DRAIN THE SWAMP Act

This bill would move a large share of federal agency headquarters jobs out of the Washington, DC area to offices around the country. At least 30% of HQ staff would get a new official work location within one year. Their pay would switch to the local pay scale for the new area, and they could not work from home full time. Agencies must spread these jobs across different regions, including rural areas, to improve in-person service. Workers with a disability who are approved for full‑time telework could stay and would not be moved.

The plan also shrinks federal HQ office space by at least 30%. The budget office must order this within 60 days, agencies must start cutting space within 180 days, and finish within two years. Agencies must add simple headcounts to their yearly budget details, including how many employees are at HQ, in field/district/regional offices, and how many telework full time (including those who telework full time as a disability accommodation). Employees affected by a move would get notice 60–90 days after the agency’s report, and the change would take effect 90 days after that. Full‑time teleworkers who stay in the DC area would lose full‑time telework 180 days after the report unless they have a disability accommodation. The bill bans relocation bonuses if a worker’s official worksite changes from their home to an agency HQ. It also says it overrides other laws and labor agreements and does not let people sue over these decisions.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal agency HQ employees, especially in the Washington, DC area; some full‑time teleworkers; people seeking in‑person service in regional and rural areas.
• What changes: Move at least 30% of HQ jobs out of DC; end full‑time telework for most HQ staff; pay aligns with the new location; cut HQ office space by 30%; add simple staffing and telework counts in budget materials; no relocation bonuses.
• When: Moves within 1 year; HQ space cut memo in 60 days, start within 180 days, done in 2 years; move notices 60–90 days after agency report, effective 90 days later; full‑time telework in DC ends 180 days after the report unless ADA‑approved.