Federal Oversight of Construction Use and Safety Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. CHAVEZ-DeREMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the FOCUS Act, a bill that makes much-needed reforms to the Federal Government's real estate practices.

With our national debt at $34 trillion and rising, it is our duty as lawmakers to root out wasteful spending and restore fiscal responsibility.

Recently, the Government Accountability Office reviewed 24 Federal agencies to analyze office space usage. The study found that of the 24 offices reviewed, 17 of the agencies used just 25 percent or less of the building's capacity.

It is clear that office space utilization has decreased dramatically in both the public and private sectors. Many companies have adjusted by downsizing or selling office space to save money.

As a small business owner myself, consolidating office space to reduce costs would be a straightforward, sensible decision to make.

Unfortunately, we often see the bureaucracy treat Americans' tax dollars like monopoly money. We throw it around. The FOCUS Act would change that and, by promoting consolidation, ensure taxpayer money isn't being wasted on unused real estate.

Transparency leads to accountability, and that is why this bill also requires Congress to be notified of significant increases in rent payments.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense proposal to rein in unnecessary spending and improve transparency in Federal real estate practices.

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