Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act

The Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act would impose a temporary moratorium on reductions in force (RIFs) and involuntary separations across all agencies and bureaus within the Department of the Interior. The moratorium lasts until full-year appropriations for Interior for fiscal year 2026 have been enacted. During that period, the Secretary of the Interior may not initiate or implement a RIF or involuntarily separate any employee in the competitive service, the excepted service, or the Senior Executive Service, except for cause (charges of misconduct, delinquency, or performance). The act defines relevant personnel terms by reference to existing federal law and states that the moratorium is in addition to existing personnel authorities and protections (including Chapter 75 of title 5). In short, the bill would shield Interior’s workforce from layoffs or forced terminations through most of FY2026, aiming to preserve staffing levels and continuity of operations while awaiting enacted funding. Voluntary departures (if any) and separations for cause remain possible under the bill’s framework.