Sponsors (4)
The bill seeks long‑term taxpayer savings and local economic gains by relocating federal jobs outside Washington, but does so at the cost of workforce disruption, short‑term relocation expenses, and harm to DC-area businesses and some operational effectiveness.
Federal employees outside the Washington area will have greater access to federal jobs and more flexible telework arrangements as agencies relocate, expanding employment opportunities and remote-work options.
Communities selected for relocation (including qualified opportunity zones) will receive increased local investment and private-sector partnerships, potentially boosting small businesses and local government revenues.
Taxpayers may see lower long‑term federal occupancy costs as agencies move to lower cost‑of‑living areas, improving financial efficiency for some government operations.
Covered DC‑area federal employees face relocation costs, longer commutes, or job disruption and the government risks losing experienced staff unwilling to move, reducing agency capacity and raising recruitment costs.
Relocation planning and transition implementation will require substantial near‑term federal spending, potentially increasing costs to taxpayers absent explicit appropriations or cost controls.
Local DC‑area economies and small businesses that depend on federal worker spending could lose customers and revenue if agencies and employees relocate.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an interagency commission to study and recommend relocating non-security federal agencies from the DC metro area, prioritizing moves of at least 100,000 employees.
Introduced February 3, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress February 3, 2025
Creates an interagency commission to study moving non-security federal agencies out of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and recommend specific relocations. The commission must report to Congress within one year with recommended transfers, factors to consider (cost of living, infrastructure, industry presence, telework history, technology, opportunity zone status), consultation with local stakeholders, and a priority goal of moving at least 100,000 covered-agency employees out of the DC metro area.