A pair of House bills aim to give fired feds relief

As reports of firings and reductions in force continue to emerge from agencies across the federal government, a legislative push back on Capitol Hill has commenced. 

A pair of bills from Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., and Derek Tran, D-Calif., introduced on Feb. 26, aim to provide some relief for federal employees recently let go by the Trump administration, albeit with different focuses. 

Cherfilus-McCormick’s Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act (HR 1597) would ensure any civil servants wrongfully terminated between Jan. 20 and Jan. 1, 2026, would remain eligible for enrollment in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. 

“During a recent district work period, I held several town hall meetings where I listened to the stories of federal workers who are hurting,” the congresswoman said in a statement. “I met a woman who shared that she is three months pregnant and was fired unexpectedly. She and her husband are filled with fear and uncertainty about their future. In tears, she pleaded for her job back, expressing her passion for her work and fear for her high-risk pregnancy. We need to do better for federal workers like her and so many others.”

The bill identified the wrongfully terminated employees as those removed without cause, whose most recent performance review was rated fully successful or equivalent, was pregnant at the time of removal or was diagnosed with cancer within five years prior to the removal. 

It also purports to fund the FEHB coverage through the agency savings generated by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Tran’s bill, the Protect Veteran Jobs Act (HR 1637) aims to reinstate the federal jobs of veterans who were fired without cause and require agencies to issue quarterly reports to Congress on how many veterans have been removed from the civil service and outline the justification for those removals. 

“The men and women who have stepped up to serve our country deserve our support, not indiscriminate dismissal because of a misguided and chaotic political agenda,” he said in a statement. “Veterans bring incredible value and expertise to our federal government and provide essential services to American families and servicemembers. It is critical we protect the livelihoods of veterans who have served our country honorably and who continue to do so through civilian service.”

The bill seeks to make eligible for reinstatement any veteran involuntarily removed or dismissed from their job between Jan. 20 and the enactment of the legislation. Its call for congressional reports would sunset on Jan. 20, 2029. 

Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.