Summary

Prohibits the Forest Service from starting or carrying out reductions in force (RIFs) or most involuntary separations of career employees until full-year FY2026 appropriations for the Forest Service are enacted. The prohibition covers competitive-service employees, career excepted-service employees, and Senior Executive Service career appointees, but allows removals for cause (misconduct, delinquency, or performance). The moratorium lasts only until Congress enacts full-year FY2026 Forest Service appropriations and incorporates statutory definitions of covered employee categories by reference to federal law. It does not eliminate other adverse personnel authorities already available to managers.

• Prevents the Forest Service from initiating or implementing any reduction in force until FY2026 full-year Forest Service appropriations are enacted.
• Bars involuntary separations of most career Forest Service employees, except for cause (misconduct, delinquency, or performance).
• Covers competitive-service employees, career excepted-service employees, and SES career appointees by reference to existing federal definitions.
• The moratorium is temporary and ends when Congress enacts full-year FY2026 Forest Service appropriations.
• Does not create or change funding levels, nor does it alter other adverse personnel authorities such as those in chapter 75 of title 5.
• Preserves manager ability to remove employees for cause while limiting workforce reductions tied to funding uncertainty.
• Applies only to the Forest Service, not to other USDA agencies or federal agencies generally.
• Does not authorize hiring increases, new programs, or changes to benefits or pay.