House Republicans Look to Boost Pentagon's Civilian Workforce Through Hiring Reform

The Defense Department should have an easier time permanently hiring its temporary employees, according to Republican lawmakers who introduced a bill last week they said would grow the department’s civilian workforce. The 2016 Department of Defense Workforce Flexibility Act would give temporary workers a leg up when applying to vacant, full-time positions. The bill, introduced by Republican Reps. Markwayne Mullin and Steve Russell, would treat the non-permanent employees as career workers applying for internal, merit-based promotions.