Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2022

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I want to express sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Suthammanont. I appreciate the underlying intent of this legislation: To ensure the safety of Federal workers.

I also appreciate how this version of the bill has been improved from the prior versions the House has considered.

Thankfully, there are no longer vaccine requirements for Federal workers in the bill, and the bill is now future-looking, no longer tied specifically to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, it makes sense to be prepared for any future public health emergencies. While the safety of the Federal workers is important, so is mission accomplishment and customer service.

In considering this new version, Committee on Oversight and Reform Republicans ensured the plans this bill requires would be made through the lens of continuity of operations. That is, continuing to provide Americans the services they need, regardless of the situation.

I am pleased to see my colleagues, Representative Jody Hice's amendment receive full support in the Committee on Oversight and Reform last week and be incorporated into the bill we are considering today.

H.R. 8466 now ensures that the next time America faces a public health emergency, Federal agencies will be required to balance their workforce safety measures with plans to accomplish their missions while minimizing impacts to customer service. Agencies will be required to make these plans public for Inspector General review and congressional scrutiny.

Americans who rely on Federal agency services, such as our veterans, should never again be forgotten when their government sends its workforce home.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Connolly for working with Mr. Hice to improve the bill, and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. 8466.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York.

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Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, it is important that Federal agencies plan and prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks and do so in a transparent manner.

This bill is much improved and now also focuses on maintaining Federal agency services to the American people through a potential future public health emergency. Federal agencies exist to serve the American people. This is true during national public health emergencies, also.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 8466, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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