Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act

This bill would temporarily stop the U.S. Forest Service from laying off staff. Until full-year funding for the agency is signed into law for fiscal year 2026, the agency could not start or carry out any reduction in force. It also blocks involuntary job cuts for Forest Service employees unless it’s for cause, like misconduct or poor performance. The goal is to keep the workforce stable while budgets are being worked out, so forests, wildfire response, and public lands services aren’t disrupted.

Key points:

• Who is affected: All Forest Service employees in competitive, excepted, and Senior Executive positions.
• What changes: No layoffs or forced separations, except for cause (misconduct, delinquency, or performance).
• When: From now until full-year Forest Service funding for fiscal year 2026 becomes law.