Rep. Mace proposes federal employment and contract ban for violent crime convictions

Rep. Nancy Mace has introduced legislation in the U.S. House that would prevent people convicted of violent offenses from securing or maintaining federal employment or contracts, according to the U.S. Congress.

Filed as H.R.7067, the bill was introduced on Jan. 14, 2026, as part of the 119th Congress’s regular session. The following analysis is based on the actual bill text and provides an outline of its provisions.

The proposed law would bar anyone found guilty of a crime of violence from obtaining or keeping a federal government position or federal contract. Title 5 of the U.S. Code would be updated to make those with a final violent crime conviction ineligible for civil service roles and would require removal from employment if convicted during their tenure. “Crime of violence” is defined using existing federal statutes. These disqualifications also extend to contracts with the federal government. The Office of Management and Budget director would be authorized to grant waivers if enforcing these rules creates excessive hardship for the government. Federal Acquisition Regulations would need to be updated within six months of the bill’s enactment.

Rep. Nancy Mace (Republican-SC-1st District) sponsors the bill, with Rep. Tim Burchett (Republican-SC-2nd District) listed as a co-sponsor.

Since the current Congress began, Rep. Mace has sponsored an additional 62 pieces of legislation.

Congressional bills may be introduced in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, aside from revenue-related legislation that must originate in the House. After being introduced, bills are referred to committees for examination, possible changes, and debate before moving forward for votes in each chamber. If passed in identical form by both chambers, the bill moves to the president for signature or veto. Congress operates on two-year terms, each broken into two sessions and identified by number. Official information about the legislative process and bills is maintained by the U.S. Congress and available through Congress.gov.

Nancy Mace represents South Carolina and has served since the 117th Congress, beginning Jan. 3, 2021. Prior, she was a member of the South Carolina House from 2018 to 2020 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

Mace earned her B.A. from The Citadel in 1999 and a master’s from the University of Georgia in 2004. She also attended Trident Technical College and graduated from Stratford High School in 1995.