hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Increases buyout limit for federal workers quitting voluntarily.
Rep. Langworthy (R-NY), Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House, waiting for committee review.
This bill raises the maximum voluntary separation incentive payment from its current limit (equal to the lesser of severance pay or a set amount) to up to 6 months of salary. The exact amount is decided by each agency head. Rep. Langworthy sponsored it, and it's been referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. No hearings or votes yet.
Introduced Jan 27, 2026
This bill has been introduced in its chamber of Congress. It has been assigned a bill number and referred to a committee for review. Most bills never advance past this stage. The committee may hold hearings, gather expert testimony, and amend the bill before deciding whether to send it to the full chamber for a vote.
A larger buyout could encourage more federal workers to leave early, potentially reducing the size of the government workforce. Taxpayers may benefit from lower payroll costs, but hiring replacements or paying overtime might offset savings. Agencies like the VA or Social Security could strategically target buyouts to specific roles.
Supporters Say
Supports say bigger buyouts let agencies downsize efficiently and save money.
Critics Say
Critics worry it could trigger a brain drain of experienced staff and raise costs.
Supporters note that agencies can choose who gets a buyout, targeting expensive or redundant positions. Critics argue that the 6-month cap may still be too generous, and losing institutional knowledge could hurt service delivery. Some also question whether the savings will materialize if new hires are needed.