Saving NIST’s Workforce Act

S 2631, the "Saving NIST’s Workforce Act," prevents the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from implementing layoffs until full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is secured. The bill imposes a moratorium on reductions in force under federal workforce laws until Congress passes the 2026 budget. This directly affects NIST employees by halting potential workforce cuts during the budget gap. The key mechanism is a temporary legal barrier requiring Congress to enact 2026 funding before NIST can reduce its staff.