Interior Department Layoffs Frozen Until FY 2026 Budget Passes: Job Security for Career Employees

The “Saving the Department of the Interior’s Workforce Act” is pretty straightforward. It puts a hard freeze on involuntary layoffs—what the government calls a Reduction in Force (RIF)—across every agency and bureau within the Department of the Interior (DOI). This pause button stays pressed until Congress actually passes the full-year funding bill for the DOI for Fiscal Year 2026. If you work for the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or any other DOI branch, this is about your job security for the next year or so.

The Job Security Playbook

This bill protects career employees in the competitive service, the excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service (SES) from being involuntarily separated due to budget cuts or reorganization. Think of it as a temporary shield against the kind of mass layoffs that often follow budget uncertainty or major administrative shifts (SEC. 2). For example, if you’re a park ranger or a wildlife biologist who has dedicated years to the DOI, this bill means that even if the budget process drags on, you won't suddenly get a pink slip because the agency decided to downsize before knowing its final funding number.

What the Freeze Doesn't Cover

It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t a blanket immunity pass. The bill specifically states that the Secretary of the Interior can still fire employees for “cause,” meaning proven misconduct, delinquency, or poor job performance (SEC. 2). This is standard operating procedure and is separate from RIFs. So, if you’re doing a great job, you’re safe from budget-driven layoffs. If you’re consistently failing to meet performance standards or committing serious rule violations, the agency still has the authority to let you go under existing personnel rules, like those found in Chapter 75 of Title 5, U.S. Code.

The Real-World Impact on Stability

For the thousands of people who work for the DOI, this bill offers a huge dose of stability during a time when budget negotiations can often feel like a game of chicken. When employees are constantly worried about RIFs, it’s tough to focus on the mission—whether that’s managing public lands, protecting resources, or serving the public. By guaranteeing job stability until the FY 2026 budget is finalized, the DOI workforce can focus on their actual jobs, like processing drilling permits or managing wildfire risks, without the immediate threat of a layoff hanging over their heads. This is a win for workforce morale and continuity.

The Trade-Off for Taxpayers and Management

While this is great news for employees, it does tie the hands of the Secretary of the Interior for a significant period. If the Secretary believes certain agencies are overstaffed or need a major structural overhaul to save taxpayer money, they can't use the RIF tool until the moratorium lifts (SEC. 2). This means that any necessary, difficult budget adjustments that would involve layoffs are essentially delayed. While this ensures stability now, it could potentially lead to a larger, more abrupt RIF when the freeze finally lifts, particularly if the FY 2026 budget ends up being significantly lower than expected. It keeps the lights on and the staff working, but it might just be deferring the hard budgetary decisions.