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119-s-2597119th CongressWALLET

Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act

Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Introduced

Summary

A moratorium on reductions in force at the Department of the Interior would pause any layoffs or involuntary separations across all Interior agencies and bureaus until full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 are enacted. The halt would prevent initiating or implementing reductions in force and would bar involuntary separations of competitive service employees, career excepted-service employees, and career Senior Executive Service appointees, except for removals for misconduct, delinquency, or poor performance.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Protect Interior workers from layoffs

If enacted, this bill would bar the Secretary of the Interior from starting or carrying out any reduction in force. It would apply to every agency and bureau inside the Department of the Interior. It would also bar involuntary separations of competitive service employees, career excepted service employees, and career Senior Executive Service appointees. The bill would allow removals only for cause for misconduct, delinquency, or poor performance. Protections would start on enactment and last until after Congress enacts full-year DOI appropriations for fiscal year 2026. The bill treats the referenced personnel terms as defined in title 5, United States Code. It would be in addition to other adverse personnel authorities, including chapter 75 of title 5.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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