$4.6B Spent on Federal Furniture Since 2020 Amid High Remote Work Rates

Federal agencies have spent approximately $4.6 billion on new furniture since 2020, during a period when around half of employees were working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Testimony from OpenTheBooks CEO John Hart highlighted extravagant expenditures, including $1.4 million on artwork for embassies and $4 million on furniture for USAID offices overseas. Hart criticized this spending as wasteful, noting that the funds could have provided a modest kitchen table for 9.2 million American families. The Government Accountability Office reported that many federal buildings were underutilized, with occupancy rates as low as 12%. The excessive spending has raised concerns among lawmakers about the efficiency of the federal real estate portfolio and the need for fiscal responsibility. As of May 2024, a significant portion of federal employees continued to telework, questioning the necessity of such lavish expenditures.