Saving NOAA's Workforce Act

Summary#

This bill, called the Saving NOAA's Workforce Act, stops the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from carrying out reductions in force under sections 3501–3504 and 3595 of title 5, United States Code. The moratorium lasts until full-year appropriations for NOAA for fiscal year 2026 are enacted into law. The bill also says this restriction is in addition to other authority over adverse personnel actions, including chapter 75 of title 5.

What it means for you#

• If you work for NOAA: The agency may not use the specific reduction-in-force procedures named in the bill until full-year FY2026 NOAA appropriations are enacted. Other types of adverse personnel actions may still be used if allowed by law.
• If you do not work for NOAA: No direct change in services or programs is specified in the bill text.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill was introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono (with Senator Chris Van Hollen) to "institute a reduction in force moratorium at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration." Its stated purpose is to pause reductions in force at NOAA until FY2026 full-year appropriations are enacted.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.