US Governance — 2026-04-10
DOGE Workforce Actions Cost Government $71 Billion, New Analysis Shows; GSA Begins Rebuilding
A Partnership for Public Service analysis found the government paid $4.5 billion in salary and benefits to federal employees who took the deferred resignation program while not working. Total costs including probationary firings, rehirings, and RIF severance reached an estimated $71 billion. The General Services Administration, a former DOGE hub, is now hiring hundreds of employees after cutting its workforce faster than it could offload buildings.
Analysis
The $71 billion total cost figure against DOGE's claimed $160 billion in savings narrows the net impact to $89 billion at best, and both figures use contested methodologies. GSA's forced rehiring after cutting faster than it could offload buildings is a case study in how rapid workforce reduction without matching operational drawdown creates greater costs.
The $71 billion total cost figure against DOGE's claimed $160 billion in savings narrows the net impact to $89 billion at best, and both figures use contested methodologies. GSA's forced rehiring after cutting faster than it could offload buildings is a case study in how rapid workforce reduction without matching operational drawdown creates greater costs.
2 sources
- The government paid $4.5 billion to feds who took the DRP, one estimate shows -
Federal News Network - After DOGE-era cuts, GSA resumes hiring, scrutinizes in-office attendance for employees -
Federal News Network