WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R-10) has introduced the Federal Hiring Freeze Act of 2013.
"This is a common-sense bill that will impose a hiring freeze on the federal government until our budget deficit has been eliminated," Marino said in a statement from his office. "The fact is, we need to manage this government more like we run our businesses. The concept of balancing a budget is not a novel idea, and the fact that this government spends $1 trillion more than it takes in through revenues is outrageous."
Since first introducing similar legislation in 2011, the national debt has increased by $2.1 trillion and the U.S. is now borrowing 46 cents for every dollar it spends," Marino said.
"I have the utmost respect for federal employees, and this bill is in no way an attack on these employees or the work that they do. But I believe that federal workers are willing and able to step up and be a part of the solution," he said.
Marino's legislation also contains specific, limited exceptions in which hiring is permitted, including exceptions for times of war, for federal law enforcement purposes, to honor prior contractual obligations, and for the U.S. Postal Service.
"My legislation represents a small but significant step in reducing the size of government, as well as reducing out-of-control government spending."
Marino introduced similar language in the House during the 112th Congress, HR 1779. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where Marino was able to testify on his legislation.
