August 8, 2025 3:30 a.m.  

This week, 4th District Congresswoman Val Hoyle and a number of top Democratic lawmakers condemned President Trump’s federal workforce purge.

The members of Congress introduced a series of bills to halt the Reductions in Force process to carry out what they believe are politically motivated firings across the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service.

The release said these cuts would gut the federal workforce responsible for fighting wildfires, managing public lands, protecting water, advancing clean energy, and honoring tribal obligations. The group claims that Interior has already lost 11 percent of its staff while the Forest Service has lost 15 percent of staff – driven by forced retirements, firings and DOGE cuts.

Hoyle said, “You don’t fix government by firing the people who make it work”. Hoyle is the Ranking Member of the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee. Hoyle said, “These attacks on federal workers hurt our ability to manage forests, prepare for emergencies, and keep families safe. It’s wrong and I’m proud to be a part of the effort to push back”.

The release said the bills impose an immediate moratorium on agency firings through the RIF process to protect public service delivery while Congress investigates DOGE and assesses long-term staffing needs.