Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA)
Federal Telework Protection Act
A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is cited as the Federal Telework Protection Act. It establishes a formal process for Federal employees in executive branch agencies to request and appeal telework decisions. Supervisors must make reasonable determinations on initial telework requests based on specific conditions like medical needs or caregiving. If a request is denied, employees can appeal to their agency's telework office and further to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who request telework or file appeals. Finally, it blocks Federal funds from being used to implement the presidential memorandum titled Return to In Person Work or similar orders eliminating remote work.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill explicitly requires supervisors and telework offices to factor disabilities and medical conditions into telework determinations.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The legislation establishes a formal multi-step appeal process, including reviews by agency telework offices and the Merit Systems Protection Board.
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
The legislation protects existing and future collective bargaining agreements between labor organizations and the federal government regarding telework.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for Urgent Medical Conditions: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 6505(e)(1)(B), supervisors should grant employees with urgent medical conditions ten to fifteen business days of telework while their request is being considered. This gives immediate relief to workers facing health crises.
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Clear Consideration of Personal Circumstances: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 6505(e)(3)(B), supervisors and telework offices must consider medical conditions, caregiving, disability, and significant commuting time when reviewing requests or appeals. This provision ensures that personal hardships are formally weighed in the decision-making process.
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Protection Against Retaliation: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 6505(e)(3)(A), no adverse personnel action may be carried out against an employee for filing a telework request or an appeal. This protects workers from being punished by management for using their rights.
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Automatic Approval for Delays: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 6505(e)(5), if a supervisor or telework office fails to issue a decision within 90 days, the telework request is automatically approved until a final decision is made. This prevents agencies from stalling requests indefinitely.
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Blocking Mandatory Return-to-Office Orders: Under Section 4, no Federal funds may be used to implement the presidential memorandum titled Return to In Person Work or any subsequent orders that eliminate remote work. This stops blanket in-person work mandates for federal workers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burden of Proof and Documentation: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 6505(e)(4)(B), the telework office may request medical or supplemental information from the employee for health-related appeals. This could create administrative burdens and privacy concerns for employees who must gather and submit personal health records.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill explicitly requires supervisors and telework offices to factor disabilities and medical conditions into telework determinations. Would union members be better off under this? — The legislation protects existing and future collective bargaining agreements between labor organizations and the federal government regarding telework. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Federal employees in their prime working years benefit from structured telework options and protections for caregiving and medical needs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Federal civil servants, many of whom comprise middle-income households, gain job stability and flexibility through formalized telework protections. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older federal workers benefit from flexible telework accommodations that account for age-related medical conditions. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans employed in the federal workforce benefit from enhanced protections and structured flexibilities for medical and personal circumstances.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The legislation establishes a formal multi-step appeal process, including reviews by agency telework offices and the Merit Systems Protection Board. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Agencies are required to publish updated telework policies on public websites and submit annual implementation reports to congressional committees. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes standardized statutory telework request and appeal processes across all executive branch agencies.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill includes explicit rules of construction ensuring that collective bargaining agreements and labor union negotiations regarding telework are fully respected. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By facilitating structured telework and retaining federal talent, the bill aims to improve overall workforce productivity.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The legislation formally mandates that supervisors and agencies consider disabilities and medical conditions when evaluating telework requests and appeals.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Blocking mandatory return-to-office orders reduces daily commuter travel by federal employees, thereby lowering transportation-related emissions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides immediate temporary telework accommodations for federal employees facing urgent medical conditions while their requests are reviewed.
- 10/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Steny HoyerDemocrat · Maryland
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia