Huffman, Lofgren Introduce Legislation to Defend Federal Workforce Amidst DOGE Attacks
Washington, D.C. – U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to prevent politically-motivated workforce reductions at the Department of the Interior (DOI), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The Senate companion bills were introduced by Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
The legislation introduced would require an immediate moratorium on Reductions in Force (RIFs) at DOI, USFS, and DOE, so employees are protected while Congress conducts oversight and evaluates long-term workforce needs.
“The Trump administration is firing the public servants who protect lives and communities by helping to battle deadly wildfires, tracking extreme weather events, and keeping water clean and public lands accessible. These RIFs are a targeted purge of the people who show up when disaster strikes and who make this country stronger and safer, day in and day out. These dedicated professionals, and all Americans, deserve better. If Congress doesn’t step in to stop this purge, the fallout will last generations. America will be weaker: less prepared for climate disasters, less able to defend its lands and resources, and less capable of serving its people when it matters most,” said Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).
"The missions of these agencies are critical to the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). “Our devoted public servants make those missions possible. If you take away the workforce, what are you left with? Trump will stop at nothing to slash and burn core functions of our federal science agencies at the altar of this administration's twisted idea of ‘efficiency.’ The President and his minions are lying to the American people when they claim that terminations, cuts, and cancellations will put more money in Americans’ pockets. Their scheming won't do that at all. Instead they will leave Americans more susceptible to disaster, disease, and economic turmoil. The chaos must end."
“These agencies provide critical services that protect American public health and safety, conserve our natural resources, and advance America’s scientific leadership on the world stage. Firing our scientists, engineers, and land management professionals does not save us money—it makes our government less efficient, costs taxpayers more in the long run, and weakens our nation’s security and competitiveness,” said Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). “This legislation will ensure we have the dedicated workforce we need to meet urgent challenges — from protecting our communities from increasingly devastating and catastrophic extreme weather events to advancing energy innovation, and protecting critical wildlife habitats.”
Read the full text of the House DOI RIFs bill here.
Read the full text of the House USFS RIFs bill here.
Read the full text of the Senate DOE RIFs bill here.
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