Rep. Messer, Sen. Ernst Push SWAMP Act to Relocate Federal Agency Headquarters

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) reintroduced legislation with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to deliver on President Trump's promise to drain the swamp by allowing federal agencies to relocate their headquarters to places outside of Washington, D.C.

The Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies from Meaningful Placement Act (SWAMP Act) would establish a bidding process for states and municipalities to compete for the relocation of a federal agency's headquarters. Under current law, all departments and agencies of the federal government are required to be located in the District of Columbia, unless otherwise provided by Congress.

"With the election of President Trump, the American people sent a strong message that they wanted a government that better serves them, not Washington bureaucrats," Messer said. "There's no reason why the Department of Agriculture has to be in the District of Columbia when it could be located in Indiana, Iowa or another heartland state."

The SWAMP Act would prohibit federal agencies from any new construction, major renovations, or lease agreements on existing headquarters within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Messer previously introduced a similar version of the SWAMP Act in January and reintroduced this version to provide exemptions for defense and national security-related agencies.

Sen. Ernst introduced a Senate companion bill to Messer's new House bill.

"Every day, out-of-touch federal government agencies and bureaucrats in Washington D.C. make important decisions and rules that directly impact the lives of folks across the United States," Senator Ernst said. "As we saw with the Waters of the U.S. Rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, these decisions are often nonsensical or, in this case, have harmful impacts on the people these agencies serve. The SWAMP Act seeks to get the federal government outside of the Washington beltway, so these federal agencies can see and hear first-hand the impact their policies have on the folks who know their states, businesses, and needs the best."

A recent study estimates that more than 1.7 million jobs, or 52 percent of jobs in the Washington, D.C. metro area, are tied to the federal government.

"Our legislation would help deliver on President Trump's promise to drain the swamp and, at the same time, shift federal government jobs to communities across the United States," Messer said. "I appreciate Senator Ernst's efforts on this issue as we work together to deliver a better, more effective government for all Americans."

The SWAMP Act would require federal government agencies to take into consideration any impact relocation would have on the local economy and workforce. The legislation would also require a determination of whether the new location has the capacity to carry out the mission and functions of any particular federal agency. In addition, agencies would be required to determine the impact relocation would have on national security interests.

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