Republicans are introducing legislation that calls for reducing the federal workforce by 10 percent over the next four years.
The Reducing the Size of the Federal Government Through Attrition Act of 2011 would require that only one new federal employee can be hired for every three federal employees that retire.
The bill is sponsored by California Rep. Darrell Issa, Florida Rep. Dennis Ross and Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, all Republicans. A copy of the bill’s text can read here.
A news release from Issa’s Oversight and Government Reform Committee said the proposal has been estimated to save $127.5 billion over ten years. The bill draws on recommendations from the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
Issa said the federal work force was decreased by 381,000 from 1994 to 2000, but has reversed course and increased in the years after.
“This bill will help us reverse the growth curve,” he said.