I am a budget analyst for a federal law enforcement agency, and right now, my agency is facing yet another devastating budget cut. Our budget office, when fully staffed, is already the smallest of any federal agency, operating at only 35% staffing, and now, we are being asked to do even more with even less. This is why my role is not just important, it is critical.

As a budget analyst, I do more than just review numbers on a spreadsheet; I strategically assess how to lessen the impact of funding cuts on the safety and security of the American people. Reduced funding doesn’t just mean tightening budgets, it means fewer resources for law enforcement, delayed operations, and a diminished ability to respond to threats. Every decision I make helps determine whether agents receive the training they need, whether investigations get the necessary resources, and whether vital public safety initiatives can continue at all. In a time of shrinking budgets and growing challenges, my role ensures that every dollar is maximized to protect those who protect us.

Without skilled budget analysts, agencies risk severe mismanagement, funding shortfalls, and operational breakdowns. In a time of deep cuts and workforce shortages, my job is ensuring that every single dollar is accounted for, stretched to its fullest potential, and used where it’s needed most. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

I pursued federal service because I wanted to serve a greater purpose. My journey to this point has been anything but easy. I worked full-time for the Air Force, supporting a senior leader, while earning my Master’s in Public Administration with a 4.0 GPA. I put in very long workdays at times followed by long nights of studying, all with the goal of transitioning into a career where I could contribute to something bigger than myself.

I have seen firsthand how government decisions impact real people, and I wanted to be part of making positive change. The PMF program felt like my calling, an opportunity to use my skills and dedication to improve government operations, financial management, and policy-making. I left everything behind. I moved my family from another country to Washington, DC, without a support system or safety net, because I believed in this mission and this opportunity.

The PMF program is indispensable to the federal government and the American public. It is a pipeline for highly skilled, motivated professionals who bring fresh ideas, efficiency, and leadership to federal agencies. More than just a hiring program, PMF represents the epitome of a merit-based system, selecting only the most qualified, capable, and driven individuals through a rigorous, highly competitive process.

Each year, thousands of applicants from across the country compete for a limited number of spots through a multi-stage assessment process that evaluates critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and technical expertise. Only the best and brightest are chosen as finalists, making PMF a key tool for ensuring that the federal workforce is only built on merit, talent, and a commitment to public service.

Eliminating this program is not just removing a job opportunity but it is weakening the future of government leadership. Without this pipeline, the federal government will struggle to retain top talent, resulting in delays in services, inefficiencies in government operations, and a loss of future leaders who are dedicated to serving the American people.

For me personally, the decision to end the PMF program is devastating. I haven’t been let go yet, but the uncertainty is overwhelming. I took a leap of faith. I left behind my life overseas, uprooted my family, and committed to this role, only to see this opportunity possibly disappear faster than I even had a chance to fully embrace it.

I urge the Administration and Congress to reconsider eliminating the PMF program. If we want a government that works for the people, we need skilled, dedicated professionals who are willing to serve, innovate, and lead. The PMF program is one of the best tools we have to ensure that happens. It is a proven, merit-based pathway to cultivating the next generation of public servants, and losing it would be a tremendous disservice to the future of federal leadership.

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HHS
Washington, DC

I’ve held a few different positions during my time but currently work as a budget analyst. My job helps ensure that money is getting to our program offices and that those programs can then go on to serve at-risk populations across the country. We also help write the budget requests and justifications and support the program’s financial needs. Without us, this process would be more complex and convoluted, preventing the programs from reaching as many communities and people as possible. While I still have my job, because I am only a recent PMF graduate, I am constantly on edge, assuming that I will be the first let go from my office during a RIF because of my age and experience.

I’ve always wanted to be in a “helping profession.” While in college, I discovered the way for me to do that was through policy and in the government. When I learned about PMF, it immediately piqued my interest because I really didn’t think that an agency job was going to be attainable in my field because I assumed that every person with a political science degree would be aiming for the DC jobs. I’ve always wanted to work in the health and social programs arena, and I knew that I could use my knowledge and skills to make a positive difference across the country this way, which is exactly what I’ve done.

The PMF Program truly produces some of the best leaders in the federal government. So many people I have sought mentorship from have ultimately told me that they were also PMF/PMI alumni, and I have made it a goal to try to reach the level they’re at. I have no clue if that will even be possible now.

This Administration seeks to use more “merit-based” hiring practices, and while I believe that the federal hiring process already is incredibly merit-based, the PMF application process is incredibly rigorous, and so few people make it through to be a finalist, let alone land a job as a PMF. If you want to use merit-based hiring, you are doing yourselves a major disservice by eliminating this program that would continue to get you the best of the best. This isn’t “wasteful government spending;” this program is an investment in the next generation of government leaders, and we know it will take strong leaders to fix what will have been done over these next 4 years.

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CDC
Atlanta, GA

I was drawn to federal service because it offers the opportunity to contribute to missions that save lives, protect communities, and strengthen public health infrastructure. Knowing that my work directly supports rapid and effective emergency responses gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment. I take pride in being part of a system that prioritizes preparedness, resilience, and the well-being of both responders and the communities they serve.

The PMF program is a vital pipeline for developing the next generation of federal leaders — bringing in top talent with the skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives needed to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges. Eliminating the program not only limits opportunities for highly qualified professionals to serve in government but also weakens the long-term leadership and innovation capacity of federal agencies. The PMF program ensures that federal service remains competitive with the private sector, attracting individuals who are committed to public service and ready to make an impact.

For me, this program represented the start of my career after years of rigorous schooling and preparation. I uprooted my life, leaving behind family and friends, for this opportunity, taking a significant financial hit on relocation costs in the process because I believed in the mission of public service. Cutting this program is a short-sighted decision that not only undermines the strength, efficiency, and future leadership of the federal workforce but also disregards the sacrifices and commitments made by those who choose to serve. At a time when we need a strong, innovative, and dedicated federal workforce, eliminating the PMF program sends the wrong message to the next generation of public servants.

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