Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is taking a firm stance against the continuation of widespread telework in federal agencies. She has sent letters to 24 agency heads, demanding a halt to ongoing work-from-home negotiations before President Biden leaves office. This action follows Ernst's recent introduction of the "DRAIN THE SWAMP Act," legislation aiming to relocate a significant portion of the federal workforce outside of Washington, D.C. by 2025.
Ernst argues that federal office spaces remain significantly underutilized even two years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has previously advocated for the sale of unused government properties to benefit taxpayers. Her letters highlight that a large percentage of telework-eligible federal employees continue to work remotely, with a small fraction reporting full-time office presence.
The senator contends that public-sector unions are effectively controlling personnel policies, disregarding directives from the Office of Management & Budget (OMB). She believes this is contributing to substantial waste in terms of time, resources, and taxpayer dollars. Ernst accuses the Biden administration of prioritizing union demands over the interests of taxpayers, allowing for extended telework arrangements that could continue for years.
Drawing a parallel to historical precedent, Ernst quoted former President Franklin D. Roosevelt's opposition to public employee unionization, emphasizing the inherent limitations of collective bargaining within the public sector. She suggests that current federal workers and their unions have overlooked this crucial distinction.
Ernst criticizes the perceived close relationship between agency leadership and union representatives, citing examples such as former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's interactions with union members while serving as Social Security Administration chief. She also raises concerns about potentially fraudulent use of "taxpayer-funded union time" (TFUT) by some employees.
Ernst is demanding agencies provide detailed information on TFUT claims, unused government properties, and any instances of discounted or free use of agency resources by unions or their members. She insists on a return to pre-pandemic work practices, emphasizing the obligation of federal employees to serve the public.
