SWAMP Act

This bill, called the Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act (the SWAMP Act), would move federal agency headquarters out of the Washington, DC metro area over time. Agencies already there could stay for now, but they could not build new buildings, make major renovations, renew current leases, or sign new leases for their headquarters in that area .

Within one year, the General Services Administration (GSA) must set up a public, competitive process so states and local governments anywhere in the country can propose hosting an agency’s headquarters. GSA would pick locations based on how the move could help local economies and job growth, whether the place has expertise related to the agency’s work, and any national security issues. Counties or cities in Maryland or Virginia that are outside the DC metro area may also submit proposals. GSA could use money from selling federal buildings or land to help pay for moves, and no new funding is authorized for this bill.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Federal executive agencies, GSA, and states and local governments that want to host a headquarters.
• What changes: No new construction, major renovations, or lease renewals for agency headquarters in the DC metro area; creates a nationwide bidding process for new locations; allows sale proceeds to offset costs.
• When: The relocation process must be created within one year after the bill becomes law; the location limits apply after enactment.