WASHINGTON – The House Oversight and Accountability Committee today held a hearing entitled “Focus on Control: Oversight of the Office of Management and Budget.'' During the hearing, members noted that the government's performance impacts all Americans, including border security, issuing Social Security checks, and processing student financial aid forms. Members argue that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has failed to prioritize effective, data-driven decision-making that benefits U.S. taxpayers, and that it is taking steps to ensure the efficient operation of the federal government. He emphasized that we must start taking steps to To ensure the federal government puts the priorities of the American people first, the commissioners asked OMB Deputy Director for Management Jason Miller why so many federal employees still aren't coming to the office. He emphasized that the committee will continue to make efforts to hold OMB accountable.
Important points:
The federal government is America's largest employer, and OMB has a responsibility. To explain how its policies are efficient, effective, and put Americans first.
- Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.): “The federal government is the nation's largest employer, with a 2 million-strong civilian workforce headquartered right here in Washington, D.C., who manage nearly $2 trillion in grants and contracts each year. OMB works with federal agencies to ensure that the president's vision is implemented across the government.The government exists to serve the American people, and we always have their best interests in mind. It should be operated based on
Although OMB claims to have data-driven controls, it has failed to provide oversight boards with critical data to explain or justify key management policies such as telework for federal employees.
- Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.): “The Biden administration claims to have data-driven management, but the results are not being delivered. A prime example is remote work for employees. The need for that is long gone. But large-scale telework continues under the Biden administration, which aims to make it a permanent part of federal work life. How do we know it's in the public interest? The only data we've seen on this is a survey of federal employees themselves. They don't even know how many employees are working from home. Can work levels be made data-driven?”
OMB Deputy Director for Management Jason Miller pledged under oath to provide the Oversight Committee with updated information, documents, and data regarding federal employee telework. The House Oversight Committee will continue to hold OMB accountable and provide oversight to ensure the federal government is properly managed and operated with the best interests of the American people in mind.
Member highlights:
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer emphasized that American taxpayers expect services to be delivered efficiently and effectively.
Chairman Comer: “OMB's management, led by Mr. Miller, designs and oversees the implementation of the president's management agenda. It's a blueprint for how to manage IT, finances. My constituents and other members of this committee want government services to be delivered efficiently and effectively. They don’t want to pay unnecessary overhead.”
During Comer's questioning, Deputy Secretary of Management Jason Miller confirmed that OMB would provide the committee with up-to-date data and information regarding the federal government's outdated telework policies.
Chairman Comer: “We all work for taxpayers. Whether you are a federal employee or a member of Congress. Telework has not been good for American taxpayers. Return to Work Plan Will OMB provide the Committee with a plan and related data and documentation regarding its telework policy?”
Mr. Miller: “Yes.”
Chairman Comer: “I don't think the federal government will be more efficient under this work-from-home policy. We don't even know what a telework policy is. If we can prove with data that telework is more efficient, then we will accept and begin selling federal land. We asked for this data information, and with all due respect, this information should already be compiled.”
Congressman Glenn Grossman (R-Wis.) It illustrated how Americans working in the private sector across the country continue to show up for in-person work, even though federal agencies still mandate only 50% in-person capacity in offices.
Rep. Grossman: “Do you feel that progress in bringing people back to work in person is progressing more slowly than expected?” At this point, the coronavirus is ancient history, and the email dates back to January 2024. It seems like a recent thing in a way, but does that imply that things are slower than you expected?”
Mr. Miller: “We expect our agencies to be fully committed to their implementation, and we will hold them accountable.”
Congressman Grossman: “I feel like the government sometimes doesn't understand the extent to which everyone is getting back to work in the private sector, in many sectors…I want to emphasize that in many private sectors, In my work, I think: They show up…We have to get back to where we want to go.”
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) said the Biden administration's overreach in executive orders requiring unions on federal construction projects limits access for qualified American workers.
Rep. Higgins: “What do you say to the 80 percent of America's workforce that is no longer qualified to work on multibillion-dollar projects?
Miller: “We want every American to have access to skills and quality jobs.”
Rep. Higgins: “Is that your answer?” Do you want every American to have a quality job? That's the gist of the story. How do you deal with family members who are unable to work? Do you know what will happen? The federal government is trying to overreach these states.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) harshly criticized Miller for failing to provide substantive answers about the president's executive order, demanding a commitment from Miller to provide basic information to the committee in a timely manner. I got it.
Congressman Perry: “It seems like many times the plans are not available to the public or to Congress. Why is that?
Mr. Miller: “Also, Congressman, I would be happy to address your concerns on the specifics here.”
Rep. Perry: “Would you be willing to provide any information regarding this executive order during this hearing?”
Mr. Miller: “I am pleased to discuss my broad operational vision and the specific priorities I have been focused on.”
Rep. Perry: “So what are those? What is this executive order about?”
Mr. Miller: “Again, that was not the main focus of my time. I would be happy to withdraw your specific question.”
Congressman Perry: “What is the timeline for providing these answers?” One week? 6 months? As you know, elections are scheduled for November, so we want to hold elections in a timely manner so that we can assess how well you are doing and whether you are overstepping your bounds. Masu. ”
Representative William Timmons (R.S.C.) noted that the U.S. debt remains unchecked and OMB has a role to play in ensuring that taxpayer funds are used effectively and efficiently. He noted that OMB could prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) to combat wasteful spending.
Congressman Timmons: “Right now, we're at almost $35 trillion in assets. This is totally unsustainable. Congress needs to solve some of these problems, but I think OMB is doing its part. We believe we can take the lead here. We identify waste, fraud, and abuse. OMB has a big role to play here too. We know where the risks are and how to save money. Do you want to?”
Mr. Miller: “Yes. We need to see that improvements are being made.”
Congressman Timmons: “Is there an opportunity to use AI to further increase your savings?”
Miller: “There is a real opportunity in AI, and we are committed to using it responsibly. It can be used to analyze risk and fraud of personal information.”
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Comer holds oversight hearing on OMB operations
