Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2211

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Water Resources Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-06-25T08:06:39Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Saving NOAA's Workforce Act" (H.R. 2211) aims to protect employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from layoffs or forced separations until Congress passes full-year funding (appropriations) for the agency in fiscal year 2026. This moratorium ensures workforce stability during potential budget uncertainties.

Key Provisions

• Moratorium on Reductions in Force (RIFs): NOAA is prohibited from starting or carrying out any RIF, which is a formal process to reduce the number of employees due to reasons like budget cuts or reorganization.
• Ban on Involuntary Separations: The agency cannot force the separation (termination or layoff) of:
• Employees in the competitive service (a category of federal jobs filled through open, merit-based hiring).
• Career employees in the excepted service (jobs exempt from standard competitive hiring, often due to specialized needs).
• Career appointees in the Senior Executive Service (SES; high-level leadership positions focused on executive management).
• Exceptions: Separations are allowed only "for cause," meaning based on specific charges of misconduct (wrongful behavior), delinquency (neglect of duties), or inefficiency (poor performance).
• Duration: The restrictions apply until full-year appropriations for NOAA in fiscal year 2026 (starting October 1, 2025) are enacted into law.
• Definitions and Scope: Terms like "competitive service," "excepted service," and "career appointee" are defined under U.S. federal law (Title 5 of the U.S. Code). These rules add to, but do not replace, existing federal personnel authorities, such as those for handling poor performance or discipline.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a temporary, targeted freeze on RIFs and most involuntary separations specifically for NOAA, which is not a standard feature of federal personnel laws under Title 5 of the U.S. Code.
• It limits the agency's flexibility to downsize staff proactively during funding gaps, overriding normal procedures unless tied to individual misconduct or performance issues.
• No broader changes to federal employment law are made; the moratorium is agency-specific and time-limited.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: NOAA may face operational challenges if it cannot adjust staffing during budget delays, potentially leading to reliance on temporary funding (continuing resolutions) while maintaining full workforce levels. This could strain resources but preserve institutional knowledge in areas like weather forecasting, climate research, and ocean management.
• On Citizens: Indirect benefits include sustained NOAA services critical for public safety (e.g., hurricane warnings, fisheries management), reducing risks from disruptions. However, if funding shortfalls persist, it might delay efficiency improvements or cost savings.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though NOAA's role in global climate monitoring and marine treaties (e.g., with other nations on ocean resources) could be stabilized, supporting U.S. commitments without workforce interruptions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• NOAA Employees: Primary beneficiaries, especially in competitive, excepted, and SES roles, gaining job security against non-disciplinary layoffs.
• NOAA Leadership and Management: Restricted in personnel decisions, potentially complicating responses to budget constraints.
• Congress and Taxpayers: Congress retains control via the appropriations link; taxpayers may see preserved spending on personnel but face debates over fiscal responsibility.
• Environmental and Scientific Communities: Groups relying on NOAA data (e.g., researchers, coastal communities) benefit from uninterrupted agency operations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces congressional oversight of executive agencies by conditioning personnel actions on appropriations, aligning with the Constitution's separation of powers (Congress controls the purse). It does not alter core federal employment protections but adds a procedural hurdle.
• Constitutional: No major conflicts; it upholds Article I's appropriations clause without infringing on executive personnel authority, as exceptions for cause preserve due process rights under the Fifth Amendment.
• Political: Could spark debates on federal workforce protections versus fiscal austerity, especially amid broader efforts to reduce government spending. As an introduced bill (referred to committees on Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology), its passage would signal bipartisan support for NOAA's mission in a politically divided Congress.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Rivas, Luz [D-CA-29], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (2 pages)