Ernst reveals ‘Naughty List’ of agencies using only 7% of DC office space
Iowa Senator Calls Out Federal Agencies for Wasting Office Space
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst didn’t hold back in her criticism of federal agencies’ work-from-home policies. In a press conference on Capitol Hill, Ernst unveiled a “naughty list” of agencies with shockingly low employee occupancy rates, leaving expensive office buildings empty.
Ernst dramatically rolled open a scroll to reveal the top offenders, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Social Security Administration taking the lead, utilizing only 7 percent of their office space.
“Not a single agency has an occupancy rate of even 50 percent,” Ernst declared. “If we’re not going to work in these agencies, maybe we should consider getting rid of this space, because it’s costing us a fortune.”
Ernst’s percentages are based on a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which analyzed the three-month average utilization of federal agency offices. Back in August, Ernst demanded that each agency reevaluate their remote work protocols, three years after the initial wave of COVID-19 lockdowns. She even created a monthly “Squeal Award” to highlight the abuse of work-from-home policies.
“Remote work can save taxpayer money and attract talented individuals to public service,” Ernst wrote to agency inspector generals. “However, it only works when it doesn’t hinder the agency’s mission, delay service delivery, or impede workforce management and financial responsibility.”
Worst Offenders Revealed
According to the GAO report obtained by The Federalist, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration are just the tip of the iceberg. The Small Business Administration, Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs all have shockingly low office occupancy rates.
One VA employee even made headlines for participating in a conference call from a bubble bath, proudly sharing a photo on social media. The average office occupancy rate for the VA stands at 14 percent.
Ernst is now urging federal agencies to take action and eliminate vacant office space.
“It’s time for Biden’s bureaucrats to get back to work or give up their expensive, unused offices,” Ernst exclusively told The Federalist. “If my oversight hasn’t motivated them to return yet, it’s probably because they’re too busy enjoying bubble baths on the taxpayers’ dime. Every day they delay, more taxpayer dollars go down the drain, fueling the D.C. swamp.”
Some lawmakers have previously proposed relocating federal agency headquarters from Washington to various states. In 2019, GOP Sens. Josh Hawley and Marsha Blackburn introduced the “Helping Infrastructure Restore the Economy (HIRE) Act” to achieve just that.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. His work has been featured in various publications, including The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. Tristan graduated from George Washington University with a major in political science and a minor in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
How does Ernst’s suggestion of potentially getting rid of empty office space address the issue of wasteful use of resources, and what alternative solutions could be explored
Ernst’s concerns about the wasteful use of office space by federal agencies are not unwarranted. With the ongoing trend of remote work becoming more prevalent, it is essential for government agencies to assess their office utilization rates and make necessary adjustments to optimize resources and save taxpayer money.
The figures presented by Ernst, based on the GAO report, are startling. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration, two major federal agencies, are utilizing a mere 7 percent of their office space. This means that the majority of the office buildings owned and operated by these agencies are sitting empty, incurring unnecessary costs.
Ernst’s suggestion of potentially getting rid of the empty office space may seem radical, but it is a valid solution to address this issue. If agencies are not utilizing the space they have, it only makes sense to reevaluate the need for such buildings and explore more cost-effective alternatives. This could include downsizing office spaces, consolidating locations, or implementing flexible work arrangements that allow employees to work remotely.
It is crucial to note that Ernst’s criticism is not directed at the idea of remote work itself. She acknowledges that remote work has the potential to save taxpayer money and attract talented individuals to public service. However, she emphasizes that it should not hinder an agency’s mission, delay service delivery, or impede workforce management and financial responsibility.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the adoption of remote work across various industries, including government agencies. While the initial lockdowns forced organizations to quickly implement remote work policies, it is now essential to reassess and fine-tune these protocols to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity.
Ernst’s creation of the monthly “Squeal Award” to highlight misuse or abuse of remote work policies demonstrates her commitment to holding agencies accountable. This award serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible and effective remote work practices within the public sector.
In conclusion, Ernst’s call-out of federal agencies for wasting office space is a necessary step towards optimizing resources and ensuring financial responsibility. The GAO report provides concrete evidence of the problem at hand, and it is essential for agencies to reevaluate their office utilization rates and explore alternatives such as downsizing or implementing flexible work arrangements. By doing so, agencies can save taxpayer money and attract talented individuals without compromising their missions or service delivery.
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