Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB514

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  

Caption

Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act or the SWAMP ActThis bill prohibits new construction, major renovation, leasing, or renewing a lease of certain executive agency headquarters in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and establishes a competitive bidding process for the relocation of such headquarters.The General Services Administration (GSA) must (1) establish a process to allow an executive agency to request the GSA to issue a solicitation for the relocation of its headquarters or allow the GSA to issue such a solicitation without a request, if necessary; (2) allow any state or political subdivision of a state to respond to a solicitation with a proposal for the relocation of the agency's headquarters; and (3) in consultation with the executive agency, select a state or political subdivision of a state for the relocation of the agency's headquarters using a competitive bidding procedure based on certain considerations.

Impact

The implications of HB 514 could lead to significant changes in how and where government agencies operate. By opening up the process for relocation through a competitive bidding system, the bill incentivizes states to showcase their economic benefits, existing expertise, and potential contributions to national security. This could foster economic growth in regions that successfully attract these agencies, potentially impacting job creation and local economies. Moreover, it encourages states to invest in developing their infrastructure to meet the needs of the relocated agencies.

Summary

House Bill 514, known as the Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act (SWAMP Act), aims to establish a competitive bidding process for the relocation of Executive agencies' headquarters. The purpose of this bill is to solicit proposals from states and localities to attract federal agencies outside of the Washington metropolitan area. This initiative is designed to decentralize the concentration of federal agencies and promote redistribution of government resources across various states.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding this bill. Critics may express concerns that the forced relocation of federal agencies could disrupt existing services and hinder operations that are effectively managed from Washington, D.C. Moreover, opponents could argue that this shift may lead to inefficiencies as agencies adjust to new environments. Additionally, there might be debates regarding which states are prioritized in the bidding process and whether the relocation aligns with national security protocols while ensuring that public services remain uninterrupted.

Congress_id

119-HR-514

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

US SB22

Identical bill Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act or the SWAMP ActThis bill prohibits new construction, major renovation, leasing, or renewing a lease of certain executive agency headquarters in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and establishes a competitive bidding process for the relocation of such headquarters.The General Services Administration (GSA) must (1) establish a process to allow an executive agency to request the GSA to issue a solicitation for the relocation of its headquarters or allow the GSA to issue such a solicitation without a request, if necessary; (2) allow any state or political subdivision of a state to respond to a solicitation with a proposal for the relocation of the agency's headquarters; and (3) in consultation with the executive agency, select a state or political subdivision of a state for the relocation of the agency's headquarters using a competitive bidding procedure based on certain considerations.

Previously Filed As

US HB10517

To require the head of each Executive agency to relocate 30 percent of the employees assigned to the headquarters of the Executive agency to duty stations outside the Washington metropolitan area, and for other purposes.

US SB5614

A bill to require the head of each Executive agency to relocate 30 percent of the employees assigned to the headquarters of the Executive agency to duty stations outside the Washington metropolitan area, and for other purposes.

US HB5676

SWAMP Act of 2023 Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act of 2023

US SB2612

SWAMP Act of 2023 Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act of 2023

US HB10410

To establish a commission to study the relocation of certain agencies outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and for other purposes.

US SB5486

A bill to establish a commission to study the relocation of certain agencies outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and for other purposes.

US SB5501

A bill to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate 30 percent of the employees assigned to headquarters to duty stations outside the Washington metropolitan area, and for other purposes.

US HB10463

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to relocate to the State of Texas the headquarters of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.

US SB5647

A bill to require Federal agencies to impose in-person work requirements for employees of those agencies and to occupy a certain portion of the office space of those agencies, and for other purposes.

US HB6558

END the DEEP STATE Act Enabling Necessary Discipline with the Defense of Executives’ Endeavors to Properly Staff Their Agencies with Trustworthy Employees Act

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