GOP Senators Urge Agencies to Return to In-Person

Federal workers need to transition back to in-person operations, 42 Republican senators wrote the Office of Personnel Management, General Services Administration and OMB Thursday. “Americans continue to face unprecedented delays in accessing their federal government,” said the letter from Homeland Security Committee ranking member Rob Portman, Ohio; Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; and others. “This is unacceptable.” If agencies are pivoting to increase off-site workers, there are costs to consider, the letter said. “Field and operational office spaces have maintained their leases during the period that a regular in-person presence has lapsed and employees continue teleworking,” lawmakers said. “This office space footprint is a drain on taxpayers who are ultimately paying the price for empty offices.” The FCC told employees this week they can work in-person starting Dec. 1 (see 2111020067). The agency shifted to new headquarters while on mandatory telework, leaving the new building at 45 L St. NE largely unused (see 2010090052). The National Treasury Employees Union seeks a more-flexible telework policy in negotiations with the FCC (see 2107130038). The senators asked OPM, GSA and OMB to provide information about federal agency return to work plans, shifts to remote work and telework productivity. NTEU didn't comment.