Richmond, VA – In response to the federal administration’s recent actions to significantly reduce the federal workforce, contractors, and freeze federal funding, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott today announced the formation of an Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions. The bipartisan committee, chaired by Democrat, Delegate David Bulova, and vice chaired by Republican, Robert Bloxom, will assess the potential economic and budgetary consequences of federal cutbacks and provide policy recommendations to mitigate negative effects on Virginia’s families, economy, and state budget.
“This is not about politics—it’s about protecting Virginia’s workforce, economy, and essential services,” said Speaker Don Scott. “With nearly 145,000 federal civilian employees and even more federal contractors calling Virginia home, we depend on a strong partnership with the federal government to provide critical services. The federal administration’s announced plans to ‘drain’ the federal workforce and the pause in federal funding raise serious concerns for Virginia’s economy and the ability to maintain essential services. This committee will evaluate the impact of these cuts and develop solutions to safeguard Virginia’s economic future. I have full confidence that we will work in a bipartisan manner to deliver thoughtful and effective solutions.”
“This is about ensuring that Virginia remains prepared and resilient in the face of federal policy shifts,” said Delegate David Bulova. “Our state budget must remain structurally sound, and we must take steps to protect our communities from sudden economic disruptions. The committee’s work will be critical in identifying ways to mitigate the effects of federal cuts while continuing to support Virginia families and businesses.”
According to data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Virginia ranks as the top state in the nation for federal contract awards, totaling $106 billion in 2023. The newly announced federal workforce reductions, including a deferred resignation program aimed at cutting federal employment by up to 10%, and the mass termination of federal office leases could have significant repercussions for the state’s economy, particularly in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads region. Additionally, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s recent pause on the disbursement of federal funding could create funding gaps for essential services, potentially impacting everything from infrastructure projects to social programs.
The 12-member committee will be composed of legislators from both sides of the aisle and will be tasked with:
- Collecting and analyzing data on the potential scope of workforce and funding cuts.
- Assessing the likely economic and budgetary impacts on Virginia.
- Engaging with stakeholders, including state agencies, businesses, and nonprofits, to understand their concerns and gather mitigation strategies.
- Providing policy recommendations for the 2026 General Assembly session to address the challenges posed by these federal reductions.
The committee will be made up of the following members: David Bulova (Chair), Robert Bloxom Jr (Vice Chair), Bonita Anthony, Ellen Campbell, Joshua Cole, Michael Feggans, Hillary Pugh Kent, Marcus Simon, Anne Ferrell Tata, Josh Thomas, Tony Wilt, and Vivian Watts.
The committee will hold its organizational meeting no later than May 1, 2025, and is expected to produce a final report with findings and recommendations by December 15, 2025.