Sen. Joni Ernst demands federal agencies hire outside of DC

In the United States, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst is poised to introduce a series of bills aimed at relocating federal workers from Washington, D.C., to various regions across the country. The primary bill, titled the 'Returning SBA to 5 Main Street Act', is expected to be unveiled today, December 12, 2024. This legislation is part of Ernst's ongoing efforts to tackle what she characterizes as a deteriorating bureaucratic structure within the government. The bill targets the Small Business Administration (SBA), proposing to move at least 30% of its employees from the agency's headquarters in D.C. to duty stations located outside of the metropolitan area. This initiative seeks not only to restructure the SBA's workforce but also aims to reduce the agency's current office space by a corresponding amount, in light of its unused capacity. The SBA has indicated that, with all employees present, only 67% of its headquarters' capacity would be utilized, highlighting a significant underutilization of government resources. This legislative move follows a Senate hearing conducted by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, which shed light on the negative effects of telework on the agency's operations. A representative from Iowa shared challenges faced by small business owners in reaching SBA officials, emphasizing the detrimental impact of teleworking on service delivery. Senator Ernst articulated her frustrations, comparing the situation to a 'closed for business' sign, suggesting that the agency is failing to effectively connect with the community and the businesses it is meant to support. She contends that relocating federal employees from the capital would invigorate the SBA's ability to serve small businesses better. Moreover, Ernst has been a vocal opponent of what she perceives as abuse of telework policies by federal employees. Recently, she cited a report in which she claimed the federal workforce suffers from chronic absenteeism, advocating for measures such as enhanced oversight of employee productivity and a reevaluation of government real estate use. Additionally, she has expressed her commitment to working with the Senate's DOGE caucus, an initiative focusing on improving federal efficiency. This caucus is closely associated with efforts from the incoming Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by high-profile individuals including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The overarching goal is to transition teleworking federal employees back to office settings where possible, ensuring greater accountability and better service delivery by federal agencies. In summary, Senator Joni Ernst's introduction of the legislation reflects a broader strategy aimed at reforming the federal workforce, challenging the status quo of teleworking, and enhancing the functionality of agencies like the SBA. The upcoming legislative action may potentially reshape the operational landscape of federal agencies, prioritizing service efficiency and accessibility for the small business community across the nation.