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H.R. 4182: EQUALS Act of 2017

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H.R. 4182: EQUALS Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-10-31 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-10-31 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 3 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 646 (2017): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4182 (2017-11-30), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

EQUALS Act of 2017

Plain summary

Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 or the EQUALS Act of 2017 This bill requires the probationary period before an appointment in the competitive civil service or an initial appointment as a supervisor or manager becomes final to last for two years. The two-year probationary period applies to any position that requires formal training or a license, and any other position not requiring formal training or a license. Each agency must ensure that: (1) an announcement of a vacant position and an offer of appointment clearly state the terms and conditions of the probationary period, (2) an individual who is required to complete a probationary period receives timely notice of requirements to successfully complete the probationary period, (3) a supervisor or manager of an individual who is required to complete the probationary period receives notification not less than 30 days before the end of the probationary period, and (4) certification of such successful completion is made. The bill increases from one to two years: (1) the probationary period after which an individual's appointment as a career appointee in the Senior Executive Service becomes final, and (2) the continuous employment requirement for coverage under adverse action procedures for misconduct.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

EQUALS Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4182, Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (2017-11-13)

Cosponsors on this site

Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] reported raising $2.3 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr4182 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115