House Dems Introduce EPA Staff Protection Measure
On March 23, Rep Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) along with nine additional Democrats introduced a bill that would prohibit any Federal hiring freeze from affecting employees of the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill, HR 1716, simply states, The memorandum titled “Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze” published on January 23, 2017, or any other substantially similar memorandum, Executive order, or other action by the President to prevent a department or agency of the Federal Government from filling vacant Federal civilian employee positions or creating new such positions, shall have no force or effect with respect to positions within the Environmental Protection Agency.
The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Without any Republican supporters, thus far, the measure is unlikely to advance.
