Federal Employees Paid Nearly $7 Billion Not to Work: Insights from GAO Report

Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 14:17

Federal employees received nearly $7 billion not to work as part of the DOGE initiative, according to a GAO report. This surge in paid leave use raises concerns about efficiency in government spending. The report highlights significant financial implications for taxpayer funds and federal service management.

Thehill — Federal Employees Paid Nearly $7 Billion Not to Work: Insights from GAO Report

Federal Employees Receive B Hundreds of Millions in Paid Leave

The GAO report reveals that nearly $7 billion was paid to federal employees who were not actively working under the DOGE initiative.

Government Spending Under Scrutiny

Use of paid leave increased by 435 percent
Concerns regarding the impact on government efficiency

These findings shine a light on spending practices and raise questions about the financial management within federal agencies.

This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.