USDA to remain open during pope’s visit
September 22, 2015 |12:01 AM
The Agriculture Department will be open during the visit of Pope Francis, but employees are being encouraged to work from home, a spokeswoman for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said late Monday.
“The Department of Agriculture, along with all federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., area, will remain open during the three days of the pope’s visit,” the spokeswoman said in an advisory to reporters.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Washington today at 4 p.m., and depart Thursday at 4 p.m., when he will head to New York. During his visit he will meet with President Barack Obama at the White House and address a joint meeting of Congress.
“Due to the increase in traffic, road closures, and related commuting disruptions on these days, USDA employees who work in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area should expect significant commuting delays and travel disruptions. As a result, we are encouraging telework for our employees.”
“The Department of Agriculture, along with all federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., area, will remain open during the three days of the pope’s visit,” the spokeswoman said in an advisory to reporters.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Washington today at 4 p.m., and depart Thursday at 4 p.m., when he will head to New York. During his visit he will meet with President Barack Obama at the White House and address a joint meeting of Congress.
“Due to the increase in traffic, road closures, and related commuting disruptions on these days, USDA employees who work in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area should expect significant commuting delays and travel disruptions. As a result, we are encouraging telework for our employees.”
