Bill to expand federal workers' telecommuting options falls short in House

Legislation that would give federal workers the option to work from home ran into a significant roadblock May 6, failing to get the two-thirds majority in the House that would have expanded telework options across the government.

The bill drew 268 votes of support in the House but fell nine short of passage because it was brought up under special fast-track rules. It could return to the floor later in the legislative calendar, but that is not assured. Similar legislation awaits a vote in the Senate. About 61 percent of federal workers are eligible to telework, but only 5 percent do so regularly, according to the OPM. The agency's director, John M. Berry, has devoted most of his tenure to convincing lawmakers and other skeptics that telework options are necessary to help retain and recruit potential federal hires. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the House bill would cost $30 million, which Republicans deemed too expensive. The bill's chief sponsor, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), argued that it would save taxpayer dollars in the long term, noting that federal employees who worked from home during this year's snowstorms saved the government about $30 million by maintaining operations.