The FORCE Act establishes a National Defense Executive Reserve that allows the President to temporarily employ private sector experts in federal agencies during national defense emergencies declared under the National Emergencies Act. The reserve would be operated by the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and potentially other agencies, with reserve units established within 180 days of final rules being issued. The bill also streamlines the government's ability to create "voluntary agreements" between federal agencies and the private sector to address critical national defense issues, such as responding to cyberattacks on infrastructure, by reducing Federal Trade Commission involvement and giving the Secretary of Commerce greater authority. The Office of Personnel Management has 270 days to issue rules governing how the reserve operates, including recruitment, compensation, security clearances, and training, while the President must develop at least one voluntary agreement addressing a current defense priority within 18 months of the bill's enactment. The legislation provides employment protections for private sector volunteers, ensuring they receive the same job protections as federal disaster relief workers.
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