Bureaucratic Labor Adjustment and Downsizing Effort Act

This bill would shrink the federal workforce by getting rid of civil service jobs in the executive branch that were marked “not excepted” (often called “nonessential”) during government shutdowns. Any such job that is empty when the law takes effect would be abolished right away, and no money could be spent on it. Jobs that are currently filled would go away the moment they become vacant, like after a retirement or resignation. Agencies would not be allowed to reclassify old jobs as “excepted” to save them, and new jobs created after this law could not be labeled “excepted” either.

What this means day to day: over time, agencies could have fewer staff in roles that stopped during past shutdowns. People in those roles would not be fired on the spot, but their positions would disappear when they leave. This could lead to longer wait times or reduced services in areas that were previously paused during shutdowns.

Key points

• Who is affected: Civil service employees in executive branch jobs that were not required to work during shutdowns; the public using those services.
• What changes: Vacant “nonessential” jobs are eliminated immediately; filled ones are eliminated when they open up. Agencies cannot reclassify or newly label jobs as “excepted” to avoid cuts.
• When: Takes effect on enactment; filled positions end upon future vacancy.