H.R. 3468 requires five federal agencies—Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Housing and Urban Development—to get congressional approval before making significant staffing cuts or office closures. Specifically, agencies must certify to Congress that planned reductions of over 5 percent in staffing or regional offices, budget cuts, or restructuring of enforcement activities will not reduce benefits, increase wait times, or weaken public protections. Along with the certification, agencies must submit detailed reports explaining how they will reallocate resources to maintain service levels. The bill also requires each agency's Inspector General to study whether these changes actually harm service delivery within one year, and if problems are found, the agency head must reverse the action by rehiring staff or reopening offices. The requirements take effect one year after the bill becomes law.
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