Confusion regarding DOGE’s new mandates regarding the reduction of the workforce at federal agencies the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) has reigned ever since media outlets reported mass layoffs that would impact the number of workers needed to serve the public. Despite an assertion by the SSA on its website that in fact it was improving services, members of Congress have reported that those needing services from these agencies are receiving “bounce-back emails and no-replies from [agency] legislative liaison offices that were previously responsive to congressional inquiries.” Rep. Gil Cisnerous, D-Calif., said that such barriers were part of “Trump’s careless mission to destroy our federal agencies and decimate their workforce.” According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the IRS’ workforce has decreased by 25%, while the SSA intends to reduce its workforce by 7,000 this fiscal year. Again, DOGE has reared its ugly head with its deceptive argument that “agency staff cuts are necessary to provide more government services more efficiently.”
Read the full story by Sean Michael NewHouse for Government Executive, published July 28, 2025, here: https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/07/bounce-back-emails-and-no-replies-irs-and-social-security-workforce-reductions-are-hurting-constituent-service-house-democrats-argue/407040/
