Central ND News

In 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the utilization of 24 federal agency headquarters buildings to assess how effectively the government is using its real estate assets. The findings revealed that, on average, 17 of these buildings were operating at 25 percent or less capacity, with some as low as nine percent.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, along 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), addressed a letter to the Trump administration. The letter emphasized provisions in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 that authorize rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio to save taxpayers billions.

The lawmakers directed their communication to Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Stephen Ehikian, Acting Administrator of the General Service Administration; and Michael Peters, Commissioner of the Public Building Service. They highlighted reforms in WRDA 2024 aimed at improving management efficiency within federal real estate by requiring agencies to either increase office attendance or forfeit space.

“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,” they stated.

They pointed out that even if all federal employees returned to their offices, excess space would remain an issue for taxpayers. One agency from GAO's review indicated only 67 percent utilization even with full employee attendance.

“It is unacceptable for American taxpayers to pay for space that is sitting empty," they asserted. "We urge you to utilize these new authorities to consolidate federal space and support your efforts to direct employees to return to work in-person.”

As committee chairmen overseeing public buildings, they expressed readiness to assist administrative efforts aimed at safeguarding taxpayer funds.

Senator Cramer also collaborated with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in urging completion of disposals mandated under both Federal Assets and Transfers Act (FASTA) and FASTA Reform Act for delivering “tangible benefits” to taxpayers.