Senate budget bill grants Trump sweeping powers to reorganize agencies, lay off federal workers

A Senate reconciliation bill advanced this week would give President Trump nearly unchecked authority—and a $100 million fund—to reorganize or shrink federal agencies, bypassing most congressional oversight, as reported by Government Executive. The proposal, added by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, seeks to revive “reorganization authority” last used in 1984, allowing the White House to cut or consolidate agencies deemed “wasteful, unnecessary or duplicative.”

Unlike previous reorganizations, the measure mainly requires an annual report to Congress, while exempting the White House from most traditional legal constraints. The bill explicitly forbids any increase in government agencies or spending, and its cost-neutral clause would limit future presidents’ ability to rebuild cut programs.

Federal employee advocates have condemned the proposal as an “abrogation” of congressional responsibilities. John Hatton, of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, warned the measure gives Trump “carte blanche” to dismantle the federal workforce. Matt Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, called it a “surrender” of Congress’ authority, endangering public services and government resources.

If adopted, the measure would also likely override pending lawsuits that have blocked previous Trump administration layoffs, including a pending 3 percent reduction in National Archives staff.

Tags:

Reconciliation Bill, Government Reorganization, Federal Employees, Congress, White House, Labor Unions, Trump Administration