Comer Takes Action to Require Federal Workforce to Return to the Office, Provide Prompt Service to the American People

Introduces the SHOW UP Act to prevent the Biden Administration from unilaterally cementing pandemic-era telework policies; probes report of GSA Administrator’s remote work 

WASHINGTON—Today, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) introduced H.R. 139, the Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems (SHOW UP) Act, to prevent the Biden Administration from cementing pandemic-era telework policies for the federal workforce until it provides Congress with a viable plan to avoid the negative impacts of remote work. He also sent a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan about whistleblower reports revealing she spends most of her time working remotely rather than in Washington, D.C.

“For years, Americans have suffered from the federal government’s detrimental pandemic-era telework policies for federal bureaucrats. President Biden’s unnecessary expansion of telework crippled the ability of departments and agencies to fulfill their responsibilities and created cumbersome backlogs. The federal government exists to serve the American people and these substantial delays for basic services are unacceptable. As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, I intend to advance commonsense legislation to guarantee federal agencies are meeting their missions,” said Chairman James Comer. “I am proud to introduce the SHOW UP Act, which will ensure the federal workforce returns to the office. In addition, I am also seeking information from the GSA regarding reports indicating Administrator Carnahan was routinely absent from her Washington office. Biden Administration officials must lead by example and work in person for the American people.”    

Committee Republicans have received whistleblower reports revealing the GSA Administrator spent most of her time working in a location other than Washington D.C. Chairman Comer is calling on Administrator Carnahan to provide information to determine whether these reports are accurate, and if so, understand the reason behind the routine absences.

The federal government’s expansion of telework during the pandemic has delayed critical assistance to veterans, tax refunds, passport applications, and other basic services. The SHOW UP Act will require federal agencies to return to their pre-pandemic telework policies so that employees will be in-person. The bill also requires federal agencies to complete and submit to Congress studies detailing how pandemic-era telework levels impacted their missions.

Original cosponsors of the SHOW UP Act include Representatives Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), and Michael Cloud (R-Texas).

Bill text can be found HERE.

The letter to GSA Administrator Carnahan can be found here.