2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102851D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 613

Offered February 6, 2025

Recognizing the significant contributions of Virginia's federal workforce and contractor sector to national security, defense, public health, scientific research, and economic stability.

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Patrons—Cole, Clark, Hope, Keys-Gamarra, Martinez, McClure, McQuinn, Rasoul, Seibold and Watts

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of federal employees in the United States, with an estimated 140,000 federal civilian employees and an additional 200,000 contractors and other private-sector employees working in support of federal government functions; and

WHEREAS, the federal workforce in Virginia plays a critical role in national security, defense, public health, scientific research, and other vital functions, contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Northern Virginia alone contains a significant portion of these jobs, making it a key hub for federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and more, while other regions of the Commonwealth benefit from agencies like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Central Intelligence Agency, and numerous military installations; and

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads is home to the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, as well as NASA Langley Research Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and numerous shipyards and defense contractors; the region is particularly dependent on federal and defense-related jobs, with an estimated 50,000 civilian federal employees and tens of thousands more employed through defense contracts in the area; and

WHEREAS, President Donald J. Trump's and Elon Musk's efforts and plans to eliminate tens of thousands of jobs threaten the livelihoods of Virginia families and the broader economic stability of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire with outsized influence, is actively scheming to dismantle federal institutions by forcing out career professionals and prioritizing loyalty to Donald Trump over competence, integrity, and national security; and

WHEREAS, experts estimate that a 10 percent reduction in federal civilian and contractor positions could result in a potential loss of $10 billion annually in wages and benefits, a significant blow to the Commonwealth's economy; and

WHEREAS, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians in this way would disproportionately impact middle-class families and small businesses that depend on the patronage of federal employees, contractors, and their families; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia federal workforce embodies the values of dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service, contributing not only to federal functions but also to the civic and cultural fabric of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the critical contributions to the Commonwealth and the nation by the federal workforce and contractor sector hereby be recognized; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the House of Delegates strongly opposes any broad or indiscriminate downsizing of the federal government workforce and contractor sector that could harm Virginia families, small businesses, and local economies; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the House of Delegates condemns in the strongest possible terms the dangerous and undemocratic actions of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who are actively working to dismantle federal institutions and destroy the livelihoods of Virginians; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the House of Delegates urges the Governor, the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation, and relevant stakeholders to take all necessary steps to protect Virginia's federal employees, contractors, and their families from potential adverse impacts of President Donald Trump's and Elon Musk's efforts to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians and jeopardize the Commonwealth's economy; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the President of the United States, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the Virginia House of Delegates in this matter during their deliberations.