Analyst Brief April 22, 2026

H.R. 8364 — To amend title 5, United States Code, to authorize the increase of the retirement age in the United States Capitol Police.

Current Status

Introduced

Executive Summary

This bipartisan bill grants the Capitol Police Board the flexibility to increase the mandatory retirement age for United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers. Currently, officers face a strict mandatory retirement age of 60 under both the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems. By allowing the Board to set the retirement age anywhere between 57 and 65, the legislation aims to improve retention of experienced officers, address ongoing staffing shortages, and reduce the institutional costs of recruiting and training replacements.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Rep. Steil

Bill Number

H.R. 8364

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

Rep. Morelle
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Addresses critical USCP staffing shortages by retaining veteran officers who are willing and physically able to continue serving.
  • Reduces the financial and operational burden of recruiting, vetting, and training new officers to replace forced retirees.
  • Bipartisan sponsorship from the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee ensures smooth committee passage and broad institutional support.

Likely Supporters

United States Capitol Police (USCP) LeadershipCapitol Police BoardFraternal Order of Police (FOP)

Arguments Against

  • Potential concerns regarding the physical demands and readiness of older officers in high-stress, active-threat policing environments.
  • Could create bottlenecks in the promotion pipeline for younger officers if senior personnel delay their retirements.

Likely Opponents

Younger rank-and-file officers seeking promotion (informal)

📋 Key Provisions

  • Amends the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to eliminate the strict age 60 mandatory retirement for USCP officers.
  • Authorizes the Capitol Police Board to determine a new mandatory retirement age for officers, which must be set between 57 and 65 years of age.
  • Applies the exact same flexible age range (57 to 65) to the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) for USCP officers.
search Verification Guide BETA expand_more

Don't trust AI? Don't worry, neither do I. Verify the claims yourself.

Claim Analysis Page 1, Lines 6-7

Eliminates the strict age 60 retirement rule under the Civil Service Retirement System.

Verify Text

"striking “becomes 60 years of age”"

Claim Analysis Page 2, Lines 1-2

Allows the Capitol Police Board to set the retirement age up to 65.

Verify Text

"not more than 65 years of age"

Claim Analysis Page 2, Lines 3-4

Applies the new age range to the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

Verify Text

"FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM.—Section 8425(c)"