House Lawmakers Clash Over Best Way to Reopen Federal Workplaces

The top Republican on a House Oversight subcommittee pressed for federal employees to be returned to office-based work, saying during a hearing that the government is out of step with private-sector businesses across the U.S.

But Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, was countered by the panel’s chairman, Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who pointed to the recent surge in cases in Western and Southern states in urging caution.

“We flattened the curve and our hospitals were not overwhelmed. Now we are in the process of reopening” in most parts of the ...