Senate Democrats warn leave suspension could trigger wave of IRS and SSA resignations

In July, the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration announced a suspension of advanced annual and sick leave, saying it was needed to maintain service quality and curb excessive use. Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen, contend the move will accelerate employee departures, compounding existing staffing reductions that have already strained both agencies. The lawmakers estimate the policy could affect more than 120,000 staff members and have asked agency head Frank Bisignano for a decade-long record of advanced-leave usage and costs.

They argue the suspension is a punitive measure rather than a solution to genuine abuse, noting that advanced leave is limited by Office of Personnel Management guidelines. The National Treasury Employees Union is seeking a court order to block the IRS’s enforcement, claiming the agency’s leadership lacks Senate confirmation. Senators also question why a blanket ban was chosen over targeted policy enforcement and request impact analyses on recruitment and retention.