GAO estimates attempted Education Department layoffs cost at least $28 million

February 2, 2026 - 23:15

A recent federal review has revealed a significant financial misstep within the U.S. Department of Education. According to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a failed attempt to conduct a large-scale layoff, known as a reduction in force (RIF), within a key departmental office resulted in expenditures of at least $28 million.

The costly endeavor involved extensive planning and legal preparations to eliminate numerous positions. However, the RIF was ultimately abandoned before any employees were actually separated from their roles. The GAO's findings indicate that the millions spent yielded no workforce reduction, representing a substantial loss of taxpayer funds allocated for salaries, benefits, and other administrative costs tied to the lengthy process.

Investigators highlighted that the expenses covered extensive work by human resources personnel, attorneys, and consultants over several months. The report underscores the complexities and financial risks associated with major federal restructuring efforts, especially when such plans are not carried to completion. The incident has prompted calls for stricter oversight and cost-benefit analyses before initiating similar personnel actions in the future.