The FBI Hiring Review Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 16, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to enhance accountability and integrity in FBI hiring and training processes through mandated audits, cross-referencing of misconduct records, and congressional oversight via a GAO report.
What it actually does
This bill mandates several oversight measures for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It requires an audit of FBI hiring records for employees hired after a specific date to ensure compliance with hiring standards and background checks. It also mandates cross-referencing new FBI employees with state-level misconduct files and requires the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) to certify that all FBI agents and officers have completed their required training. Finally, it directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the findings of these audits and certifications to Congress.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill strengthens the integrity and professionalism of the FBI by ensuring rigorous background checks, including comprehensive review of state-level misconduct records, and verifying that all agents meet essential training standards. Proponents believe these measures will promote public trust in the FBI and ensure that only highly qualified and vetted individuals serve in critical federal law enforcement roles, thereby enhancing national security and justice.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the bill imposes potentially redundant or overly burdensome administrative requirements on the FBI and other federal agencies involved, potentially slowing down critical hiring processes without a clear demonstration of existing deficiencies that warrant such specific, mandated audits. The significant discrepancy between the bill's official title and its actual content could also be raised as a point of legislative sloppiness or confusion.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for a quick review by any interested reader.
Section 3
Mandated Hiring Audit at the FBI
This section requires the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Management and Compliance at the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to conduct an audit of the hiring records for all employees hired by the FBI after the date of enactment of Public Law 119-21. The purpose of this audit is to certify that all hiring requirements, including background checks, were fully completed and remained consistent with applicable OPM hiring standards.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this audit ensures the FBI maintains the highest standards for its personnel, preventing unqualified or problematic individuals from being hired and reinforcing public confidence in the agency's integrity and adherence to federal hiring guidelines.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that existing FBI hiring processes are already robust and that a mandated audit could be an unnecessary duplication of effort, potentially diverting resources from other critical functions without a clear benefit.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for rigorous oversight and accountability in federal hiring against potential administrative overhead and the allocation of resources within federal agencies.
Section 4
Requirement to Check State and Local Systems for FBI Hires
This provision directs the Deputy Assistant Attorney General to cross-reference all new employees hired for positions at the FBI since January 20, 2025, with State-level misconduct files. These files include police records and employment records of law enforcement agencies. The goal is to determine whether any information contained in such state-level files was taken into consideration during the evaluation of these new employees prior to their hiring by the FBI.
Section 5
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Certification of FBI Training
This section requires the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) to certify, within 180 days after the bill's enactment, that every agent or officer of the FBI has successfully completed the required training for their respective positions within the FBI. The certification must also indicate the length of training that each officer and agent completed, providing transparency on adherence to training standards.
Section 6
Government Accountability Office Study and Report on FBI Processes
This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States (who leads the Government Accountability Office, or GAO) to submit a comprehensive report to the appropriate congressional committees within one year after the bill's enactment. The report must include the findings from the FBI hiring audit (Section 3), a description of the determination regarding the use of state-level misconduct files in FBI hiring evaluations (Section 4), and an audit of the pass and fail rates for FBI agents and officers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (Section 5).