Public Buildings Accountability Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this Public Buildings Accountability Act of 2023, H.R. 6254, which directs the GAO to review the administration and management of GSA's real estate programs, activities, funding, and staffing.

Information and data are essential for Congress to conduct proper oversight of the agencies under its jurisdiction. Having GAO do an independent analysis of the efficacy of the GSA's operations will help the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee better evaluate GSA authorization requests.

However, GAO must work with the Department of Homeland Security's Interagency Security Committee to ensure that security concerns for the employees and buildings are addressed.

I recommend that GAO, as they are drafting the parameters of the study, ensure that information that could impact the security of Federal employees and Federal facilities is protected.

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Mr. COHEN. Will the gentleman yield?

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Mr. COHEN. Do you think this could be expanded in some way to show the effects of the Capitals and the Wizards moving to Virginia and the effect that will have on properties in downtown D.C., and the opportunities to have good restaurants and good commerce in downtown Washington?

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Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, in closing, we support the bill. Information and data are essential for Congress to conduct proper oversight of the agencies under its jurisdiction, even those peripheral to its jurisdiction like the Capital One Arena.

Madam Speaker, this bill will provide Congress with information needed in its oversight of the General Services Administration. I support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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