[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               UTILIZING FEDERAL OFFICE SPACE EFFICIENTLY

  (Mr. ROSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Utilizing Space 
Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act, or the USE IT Act.
  This legislation, which was introduced by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry), directs the Office of Management and Budget, 
OMB, and the General Service Administrations, GSA, to establish 
standard methodologies to measure occupancy in public buildings and 
federally leased space.
  It also requires GSA and OMB to take steps to reduce or consolidate 
space if utilization falls below 60 percent. Currently, Federal office 
space utilization averages an unbelievably low 25 percent or less for 
most major agencies.
  This bill, which I am proud to support, would ensure our Federal 
workers are utilizing the workspace taxpayers are paying for.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been 4 years since the pandemic. It is past time 
Federal workers return to the office where they are most efficient to 
ensure they remain accountable to the taxpayers.

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