Federal Telework Protection Act
Creates a federal employee telework request and appeal process and bars spending on directives eliminating remote work.
In the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal agencies need a way to decide whether employees can work remotely. The bill would create a request and appeal process that considers employees’ circumstances and sets deadlines for decisions. It would also bar federal spending to implement specified directives eliminating remote work and requiring employees to return to their duty stations.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates a telework request and appeal process
Federal employees could ask their supervisor to telework, and supervisors would have to consider medical conditions, caregiving, disability, significant commute time, job requirements, and other factors. Decisions would require written explanations; employees could appeal certain denials or arrangements to an agency telework office and then appeal an adverse office decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
- Blocks spending on return-to-office directives
Federal funds could not be used to carry out the January 20, 2025, presidential memorandum titled “Return to In Person Work,” or later orders, directives, or agency guidance associated with it that eliminate remote work and require employees to work in person at their duty stations.
- Approves requests during decision delays
If a supervisor does not decide a request within 90 days, or an agency telework office does not decide an appeal within 90 days, the request would be treated as approved until a final decision is made. If practicable, supervisors would also grant employees with urgent medical conditions 10 to 15 business days of telework while considering their request.
- Creates agency telework offices
Each executive agency would have a telework office to review appeals. The agency’s Telework Managing Officer would have to be a senior career civil-service official with direct access to the agency head, not a political appointee or an excepted-service employee.
- Requires policies and annual reports
Agencies would update and publish their telework policies. The Office of Personnel Management would report to Congress on agency implementation, including approvals, denials, requests based on specified conditions, and requests that remain unprocessed.
The bill cites federal experience since the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 and says telework can improve productivity, emergency preparedness, and continuity of operations, while helping with employee health and recruitment and retention. It frames telework as a way to support the effective operation of government.
The bill would also limit federal spending on directives that eliminate remote work and require employees to return to their duty stations. Its procedures would set expectations for how agencies consider requests and address delays or disagreements.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Subramanyam with 5 original cosponsorsReferred to Oversight and Government Reform
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 4 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Subramanyam’s record: sponsored 49 bills this Congress. 2 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5ORIGINAL
- Glenn IveyD-MD-4ORIGINAL
- Stephen F. LynchD-MA-8ORIGINAL
- Jennifer L. McClellanD-VA-4ORIGINAL
- James R. WalkinshawD-VA-11ORIGINAL
- Yassamin AnsariD-AZ-3OCT 5, 2026
Coverage at a glance
Outlets that covered this bill, by their lean; 1 more are not rated.
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the House, or is signed into law.