Heinrich Demands Transparency on Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayer Dollars Spent Paying Employees Not to Work

Recent reporting from POLITICO states that the Interiorspent more than $150 million on administrative leave for employees in 2025

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum demanding more information on why the Interior spent more than $150 million in paid administrative leave last year, according to recent reporting.

"I write to request detailed information regarding the Department of the Interior's (Department or DOI) misguided reductions in workforce under the deferred resignation program (DRP). It is clear from recent reporting that the Department's downsizing was executed poorly and costly to taxpayers, to say nothing of its impact to the Department's mission," Heinrich began.

In his letter, Heinrich demanded clarity on the Interior's use of its deferred resignation program, and the total amount the Interior spent on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the deferred resignation program since the start of the administration.

"More than one year has passed since the Trump administration introduced the DRP, but Congress and the American people still do not know the full extent of its impact," Heinrich continued.

Heinrich specifically requested that the Interior disclose the number of employees placed on paid administrative leave since the start of the Trump administration, the total amount spent on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the program, and a breakdown on the employees who were offered and accepted the program's benefits and early retirement.

Read the full text of the letter here and below.

Secretary Burgum:

I write to request detailed information regarding the Department of the Interior's (Department or DOI) misguided reductions in workforce under the deferred resignation program (DRP). It is clear from recent reporting that the Department's downsizing was executed poorly and costly to taxpayers, to say nothing of its impact to the Department's mission.

According to a recent report, the Department paid employees more than $150 million in paid administrative leave to stay at home from the start of the administration through December 31, 2025. Of the 1,764 employees put on administrative leave, more than two-thirds - 1,468 - participated in the DRP and mostly worked in locations outside of the Beltway-from New Mexico to Ohio to North Carolina. Additionally, it appears the Department continues to utilize the DRP. In April 2026, the Department announced a new round of DRPs and voluntary early retirement offers to employees.

More than one year has passed since the Trump administration introduced the DRP , but Congress and the American people still do not know the full extent of its impact. To understand the Department's use of the DRP and the total cost shouldered by taxpayers as a result, I request the following data and information by October 1, 2026:

1. The number of employees placed on paid administrative leave since the start of the administration. In responding to this question, please provide the office, agency, or bureau the employee works or worked in; reason for placing the person on administrative leave (e.g., DRP); their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; duty station; and the number of days of leave.
2. The total amount the Department spent (salaries and benefits) on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the deferred resignation program, since the start of the administration.
3. Provide the following information related to the Department's April 2026 announcement of DRPs and voluntary early retirement offers:

1. A detailed breakdown of employees offered the deferred resignation program and early retirement. Please provide the following as part of your response: which office, agency, or bureau the employee works in; their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; and duty station.
2. The number of employees that have accepted the deferred resignation program and early retirement and are now or have been previously on paid administrative leave. Please provide the following as part of your response: which office, agency, or bureau the employee works in; their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; and duty station.

Thank you for your attention to this request. Should you have any questions, please contact my staff at (202) 224-4971.

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