Summary of the Legislation:

Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, to extend the freeze on statutory pay adjustments for federal civilian employees and increases in the rates of basic pay for senior executives or senior-level employees through December 31, 2014. Prohibits agencies from paying bonuses (including any recruitment or retention bonus) or cash awards (including performance-based cash awards) to employees during FY2012-FY2014.

Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1)  take appropriate measures to ensure that the total number of federal employees or contract employees, beginning in FY2022, does not exceed 85% of the total number of federal employees on September 30, 2011; (2) continuously monitor all agencies, make a determination on whether the total number of federal employees in any quarter of a fiscal year exceeds the maximum number allowed by this Act, and notify the President and Congress if the number exceeds the maximum; and (3) ensure that there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts due to this Act unless a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be financially advantageous to the federal government.

Prohibits a federal agency from filling any vacancy until OMB provides written notice to the President and Congress that the number of federal or contract employees does not exceed the limitation imposed by this Act.

Allows the President to waive the workforce limitations imposed by this Act if the President determines that the existence of a state or war or other national security concern or the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, public safety, property, or the environment so requires.

Imposes limitations on the amount allowed for the reimbursement of travel costs incurred by federal employees (except employees of the Department of Defense [DOD]) in FY2012-FY2014 unless such expenses are incurred by threatened law enforcement personnel or for reasons relating to national security or public safety.

The full text of the bill available here.

News Articles about this Legislation:

“With the debt-ceiling agreement now in the past and immediate disaster averted, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Tom Coburn (R-Ok.) recently introduced a piece of legislation that aims to save the U.S. government $600 billion by reducing the federal workforce.”

 "’If the recent debate over the debt ceiling has shown anything, it's that we need to make sure the federal government is forced to live within its means, just as small businesses and working families across the country are,’ Hatch said. ‘We simply must do more to address our runaway government spending and debt. The solutions to these problems don't need to be complicated. Our bill will generate significant savings -- more than $600 billion -- by implementing just a small handful of relatively simple reforms.’"

Furlong, Josh. (2011, August 4). Hatch introduces legislation to reduce federal workforce. KSL. Retrieved from http://www.ksl.com/?nid=757&sid=16659186

Bill Status:

On August 2, 2011 the resolution was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. To understand the process of how a bill becomes a law click here.

Senate Support:

The bill has been co-sponsored by 1 Senator: Tom Coburn (OK)

Public Suppport:

The following groups have written letter of support:

Please click on the name of the group to see their letter.