H.R.2532 - To prohibit certain removals of employees of the Department of Health and Human Services and sub-agencies and operating divisions thereof, and for other purposes. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2532 aims to prevent large-scale removals of employees within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its sub-agencies. It specifically prohibits the use of federal funds for agency actions, including reductions in force or reorganizations, that would result in the removal of 3% or more of the total HHS workforce within a 60-day period. This restriction also applies to individual sub-agencies or operating divisions within HHS.
The bill seeks to stabilize the HHS workforce and prevent disruptions in the delivery of essential public health services. It reflects concerns about potential political interference or mismanagement leading to significant staff reductions.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to multiple committees for consideration.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2532 would limit the ability of future administrations to rapidly reduce the workforce at HHS. This could lead to greater job security for HHS employees.
It might also make it more difficult to implement large-scale reforms or cost-cutting measures within the department. The bill could also lead to more litigation regarding what constitutes a 'removal'.
Potential Benefits
- Prevents potential disruptions in essential public health services due to mass layoffs.
- Provides job security for employees of the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Limits the potential for politically motivated staff reductions.
- Could foster a more stable and experienced workforce within HHS.
- May protect institutional knowledge and expertise within the agency.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May hinder efforts to streamline operations or reduce costs within HHS.
- Could make it more difficult to implement necessary reforms or reorganizations.
- May protect underperforming employees from removal.
- Could create bureaucratic inefficiencies and resistance to change.
- May limit the flexibility of agency leadership to manage the workforce effectively.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9, Clause 7), which grants it control over federal spending. By restricting the use of federal funds for certain employee removals, the bill exercises this power.
There are no apparent conflicts with individual liberties or other constitutional rights. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional provision.
However, the bill could be viewed as potentially infringing on the Executive Branch's authority to manage its own personnel, although Congress has broad authority to set the terms of federal employment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).