Former SSA Head Martin O’Malley to Testify on Long-Term Telework Agreement

O’Malley faces House Oversight scrutiny over a remote work deal signed days before his resignation and DNC chair campaign announcement.

Martin O’Malley, former Social Security Administration (SSA) commissioner, will testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding a telework agreement he signed before stepping down in November 2024.
The agreement guarantees minimum telework levels for 42,000 SSA employees through 2029, raising concerns about its impact on the incoming administration's ability to manage the workforce.
Chairman James Comer and other Republicans allege the agreement was politically motivated, benefiting unions that are key Democratic constituencies as O’Malley campaigns for DNC chair.
Critics argue the telework policy has contributed to declining service metrics, including increased disability claim processing times, while federal office buildings remain largely underused.
The American Federation of Government Employees defends telework as a tool for productivity and retention, noting that most federal employees are ineligible for full-time remote work.