On the recordMarch 12, 2024
I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my support for the Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023, otherwise known as the USE IT Act. Mr. Speaker, it is time for Federal employees to get back into the office. Use it or lose it. The Government Accountability Office, GAO, found that, on average, 17 of the 24 CFO agency headquarters were at least 25 percent or less utilization in 2023. There are two examples that I have direct oversight over through the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Agriculture. The Small Business Administration has 270,000 square feet. Only 9 percent of the people who work there show up for work. In the USDA's 2 million square feet of beautiful buildings just down the street here, only 11 percent of those buildings are occupied. Are these agencies trying to hide the low numbers of workers actually showing up to work for the American people? The majority of workers aren't at their desks. They are not answering the phones. That is why our congressional offices are having to do their job. Mr. Speaker, I don't mind helping our constituents. That is what we get paid to do. I have a card here. Most Members of Congress carry their schedules around in their pockets. We have 16 appointments today. Mr. Speaker, you show up for work every day that you are supposed to be here. The ranking member shows up for work. He is not phoning it in.…
