House Science Committee Democrats Seek Moratorium on Mass Firings

Last week, Democratic Leaders on the House Science Committee introduced bills that would initiate a moratorium on reductions in force (RIFs) at five federal science agencies under the committee’s jurisdiction. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sponsored each bill, with subcommittee Ranking Members – Haley Stevens (D-MI), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Gabe Amo (D-RI) – co-leading the bill for their subcommittee’s respective agency: 

• Bill to Institute RIF Moratorium at the Department of Energy  

• Bill to Institute RIF Moratorium at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  

• Bill to Institute RIF Moratorium at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 

• Bill to Institute RIF Moratorium at the National Science Foundation (NSF) 

• Bill to Institute RIF Moratorium at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

Under the direction of Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), many federal agencies have fired and/or retired significant numbers of their workforces since President Donald Trump took office for the second time in late January. At the end of February, Russel Vought, newly confirmed Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), directed executive departments and federal agencies to submit Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans (ARRPs) to OMB by March 13.  

The introduction of these bills came a week after these same committee leaders sent letters to science agency leaders demanding information on their ARRPs. Representative Lofgren and her colleagues were concerned that a “slash and burn” approach to workforce reductions – the approach taken by DOGE thus far – might “compromise the agency’s ability to carry out Congressionally authorized activities and advance our nation’s public safety, economic prosperity, and national security.” 

The press release that accompanied the introduction of these five bills also highlighted the dangers that poorly thought-out ARRPs will have for the safety, health, and prosperity of the American people. It includes no information as to whether science agency leaders responded to Democrats’ previous letters but suggests that the Ranking Members have not been reassured that forthcoming RIF proposals will be any less indiscriminate and inefficient than those we have already seen. 

FABBS will continue to monitor staffing at these agencies and these bills as they work their way through the committee as well as follow any legal challenges to the RIF orders.