House approves Telework Bill

By H.R. 1722, the Telework Improvements Act.

The bill, which is designed to expand the use of teleworking in the federal government, mandates that federal workers eligible to telework be allowed to do so unless agency supervisors determine that the nature of an employee’s job keeps them from telecommuting.

“In the absence of state funding to pay for desperately-needed transportation improvements in Northern Virginia, this legislation is the best alternative to help the hard-pressed commuters of our region because it has the potential to dramatically-reduce the number of cars on our roads,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said in a press release on Wednesday, “Telework is also critical to the security of the National Capital Region.”

The measure failed to gain approval last May when Republicans concerned about the impact on the Federal debt kept the measure from gaining the two-thirds of the votes needed for passage.

A companion measure was approved in the Senate earlier this year.

The telework bill approved by the House contains a number of minor amendments introduced by Republicans.

A House-Senate conference committee will have to resolve the differences between the two versions before it can go to President Obama for his signature.

Read more:

Federal News Radio: Your Turn: More feds will telework soon

Federal News Radio:

        Read more: All News