S. 3141 — SAFE Act

This section prohibits an Executive agency during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) from using appropriated funds to propose, notice, initiate, execute, implement, or complete a reduction in force (RIF)—a federal procedure to involuntarily separate employees due to factors such as lack of work or insufficient funds—or any similar action to reduce the number of employees in that or another Executive agency (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105 to include executive departments, government corporations, and independent establishments). It voids any such RIFs or similar actions taken in violation, including those from October 1, 2025, through the day before enactment; applies retroactively as if enacted on September 30, 2025; and does not affect voluntary separation incentive payments under 5 U.S.C. 3523.