Ernst proposes process for relocating federal agencies throughout country

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) wants to decentralize the location of federal agencies currently headquartered in the nation’s capital and relocate them to areas closer to the Americans they serve.

“Instead of housing federal agencies in swampy D.C., let’s move them outside the Beltway and closer to the folks who know the needs of their states, farms and businesses best,” Sen. Ernst said. “And in the process, we will see more job creation and greater opportunities for communities across the country — not just in D.C.”

Sen. Ernst on July 25 sponsored the Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement (SWAMP) Act of 2019, S. 2269, to establish a competitive bidding process for the relocation of the headquarters of executive agencies, according to the bill’s text.

The term ‘executive agency’ does not include the Executive Office of the President; the U.S. Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and State; nor the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency, according to the bill.

“Washington-based federal agencies and bureaucrats make important decisions that impact the lives of Iowans, and all Americans. Yet, how can these rule makers fully consider and understand the effects of their decisions when those who are most impacted by their rules and regulations are out-of-sight and out-of-mind? We need to fix that,” said Sen. Ernst.

The competitive bidding process proposed under S. 2269 would allow states and municipalities to compete for the relocated headquarters.

Additionally, S. 2269 would repeal the section of the U.S. Code that requires federal agencies and departments to be located in Washington, D.C., and would prohibit agencies currently headquartered in the metropolitan area from entering into new lease agreements, renovating existing locations, or building new facilities, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Ernst’s office.