8,000 Career Federal Employees Can Now Be Fired Over "Resistance to Policy"

As your constituent, I am writing regarding the December 11 expiration of the continuing resolution funding the federal government and the urgent need for Congress to assert its constitutional authority over the civil service before year-end spending passes. On June 3, an executive order reclassified approximately 8,000 career federal employees into "Schedule Policy/Career" positions. While OPM’s final rule states hiring remains merit-based, these employees lose standard civil service removal protections and adverse-action appeal rights. OPM officials informed agency leaders that the executive branch holds authority to remove these workers for potential "resistance to policy." Roughly 97 percent of these positions are GS-15 or above—including senior program managers, budget directors, regulatory draftsmen, grant administrators, and career attorneys. Congress holds sole Article I authority over the structure of federal agencies and the power of the purse. Whether federal career positions should operate under merit-based protection or at-will authority is a decision for recorded legislative votes, not unilateral executive decrees that bypass committee review. I urge you to take immediate legislative action prior to the December 11 funding deadline: 1. Insert Appropriations Restrictions: Add statutory language to the FY2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill barring federal funds from being used to reclassify or transfer any career position into Schedule Policy/Career. 2. Require Recorded Floor Votes: Demand a recorded vote on this funding limitation before any final year-end spending package or continuing resolution passes. 3. Mandate OPM Reporting: Direct OPM to submit a detailed report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 30 days disclosing the exact number of positions transferred and removals executed under the order. 4. Convene Oversight Hearings: Request an immediate oversight hearing with OPM Director Scott Kupor and agency leadership regarding administrative implementation and merit-system compliance. Members who favor converting senior civil service roles into at-will positions should vote publicly to do so; those who support merit protections should vote to preserve them. Congress must require a recorded vote before public funds are spent.