S 2596119th CongressIn Committee

Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act

Introduced: Jul 31, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-New Mexico)

Environment & ClimateLabor & Employment

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act would pause any reduction in force (RIF) actions and involuntary separations within the Forest Service until full-year funding for Fiscal Year 2026 is enacted. Put simply, the bill aims to protect Forest Service employees from layoffs or forced separations during a period of funding uncertainty, allowing only dismissals for cause (misconduct, delinquency, or performance). The prohibition covers employees in the competitive and excepted services as well as Senior Executive Service positions, and it is narrowly tied to the timing of FY2026 appropriations. The bill clarifies that the moratorium is in addition to existing personnel authorities and definitions (e.g., competitive service, excepted service, career appointee) found in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. It does not repeal or supersede other adverse-action authorities but adds a staffing restraint specifically for the Forest Service during the specified period.

Key Points

1Short title: This Act may be cited as the “Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act.”
2Moratorium scope and duration: Prohibits initiation or implementation of any reduction in force and involuntary separations at the Forest Service until full-year FY2026 appropriations have been enacted.
3Personnel categories protected: Applies to employees in the competitive service, the excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service (SES) within the Forest Service.
4For-cause exception: Involuntary separations are allowed only for cause—on charges of misconduct, delinquency, or performance.
5Relationship to existing authorities: The moratorium is in addition to, not a replacement for, other adverse-action authorities (including Chapter 75 of Title 5), meaning agencies retain other legal mechanisms but may not use them to implement RIFs or involuntary separations during the moratorium.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Forest Service employees (competitive service, excepted service, and SES) who might otherwise face reductions in force or involuntary separations.Secondary group/area affected: Forest Service leadership and human resources processes, which would need to comply with the moratorium and document “for cause” actions if applicable.Additional impacts: Potential effects on workforce planning, morale, and recruitment within the Forest Service during the funding gap period; operational implications if positions remain unfilled or if voluntary actions occur outside the prohibited involuntary actions. The timeline is tied to enactment of FY2026 appropriations, so the exact duration depends on the appropriations process.

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