The SAFE Act prohibits federal agencies from conducting layoffs or workforce reductions during government shutdowns when funding has lapsed. The bill applies to all executive agencies and blocks them from proposing, initiating, or implementing any reduction-in-force efforts while appropriations are unavailable. Any layoffs that were carried out during the shutdown period beginning October 1, 2025 through the bill's enactment date are declared null and void, effectively restoring those positions. The legislation does not prevent voluntary separation packages that employees might choose on their own. The bill takes retroactive effect to September 30, 2025, meaning it covers actions taken during the recent shutdown period.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.