Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairwoman of our committee for yielding, and I thank Mr. Comer, the ranking member, and Mr. Hice, the ranking member of Government Operations Subcommittee, for their support and collaboration on an improved H.R. 8466, the Suthammanont Healthy Workforce Act of 2022.

On May 26, 2022, Chai Suthammanont, my constituent, a kitchen staff worker at a childcare facility at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, died from coronavirus-related complications. Chai was a loving father and husband and a proud naturalized American. Chai was known for his kindness and his patience. He had a unique handshake he shared with many of the kids at the childcare facility where he worked. His death was a tragedy felt by so many.

Confusion and uncertainty emerged as two of the largest contributing factors to Chai's death. The Federal Government did not yet have any protocols in place--or guidance, for that matter--intended to protect him and others.

We are emerging from the pandemic, but new strains of infectious diseases and other potential health emergencies demand that the Federal Government prepare to adapt and continue operations and the mission across many challenges. Our government must embrace lessons learned from the pandemic; some of them learned through tragic losses such as Chai's.

Federal agencies must place the health and safety of Federal employees at the forefront of their plans and operations while continuing to provide vital services to the public, ensuring continuity of operations.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our subcommittee has held three hearings focused on the future of Federal work, which include prioritizing the health and safety of our workforce.

Some simple truths emerged during these deliberations.

One, our Federal workforce is comprised of dedicated civil servants who didn't stop delivering mail, serving veterans, approving and distributing vaccines, and ensuring businesses received essential financial assistance.

Two, the Federal workforce needs agencies to invest in proper information technology, training, and protective equipment before another public health crisis occurs.

Three, agencies need clearly communicated, publicly available policies and guidance that let their employees and the public know how to ensure a safe and healthy continuity of operations.

Last year, this committee marked up a previous version of the bill that covered the COVID-19 pandemic. This new bill prepares the Federal workforce, as the distinguished ranking member indicated, for the potential nationwide public health emergencies of tomorrow.

The bill requires each Federal agency to establish a plan to describe public health protocols, including, but not limited to, testing, identification, notification of individuals who may have been exposed to the pathogen; cleaning; occupancy limits; use of personal protective equipment; protections for employees whose work requires them to travel offsite; and ensuring the continuity of operations for the agency.

The bill would also require each agency's Office of Inspector General to report on the extent each agency has, in fact, implemented the plan and the Government Accountability Office to report on the lessons learned from the pandemic.

This bill is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, the Professional Managers Association, the Senior Executives Association, among many other organizations.

Federal employees are a great asset for our Nation. We must work to ensure their well-being and protection in difficult times such as these.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank the chairwoman, who is the original cosponsor of this legislation, as well as my colleagues, especially Mr. Comer and Mr. Hice, for making this a strong bipartisan effort.

Mr. Speaker, I particularly salute Chai's widow, Christina, for her continued efforts in honoring her late husband's memory.

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