Federal Agencies Spent Billions on Office Furniture Despite Employees Working from Home
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The federal government spent $3.3 billion on new office furniture from 2020-2022 despite most employees working from home. Purchases included $237,960 on solar-powered picnic tables for the CDC.
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Agencies like the EPA and State Department bought expensive furnishings even as they downsized office space. The Pentagon spent the most at $1.2 billion.
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The spending occurred as agencies only used 9-49% of their office capacity on average. The "use it or lose it" policy encourages agencies to spend remaining funds.
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White House has pushed agencies to cut down on telework this fall, but many employees still not fully back in offices.
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Critics call the furniture purchases wasteful, symptomatic of a "culture of wasteful spending" in Washington. The spending could draw more scrutiny as Congress debates funding.