End the Deep State Act

This bill creates a new federal job category called “Schedule Policy/Career” for career employees who work on policy, sensitive decisions, or confidential matters. These jobs would be filled under special rules, separate from the regular competitive civil service. For these positions, standard civil service removal protections would not apply, making it easier for agencies to remove employees who hold them. Workers in these jobs don’t have to support the President politically, but they must carry out the administration’s policies; refusing to do so can be grounds for dismissal .

Agencies must review their positions, decide which ones fit this new category, and update that list every year. A first, quick review is due by April 20, 2025, with a full review by August 18, 2025. Some jobs the bill highlights include roles that draft regulations, supervise attorneys, negotiate union contracts for the agency, or have major say in how laws are carried out. Agencies must publish certain decisions in the Federal Register and may seek to exclude some of these positions from union bargaining units. OPM must issue guidance within 30 days of enactment and complete full regulations by January 19, 2029. The bill also cancels a 2021 order on protecting the federal workforce and directs rolling back a 2024 rule that limited a similar plan, so the new system can take effect .

Key points

• Who is affected: Career federal employees in policy, confidential, or high-discretion roles; agency leaders; OPM; some bargaining units .
• What changes: Creates “Schedule Policy/Career”; allows easier removal from these jobs; requires employees to implement administration policies; sets regular reviews and public notices; may exclude some positions from union units; rolls back a 2021 order and a 2024 rule that stood in the way .
• When: Agency reviews due April 20, 2025 (preliminary) and August 18, 2025 (full), then annually; OPM guidance within 30 days of enactment; OPM regulations by January 19, 2029 .