Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act
Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act would pause any reduction in force (RIF) actions and involuntary separations at all agencies and bureaus within the Department of the Interior (DOI) until full-year appropriations for DOI for fiscal year 2026 are enacted into law. The moratorium covers employees in the competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service, and would only allow such actions for cause (misconduct, delinquency, or performance). The bill adds this moratorium on top of existing authorities for adverse personnel actions and defines key human resources terms by referencing the standard federal personnel classifications. In short, it is a funding-stability measure intended to protect DOI employees from layoffs or forced separations during budget deliberations for FY2026.
Key Points
- 1Moratorium scope: Prohibits initiating or implementing any reduction in force or involuntary separations at all DOI agencies and bureaus until full-year appropriations for FY2026 are enacted.
- 2Exceptions: Involuntary separations are allowed for cause (charges of misconduct, delinquency, or performance).
- 3Employee classes covered: Applies to competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service employees, with definitions aligned to 5 U.S.C. sections 2102, 2103, and 3132(a).
- 4Relationship to existing law: The moratorium is in addition to, not a replacement for, other personnel action authorities (including Chapter 75 of 5 U.S.C.).
- 5Short title: The act is titled the Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act.