Congress Must Halt Politicized Federal Layoffs

Protect Federal Workers From Politicized RIFs I am writing to protest the sweeping reduction-in-force (RIF) actions now occurring across multiple federal agencies, including the CDC, HHS, Treasury, and Education. These layoffs—issued during the shutdown—represent an unprecedented politicization of the civil service. The loss of so many skilled professionals endangers the nation’s public health, safety, and institutional competence. Halt Mass Layoffs Across Federal Agencies Reports confirm that over 1,000 CDC employees received RIF notices affecting outbreak response, immunization, and global health units. Although hundreds of those notices were later rescinded as “coding errors,” the disruption remains severe. Other agencies—HHS, Treasury, and Education—have also initiated layoffs that jeopardize mission-critical work. These dismissals violate both the spirit and purpose of federal merit protections and risk turning shutdowns into tools of political leverage. Safeguard Public Health and Scientific Integrity Public health must never be treated as a partisan issue. CDC units such as the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and the Global Health Center have all been targeted. Even with partial reversals, the threat to essential functions persists. Congress must bar politically motivated RIFs and demand transparency about who was terminated, reinstated, or remains in limbo. Demand Oversight and Legislative Reform Congress should act immediately to: • Rescind all shutdown-related RIFs and rehire affected employees with full back pay. • Prohibit any future RIF targeting outbreak response, laboratories, or oversight staff during funding lapses. • Require GAO and OPM review of all shutdown-era terminations. • Mandate a public accounting of every RIF notice issued and rescinded. • Hold emergency hearings on the misuse of RIF authority and legislate clear limits on executive discretion in personnel reductions. Defend America’s Public Service Our government cannot protect the nation when its workforce is dismantled by decree. These layoffs threaten disease surveillance, environmental safety, financial oversight, and national preparedness. Congress must act now to restore these employees, stabilize federal operations, and pass binding safeguards that prevent any administration from weaponizing RIFs against the American public.