Walkinshaw Calls Out Voughts Mass Layoff Threats As Illegal

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following statement condemning OMB Director Russ Vought’s escalating threats to carry out mass firings of federal workers in the event of a government shutdown:“Russ Vought is giving away the game. He knows he has no legal authority to carry out mass…

ICYMI: Op-Ed by Rep. James Walkinshaw: Russ Vought's Directive to Fire Federal Workers During a Shutdown is Unconstitutional

| Posted in Press Releases

In an op-ed published by MSNBC on September 30, 2025, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) underscored how Russ Vought’s directive to fire federal workers during a shutdown is political intimidation, unconstitutional, and not valid administrative guidance. Read the op-ed below or online at MSNBC. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought wants Americans to…

Walkinshaw Demands Vought Provide Answers and Protections for IGs

| Posted in Press Releases

Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, today condemned the Trump Administration’s decision to defund the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), warning that the move represents a direct attack on independent oversight and accountability in government.In a letter to Office of Management…

Walkinshaw, Colleagues Press Administration for Answers on Cancellation of Federal EmployeeSurvey Essential for Government Oversight

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Representative James Walkinshaw (VA-11.), a member of the House Oversight Committee, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), led 17 of their colleagues in pressing the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for answers on its cancellation of the…

MSNBC Opinion: Russ Vought's directive to fire federal workers during a shutdown is illegal

| Posted in In the News

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought wants Americans to believe that in the event of a government shutdown, he and President Donald Trump have the power to fire swaths of federal employees at will. They cannot. Vought’s vindictive memo, directing agencies to consider reductions in force (RIFs) for employees in programs whose funding would lapse under a shutdown, reads…

Walkinshaw Slams Trump - Vought Shutdown Tactics

| Posted in Press Releases

Fairfax, VA — Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, slammed Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought’s memo threatening to terminate additional federal employees. Walkinshaw released the following statement:“This is absolute bluster and bs. The Trump Administration has already done…

Congressman Walkinshaw Statement on His Vote Against the Republican Continuing Resolution

| Posted in Press Releases

Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) issued the following statement on the House Republican Continuing Resolution. “I voted no because I will not support legislation that makes the health care crisis worse and does nothing to protect federal workers from Trump’s attacks. Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. They have the power to lower…

Walkinshaw Carries Forward Connollys Legacy with Four Federal Workforce Bills

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Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) announced that he is carrying forward four major pieces of legislation originally authored by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly to protect federal workers and strengthen the civil service.Together, the bills safeguard merit-based hiring, protect against political manipulation, ensure fair pay, strengthen retirement security, and modernize…

Walkinshaw Appointed to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) was appointed to the powerful House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.“I’m extremely grateful to Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Steering and Policy Committee, and Ranking Member Robert Garcia for the opportunity to serve on this influential committee,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “Virginia’s 11th…