Drain the Swamp Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1460

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2025-05-12T14:47:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Drain the Swamp Act of 2025" aims to decentralize the federal government by requiring the relocation of executive agency headquarters outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. This is intended to reduce costs, limit the concentration of government operations in the capital region, and address national security considerations while promoting broader geographic distribution of federal jobs.

Key Provisions

• Repeal of Existing Location Rule: Eliminates Section 72 of Title 4, United States Code, which previously mandated that executive agency headquarters remain in the Washington metropolitan area.
• Relocation Plan Requirement: By September 30, 2026, the head of each executive agency must submit a detailed plan to Congress for moving the agency's headquarters outside the defined Washington metropolitan area (encompassing the District of Columbia, specific Maryland counties, and certain Virginia counties and cities).
• The plan must identify a new headquarters location.
• It must prioritize cost savings from the move.
• After implementation, no more than 10% of the agency's employees can be based in the Washington area.
• It must evaluate potential national security risks.
• Certification Process: Before submission, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services (GSA) must certify that the plan complies with these requirements.
• Implementation Deadline: Agencies must fully execute their relocation plans by September 30, 2030.
• Definitions:
• "Executive agency" refers to departments and agencies in the executive branch (as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 105), excluding the Executive Office of the President.
• "Washington metropolitan area" is specifically outlined to include the District of Columbia and adjacent counties in Maryland and Virginia.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Directly repeals the statutory requirement (4 U.S.C. § 72) that tied federal agency headquarters to the Washington area, removing a long-standing centralization mandate dating back to earlier laws.
• Introduces mandatory decentralization with strict employee limits and certification oversight, shifting from optional or partial relocations (like those under past Base Realignment and Closure processes) to a comprehensive, enforced policy across all executive agencies.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could lead to short-term disruptions, including moving costs and operational challenges, but long-term savings from lower real estate and living expenses outside D.C. National security-sensitive agencies might face heightened scrutiny or delays.
• On Citizens: Federal employees in the D.C. area (potentially tens of thousands) may need to relocate or seek new jobs, affecting local economies; new regions could gain jobs and economic boosts, promoting regional development.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though agencies involved in diplomacy or defense (e.g., State Department, if applicable) might experience coordination hurdles during transitions, potentially influencing perceptions of U.S. government efficiency abroad.
• Overall, aims to foster a more distributed federal workforce, but implementation could strain agency budgets and productivity initially.

Main Stakeholders

• Executive Agencies: Directly responsible for planning and executing relocations, including departments like Defense, Justice, and Treasury (excluding presidential offices).
• Federal Employees: Over 2 million civilian workers potentially affected, with many facing job relocations or reductions in D.C.-based roles.
• Congress: Receives plans and oversees compliance; committees like Oversight and Government Reform would monitor progress.
• OMB and GSA: Key certifiers ensuring plans meet cost, security, and decentralization goals.
• Local Governments and Communities: D.C.-area jurisdictions may lose economic activity; selected new locations (e.g., in other states) could benefit from influx of jobs and infrastructure.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly impacted through potential cost savings or added relocation expenses funded by federal budgets.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes enforceable timelines and certifications, potentially leading to lawsuits over compliance, national security exemptions, or employee rights (e.g., under civil service protections). The repeal of 4 U.S.C. § 72 simplifies but could invite challenges if seen as abrupt.
• Constitutional: Relies on Congress's Article I powers to structure the executive branch and appropriate funds; no direct conflict with separation of powers, but could raise questions about presidential authority over agency operations if relocations hinder executive functions.
• Political: The "Drain the Swamp" title evokes anti-corruption and decentralization rhetoric, signaling a push to reduce D.C.'s influence on policy-making. It may spark partisan debates over federal spending, regional equity, and government efficiency, with implications for future appropriations and agency autonomy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Drain the Swamp Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (3 pages)