February 9, 2026
Mr. Fong (for himself, Mr. Knott, and Mr. Kiley of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To provide direct hire authority to the Attorney General for purposes of appointing qualified candidates to positions in the Drug Enforcement Administration to work in locations deemed necessary by the Attorney General to support the Administration’s mission, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Hiring Improvement and Recruitment Empowerment for Drug Enforcement Administration Act
or the HIRE DEA Act
.
Sec. 2. Direct hire authority for appointing personnel to Drug Enforcement Administration positions to combat drug trafficking activities
(a) In general
During each of fiscal years 2027 through 2034, the Attorney General may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter), qualified candidates to any covered position in the Drug Enforcement Administration to work in locations deemed necessary to support the Administration’s mission, as determined by the Attorney General.
(b) Covered position defined
In this section, the term covered position
includes program managers, project managers, criminal investigators/Special Agents in classification series 1811 (or any successor series), intelligence analysts/Intelligence Research Specialists, forensic specialists, community outreach coordinators, and any other position that the Attorney General determines is necessary based on emerging drug trafficking trends or threats.