Recent Federal News

SSTI is following personnel and policy changes across the federal government that will likely affect programs of importance for innovation-driven businesses and for growing stronger regional innovation systems across the country. There have been several announcements in the past week alone, so this week’s federal news column is fairly lengthy.

Simultaneous with laying off thousands of Department of Agriculture (USDA) workers across rural America, Secretary Brooke Rollins sent a letter to the nation’s governors encouraging them to join the department’s new “laboratories of innovation” initiative to provide input into policy issues, including the USDA priorities to bring “more jobs and economic opportunity to rural communities and ensure that we equip and empower the next generation of American farmers.”

Also at USDA, Politico reports Rural Development, which houses all USDA economic development programs, was one of several agencies within the department to experience the first wave of layoffs on Feb. 14. It is unclear at this point which staff and programs are most impacted.

“Up to 5,200 employees lost their jobs across Health and Human Services, initial reports indicated. They included employees at the Centers for Disease Control's Epidemic Intelligence Service division, CBS News and others reported. … Administration officials told the press Friday night (Feb. 14) only 3,600 employees were fired.”

Bloomberg reported on Feb. 18 that “The Trump administration is planning to lay off at least 40% of the workers at the federal agency that provides mortgage insurance on loans for people who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for one, according to two sources familiar with the agency’s plans.” That agency is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Home equity is one of the most commonly tapped sources of capital for startups.

The National Science Foundation laid off approximately 11 percent of its workforce, according to several news sources, a figure of 168 employees. The FAQ page NSF set up on how the wave of changes affects NSF’s work does not include which directorates or programs are affected by the layoffs.

Included among the initial firings at the National Nuclear Security Administration, according to Reuters, were 52 employees involved in TBED related work: processing loans for clean energy, nuclear and clean vehicle projects,“ and clean energy demonstration projects. It is unclear how many, if any, of these jobs were among those whose firings were rescinded.

Confusion reigned in reporting of layoffs at the Small Business Administration. Reports of SBA employees being fired effective Feb. 21 apparently were incorrect or premature, as International Business Times reported an unspecified number were let go immediately as of last week. Citing Politico as the source, USA Today in an article updated Feb. 17 reports 720 SBA employees were terminated, approximately 20% of the administration’s workforce.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is preparing to fire up to 500 probationary employees, according to a Feb. 19 Bloomberg article. The reporter speculates on which offices within NIST might be affected by the job cuts, including the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, created by a 2023 executive order that President Trump repealed on his first day in office. Additionally, three-fifths of the staff responsible for administering $39 billion in CHIPS Act financing for U.S. manufacturers likely have probationary status.

If recent headlines have you wondering where federal government employees work around the country, the Congressional Research Service released a report on Dec. 20, 2024, providing figures for “Current Federal Civilian Employment by State and Congressional District.”