Constituent Services Impacts of Federal Workforce Firings Act

This bill directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of federal reductions in force (RIFs) and other civilian workforce reduction efforts on constituent services provided by federal agencies. Congress notes that RIFs can significantly alter agency staffing levels, potentially leading to increased service backlogs, longer processing times, and reduced public access, thereby diminishing overall agency responsiveness. These reductions may disproportionately affect agencies with high public interaction, such as those administering Social Security or veterans benefits, and currently, there is no comprehensive federal assessment of these effects. The mandated study will extensively examine changes in constituent service performance metrics, including processing times for benefits, casework responsiveness, and call center wait times. It will also investigate the effects on agencies' ability to meet statutory deadlines and mission-critical service obligations, as well as operational and administrative challenges faced during and after workforce reductions. The scope further includes historical case studies, strategies used to mitigate service disruptions, and the extent to which RIFs impede agencies' ability to respond to congressional casework inquiries . In conducting the study, the Comptroller General is required to consult with federal agencies, the Office of Personnel Management, labor unions, and public administration experts. Within 18 months of the bill's enactment, a detailed report must be submitted to key congressional committees. This report will include findings, an assessment of how RIFs affected service delivery, and recommendations for statutory or administrative changes to strengthen constituent service continuity during future workforce reductions, along with policy options for Congress.