Billions Wasted On Federal Telework As Offices Remain Vacant

An investigation by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has brought to light billions of dollars in taxpayer funds wasted on federal office spaces that are barely used. The report revealed that under the Biden-Harris administration, telework policies have spiraled out of control, leaving many government offices nearly empty.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) criticized the administration’s failure to prioritize accountability. “Taxpayers should not have to pay for empty buildings while federal employees work from home,” Comer said. He argued that union pressures have overridden the government’s duty to serve the public effectively.

The committee’s findings indicated that of the 2.28 million federal employees, nearly 228,000 are never required to work in person. Many others telework most of the week, with agencies like the General Services Administration reporting that half of their workforce operates remotely. The federal government still spends $7 billion annually on office space and maintenance.

Unused office buildings add to the waste. The report revealed that several agencies use just a fraction of their available office capacity, with some reporting occupancy rates as low as 9%. Despite this, agencies have also spent $3.3 billion on office furniture for spaces that sit mostly vacant.

Outgoing Biden officials signed agreements guaranteeing telework for thousands of federal employees through 2029, further complicating efforts to reduce inefficiencies. These agreements tie the hands of the incoming Trump administration, making it difficult to enforce accountability or bring employees back to the office.

Proposed reforms from the committee include reducing telework to pre-pandemic levels, cutting excess office space and renegotiating union agreements. Comer pledged to support President Donald Trump’s efforts to address these issues and restore fiscal responsibility in federal operations.