HR 2207119th CongressIn Committee

Saving DOE’s Workforce Act

Introduced: Mar 18, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Saving DOE’s Workforce Act would impose a temporary moratorium on workforce reductions at the Department of Energy. Specifically, until full-year appropriations for FY 2026 are enacted, DOE may not initiate or implement any reduction in force (RIF) or involuntary separations of employees in the competitive service, career employees in the excepted service, or career appointees in the Senior Executive Service. The prohibition includes involuntary separations except when there is a charge of misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency. The bill clarifies the covered personnel categories and notes that this moratorium is in addition to any other personnel action authorities.

Key Points

1Temporary reduction in force moratorium: No RIFs or involuntary separations at DOE until FY2026 full-year appropriations are enacted.
2Scope of coverage: Applies to competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service employees within the Department of Energy.
3Exceptions: Involuntary separations may occur for cause on charges of misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency.
4Legal framework: Definitions of covered personnel draw from 5 U.S.C. sections 2102, 2103, and 3132(a); the moratorium does not preempt other adverse-action authorities.
5Purpose: Preserves DOE staffing during the period when final appropriations are being enacted, potentially limiting workforce restructuring tied to budget decisions.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Department of Energy employees (competitive service, excepted service career employees, and Senior Executive Service).Secondary group/area affected: DOE leadership and HR operations, which must comply with the moratorium when planning staffing and any potential reorganizations.Additional impacts:- Could constrain DOE’s ability to realign or downsize the workforce in response to budget or program shifts during the appropriations process.- May affect project timelines and staffing flexibility if reductions would have supported efficiency or priority realignments.- The policy pertains to DOE employees; contractor staff are not addressed by the bill.

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