Sponsors (25)
Want me to put this bill in plain English?
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
This bill would make it faster and simpler for federal agencies to deal with poor performance or misconduct. It ends the separate performance-removal track and moves to one set of discipline rules under the general adverse‑action process . Deadlines are tighter (7 business days to respond, 15 business days for a decision, and 10 business days to appeal), and agencies don’t have to put employees on a performance improvement plan first . It narrows when union grievances can be used for these cases and says the new procedures override any conflicting union contracts .
The bill also tightens rules for senior leaders and supervisors, using the same faster timelines and allowing actions without a PIP . It creates new furlough rules, including an emergency furlough that requires notice but no other procedures. Agencies could claw back bonuses after an official finding against an employee and block new bonuses for five years. If a worker is convicted of a felony tied to their job duties, the pension for that period would be reduced, with an appeal right and a spouse protection rule . The probation period would extend to two years for most federal jobs and for senior executives .
Amends section 7501: in paragraph (1) by striking "and" at the end; redesignates paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and inserts new paragraphs (2) and (3) defining furlough (referencing section 7511(a)(5)) and defining 'emergency furlough' as a furlough due to a lapse in appropriations.
Replaces the existing text beginning with 'This subchapter' to specify that the subchapter applies to: (1) a suspension for 14 days or less (with exclusions), (2) a furlough for 14 days or less, and (3) an emergency furlough of any duration.
Amends the heading of section 7503 by striking and inserting (text as specified in the bill).
Inserts new section 7504 titled 'Furlough and emergency furlough cause and procedure' establishing (a) general furlough cause and procedures, including an OPM-regulation deadline (not later than 180 days after enactment) for promulgating procedures and materials to be furnished to furloughed employees and the Merit Systems Protection Board, and (b) emergency furlough provisions requiring notice under OPM regulations and stating that no other procedures are available for emergency furloughs.
Redesignates the existing section 7504 as section 7505.
Inserts additional text into subsection 7511(a)(5) by inserting before the terminal period (specific inserted text indicated in the bill).
Amends section 7512: revises paragraph (5) to change the referenced furlough duration from 'a furlough of 30 days or less' to 'a furlough of more than 14 days but less than 31 days'; adjusts subparagraph punctuation; and adds at the end a new subparagraph (F) to include 'an emergency furlough action under section 7504.'
Inserts new section 7515 'Furlough cause and procedure' which establishes that employees may be furloughed for cause promoting efficiency, requires OPM to promulgate regulations within 180 days setting forth circumstances and procedures (including application of section 7513 procedures as appropriate), requires materials be furnished to employee and MSPB on request, and provides an appeal right to the Merit Systems Protection Board not later than 10 business days after the effective date of the action.
Amends section 7513 by striking and inserting (text as specified in the bill).
Amends subsection 7521(b) by adding a new subparagraph (D) to include 'an emergency furlough action under section 7504.'
And 28 more affected sections...
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Barry D. Loudermilk · Last progress January 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House