The bill echoes Republicans’ calls to the White House and leaders of federal agencies to bring teleworking employees back to offices. The House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday warned about a “serious national security threat” facing America. Lawmakers questioned VA officials on best practices for employing artificial intelligence technology to improve health care and benefits. A senior congressional aide said he understood the threat relates to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon that may or may not be deployed. Only about 4% of the 2.1 million-strong federal workforce took advantage of the benefit from 2020 to 2022. Data breaches by local, state and federal agencies over the past eight years cost governments some $26 billion. Though Congress has put forward its own pay pitch, it has routinely been up to the White House to set the final number. Despite ongoing reforms, some employees may still see their clearances get held up when they switch agencies. The hearing Thursday probed the Department of Interior over its lingering telework flexibilities despite recent return-to-office orders. In November, House Republicans passed their version of the interior-environment appropriations bill, which called for a $436 million cut to the NPS budget. Load More