Following Calls From Rep. Cleaver To Protect Employees, IRS Commissioner Commits to Changes

(Kansas City, MO) – Last night, following a call between United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Chuck Rettig and Deputy Commissioners for Operations, the IRS sent new guidance to field offices around the country to allow more federal workers to telework and take Safety Leave, while implementing stricter social distancing protocols for essential employees who continue work from the field offices.

"Although the work our IRS employees execute is critical, nothing is more paramount than their health and safety, which is why I have asked the Commissioner to take every precaution available to keep workers safe," said Congressman Cleaver. "We're going to need these employees to help us through the current storm, but we have to do everything humanly possible to keep them healthy in order to do that. As the new guidance is implemented nation-wide, I will be seeking input from employees in Kansas City to be sure their health is not compromised and action is taken to adhere to the CDC's social-distancing guidelines."

This week, Congressman Cleaver's office heard from several employees working in the IRS's Kansas City field office, expressing concerns the field office was not adhering to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidelines on social-distancing, cleaning of common areas, and teleworking. Following these inquiries, Congressman Cleaver reached out to the IRS to notify the agency of these concerns, and to ask for a plan of action to ensure the safety of workers. Following a call with Commissioner Rettig, the IRS sent out new guidelines last night that would allow for more employees to work from home, more employees to take Safety Leave, and stricter social-distancing protocols for employees still working in the field offices. As the IRS implements the new guidelines, Cleaver will remain in communication with employees to be certain new protections are put in place.

Congressman Cleaver will continue to work with federal agencies in the region to ensure every employee in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri is safe and secure as we respond to this crisis.

You can find the IRS Commissioner's message to field offices around the country here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matthew Helfant at 202-225-4535 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.