‘Get back to work’: House Oversight to take on government telework in 1st hearing of new Congress

The House Oversight Committee is gearing up for its first hearing of the new Congress next week, focusing on the prolonged pandemic-era telework for federal employees. Chairman James Comer is leading the charge to bring federal workers back into the office, with a hearing titled “Stay-at-Home Federal Workforce: Another Biden-Harris Administration Legacy” scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.

The committee will hear testimony from key experts in the field, including Martin O’Malley, former commissioner of the Social Security Administration; Rachel Greszler of the Economic Policy Innovation Center; and Tom Davis, president of the board of the Federal City Council. O’Malley, in his final days at the Social Security Administration, secured telework agreements for 42,000 employees until 2029.

Chairman Comer expressed concerns about the Biden Administration’s telework policies, which he believes are outdated and detrimental to the federal workforce. He highlighted the need for federal employees to return to the office to ensure the delivery of vital services to the American people, rather than striking deals with federal employee unions to cement long-term guarantees of telework.

Senator Joni Ernst’s report revealed that the federal government currently owns over 7,000 vacant buildings and nearly 2,500 partially empty buildings, with an average occupancy rate of just 12%. The committee aims to address how the Biden-Harris administration has failed to return federal workers to the office, potentially hindering the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to bring them back due to long-term telework guarantees.

Chairman Comer emphasized the importance of federal employees showing up in person for the American people they serve. The House Oversight Committee is committed to ensuring that federal workers fulfill their duties and responsibilities to the public.

As the committee delves into the issue of telework for federal employees, it is crucial to prioritize the efficient and effective functioning of government agencies. By addressing the challenges posed by prolonged telework arrangements, the committee aims to streamline operations and enhance productivity across federal departments and agencies.