H.R.2906 - Stopping to Efficiently Review Varying Impacts of Cuts to Employment Act; SERVICE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2906, the SERVICE Act, aims to limit workforce reductions at federal agencies by requiring a thorough analysis of the expected effects before any reduction exceeding 5% can occur. This analysis must be submitted to the Comptroller General and Congress, covering financial and mission-related impacts. The Comptroller General then submits a report to relevant committees on the thoroughness and credibility of the agency's analysis.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely slow down or prevent significant workforce reductions at federal agencies. It introduces a layer of scrutiny and requires agencies to justify potential cuts with detailed reports. This could lead to more informed decisions about workforce management and potentially mitigate negative impacts on government services.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures careful consideration of the impacts of federal workforce reductions.
- Provides transparency through required reports to Congress and the public.
- Potentially protects essential government services from being negatively impacted by staffing cuts.
- May lead to more efficient resource allocation by forcing agencies to justify their actions.
- Could prevent hasty or poorly planned workforce reductions.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create bureaucratic hurdles and slow down necessary workforce adjustments.
- Could increase administrative costs due to the required reporting and analysis.
- Agencies might be discouraged from pursuing efficiency improvements if they involve workforce reductions.
- The 5% threshold might be arbitrary and not suitable for all agencies.
- The GAO review process could be subject to political influence.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, including managing the federal workforce. The requirement for agency reports and GAO review supports congressional oversight, a key aspect of its legislative role. There are no apparent infringements on individual rights or liberties.
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).