Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of my amendment, No. 58 to H.R. 8774, which prohibits classified teleworking and remote working for DOD employees. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and House Republicans in the 118th Congress prioritized returning the Federal workforce to the office and cracking down on wasted Federal office space. To this extent, last year I sponsored an amendment to the fiscal year '24 DOD appropriations bill blocking routine and regular telework and remote working, ensuring that DOD personnel who defend the Nation operating largely in a classified environment are in the office. I thank Chairman Calvert and the committee as similar language is in this year's bill, but since last year, new DOD policy may thwart the return-to-office needs of the government, while also raising serious national security concerns. On January 8, 2024, the DOD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness updated the Department's telework and remote work policies for the first time since 2012. Under this new policy, DOD personnel are qualified for telework and remote work when: ``The duties of the position do not require more than occasional handling, discussion, or processing of classified material.'' In short, if you handle classified information, you still qualify to work from home.…”