WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the following statement regarding the Committee’s letter to Administrator Guzman of the Small Business Administration (SBA) inquiring about the SBA’s return to work policy.

“According to President Biden, the COVID pandemic has been over for 11 months. Why the federal government is just now planning on getting back to work is beyond me,” said Chairman Williams. “Even though Main Street has long been back to work, the SBA is still allowing its employees to only come into work twice a week. It’s time they start marching to the same tune. I sincerely hope Administrator Guzman listens to the American people and reconsiders her policy of remote work so that all small businesses can better receive the assistance they need.”

Read the full letter here.

Read key excerpts of the letter below:

“The Committee expressed concerns about your work from home policies in our March 23, 2023, hearing titled “Oversight of the Small Business Administration.” During the hearing, you responded that SBA’s policy of requiring employees to work in the office just two days a pay period, or once a week, under your leadership were “mission-based” and claimed SBA’s performance was “remarkable.” In reality, a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and new efforts by the White House prove this claim to be questionable, at best.

“Not only have these work from home policies potentially harmed small businesses, but they have also wasted American taxpayers’ dollars. The GAO rated SBA’s office utilization in the lowest, most underutilized group of all federal agencies. Additionally, in a recent email, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients called for an “aggressive return” to federal offices citing that it is critical to the well-being of our teams and will enable better results for the American people.

“We are not the only committee concerned over SBA’s extreme work from home policies. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer requested detailed information on work from home and telework policies. A request that appears to have gone unanswered, requiring a follow up request by Chairman Comer. Our Committee similarly remains deeply concerned at SBA’s dedication to enacting a return-to-work policy that will benefit America’s small businesses.”

Background:

Signatories of this letter include Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX), Vice Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY).

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