Federal employee count remains flat despite population growth to 350 million

The U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means convened on March 12, 2025, to discuss the markup of H.Res. 127 and H.Res. 195, focusing on federal employment and efficiency within government agencies.

During the meeting, a committee member highlighted the stagnation in the number of federal employees over the decades, noting that despite the U.S. population growing from approximately 203 million in the 1970s to 350 million today, the number of federal employees has remained relatively unchanged. The member pointed out that in the 1970s, there were about 3 million federal employees, a figure that has not significantly increased, even as the population has more than doubled.

The discussion also touched on the increasing reliance on outside contractors, with specific mention of contracts with private companies, including those involving high-profile figures like Elon Musk. This shift raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of federal services, particularly in light of the challenges faced by agencies such as the Social Security Administration.

The committee member referenced improvements made during the previous administration, noting that response times for calls to the Social Security Department had reached a record low of 12 minutes. While acknowledging that this was an improvement, the member expressed concern that even this duration was still too long for citizens seeking assistance.

The meeting underscored ongoing discussions about the size and efficiency of the federal workforce, as well as the implications of outsourcing government functions to private contractors. The committee's deliberations on H.Res. 127 and H.Res. 195 will likely influence future policies regarding federal employment and service delivery.