Olszewski Demands Immediate Action as Trump Administration Begins Mass Layoffs of Federal Workers

(Washington, DC) – Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski again called for passage of his legislation to protect furloughed federal workers from termination during the government shutdown amid reports that the Trump Administration has begun mass layoffs at multiple agencies, making our country less safe and weakening essential public services.

Earlier today, the Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, posted on social media that “The reductions in force [RIFs] have begun,” offering no additional details. Early reports suggest at least nine federal agencies are affected.  

“This is no longer a threat – it’s happening,” said Congressman Olszewski, whose district is home to 22,000 federal workers. “Thousands of hardworking Americans are being fired in real time, not because they did anything wrong, but because they are being used as pawns in a political power play. These are our neighbors, our public servants, our community members – and they deserve better. If the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans continue to refuse to negotiate on a bipartisan budget, Congress must act to stop these mass terminations before this temporary shutdown is made permanent.”

Olszewski’s legislation — the Securing Assurance for Federal Employees (SAFE) Act — would prohibit terminations of federal employees during a government shutdown and ensure that any workers wrongfully fired are fully reinstated with back pay. It also establishes legal protections to prevent future administrations from exploiting shutdowns to pursue mass layoffs. It currently has 66 cosponsors and is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees and the Retired Federal Employees Association.

The SAFE Act builds on Olszewski’s continued leadership in defending the nonpartisan federal workforce from partisan attacks. Earlier this year, he introduced legislation requiring the reinstatement of federal employees fired by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while still in probationary periods following promotions.

Maryland currently has the highest number of job losses under the current Administration.
 

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