WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has reintroduced the Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency (ROOMIE) Act, legislation aimed at requiring in-person work for federal agency employees and ensuring efficient use of federal office space.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy
“It’s past time that employees of federal agencies work in person. Right now, bureaucrats are wasting office space and Americans’ tax dollars. The ROOMIE Act would save money by demanding efficiency and hard work from federal employees,” Kennedy said in a statement.
Key Provisions of the ROOMIE Act:
In-Person Work Mandate: Federal agencies must ensure that at least 80% of employees work in-person Monday through Friday.
Efficient Use of Office Space: Agencies must utilize at least 60% of their office space or release it for sale or lease to private businesses.
Background:
The legislation comes in response to concerns about underutilized federal office space and its financial and health implications:
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found that 17 federal agencies used, on average, only 25% or less of their office space.
The General Services Administration (GSA) reported that underutilized federal buildings pose potential health risks, including the presence of legionella bacteria, which thrives in stagnant water and can lead to infections or fatalities.
