Labor & Employment (Public Employees) in United States

in committee · United States · House May 21, 2025

HR 3192: RESTORE Act

The RESTORE Act entitles reinstated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to back pay for periods they were involuntarily removed and later reinstated. It applies to employees removed between January 20, 2025, and the bill's enactment date, covering all positions except political appointees. Back pay is calculated under existing federal law (5 U.S.C. §5596), not new benefits. The bill explicitly excludes political positions, defined as Executive Schedule roles, noncareer appointees, or confidential/policy-determining roles under Schedule C.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Public Employees

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 7, 2025

S 2977: FAST Justice Act

S 2977, the FAST Justice Act, creates a 120-day timeline for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to act on federal employee appeals. If the MSPB fails to take action within 120 days (excluding certain cases), affected federal employees or job applicants can file a civil lawsuit in federal court. The bill specifies where these lawsuits may be filed - based on where the personnel action occurred, where the employee would have worked, or the agency's main office - and ensures courts use the standard review applicable to MSPB decisions. This procedural change directly affects federal workers whose appeals are stalled at the MSPB, aiming to expedite resolution of personnel disputes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 5676: Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act

This bill prohibits the removal of most federal civil service employees during government shutdowns caused by funding gaps. It prevents the President or agency heads from terminating these employees (including through layoffs) while discretionary funding is not in place. The protection specifically excludes political appointees, defined as those in leadership roles like cabinet positions, senior executive service roles, or "schedule C" policy positions. The law aims to stabilize the permanent workforce during funding disruptions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Sep 26, 2025

HR 5599: To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.

This bill prevents federal agencies from terminating employees during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in discretionary funding. It prohibits removals of civil service employees at any agency affected by a funding gap, and if an employee is wrongfully removed, they can return to their job with back pay once funding resumes. The law directly protects all federal employees covered by the civil service system during shutdowns. It applies automatically to any funding lapse, requiring automatic reinstatement without needing separate legal action.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3093: REHIRE Act

This bill, the REHIRE Act (HR 3093), creates a hiring preference for certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2027. It directly affects career federal employees removed during that period who were not in political positions or separated for misconduct or poor performance. The key provision gives these employees 5 additional points in their hiring rating (under 5 U.S.C. §3309) and deems them "preference eligible" for competitive service positions. The preference expires 5 years after the bill becomes law and does not apply to political appointees, those fired for misconduct, or those with documented poor performance reviews.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 14, 2025

S 1075: MERIT Act

This bill requires federal agencies to reinstate eligible probationary employees who were terminated during mass layoffs (defined as 15+ separations in 30 days) between January 20, 2025, and the bill's enactment. It mandates reinstatement to similar positions with matching benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.) and back pay covering the period from termination to reinstatement. Employees must accept reinstatement within 30 days, and agencies must process payments within 90 days. The bill also requires agencies to report on mass terminations and reinstatement outcomes to Congress.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Aug 1, 2025

HR 4853: Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act

This bill prevents the Forest Service from initiating or implementing layoffs until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is secured. It specifically stops reductions in force and involuntary separations for most Forest Service employees (including competitive service, excepted service, and senior executive roles), except for misconduct, poor performance, or delinquency. The moratorium applies to all personnel actions under the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority until FY2026 appropriations are enacted. This directly affects Forest Service workers and ensures their job stability during the budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Employees

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 17, 2025

S 2837: Protect America’s Workforce Act

The Protect America’s Workforce Act (S 2837) directly affects federal employees and their labor unions by reversing two executive orders that limited their collective bargaining rights. It nullifies Executive Orders 14251 and 14343, which had excluded certain federal workers from labor-management programs, and prohibits federal funding for any efforts to implement those orders. The bill ensures that all existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully enforceable through their original terms, as long as they were in effect as of March 26, 2025. This preserves current workplace agreements without creating new obligations or altering existing labor-management processes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2597: Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act

This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior (DOI) from implementing any reduction in force or involuntary employee separations (except for misconduct, delinquency, or performance issues) at any DOI agency or bureau. It applies to most federal employees within the DOI, including competitive service workers, excepted service career employees, and senior executives. The moratorium remains in effect until full-year funding for the DOI's fiscal year 2026 budget is approved by Congress. The bill does not alter existing personnel laws but adds this temporary restriction to prevent workforce reductions during the budget process.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SRES 166: A resolution demanding the immediate reinstatement of all veteran Federal employees involuntarily removed or otherwise dismissed without cause since January 20, 2025.

This Senate resolution (SRES 166) demands the immediate reinstatement of veteran federal employees who were dismissed without cause since January 20, 2025. It directly affects veterans employed across the federal government, including those in critical roles like Veterans Crisis Line workers, following mass dismissals announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The resolution requires affected employees to be reinstated with full back pay and clear communication about their positions and next steps. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it expresses the chamber’s position but does not create new law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Employees Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

All labor & employment bills