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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.

 

ROGER WICKER: Americans Deserve Full Service from Their Government
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When the pandemic first began, federal agencies did what many schools and
businesses did: they shut their doors and shifted to remote work. Today, almost
21 months later, teachers and students are back in the classroom. Businesses
have safely reopened. Health care and public safety workers continue to show up
for work. Yet much of the federal government appears to be stuck in 2020, with
many offices still closed to the public. These closures have made it harder for
Americans to obtain basic government services, such as Social Security and VA
benefits.

Mississippians Struggle to Access Government



I have heard countless stories of Mississippians caught in the gears of
federal bureaucracy because of office closures. One elderly Mississippian was
told that he had been overpaid in Social Security benefits after the death of
his wife. Although he had documents to support his case, the office closure
meant he could not submit the documents in person. For three months, his Social
Security benefits fell dramatically. Eventually his benefits were restored
after I intervened. But this entire ordeal could have been avoided if the
Social Security office had simply been open.

Similar frustrations have been felt nationwide, including among veterans. As
of August 30, the VA had nearly 182,000 unresolved medical claims because of a
“pause” on in-person visits. Nearly six million Americans are still waiting for
their tax returns from 2020 because of IRS closures. The wait time for a
passport is now eight to 11 weeks. All the while, taxpayers are footing the
bill for empty office space as federal employees continue to work from home.

This federal shutdown has gone on long enough. Our government should be
setting an example in returning to work, yet it seems intent on bringing up the
rear. With 92 percent of the federal workforce now vaccinated, there is no real
excuse for federal workers not to be back in the office.

Wicker Leads Efforts to Reopen Government

Federal agencies should have started reopening after President Biden issued an
executive order in June, which required them to draw up reopening plans.
Instead, they have been dragging their feet. They have also ignored members of
Congress who have asked to see their plans. Out of more than 20 agencies that I
contacted, only one could point to a basic sketch of a reopening plan. Some
said they were still negotiating with their labor unions. Most refused to give
any response at all. This lack of transparency is a disservice to the taxpayers
that these agencies are meant to serve.

Last month, I pressed this issue with the Biden Administration by sending a
letter asking which agencies had adopted a reopening plan. Forty-one senators
joined me in signing that letter. Once again, we received no reply.

I am now preparing legislation to force the hand of these agencies. My bill,
known as the Return Employees To Understaffed Worksites to Reopen Now, or
RETURN Act, would give federal agencies 30 days to submit a reopening plan to
Congress. It would require federal workers who handle personal or sensitive
information – such as Social Security numbers – to return to their
workstations. And importantly, it would eliminate financial incentives that
have encouraged some federal employees to keep working remotely. I hope members
of both parties can get behind this commonsense proposal. With millions of
Americans back at their jobs, our federal workforce should do the same.

 

You can click here to share my Op-Ed with your friends on Facebook!
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Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker

 

 

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