S.1196 - Special Government Employees Transparency Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Special Government Employees Transparency Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and limit the use of special government employees (SGEs). It sets a 130-day limit on their service within a 365-day period and mandates the creation of a public database containing information about certain SGEs. The bill also requires the public release of financial disclosure reports filed by covered SGEs.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to greater scrutiny of SGE appointments and activities. Executive agencies will need to carefully manage the use of SGEs to comply with the 130-day limit. The public database and financial disclosure requirements will provide more information to the public about these employees.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government operations.
- Greater accountability for special government employees.
- Limits potential for abuse of SGE positions.
- Provides the public with more information about individuals advising the government.
- May encourage agencies to hire permanent staff instead of relying heavily on SGEs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create administrative burdens for executive agencies.
- Could discourage qualified individuals from serving as SGEs due to increased scrutiny.
- The 130-day limit may be too restrictive in some cases.
- Potential for the database to be misused or misinterpreted.
- Costs associated with establishing and maintaining the SGE database.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on a government accountable to the people. While the Constitution does not explicitly address special government employees, the bill's provisions for transparency and limitations on service are consistent with the overall framework of open government. The requirement for public disclosure of financial information could be seen as reinforcing the principle of preventing conflicts of interest, ensuring that government officials act in the public's best interest.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).