Dual Hatting Limitation Act of 2026

Proponents argue this bill closes a 'dual hatting' loophole that allows a single official to wield unchecked power over multiple high-stakes offices simultaneously, creating conflicts of interest and reducing accountability—particularly relevant when acting officials run independent watchdog agencies like the Special Counsel's office or the Office of Government Ethics while also holding other posts. Critics, primarily from the executive branch, argue the bill reduces presidential flexibility to manage staffing during vacancies and emergencies, forcing the administration to maintain separate acting officials even when one trusted person could temporarily cover multiple offices. Non-partisan government reform organizations (Common Cause, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) have historically supported restrictions on dual office-holding to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill directly targets practices used in recent administrations (both parties) to have a single official temporarily lead multiple offices.