Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB22

Introduced

1/7/25

Refer

1/7/25

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

If enacted, SB22 would institute a formal mechanism by which states and local governments can propose to host the headquarters of various executive agencies. A critical component of the act is that any proposals would undergo a public review process, ensuring transparency and community engagement regarding the relocation of these significant entities. The act holds particular importance for states hoping to stimulate their local economies through the introduction of federal jobs and agency functions. Additionally, the bill seeks to ensure that no new construction or significant renovations occur on remaining agency sites in the Washington area, marking a shift in policy regarding federal real estate management.

Summary

Senate Bill 22, known as the 'Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act' or the 'SWAMP Act,' aims to establish a structured competitive bidding process for the relocation of executive agencies' headquarters outside of the Washington metropolitan area. The bill defines 'Executive agency' and specifies that certain crucial agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency, are excluded from this relocation. The intent is to diversify the geographical distribution of governmental operations, potentially benefiting local economies and countering the concentration of federal power in D.C.

Contention

Despite its intentions, SB22 may spark debate over the implications for national security and the practical challenges of relocating significant governmental operations. Critics may express concerns that relocating agencies could disrupt their critical functions, especially those related to intelligence and defense. Moreover, there could be apprehensions about the effectiveness of assessing each state's capability to accommodate these agencies and potential disparities in the proposals received. Local jurisdictions with less capacity may worry about their exclusion from the bidding process, and advocacy groups may question whether the benefits of such relocations truly align with the proposed goals of economic enhancement and agency efficacy.

Congress_id

119-S-22

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-07

Companion Bills

US HB514

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 HB6558

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

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 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.