Senate Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee are pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio for clarification regarding the layoffs of thousands of State Department employees. They are concerned that these sudden job cuts could erase vital expertise and talent.
The panel sent a letter to Rubio just as the State Department began notifying employees about the planned reductions in force (RIFs), which are expected to impact approximately 1,100 foreign service officers and 250 civil servants.
“RIFs should really be a last resort. If they must occur, they need to adhere to established procedures that emphasize transparency and merit-based criteria for all career civil servants and FSOs,” the lawmakers noted in the letter.
“Considering the increasingly complex challenges to U.S. national security, our diplomatic corps must be robust. The administration should bolster it rather than detract from it,” they added.
The letter was spearheaded by Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez from New Jersey, along with Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, who is a ranking member of the committee. Other signatories included Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
They also addressed Russell Vought, the director of the White House’s Management and Budget, demanding a response by July 18th.
The senators raised concerns that foreign service personnel and civil servants might be losing their positions due to connections with eliminated offices, with staff being overlooked for potential reassignments despite their considerable experience.
Among the 18 questions posed was a request for an explanation of the reasoning behind the layoffs and future strategies. “It can take years for FSOs and civil servants to acquire essential diplomatic skills or language proficiencies. Why aren’t these skilled officers being reassigned? How does the Department plan to address these gaps in professional capabilities?” they asked.
They also inquired about the availability of unfilled FSO positions globally once the RIF is completed and how the Department intends to fill critical posts.
If the reorganization aims to cut down on waste and inefficiency, the lawmakers questioned why experienced civil servants can’t transition to vacant roles based on their skills.
Rubio, once a Republican Senator from Florida, had a long tenure on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before joining the Trump administration. Senator Schatz had emphasized at a diplomatic hearing in May that Rubio had not responded to numerous Congressional inquiries.
“My team has sent 200 questions without reply. Consultations should not just be courteous—they’re required by law… You’ve been largely unresponsive,” Schatz stated, criticizing the agency for lacking communication with his staff.
