Two Virginia congressmen have introduced bipartisan legislation to exempt military spouses from federal workers’ return to the office mandate.
The Support Military Families Act was introduced by Republican Rep. Rob Wittman and Democrat Rep. Eugene Vindman after the duo said they had heard directly from Virginians affected by President Donald Trump’s executive action to force federal workers back to the office.
The congressmen say the legislation will help military families, specifically spouses, retain their jobs “while keeping experienced staff in the federal workforce.”
Maintaining employment among military spouses has been a significant issue with military families. The unemployment rate for military families is about 21%, which hasn’t significantly changed since 2015, according to Blue Star Families.
Frequent moves or permanent change of station, or PCS, creates employment stability hurdles for spouses, who also may often face child care obstacles.
In an effort to promote military spouse employment, the federal government gives military spouses preference with certain federal jobs, including general schedule and nonappropriated funds positions.
Wittman underscored the importance of ensuring military families can maintain financial stability that often dual incomes can provide.
“Our military families make great sacrifices in support of their loved ones in the Armed Forces – for which we are forever grateful for – and should not come at the expense of employability, financial stability, or personal fulfillment,” said Wittman.
The congressman highlighted a constituent who says remote work has enabled her to maintain employment.
“A constituent in Yorktown contacted my office because – like many military families – her family relies on dual incomes,” Wittman said. “The ability to maintain consistent employment through military moves is essential for her family’s well-being, and remote work has made it possible for her to maintain her federal career despite the frequent relocations that come with military life.”
Vindman, a 25-year Army veteran, said he has witnessed firsthand the sacrifices military spouses make. He added that supporting military families isn’t a partisan issue.
The congressman shared the dilemma one of his constituents faces in light of the president’s order, leaving the spouse with a difficult decision.
“A constituent in Orange County reached out to our office because her husband is an active-duty service member and their family faces impossible options due to the return-to-office mandate: leave the military, commute 200-miles daily to DC, or leave her job of 18 years. No military family should have to make this choice,” said Vindman.
To be sure, Trump’s memorandum calling for the end of remote work for federal employees provides for exemptions if department and agency heads “deem necessary.”
