Michelle Murillo | mimurillo@wtop.com

July 16, 2025, 4:26 AM

Federal workers affected by mass layoffs this year are getting support from Montgomery County in Maryland.

The county is home to more than 70,000 federal employees, so the region has felt the impact of this year’s cuts deeply. Over 4,000 residents have lost their jobs since January.

In response, the county council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a bill that will give displaced federal workers preferential treatment for county job openings. Only qualified veterans and people with disabilities will receive higher priority.

“At the core, this is about protecting our community and honoring the legacy, the talent, the contributions of hardworking federal workers who have been unfairly and, in my view, illegally fired and made displaced,” said Council Vice President Will Jawando, who sponsored the bill.

Jawando is hoping the county can help some of these displaced workers find good paying jobs.

“While this won’t solve the problem, it’s going to be one of the many things we’re doing to try to mitigate that and send a loud and clear message to federal employees that we value you and we think you have something to offer,” Jawando said. “Montgomery County would be well served by your services.”

He also called on the private sector to help.

“This needs to be an all-hands-on-deck approach. We’re doing our part and continue to urge our private sector partners to take advantage of the great resource that is our federal employees,” Jawando added.

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