U.S. Government Report Estimates $7 Billion Spent on Staff During Buyout-Related Leave
A U.S. government report estimates that $7 billion was spent on paying staff not to work during administrative leave periods associated with buyouts, sparking renewed scrutiny of the previous administration's spending practices.
Baltimore, MD, September 19, 2026 —
An estimated $7 billion was spent by the U.S. government on compensating employees who were placed on administrative leave during periods associated with buyouts, according to a government report. This significant expenditure has prompted renewed scrutiny of spending practices employed during the previous administration.
The administrative leave was reportedly linked to buyout programs, a mechanism often used to manage workforce reductions or transitions. During administrative leave, employees are typically paid their regular salary and benefits while not actively performing job duties, pending the completion of administrative processes or separation agreements.
Details regarding the specific agencies involved, the number of employees affected, or the precise timeline of these buyouts and leave periods were not immediately available in the report’s summary. The report’s findings aim to shed light on the financial implications of such personnel management strategies.
The revelation of this expenditure is expected to intensify discussions about fiscal responsibility and the efficiency of government operations. Officials may face questions regarding the justification for placing staff on paid leave, particularly when coupled with buyout packages, and whether alternative approaches could have yielded different financial outcomes.
The scrutiny is directed towards the practices of the prior administration, suggesting that the period in question likely falls within a recent past administration’s tenure. Further investigation into the specifics of these financial outlays and the rationale behind them is anticipated as policymakers review the report’s findings.
Story summarized from the original created by Rebecca Beitsch on thehill.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
