Oversight Dems want more employee benefits in next stimulus

摘要

House Oversight and Reform Committee leaders yesterday called for federal employee benefits to be included in the next coronavirus relief package. In a letter to House leaders, committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) outlined several ways the next coronavirus response bill could aid government workers, particularly those who still must show up at the office or other sites during the pandemic. "This workforce serves the public each day in myriad ways, including developing lifesaving vaccines, delivering mail, providing healthcare to veterans, assisting farmers, providing security at airports, responding to natural disasters, and inspecting food to ensure its safety," Maloney and Connolly wrote. They urged workforce flexibilities, including child care compensation, maximum telework options and adjusted health insurance plans. The Democrats also called for protections for federal contractors, including telework and advance payments. Maloney and Connolly requested that essential federal employees who still have to report in person be reimbursed up to $2,000 per child per month.