Oversight Committee Supports Legislation to Restore Cannabis Users’ Eligibility for Federal Employment and Modernize Government IT
Washington, D.C. (September 21, 2023)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, led bipartisan support for H.R. 5040, the Cannabis Users' Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, and H.R. 5527, the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Reform Act. The CURE Act would prevent marijuana use from disqualifying applicants from receiving federal security clearances or being hired for federal employment. The MGT Reform Act would reauthorize and strengthen the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), an innovative funding option that supports crucial federal information technology modernization to improve cybersecurity and better serve the American people.
"The CURE Act will ensure that qualified and dedicated individuals seeking to serve our country are not precluded from doing so simply because they have used marijuana. It will also allow for someone who has previously been denied a security clearance or a federal job opportunity, like my constituent, to have that denial reviewed. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this commonsense bill. A majority of states have reformed their marijuana laws. It's time for the federal government to catch up," said Ranking Member Raskin in his statement.
H.R. 5040, Cannabis Users' Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act
This bipartisan bill, introduced by Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, would prevent prior marijuana use from being an obstacle to passing the federal security clearance process and the suitability process for federal employment. It would also provide the opportunity for someone who has previously been denied a security clearance or a federal job opportunity to have that denial reviewed.
Last fall, President Biden announced that he was issuing a blanket pardon to people who had been convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law, and further announced that his Administration would review the scheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. As of April, 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of marijuana. As of June 1, 2023, 23 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have enacted measures to authorize and regulate marijuana for recreational adult use.
Despite the rapid liberalization of marijuana laws in most states, thousands of Americans are being denied security clearance or ineligible for federal employment solely because they admit to having used marijuana—even if it was completely lawful under state law. These obsolete federal marijuana laws are preventing too many qualified Americans from serving their government.
H.R. 5527, Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Reform Act
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Ranking Member Gerald E. Connolly and Chairwoman Nancy Mace, would extend the TMF for five years, preserving federal agencies' access to this self-sustaining funding model that allows flexibility to address urgent IT projects outside the traditional budget cycle. Agencies submit IT modernization proposals to the TMF Board for projects to replace antiquated, costly legacy systems with scalable, secure modern platforms that allow for more effective mission delivery and better customer experiences. Agencies then reimburse the TMF to ensure its solvency. The TMF also instills accountability safeguards in funded IT projects to ensure taxpayers receive strong returns on their investments.
The MGT Reform Act would clarify the use of funds for the purposes of modernizing, retiring, or replacing legacy IT systems; enhancing cybersecurity and privacy; improving long-term efficiency and effectiveness of agency IT systems; or improving the ability of agencies to perform their missions and deliver services to the public. It would also maintain the repayment flexibility adopted by the TMF in recent years while ensuring the Fund's solvency by setting minimum reimbursement requirements.
Democrats have supported robust oversight and funding of the TMF, including a historic $1 billion investment in the TMF through the American Rescue Plan that garnered over 220 agency proposals requesting more than $3.5 billion in support. To date, the TMF has provided over $750 million to 45 IT modernization projects across 27 agencies, and the Biden-Harris Administration has embraced it as an integral tool to better serve the public.
Additional Bipartisan Action on Washington, D.C.
Among other measures, the Committee also favorably reported H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, led by Chairman James Comer and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. The bill would require the federal government to enter into a new lease of the approximately 174-acre RFK Stadium campus for 99-years and expands eligible uses of the property to include potential residential and commercial development. Thirty percent of the area must be reserved for parks, recreation, or open space.
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