Saving NIST's Workforce Act

Full Title:
Saving NIST’s Workforce Act

Summary#

This bill, the "Saving NIST's Workforce Act," would stop the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from carrying out any reduction in force (RIF) under sections 3501–3504 and 3595 of title 5, United States Code. The pause lasts until full-year appropriations for NIST for fiscal year 2026 have been enacted. The bill also says this pause is in addition to any other authority about personnel actions, including chapter 75 of title 5.

What it means for you#

  • If you work at NIST: The agency could not carry out RIF actions named in the bill until FY2026 full-year appropriations are enacted. That means certain temporary layoffs or formal RIF procedures named in those sections could not proceed during the moratorium period.
  • If you do not work at NIST: No direct changes are specified in the bill text.

Expenses#

No publicly available information. The bill text does not include cost estimates or budget figures.

Proponents' View#

The bill text itself states the action: to institute a moratorium on reductions in force at NIST until FY2026 full-year appropriations are enacted. Sponsors listed are Senators Mazie Hirono and Chris Van Hollen.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.