State Department layoffs spark controversy as Senator Kaine criticizes process

Hundreds of State Department employees are facing unemployment after the Trump administration's reorganization plans led to the dismissal of over 1,300 workers, including more than 1,000 civil servants and over 200 foreign service officers.

Senator Tim Kaine criticized the administration's approach, stating that some employees had heard rumors of potential cuts, but Congress was not given a formal plan or the opportunity to vote on the layoffs.

Kaine said this is a 'willy nilly' effort to get rid of employees, and if the administration wants to shrink the size of the workforce, it needs to be voted on by Congress first.

Kaine expressed his concerns, saying, "I think at a minimum they should wait and see whether we approve it before they lay people off. So this is just another example of the administration just feels like they can do whatever they want. It's my hope that Congress will put some checks against that."

Lawmakers are challenging the layoffs in court and working on an appropriations bill to restore some funding. The foreign service officers have been placed on administrative leave for 120 days, while the civil servants have a 60-day separation period.