1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to you regarding the recent changes announced by the Office of Personnel Management to remove college degree requirements for many federal technology and professional positions. While I understand and appreciate the idea of expanding opportunity and focusing on skills-based hiring, I am deeply concerned about how this policy is being implemented. A shift away from degree requirements must be done carefully and responsibly. Without strong, validated skills assessments and clear standards, this change risks lowering the quality and preparedness of the federal workforce. Federal employees handle critical responsibilities that impact national security, public data, and essential government services. Replacing established qualification standards without fully developed alternatives could open the door to underqualified individuals being placed in sensitive or high-impact roles. Additionally, this policy does not exist in isolation. It comes alongside broader workforce changes that appear to weaken protections for federal employees. Taken together, these actions raise serious concerns about politicization, reduced accountability, and long-term damage to the professionalism of the civil service. I urge you to exercise oversight on this issue and demand clear answers to the following: What specific standards and assessments will replace degree requirements? How will agencies ensure candidates are truly qualified for technical roles? What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse or politicization of hiring decisions? How will this impact the long-term strength and credibility of the federal workforce? Expanding opportunity should never come at the expense of competence, integrity, or public trust. I ask that you take an active role in ensuring these changes are implemented responsibly and transparently.