“It turns out federal agencies need a lot more resources to scale up and support large-scale telework for their employees to respond to the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic.”
“Extra telework support is at the top of the list for many, and it’s part of a $45.8 billion request the White House made Tuesday to Congress for additional 2020 funding.”
“Agencies are asking for billions of dollars in extra cash this year, which would, in part, address growing technology, workforce and resources needs associated with the coronavirus.”
“’With the pandemic growing, resource needs have also grown,’ Russ Vought, acting director for the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a letter to Congress. ‘The unprecedented mobilization the administration has achieved has forced agencies to incur unanticipated costs. These costs must be met with a legislative response to ensure full operational capacity.’”
“President Donald Trump on Wednesday formally nominated Vought to be the permanent OMB director.”
“Vought’s funding request also includes an advanced appropriation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for fiscal 2021. The goal, he said, is to make some $8.3 billion available to the CDC as soon as the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1, so there’s no delay in funding the agency if Congress can’t agree to a governmentwide spending package at the year-end deadline.”
“The new funding request also includes $8.3 billion for the Defense Department’s emergency response fund. The Pentagon would need additional authorities to transfer those funds to other DoD accounts, Vought said…”
“Besides the Pentagon, more than 20 other agencies have asked for additional funding to help them better respond to the coronavirus. Here are some highlights…” Read the full article here.
Source: Here’s what federal agencies say they need to fight the coronavirus – By Nicole Ogrysko and Jory Heckman, March 19, 2020. Federal News Network.
