Of inquiry requesting the President to transmit certain information to the House of Representatives referring to the firings, dismissal, reduction in force, or withholding of pay for the period of the lapse in appropriations of furloughed employees of the United States Government.
Summary
This House Resolution is an inquiry directed to the President, requesting the transmission of information related to the firing, dismissal, reduction in force, or withholding of pay for furloughed federal employees during the lapse in appropriations that began on October 1, 2025. The resolution seeks documents and communications related to proposed reductions in force, legal determinations regarding the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, and plans to withhold pay.
The request encompasses communications between various governmental offices, including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Special Counsel, and the Merit System Protection Board. The information must be provided to the House of Representatives within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.
The resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 14, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Expected Effects
If adopted, this resolution would compel the President to provide specific documents and communications to the House of Representatives. This could lead to increased transparency regarding the government's handling of federal employee pay and employment during lapses in appropriations.
It could also potentially reveal information about legal interpretations and policy decisions made during the specified period. The information obtained could be used for further legislative action or oversight.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding government actions during the lapse in appropriations.
- Potential for holding government officials accountable for decisions affecting federal employees.
- Informing future legislative efforts to prevent similar situations.
- Providing clarity on the interpretation and implementation of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
- Ensuring fair treatment of federal employees during government shutdowns.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for executive privilege to be invoked, limiting the information provided.
- The 14-day deadline may be challenging to meet, potentially resulting in incomplete information.
- The information obtained could be used for political purposes, leading to further division.
- Compliance with the resolution could divert resources from other important government functions.
- The resolution may not lead to any concrete changes in policy or practice.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the principle of congressional oversight, which is implied in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, granting all legislative powers to Congress. The power of inquiry is essential for Congress to effectively legislate and oversee the executive branch.
Additionally, the request for information related to the treatment of federal employees could be argued to relate to the general welfare clause, as ensuring fair treatment of government employees contributes to the overall functioning of the government. However, the executive branch may assert executive privilege, potentially leading to a constitutional conflict regarding the separation of powers.
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).