DRAIN THE SWAMP Act

This bill would move at least 30% of federal agency headquarters jobs out of the Washington, DC area to offices around the country. It tells agencies to spread these jobs across their regions, including rural areas, and to keep enough in-person staff to serve the public. Workers who are moved would be paid based on their new city’s pay scale, and they could not telework full-time. Full-time telework would also end for most headquarters staff who stay in the DC area, with an exception for people who telework full-time as a disability accommodation under the ADA. Some national security and similar offices are not covered. Agencies must report their plans within 6 months and finish the relocations within a year. The bill also cuts agency headquarters office space by at least 30% over two years.

Agencies must also add staffing and telework counts to their annual budget materials. The bill bars relocation incentive pay in a specific case where an employee’s official worksite changes from their home to the agency’s headquarters. It overrides conflicting laws or union contracts and does not create a right to sue over these decisions.

• Who is affected: Headquarters employees at executive branch agencies; certain national security–related offices are excluded; employees with ADA telework accommodations are not subject to relocation.
• What changes: At least 30% of HQ jobs move outside DC; pay shifts to local rates at the new duty station; full-time HQ telework largely ends; agencies must report staff locations and telework levels.
• When: Agency plan due in 180 days; employee notices 60–90 days after the plan, with duty station changes taking effect 90 days after notice; DC-based full-time telework ends 180 days after the plan for those not relocated; relocations done within 1 year; HQ office space cut by 30% within 2 years.