US government paid federal employees $9.5bn not to work amid Doge cuts

GAO report shows how use paid administrative leave rose by 435% from 2023 to 2025 and incurred a sixfold cost

US government paid federal employees $9.5bn not to work amid Doge cuts

TL;DR

  • Paid administrative leave use increased by 435% from 2023 to 2025.
  • Costs associated with paid administrative leave increased sixfold.
  • Federal employees were paid $9.5 billion not to work during this period.