White House Fellows Act

Summary#

This bill would put the White House Fellows Program into law. It creates the President's Commission on White House Fellowships inside the Executive Office of the President and keeps the program's current duties from Executive Order 11183. The Commission can have up to 30 unpaid members appointed by the President. It will set rules for recruiting, screening, and selecting Fellows, recommend candidates to the President, design an educational program, and report to Congress each year.

What it means for you#

• If you are a U.S. citizen with an undergraduate degree and are early in your career, you may be eligible to apply. Applicants must show leadership potential, high moral character, and strong motivation. Federal officers and employees generally cannot apply, but active-duty military may.
• The Commission recommends 11–19 Fellows each program year (subject to available funding), and the President makes the final selections.
• Selected Fellows serve full time for 12 months (with a possible 3-month extension), are assigned to senior Executive Branch officials, and receive pay and benefits set consistent with General Schedule pay as determined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Expenses#

The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to OPM to run the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The Commission must report annually to Congress and include an accounting of amounts spent. No publicly available information on total or estimated costs is included in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say the Program, created by Executive Order in 1964, has produced nearly 900 alumni who later served in leadership roles across many sectors. Supporters in the text say codifying the Program will ensure its continuity, provide a stable statutory basis for administration and funding, and formally recognize its value to the Nation.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.