Comments on the Legality of the Department of Commerce's Furlough Plan

GAO was requested to review the legality of the Department of Commerce's plan to furlough all employees who hold the positions of Economic Development Representatives (EDR) for 6 months. Federal statutes require that Commerce fund and maintain at least 47 EDR positions in the various states within the approved organizational structure. The proposed furlough would not meet these requirements; therefore, GAO concluded that implementation of the furlough would be illegal.