Contact Congress about H.R. 236: Federal Employee Return to Work Act

Many federal employees who telework regularly would stop getting the yearly general federal pay raise. Their pay would also use the “Rest of U.S.” locality rate, even if they work in a higher-cost area.

Modern Action shows what the legislation would change, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Federal Employee Return to Work Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Latest action on H.R. 236: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects federal employees who telework on a regular schedule. It matters most for workers now tied to higher-cost locality pay areas, because their pay would shift to the “Rest of U.S.” rate. It also affects federal agencies, which would have to track who qualifies and apply the new pay rules. Some groups would not be covered, including certain disabled workers, Foreign Service members, law enforcement officers, and active-duty military members.

Why this matters: The bill could lower future pay growth for many federal workers who telework. Today, many federal employees can receive a general yearly raise and locality pay based on where they work. This bill would remove those pay benefits for covered teleworkers and assign them to the “Rest of U.S.” rate. That could change how workers weigh telework against pay, commuting, family needs, and where they live.

Key provisions in H.R. 236

• A federal employee would be covered if they telework at least one day a week. They would also be covered if they telework at least 20% of their time under an alternative work schedule.
• Several groups would not count as covered employees. These include employees with disabilities who telework as a reasonable accommodation, Foreign Service members, federal law enforcement officers, active-duty Armed Forces members, and certain workers whose official worksite is outside the rule in 5 C.F.R. 531.605(a)(1).
• Covered employees would not get the yearly general federal pay raise. That raise comes from 5 U.S.C. 5303, the federal law for across-the-board pay adjustments.
• Covered employees would be paid using the “Rest of U.S.” locality pay area for their grade and step. This would apply no matter what locality rate they use now.
• Future locality pay updates would not change the “Rest of U.S.” rate for covered employees. That rule would block changes under 5 U.S.C. 5304, the law for locality pay adjustments.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 236

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 236

What is H.R. 236?

Many federal employees who telework regularly would stop getting the yearly general federal pay raise. Their pay would also use the “Rest of U.S.” locality rate, even if they work in a higher-cost area.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 236?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 236?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on H.R. 236?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.