Bill would bar mass layoffs at Interior, Forest Service through 2030

What does this do?

HR 8523 would make it illegal to use federal funds to carry out mass layoffs or forced firings at the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. The prohibition would run from enactment through September 30, 2030. Individual employees could still be fired for misconduct, poor performance, or other legitimate job-related reasons, and any large-scale cuts would require prior approval from the chairs of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Who does it affect?

Career federal employees at the two agencies would be most directly shielded by the bill. Americans who use or depend on public lands could also be affected, since staffing levels influence how well these agencies manage wildfires, maintain parks and trails, and carry out other public services.

Why does it matter?

The Department of the Interior oversees roughly 500 million acres and manages oil, gas, and mineral resources on federal land, while the Forest Service manages about 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Together the two agencies employ tens of thousands of workers, and large-scale staffing reductions could affect wildfire management, conservation, recreation, and natural resource oversight.

Where does it stand?