How Big a Deal Are the Governmentwide Hiring Reforms That Trump Just Signed Into Law?

President Trump on Monday signed into law a defense bill that included a provision with major changes to the federal hiring process. Good government groups heralded the changes as a key reform to help agencies recruit the next generation of talent. Lawmakers tucked into the fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act new authority for all federal agencies to more quickly hire recent college graduates and current students. It allows agency heads to circumvent normal steps in the hiring process to bring on university students or those who have recently completed their studies. The agency leader can now appoint a “qualified individual” to any competitive service, the professional or administrative position at the GS-11 level or below.