May 24, 2024

Ensuring Efficiency in the OPM

Congressman Sessions gives opening remarks before the Oversight and Accountability Committee

     On Wednesday, I participated in a full committee hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability titled, “Oversight of Our Nation’s Largest Employer: Reviewing the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Pt. II.” This hearing examined how the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is serving the American people by overseeing the vast federal workforce. Part I of this hearing, held back in March of last year, raised concerns about the number of the federal workforce who exclusively work from home and asked questions about how the OPM ensures civil servants remain accountable to elected leadership and the law.

     Acting Director of the OPM Rob Shriver appeared as the witness for this hearing. Since our earlier hearing, the OPM has continued to fail to provide justification for federal employee telework. This is major mismanagement, as there remains no answer regarding the benefit to the American taxpayer. Another takeaway is the importance of transparency in the usage of “official time.” Taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned money is being managed by accountable public servants. Under the Biden administration, the OPM has become politicized, leading to inefficiency in the federal workforce. As the largest employer in the nation, the OPM should work to ensure efficiency and clarity for taxpayers. This hearing confirms that the OPM requires oversight.

You can view my opening remarks here.

Highlights from Recent Speaking Engagements

     Thursday, I spoke with a group of business leaders from Texas about running to the future. I believe that what we do today matters for tomorrow, that is why we must be careful in our decisions. I recognize the efforts those involved in advocating for local business communities in Texas and across our great nation. Through collaborative efforts from localities to the federal level, we can ensure a prosperous tomorrow.

Latexo Math Team Win Streak Continues!

     Congratulations to the UIL Mathematics Team from Latexo High School on winning the state competition for the 12th consecutive time! I had the pleasure of meeting this group of bright young people earlier in the month, thanks to the organization of my friend and former District Director, Kevin Burnette. As you all remember, Kevin unexpectedly passed away last month, and his absence is keenly felt among his many loved ones as well as throughout the district. The phenomenal Latexo Math team had caught his attention last year, and by fortune, he happened upon their bus in the parking lot of Buc-ee’s one night. After connecting with coach Audrey Cravens in the Latexo ISD bus, Kevin arranged for me to meet these students. It was heartwarming to carry out his wish of recognizing these aspiring scholars for their great accomplishments.

U.S. Department of State Travel Tips

• Packing ammunition (even accidentally)
• Packing prohibited medications 
• Being pickpocketed
• Not purchasing travel insurance
• Not paying attention to passport expiration dates
• Traveling during storm seasons without a plan

     Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend and the rest of your summer holidays safely! This Memorial Day and everyday, I am grateful to those who have paid the ultimate price for our country. Thanks to their courage, our freedom is secure. 

H.R. 5403 → CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act
     I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that safeguards freedom and prohibits the government from using a Central Bank Digital Currency. CBDC’s are dangerous surveillance tools that would threaten the privacy of American’s transactions.

H.R. 192 → To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia
     The passage of this bill ensures that Washington, D.C. cannot allow illegal aliens to participate in elections.