Federal Employee Records Relief Act
Creates a temporary process for eligible former federal employees to obtain records, seek administrative corrections, and get benefits coordination help.
In the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Former federal employees may need accurate work records to sort out questions about their employment or benefits. This bill would create a temporary process for eligible former employees to get personnel records, seek administrative corrections, and receive help understanding benefits coverage. It would not let agencies change the stated reason for a separation without a binding legal determination.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Create a records and benefits process
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director would provide covered former federal employees copies of relevant personnel records, help correct missing, incomplete, or erroneous records, and provide written information and coordination help about benefits enrollment, coverage end dates, and available continuation options.
- Require agencies to help locate records
At the Director’s request, federal entities would have to search for and provide records and information needed to carry out the process, in a timely manner consistent with applicable law.
- Limit who can receive administrative relief
The process would cover people who left federal employment for any reason on or after January 20, 2025, but not members of the uniformed services. It would be available to federal annuitants as well as other covered individuals, but would not require an agency to change the stated reason for a separation without a binding legal determination.
Personnel records can document a former employee’s separation, position, pay, leave, and benefits. The process would give covered former employees a way to seek records and administrative corrections and to get information about benefits coverage and continuation options.
The bill limits this relief to administrative record work and benefits coordination; it would not, by itself, change the characterization of a person’s departure from federal employment.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Walkinshaw with 7 original cosponsorsReferred to Oversight and Government Reform
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 5 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Walkinshaw’s record: sponsored 25 bills this Congress. 2 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Donald S. Beyer, Jr.D-VA-8ORIGINAL
- Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5ORIGINAL
- Glenn IveyD-MD-4ORIGINAL
- Stephen F. LynchD-MA-8ORIGINAL
- Eleanor Holmes NortonD-DC-ALORIGINAL
- Suhas SubramanyamD-VA-10ORIGINAL
- Rashida TlaibD-MI-12ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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