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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress moves to block Defense Department hiring freezes and layoffs at public shipyards in 2026

Also known as: Public Shipyard Workforce Protection Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Military Active
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Federal Employee
Helps

Key Points

  • Stops the Defense Department from using its 2026 money to impose a hiring freeze at public shipyards.
  • Bars the Defense Department from using 2026 funds to carry out layoffs at public shipyards.
  • Blocks the Defense Department from leaving shipyard jobs vacant by delaying hiring “without cause.”
  • Would help keep staffing steadier at public shipyards that maintain and repair Navy ships, affecting workers and nearby communities.
National SecurityLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Starting when FY2026 Defense funding is available and the law is in effect (likely around the start of FY2026).

FY2026 Defense Department funds cannot be used for a shipyard-wide hiring freeze, layoffs, or no-cause hiring delays (if the bill becomes law).

Public shipyards would be less likely to see broad staffing stops or sudden workforce cuts during FY2026, and open jobs would be harder to leave vacant without a clear reason.

Related News

3 articles
Office of Rep. Jen Kiggans·3 months ago

Kiggans, Goodlander Introduce Bill to Protect Public Shipyard Workers

Announcement of the Public Shipyard Workforce Protection Act and its provisions barring use of FY2026 funds for hiring freezes, reductions in force, or unjustified hiring delays at public naval shipyards.

CR+
Office of Rep. Maggie Goodlander·3 months ago

Goodlander Leading Bipartisan Bills to Strengthen Military Readiness and Protect America’s Public Shipyard Workers

Press release detailing the Public Shipyard Workforce Protection Act and its intent to prevent hiring freezes, reductions in force, or unjustified hiring delays at public naval shipyards using FY2026 funds.

CL+
Navy Times·7 months ago

Senate bill seeks to protect shipbuilding jobs from workforce cuts

Covers related legislation to shield public shipyard jobs from hiring freezes and mass layoffs; useful background but focused on a Senate measure rather than H.R. 6793.

C~

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Public Shipyard Workforce Protection Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6793
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
D: 5R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.