This bill establishes a temporary moratorium on reductions in force (RIFs) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its primary purpose is to prevent NIST from implementing workforce reductions during a critical period, thereby safeguarding its employees. Specifically, NIST is prohibited from conducting any RIFs, as defined by relevant sections of Title 5, United States Code, until full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 have been officially enacted into law. This moratorium acts as an additional safeguard for personnel, complementing existing authorities related to adverse personnel actions.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Science, Technology, Communications
Saving NIST’s Workforce Act
USA119th CongressS-2631| Senate
| Updated: 7/31/2025
This bill establishes a temporary moratorium on reductions in force (RIFs) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its primary purpose is to prevent NIST from implementing workforce reductions during a critical period, thereby safeguarding its employees. Specifically, NIST is prohibited from conducting any RIFs, as defined by relevant sections of Title 5, United States Code, until full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 have been officially enacted into law. This moratorium acts as an additional safeguard for personnel, complementing existing authorities related to adverse personnel actions.