Senator Joni Ernst to Unveil Proposal for Government Efficiency

EXCLUSIVE:

In a bold move aimed at reducing government spending and improving efficiency, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is set to propose a significant overhaul through her new initiative: the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The initiative intends to curtail remote work among federal employees and monetize vacant government office spaces across the country.

Collaboration with Tech Innovators

Ernst, who is the chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, has been working closely with notable figures in the technology sector, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Since being appointed by President-elect Trump to lead the agency, Musk and Ramaswamy are expected to meet with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday to discuss strategies aimed at reducing waste within the government.

Rolling Out the Proposal

Senator Ernst is scheduled to unveil her comprehensive proposal along with a detailed 60-page report during the inaugural Senate DOGE Caucus meeting. Both Musk and Ramaswamy are anticipated to take part in this pivotal discussion.

Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson will host an event featuring Musk and Ramaswamy that same afternoon, where all Republican legislators from both chambers will be invited. Ernst is also expected to be in attendance.

Addressing Telework Abuse

Having spent two years investigating the potential abuse of telework policies, Ernst’s findings lay the groundwork for her recommendations to DOGE. One of her primary proposals involves relocating the federal workforce from Washington, D.C. to areas with existing expertise relevant to the operations of various government agencies.

Strategizing Workforce Relocation

Ernst’s legislation suggests moving the headquarters of non-security-related government departments outside of Washington, D.C. and proposes that at least 30% of employees in these agencies be shifted to field offices located across the nation. She also recommends that executive branch agencies consider relocating some of their staff as well, without seeking congressional approval.

Setting Occupancy Goals

Another significant aspect of Ernst’s proposal is a goal set for federal agencies: achieving a 60% daily occupancy rate at agency headquarters. Currently, not a single agency meets even half of that occupancy target, leading Ernst to point out the urgent need for change.

According to her report, numerous government buildings remain completely vacant or underutilized. Ernst writes, “There are thousands of other government buildings around the country sitting totally vacant and unused,” stressing that much of this excess is leased space.

Utilizing Resources Efficiently

In line with her objective to optimize government resources, Ernst advocates for the General Services Administration (GSA) to auction “vacant, unneeded, and underutilized buildings” with a streamlined process. She emphasized the necessity for immediate cancelation or expiration of underutilized leased office spaces valued at million. “Not a single headquarters of a major agency or department in the nation’s capital is even half full,” her report highlights, revealing a dismal 12% average occupancy rate for government buildings.

Financial Implications

The financial burden of maintaining and leasing government office buildings amounts to approximately billion annually, coupled with an additional .7 billion spent on energy costs necessary to sustain these facilities. Ernst, emphasizing the urgency of her proposals, pointed out that the government currently owns 7,697 vacant buildings and an additional 2,265 that are only partially occupied.

Advocating Legislative Change

To further these goals, Ernst is pushing for Congress to enact bipartisan legislation known as the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act (FASTA) Reform Act. This legislation aims to extend the mission of the Public Buildings Reform Board, which is responsible for identifying unused government properties suitable for sale.

Furthermore, she proposed that Congress mandates the reduction and consolidation of unused space to ensure all buildings achieve a minimum utilization rate of 60% or more.

Performance-Based Telework Policies

Addressing workplace transparency, Ernst proposes that federal employees’ eligibility for working from home should be evaluated based on their performance. She is advocating for nearly half a dozen bills that would enforce accountability in telework arrangements.

Ernst pointed out concerns over federal employees “padding their paychecks” by claiming higher locality pay while residing far from their work locations. She noted instances where as many as 23-68% of teleworking employees in certain agencies were benefiting from incorrect locality pay due to deceptive practices.

Collaborative Efforts with Leaders

Ernst’s proposals will be officially introduced during the meeting with Musk and Ramaswamy. Their joint focus remains steadfast on how DOGE can assist in pinpointing waste and eliminating unnecessary regulations across the executive branch.

A Future Republican Agenda

As the Republican Party anticipates returning to power in the White House and both chambers of Congress with the potential election of President-elect Trump in January, Ernst’s proposals may play a crucial role in reshaping government efficiency efforts for the upcoming administration.