Labor & Employment (Public Employees) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 7, 2025

S 27: Federal Employee Return to Work Act

This bill requires most federal employees who regularly telework (at least one day weekly or 20% of work time under alternative schedules) to return to an office-based work arrangement. It excludes certain employees, including those with disabilities receiving accommodations, Foreign Service members, law enforcement officers, and active-duty military personnel. Covered employees will no longer receive annual pay adjustments under standard federal pay rules and must be paid at the "Rest of U.S." standard pay rate for their position grade and step, with no future adjustments to that rate. The changes take effect in the first full fiscal year after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Nov 25, 2025

HR 6311: PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act

This bill creates a new paid leave policy for federal employees who are spouses of military members or Foreign Service officers facing a permanent relocation (PCS). It entitles eligible employees to 40 hours of paid leave (adjusted for part-time schedules) to assist with moving to a new location where their spouse will be stationed. The leave must be used within one month of the move for relocation activities during regular work hours, cannot be converted to cash, and is in addition to other leave types. It directly affects federal workers married to military or Foreign Service personnel who must relocate due to their spouse's permanent duty assignment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2025

HR 1571: Bureaucratic Labor Adjustment and Downsizing Effort Act

This bill eliminates non-essential executive branch federal positions that would be subject to furlough during budget gaps. It automatically abolishes unoccupied positions on enactment day and occupied positions when they become vacant (e.g., due to retirement or separation). The law also prevents new positions from being designated as "excepted from furlough" and blocks funding for any abolished role after the effective date. It directly affects civil service employees in the executive branch whose roles are deemed non-essential under this standard.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 932: Protecting VA Employees Act

HR 932, the Protecting VA Employees Act, repeals separate processes for removing, demoting, or suspending certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and replaces them with a single, consolidated procedure. It also restores disciplinary and grievance procedures for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff to their pre-2017 state, as they existed before the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. These changes directly affect VA employees, particularly VHA personnel, by altering how disciplinary actions are conducted under the agency's rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2880: To provide employment protections for, and reinstatement of, certain probationary Federal career employees, and for other purposes.

HR 2880 provides due process protections for federal employees who are promoted to career positions (in the competitive service, excepted service, or Senior Executive Service) and serve under a probationary period. It requires these employees to be covered by existing federal employment laws, including special protections for Department of Veterans Affairs staff. The bill also allows employees removed from such positions between January 20, 2025, and the law's enactment to be reinstated to their former or equivalent role with backpay. Political appointees are excluded from these protections and reinstatement provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Employees Veteran Employment

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2025

S 295: Reducing the Federal Workforce Through Attrition Act

This bill requires federal agencies to reduce their workforce to 90% of the 2025 level by fiscal year 2028, directly affecting all federal agencies and their employees (excluding political appointees). It mandates that agencies hire no more than one new employee for every three retirees or separations during 2026-2027, with strict monitoring to ensure compliance. Agencies exceeding their capped workforce must halt all new hiring, remote work approvals, and certain position changes until they meet the limit. The bill includes limited emergency waivers for national security or public safety crises but prohibits increasing service contracts or remote work arrangements as part of the reduction strategy.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1597: Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act

This bill (HR 1597) allows certain fired federal employees to continue or enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). It directly affects civil service workers involuntarily removed between January 20, 2025, and January 1, 2026, who were removed without cause, had a "fully successful" performance rating, were pregnant at termination, or were diagnosed with cancer within five years prior. The bill requires health coverage contributions to be funded using savings from the newly created "United States DOGE Service" (established by a January 20, 2025, executive order). This provides a specific pathway for eligible former employees to maintain health insurance during a transition period, using redirected federal savings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Employees

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

All labor & employment bills