S.1976 - Skillbridge Congressional Fellowship Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Skillbridge Congressional Fellowship Act of 2025 (S.1976) aims to authorize congressional fellowships under the existing Skillbridge program. This bill amends Title 10 of the United States Code to allow eligible members of the armed forces to participate in fellowships within congressional offices, leadership offices of the Senate or House, or committees and subcommittees of Congress. The program intends to provide service members with exposure to the legislative process.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would create a formal pathway for service members to gain experience in the legislative branch through fellowships. It would also require coordination between the military departments, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, and congressional offices. The fellowships are limited to 180 days and require approval from the host office or committee.
Potential Benefits
- Provides service members with valuable experience and insight into the legislative process.
- Offers congressional offices access to skilled individuals with diverse backgrounds.
- Enhances understanding and collaboration between the military and legislative branches.
- Could improve the quality of legislation related to defense and national security.
- May lead to better-informed policy decisions due to the inclusion of military perspectives.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for disruption in congressional offices if fellowships are not well-managed.
- Risk of misuse of service members' time if fellowships are not structured effectively.
- Administrative burden on the Department of Defense to manage the program.
- Possible perception of undue influence of the military in the legislative process.
- Limited impact due to the relatively short duration of the fellowships and the small number of participants.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to raise and support armies and provide for the common defense. By providing a mechanism for military personnel to gain experience in the legislative branch, the bill could contribute to better-informed decision-making related to national defense. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
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).