After he's sworn in, Rep.-elect Tom Barrett of Michigan will work in the Capitol office his great-grandfather once used. Rep. Louis Rabaut died in 1961, two decades before Barrett was born.

The office property sector is in trouble as many workplaces remain empty, and that threatens to spark a number of economic problems, including more pain at the country's banks.

With so many people still working from home, companies are cutting back on office space. That spells trouble for small businesses that depend on foot traffic.