Witnesses urge pushback after executive-branch firings, stress value of federal workforce

Witnesses told the Committee on House Administration that recent removal and firing practices in the executive branch are harming the federal civilian workforce and undermining public services.

Representative Mr. Olszewski described constituents who are federal employees and said sudden firings leave workers without notice or severance. He cited a constituent, Katie Stahl, a biologist fired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who he said received no notice or documentation to apply for unemployment. "She was fired for being good at her job," Olszewski said, urging the committee to condemn practices that leave civil servants vulnerable.

Olszewski stressed the essential services federal employees provide — from aviation safety to food and drug regulation — and warned of disruption if staffing sharply falls. Other members asked for bipartisanship in defending public servants while still pursuing efficiency.

Why it matters: federal civilian employees perform operations critical to public health, safety and administration; witness testimony argued recent removal patterns risk degrading those services and that the committee should consider oversight and protections.

The hearing included calls for scrutiny of personnel changes and for the committee to press for due process and support for affected federal employees; no formal legislative action was taken during the session.