The "Saving NASAs Workforce Act" temporarily prohibits NASA from conducting layoffs until full funding is secured for fiscal year 2026, protecting NASA employees from involuntary separation.
Zoe Lofgren
Representative
CA-18
The "Saving NASAs Workforce Act" prevents NASA from conducting layoffs or involuntarily separating employees until the full budget for fiscal year 2026 is approved. This moratorium protects most NASA employees, with exceptions only for cases of misconduct or poor performance. The bill aims to stabilize NASA's workforce during a period of budget uncertainty. This is in addition to any other existing regulations regarding adverse personnel actions.
NASA Job Freeze: New Bill Blocks Layoffs Until FY2026 Funding Secured
Alright, let's break down the "Saving NASAs Workforce Act." In simple terms, this bill puts a stop sign on layoffs at NASA. Specifically, it prohibits the agency from initiating any 'reduction in force' – that's government-speak for layoffs or involuntary separations – until the full-year funding for the fiscal year 2026 is officially signed, sealed, and delivered.
Who Stays On Board?
This isn't just a suggestion; it's a mandate covering most of NASA's workforce. We're talking about folks in the competitive service, career employees in the excepted service, and even senior career appointees. Think engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative staff – the people keeping those rockets pointed in the right direction. The goal here is pretty clear: provide job security and stability for the NASA team, especially when budget negotiations can create uncertainty year after year.
The Exceptions Clause
Now, this freeze isn't absolute. The bill carves out exceptions for specific situations. If an employee is let go due to proven misconduct, delinquency (like not paying government travel card bills, perhaps), or inefficiency (not meeting job performance standards), this moratorium doesn't apply. It also clarifies that this protection is in addition to any existing rules about handling personnel actions. Essentially, it prevents budget-driven layoffs but doesn't shield employees from consequences related to their conduct or performance. For the average NASA employee worried about funding fights impacting their job, this bill aims to offer some breathing room until at least the FY2026 budget is sorted out.