Right, but the CNN article goes further - and given that they’re already RIFing entire agencies despite having FY25 enacted budgets, I’m not holding my breath.
I suspect the phase 2 Agency Reorg and RIF Plan (ARRP), which is due next week, mirrors this budget request or at least is consistent with it. They wouldn't go through reorg and RIF if the plan is to cut the budget like this in 6 months. I read this as a tell for what DOC's ARRP is, in which case...
I suppose that makes sense. I guess the Science article was simply reporting “this is the President’s FY26 budget proposal”, but the RIF and reorg essentially makes that proposal effective now.
Based on what this administration has done to this point with agencies like USAID, I don't think that's what they mean. I think they mean they intend to do this starting immediately and regardless of what budget passes.
But I agree with what SRHelicity said - I cannot imagine that they would be rolling this out without their next level RIF/reorg plan being aligned with this. To me, the CNN article makes total sense that they're planning to start this now.
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