Ranking Member Scott Calls for GAO to Investigate Partisan Firings During Government Shutdown
“It is clear by the President’s actions that he intends to circumvent any oversight or investigative check.”
WASHINGTON — Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro to investigate President Trump’s use of Reduction in Force (RIF) actions during the government shutdown.
The letter follows attempts from President Trump to lay off thousands of federal employees based not only on funding lapses, but also on whether their work aligned with the President’s political agenda. This was an unprecedented action that likely violates both the Constitution and federal law.
At the Department of Education (ED), reportedly 466 staff who oversee the administration of programs authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1965, and the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, were laid off.
At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) nearly 1,000 employees were terminated. Specifically, within the Committee’s jurisdiction, the Office of Community Services, which oversees both the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been decimated.
“It is clear by the President’s actions that he intends to circumvent any oversight or investigative check on his will to power as relates to the operation of the federal government. However, as Comptroller General you have been empowered by Congress to ‘investigate all matters related to the receipt, disbursement, and use of public money, and to evaluate the results of programs and activities carried out by the government under existing law,’” Ranking Member Scott wrote.
Scott is requesting GAO to investigate and issue a legal opinion as to whether the President’s actions are lawful under the Anti-Deficiency Act or are consistent with the Constitution’s separation of powers.
Full text of the letter can be found here.
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