DOGE Initiative: Streamlining Federal Workforce for Savings
Published Date: 2/14/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The President is shaking up the federal government to make it leaner, smarter, and more accountable. This means cutting waste and boosting efficiency across most federal agencies starting now, saving taxpayers money and improving services. Agency leaders and employees will follow new rules and deadlines to get this done fast and right.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Large-Scale Reductions in Force (RIFs) Ordered
Agency Heads are directed to prepare to initiate large-scale reductions in force (RIFs) and to separate temporary employees and reemployed annuitants in areas likely to be subject to RIFs. Offices performing functions not mandated by statute, including agency diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, are prioritized for RIFs. This subsection does not apply to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement functions.
Strict 1-for-4 Federal Hiring Ratio
The order requires each agency to hire no more than one new employee for every four employees who leave. The ratio does not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement, and it does not change the existing hiring freeze as applied to the Internal Revenue Service.
DOGE Review Controls Which Vacancies Are Filled
New career appointment hires must be made in consultation with each agency's DOGE Team Lead, who can assess vacancies that should not be filled; DOGE Team Leads must provide monthly hiring reports to the United States DOGE Service Administrator. Agencies must follow data-driven hiring plans developed with DOGE Team Leads.
OPM Rulemaking to Expand Suitability Criteria
Within 30 days, the Director of OPM must initiate rulemaking to revise 5 C.F.R. 731.202(b) to add suitability criteria such as failure to timely file tax returns, failure to meet citizenship or other provisions that preclude regular Federal service, refusal to certify or adhere to nondisclosure obligations, and theft or misuse or negligent loss of Government resources.
Military Personnel Explicitly Exempted
The order states it does not apply to military personnel, so service members are excluded from the hiring limits, RIF directives, and related workforce actions in this order.
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