H.R. 4854, the Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act, prohibits the Department of the Interior from laying off employees or conducting involuntary separations across all its agencies and bureaus until Congress passes a full-year budget for fiscal year 2026. The bill protects most federal workers at the Interior Department—including those in the competitive civil service, career positions in the excepted service, and senior executive positions—from being fired except for legitimate cause such as misconduct, poor performance, or delinquency. The moratorium essentially freezes any workforce reduction efforts the department might attempt during the budget negotiation period. This legislation affects all Interior Department employees and bureaus, including those working in land management, fish and wildlife, and natural resources. The bill was introduced in August 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.
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