November 6, 2025
Mr. Warner (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kim, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To prohibit Executive agencies from carrying out a reduction in force, or any similar effort, during any period during which there is a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Securing Assurance for Federal Employees Act
or the SAFE Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on carrying out a reduction in force during Government shutdown
(a) Definition
In this section, the term Executive agency has the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Prohibition
During a period during which there is a lapse in appropriations with respect to an Executive agency, that Executive agency may not use the funds made available by any Act to propose, notice, initiate, execute, implement, or take any other action relating to a reduction in force, or relating to any similar effort, to reduce the number of employees employed by that or another Executive agency.
(c) Remedy
With respect to any reduction in force (or similar effort) proposed, noticed, initiated, executed, implemented, or otherwise taken by an Executive agency in violation of subsection (b), including such an action taken with respect to a reduction in force (or similar effort) at any time during the period beginning on October 1, 2025, and ending on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, that reduction in force (or similar effort) shall have no force or effect.
(d) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed to affect a voluntary separation payment offered to an employee under section 3523 of title 5, United States Code.
(e) Retroactive effective date
This section shall take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2025.