Oregon stands firmly against any actions that threatens the rights and livelihoods of federal workers. We are joining an amicus brief with 17 other states, to support the lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful directive forcing federal employees to resign or face the risk of losing their jobs.

Federal agencies and their employees are part of the fabric of our community. They work for the TSA, making sure our air travel is smooth and safe. They staff our VA hospitals, where our veterans’ health needs are addressed. They suit up for our U.S. Forest Service, on the frontlines of fighting deadly and extreme wildfires every year in our state. There are so many other examples of how they keep our citizens safe and our communities thriving. The serious disruptions that we anticipate if thousands of employees are essentially forced to resign or are placed on administrative leave at once would be devastating to not just Oregon, but to all states across the Union.
In the past week, we have also heard from many of those workers in Oregon, who have reached out to our office, terrified about what is to come. They have built their entire lives and careers around public service, and like many others, they have mortgages and children. They cannot afford to lose their income, nor should they.

We champion this lawsuit in Massachusetts brought by a group of unions, and we support these federal workers who are crucial to a functioning government and a stable society. We will continue to stand up for the rights of those who every day serve our nation and our communities in Oregon.