Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) sent a letter along with Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and 13 other lawmakers to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja, and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan raising concerns over the continued closure of Federal offices and the negative impact it is having on everyday Americans, specifically elderly and low-income individuals.
 
“We request that you consider the impact that continued closure of many Federal offices to the public has on millions of Americans, particularly elderly and low-income Americans who rely on the in-person services offered, particularly at Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices, across the country, and urge you to prioritize the reopening of Federal offices in the interests of all Americans, not just those of unions,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
The lawmakers noted that according to the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and widespread access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Federal office employees should return to work as soon as possible.
 
“A top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to Federal office reopening plans is both unreasonable and unnecessary, especially as states and cities across the country – from California to New York to Washington, D.C. – lift pandemic-related closures, allowing for a return to normalcy,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
The letter comes as lawmakers have heard from constituents that the closure of certain federal offices, particularly Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices, has caused hardship for many including the inability to reasonably access Social Security benefits and other related services.
 
“As California and most of the nation lifts pandemic-related closures, we need to also open federal offices back up. Federal employees have both a privilege and responsibility to serve the American people and that includes providing in-person services. The Biden admin needs to swiftly develop a plan to fully and safely return the federal workforce to in-person work so that American taxpayers have access to the services promised to them as taxpayers,” said Garcia. 
 
Click here to read the letter.