Shaheen Introduces Bill for Congressional Notification of State Department Layoffs

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a prominent Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, revealed on Tuesday that she has proposed a bill requiring congressional notifications regarding significant layoffs at the State Department and other related agencies.

This announcement comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio set a deadline of July 1 to reduce the department’s workforce by 15%, which amounts to around 2,000 positions. Previous legal challenges have halted such firings; however, a recent Supreme Court ruling may have cleared the path for the Trump administration to proceed.

It’s important to note that this legislation is unlikely to gain traction in a Senate led by the GOP.

The planned layoffs are part of Rubio’s strategy to reorganize the State Department by streamlining several institutions, a move he argues will enhance U.S. diplomatic efficiency.

Coinciding with this, Rubio announced the official suspension of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Critics, particularly Democrats, argue that shutting down USAID is not only unconstitutional but poses risks to America’s global standing and could have dire consequences for populations worldwide.

“This legislation is crucial for maintaining America’s capacity to tackle global challenges,” Shaheen said in a statement.

She further added, “The Trump administration is systematically undermining our diplomatic institutions, which hinders our ability to promote U.S. interests and address crises effectively—all while relying on adversaries like China.”

Joining Shaheen in this effort are Senators Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Chris Van Hollen, and Tammy Duckworth.

The proposed Act mandates that any Reduction in Force (RIF) affecting more than 50 employees within diplomatic agencies must be communicated to both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee at least 20 days before such reductions take place.

Moreover, the bill aims to protect foreign service officers by ensuring that RIF determinations are predominantly based on performance and prior committee evaluations.

Employees impacted by these layoffs would receive a minimum notice of 120 days, or at least 60 days for any related changes. This legislation responds to demands from the Trump administration for congressional input prior to adjustments to the diplomatic workforce and reorganization of the State Department.

The bill covers various agencies, including the State Department, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Development Finance Corporation, Peace Corps, Trade Development Agency, U.S. Global Media, and USAID.