Polk Times

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) are leading the charge in Congress to track taxpayer dollars subsidizing federal employee unions. The duo has introduced legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in how federal agencies allocate resources for union activities.

Rep. Franklin emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "Lingering pandemic telework policies cause backlogs and make it harder for Americans to get swift assistance." He further added, "American taxpayers shouldn’t pay for empty federal buildings and get bad customer service. They also shouldn’t foot the bill for bureaucrats—who are supposed to be public servants—to help unions ‘organize’ against efforts to force federal employees back to work."

Senator Ernst echoed these sentiments, highlighting the contradiction in taxpayers funding unions that resist the return of workers to the office. "It’s absurd that Iowans are forced to pay for federal employee unions that are fighting tooth and nail against workers returning to the office," she remarked. "During Sunshine Week, I’m dragging shady spending into the light and exposing abuse of our dollars. Public service should always be about benefiting taxpayers, not bureaucrats."

The proposed legislation requires federal agencies to provide detailed annual reports on the cost and purpose of official time allocated for union activities. It aims to shed light on how taxpayer dollars are utilized for activities that may not align with the interests of the American public.

The bill seeks to address gaps in transparency left by the Biden administration, which has not published comprehensive reports on taxpayer-funded union time since October 2020. By reinstating reporting requirements, Franklin and Ernst aim to ensure accountability and proper use of taxpayer funds in federal agencies.

The full text of the article can be found at: [Franklin, Ernst Fight To Track Taxpayer Dollars Subsidizing Federal Employee Unions](https://franklin.house.gov/2024/3/franklin-ernst-fight-to-track-taxpayer-dollars-subsidizing-federal-employee-unions)