information. 

Impact

The implementation of HB 66 could significantly influence governmental operations by enabling oversight on federal employees regarding their student loan debts. The requirement to disclose such information might deter potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that those in influential positions are transparent about their financial responsibilities. It also provides the government with valuable data on the financial burdens that these employees carry, which could inform policies aimed at addressing student debt issues more broadly.

Summary

House Bill 66, titled the 'Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency Act', aims to improve transparency regarding federal student loan debt among high-ranking federal officials. Specifically, it mandates that employees within the Senior Executive Service and schedule C positions disclose their outstanding federal student loans. The provisions require these employees to submit annual reports that detail their loan balances, thereby promoting accountability and openness regarding personal financial obligations that may affect their roles in public service.

Contention

While proponents of HB 66 argue that it promotes necessary transparency and accountability, critics may voice concerns over privacy implications. The requirement for disclosure could be viewed as an intrusion into the personal lives of federal employees, potentially discouraging qualified candidates from pursuing positions within the Senior Executive Service if they foresee undue scrutiny of their financial situations. Moreover, there may be debates focused on the effectiveness of this disclosure in genuinely mitigating conflicts of interest in government, as the mere reporting of debts does not eliminate the complexities involved in ethical decision-making within public service.

Congress_id

119-HR-66

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB3740

Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency Act

US SB1295

Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency Act

US HB6237

To allow Federal State Department employees to file a confidential or open report on any fiscal waste that they come across and establishes an award program for exemplary employees who file non-confidential reports on wasteful spending.

US HB127

Protection from Obamacare Mandates and Congressional Equity Act This bill alters provisions relating to the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage (i.e., the individual mandate), as well as provisions relating to health care coverage for certain executive branch and congressional employees. Specifically, the bill exempts individuals from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage if they reside in a county where fewer than two health insurers offer insurance on the health insurance exchange. Under current law, there is no penalty for failing to maintain minimum essential health care coverage. The bill also requires certain executive branch and congressional employees to participate in health insurance exchanges. Under current law, Members of Congress and their designated staff are required to obtain coverage through health insurance exchanges, rather than the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Current regulations authorize government contributions toward such coverage and require Members of Congress to designate which members of their staff are required to obtain coverage through an exchange. The bill requires all congressional staff, including employees of congressional committees and leadership offices, to obtain coverage through an exchange. The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from having the discretion to determine which of their employees are eligible to enroll through an exchange. Further, the President, Vice President, and executive branch political appointees must also obtain coverage through exchanges, rather than FEHB. The government is prohibited from contributing to or subsidizing the health insurance coverage of the officials and employees subject to this requirement, including Members of Congress and their staff.

US SB5647

A bill to require Federal agencies to impose in-person work requirements for employees of those agencies and to occupy a certain portion of the office space of those agencies, and for other purposes.

US HB10357

To require a report on former Federal employees advising foreign governments.

US HB138

Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2023 This bill modifies the treatment of certain student loans in bankruptcy. Specifically, it allows private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy regardless of whether a debtor demonstrates undue hardship. Under current law, student loans may be discharged in bankruptcy only if the loans impose an undue hardship on the debtor.

US HB435

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

US HB310

Dismantling Investments in Violation of Ethical Standards through Trusts Act This bill prohibits a senior federal employee, his or her spouse, or dependent children from holding, purchasing, or selling certain financial instruments during the employee's term of service. Any profit made in violation of the prohibition must be disgorged to the Treasury and may subject the individual to a civil fine. The bill also requires the submission of an annual certification of compliance and requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a compliance audit. A loss from a transaction or holding involving a covered financial instrument that is conducted in violation of this bill may not be deducted from the amount of income tax owed by the applicable senior federal employee, spouse, or dependent child. A senior federal employee who holds or conducts a transaction involving a covered financial instrument in violation of this bill may be subject to a civil fine assessed by the supervising ethics office.

US HB5681

To expand opportunities for employment of recent graduates in Federal Government positions, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.