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Congressman Alford and Chairman Williams Lead Letter to Small Business Administration

Washington, March 27, 2024

Washington, DC – Earlier today, as first reported by Washington Examiner, Congressman Alford and Chairman Roger Williams led six of their colleagues in a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The letter was concerning SBA’s return to work policy, but specifically requested the following information:

  1. The action plan on returning to work that SBA submitted to the Office of Management and Budget at the request of White House Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients. 
  2. The average amount of days SBA employees spend in telework status in a pay period. 
  3. What percentage of employees spend entire pay periods in telework status. 
  4. The current number of permanent employees with the SBA’s Headquarters as their main office. 
  5. The percentage of applicable employees currently adhering to the guidance of five days a pay period in the office. 
  6. Why does the Small Business Administration need $42,000,000 for office space when the vast majority of its employees telework? 
  7. All communications and written documents regarding the Congressional visit that took place December 3, 2023. 

 

The letter was co-signed by the following Representatives (6).

 

  • Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)
  • Pete Stauber (MN-08)
  • Dan Meuser (PA-09)
  • Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
  • Jake Ellzey (TX-10)
  • Aaron Bean (FL-04)

 

Congressman Alford issued the following statement:

 

“It’s long past time to get Washington back to work for Main Street. Administrator Guzman owes the public an explanation why she is requesting $42,000,000 for a nearly empty building. I sincerely hope that Administrator Guzman shares her action plan on getting the SBA back to work for America’s 33 million small businesses.” 

 

Chairman Williams added:

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is over and done with, and it’s past time the SBA return to work fully. The SBA is tasked with one purpose – to help Main Street. It’s difficult to do that effectively when you’re working from home and are more focused on making sure your laundry is washed and folded rather than ensuring the needs of our entrepreneurs are met. Our small business owners don’t have the luxury to work from home, and the SBA should be marching to the same tune. I hope that Administrator Guzman will heed the concerns of this Committee and require SBA employees to return to the office so the SBA can function as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

 

Media inquiries for Rep. Alford should be directed to Austin Higginbotham at Austin.Higginbotham@mail.house.gov