Political Quotes

“I rise today in support of H.R. 1722. I represent the eastern panhandle of West Virginia that continues to welcome new residents seeking the lower cost of living and family-oriented environment that West Virginia offers. Many of these new West Virginians work in the Washington, D.C., area for the Federal Government. Telework would further improve the quality of life for these commuters. Teleworking would allow these workers to perform their duties and responsibilities from home or at another worksite--we actually have a remote telework facility in Jefferson County--where they would be removed from their regular workplace. Telework would be good for families because it provides employees the flexibility they need to meet daily demands. It's an environmental bill because I believe it will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution as well as gasoline consumption. Additionally, employers benefit from the increased productivity. I think the private sector has studies out there showing that telework can be much more productive for the overall organization: improved morale, fewer sick leave days used, better worker retention, and reduced costs for office space. As telework is more widely adopted by the private sector, it is critical that the Federal Government continue to keep pace and serve as a model for telework.”