 across government more than 140 000 employees joined the civil service between 2019 and 2023 that's an increase of about seven percent in the last couple of years according to data that the partnership for public service released just this week in 2023 alone the workforce size increased by 80 000 employees but in congress current budget deliberations may change that the gop-led house appropriations committee is eyeing budget cuts for many agencies in its 2025 spending legislation