Plain Language Summary
# Federal Freeze Act Summary **What It Does:** The Federal Freeze Act would temporarily freeze pay raises for federal workers and require the federal government to reduce its workforce. Specifically, it would prevent any federal employee from receiving a pay increase for one year after the bill becomes law. Additionally, federal agencies would be prohibited from hiring new employees during that first year, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, public safety, and national security positions.
After the initial year, agencies would be required to reduce their total workforce by 5% over three years compared to current staffing levels. **Who It Affects:** This bill directly impacts approximately 2.3 million federal employees who work across various government agencies, from the Social Security Administration to the Department of Defense. It could also indirectly affect federal services and programs that rely on government staff to operate. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken to advance it to a vote.
CRS Official Summary
Federal Freeze ActThis bill bars pay raises for federal employees for one year and requires reductions in the number of employees at each federal agency.The bill prohibits agencies from increasing the basic pay of any employee for one year after enactment. Also in that first year, the bill prohibits each federal agency from increasing the number of its employees beyond the number employed on the date of the bill's enactment, except that the agency may increase such number when making appointments to positions related to law enforcement, public safety, or national security.Additionally, the bill requires reductions in force such that within three years of the bill's enactment the number of employees at each agency is 5% lower than it was on the date of the bill's enactment.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.