[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 200 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 200 To impose restrictions on Federal agencies with respect to appointments, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 3, 2025 Ms. Tenney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To impose restrictions on Federal agencies with respect to appointments, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Freeze Act''. SEC. 2. FREEZE ON FEDERAL HIRING AND SALARIES. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Baseline number.--The term ``baseline number'' means, with respect to an agency, the number of employees employed by the agency (including individuals occupying full-time equivalent positions in the agency), as of the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Employee.--The term ``employee'' means an employee of an agency. (b) General Prohibitions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the following shall apply: (1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the head of an agency may not increase the number of employees employed by the agency beyond the baseline number. (B) During the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the head of an agency may appoint an individual to a position within the agency, even if appointing that individual would increase the number of employees employed by the agency beyond the baseline number, if the agency head determines that making that appointment serves the interest of law enforcement, public safety, or the national security of the United States. (2) The annual rate of basic pay of an employee, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, may not be increased. (c) Reduction in Force.--The head of each agency shall take such measures, without regard to any other provision of law or regulation, to ensure that-- (1) as of the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the number of employees employed by the agency is 2 percent less than the baseline number; and (2) as of the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the number of employees employed by the agency is 5 percent less than the baseline number. <all>