Dear Neighbor,

There are nearly 6 million federal employees and contractors across the United States. The 11th District is home to about 60,000 of those federal employees and at least 70,000 of those contractors. I'm honored to represent each of them.

With one of the highest populations of federal workers in the country, our community knows better than most the countless ways in which they serve the American people every day -- from developing lifesaving vaccines and delivering the mail, to providing healthcare to veterans and inspecting our food to make sure it's safe to eat.

In such an unprecedented time of crisis, their work has become twice as important, and twice as difficult. That’s why it’s so critical for all of us to have their backs right now.

This week, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and I, wrote to House and Senate leadership to request further assistance and support for the millions of federal employees and contractors who continue to perform their duties and serve the American public. You can read our full letter here.

Specifically, we’re urging them to include the following provisions in the next coronavirus relief package:

Federal Employee Priorities

• Provide childcare and dependent care costs to federal employees who are required to report to their offices.
• Codify weather and safety leave for federal employees.
• Clarify that federal employees can work from home with children or ill family members present.
• Prohibit blanket agency prohibitions on teleworking.
• Allow federal employees to make health insurance changes when public health emergency declarations occur.
• Extend health, dental, and vision insurance eligibility to qualifying dependents.

Federal Contractor Priorities

• Mandate that agencies allow contractor personnel to telework if their work can be conducted remotely and to provide periodic reports to Congress.
• Require OMB to issue government-wide guidance on the implementation of Section 3610 of the CARES Act in order to streamline the payment process for contractors.
• Direct agencies to utilize advance payments during the
• Direct agencies to utilize advance payments during the coronavirus crisis and expand to all federal contractors current requirements to provide accelerated payments for small businesses.
• Require OMB to issue guidance directing federal contracting officers to provide for the equitable adjustment of contracts.
• Ensure contractors are not permanently penalized through adverse performance ratings due to contract disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress