'Pure Savage!' GOP Rep Uses His Phone To Test Witness' Claim SSA Telework Improved Customer Service

Posted • January 15, 2025: The Covid pandemic started about five years ago, and the government adjusted accordingly when it comes to remote work, and it appears that many agencies don't want to return to normal. The Social Security Administration among them. As a matter of fact, the SSA recently extended their telework policy. […] Martin O'Malley was the SSA commissioner until recently, and in the press release he said the telework agreement would "secure the ability of the agency to serve the public" and was a "win for employees and the American public." Today there was a House hearing that included testimony from O'Malley, and the telework agreement was a topic of discussion. Commissioner O'Malley's collective bargaining agreement locked in telework policies for the Social Security Administration until 2029.

SSA already has an abysmal rate of in-person work, and there's zero evidence that teleworking increased its productivity. Taxpayers shouldn't be forced to subsidize inefficient work practices and unused federal buildings. https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1879622678912405504/vid/avc1/1920x1080/6de9RnBVD0ei_WB4.mp4 -- GOP Rep. Clay Higgins put the claim that telework has greatly improved the SSA's customer service to the test by taking out his phone and calling the number. Awkwardness ensued. 🔥🔥🔥 Rep. Clay Higgins called the social security line during the hearing today. He was still on hold after 1 HOUR & 28 MINUTES! But Martin O’Malley said telework was increasing quality of care. 🤔 Maybe 90 minutes or longer is considered not too bad of a wait time by government standards. It depends on what your definition of "improved service" is. (…)

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https://twitchy.com/dougp/2025/01/15/gop-rep-uses-his-phone-to-test-witness-claim-social-security-admin-working-remotely-improved-service-n2406705