A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that top federal agencies are using only a fraction of their office space, with occupancy rates ranging from 7% to 49%.
Senator Joni Ernst expressed concerns about the wasteful use of taxpayer money, particularly in relation to heating and cooling costs.
She criticized the Biden administration’s environmental stance, pointing out the emissions resulting from heating and cooling mostly empty buildings. (Trending: Biden Bank Records Reveal Another Massive Bombshell)
Ernst also raised issues about the impact of telework policies on service delivery.
“The Biden administration’s green hypocrisy continues to show,” Ernst said.
“At only 17% occupancy at the EPA and 25% at the Department of Energy, imagine all those fossil fuels being emitted to heat and cool a largely empty building. Doesn’t sound very green to me!”
“All the climate czars in the Biden administration should agree with me — it’s time to forfeit the unused buildings heated and cooled on the taxpayer’s dime,” she added.
“Thousands of calls to the Department of Veterans Affairs from veterans seeking mental health services are going unanswered,” Ernst pressed in September.
Most federal government employees continue remote work, contradicting Biden pledge https://t.co/cUtJlufbhz
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) December 7, 2023
“Desperate travelers are waiting hours on the phone or in line hoping to speak with someone at the State Department about passport delays that are causing vacation cancelations.”
“Our seniors are calling the Social Security Administration and are increasingly being greeted with busy messages, waiting longer to speak to a representative, or having their calls go unanswered altogether as the agency shifts towards remote work,” she continued.
“Frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many federal employees are phoning it in.”
In response to her concerns, the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General announced plans to downsize federal buildings, potentially saving over $1 billion.
Ernst emphasized the need for federal employees to return to in-person work, citing the impact on services and the economy.
“Seventy-five percent or more of the office space at the headquarters of most of our federal agencies is not being used. The vacant offices beg the question: Where are all of the federal employees?” Ernst said.
“Most of America is back to work, and it’s time for burrowed bureaucrats in Washington to answer the call of duty on behalf of taxpayers, veterans, seniors, and our great nation.”
“It’s time for Americans to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again,” Biden said at the time.
“People working from home can feel safe to begin to return to the office. We’re doing that here in the federal government. The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person.”
Most Popular:
Joe Biden Admits He’s ‘Not Sure’ About Running If Trump Wasn’t
Elon Musk Condemns Arrest Of Jan 6 Protester
Trump Announces Major Promise For 2024
