Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Addresses Attacks on Federal Workforce on the House Floor

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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam addressed the mass layoffs and firings of federal workers in Virginia’s 10th district and the attack on our federal workforce. Congressman Subramanyam called this attack a “constitutional crisis” and highlighted the unconstitutional takeover of federal payment systems by unvetted individuals who are not members of the federal government. Along with unauthorized and unconstitutional cuts to federal agencies and programs, the Congressman argued that these actions are damaging the country, undermine democracy, and threaten essential services like food safety, disaster relief, and veterans' benefits. The Congressman called for legislative action to protect federal workers and agencies, emphasizing the need for oversight and accountability. As a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, he has called for an investigation into illegal firings and unconstitutional freezes of the federal government. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam urged constituents in VA-10 to use their voices to push back against these actions and demand the Administration stop their attack on our federal workforce.

Copied below find a transcript of remarks as delivered:

Mr. Speaker, I rise because we are at the crossroads of a constitutional crisis, and while I represent and fight for tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors in my district, this affects every single American.

There's a treasury takeover. Every man, woman and child's most personal information is in the hands of people who have no real vetting or formal role in our government, and they have control of the federal government payment systems.

They could now decide which programs, projects, and contractors get funded. That is unconstitutional.

Federal agencies authorized by Congress are being cut without any input from Congress. That is unconstitutional.

And, all federal spending was frozen with little warning to Americans, unconstitutional.

The Federal workforce is being intimidated and decimated before our eyes.

We are damaging our country in a way that could take years, if not decades, to recover.

Cutting USAID undermines our standing in the world and keeps us less safe. Cutting funding for agencies and nonprofits that feed kits or run essential services will make us less healthy, less secure.

Firing federal workers and contractors will lead to a brain drain in our government and hurt every single function of our government.

This is not right sizing or downsizing of the government. This is dumb sizing of the government.

And how do I know this? Because I know these federal workers and contractors personally. I see them at the grocery store, farmers markets, at school, drop off. They take an oath to our country to keep our government running and, most importantly, keep us safe.

And they often take lower salaries out of a sense of duty to their federal citizens. And they don't care who's president. Why? Because Federal Food Safety should not stop because of who is president. And disaster relief should not stop because of who is president. Veterans’ benefits should not stop because of who is president.

Federal workers make America work. They make America great.

At a town hall last night in my district, these federal workers shared their stories. Their stories were frightening and should alarm all Americans.

We had one position, which was a nuclear scientist. You can't just get rid of a nuclear scientist and expect to replace that expertise ever again.

This is a constitutional crisis, and so what are we going to do about it? That's what the people want to know.

There must be real oversight and accountability for this administration, especially when there are dangerous incursions and to Congress's powers and independence as a legislative branch.

We must introduce legislation, hold hearings, speak out and do everything possible to make sure that this stops.

And I will be introducing legislation to protect federal workers, prevent unnecessary agency relocations and stop unconstitutional actions that undermine our democracy and the separation of powers.

If you're a citizen listening at home, know that your voice matters. When you spoke up about the federal freeze, they backed down. So, speak out. Use your voice and push back, because the time for action is now, so join me.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.

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