Peace Garden News

In 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the utilization of 24 federal agency headquarters buildings. The findings showed that, on average, 17 of these buildings were utilized at 25 percent or less capacity, with some agencies as low as nine percent.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, joined forces with EPW Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), House T&I Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO-06), and House T&I Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA-10). Together, they addressed a letter to the Trump administration highlighting provisions in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This act grants new authority for right-sizing the federal real estate portfolio to save taxpayers billions.

The letter was directed to Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought, Acting Administrator of the General Service Administration Stephen Ehikian, and Commissioner of the Public Building Service Michael Peters. It referenced the "Public Buildings Reforms" section in WRDA 2024 which aims to improve management of federal real estate by addressing inefficient office space use and requiring employees' return to offices or face space reduction.

“To maximize the effectiveness of these provisions, it is critical that implementation begins as soon as possible to meet deadlines and take full advantage of the authorities provided to the administration in this legislation,” stated in their communication.

The lawmakers noted that even if all federal employees returned to work on-site, taxpayers would still fund excess space. They cited an example from GAO's review where an agency reported only 67 percent utilization even if all employees were present simultaneously.

“It is unacceptable for American taxpayers to pay for space that is sitting empty," they asserted while urging action on consolidating federal spaces and encouraging employee returns. “As Chairmen of Congressional Committees and Subcommittees with jurisdiction over public buildings... our committees are willing to assist... efforts to protect taxpayer’s dollar.”

Senator Cramer also collaborated with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) by sending a letter requesting completion of disposals under Federal Assets and Transfers Act (FASTA) reforms for tangible taxpayer benefits.