SWAMP Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1779
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-19T15:27:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to require the sale or disposal of a specific federal property in San Francisco, California, known as the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building, to eliminate what the bill describes as wasteful spending on its maintenance.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is titled the "Stop Wasteful Allocations of Money for Pelosi Act" or the "SWAMP Act."
- Mandatory Disposal or Sale: By May 31, 2025, the Administrator of General Services (GSA) must either:
- Dispose of the property following standard federal procedures under subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code (which governs the disposal of surplus federal real property).
- If disposal is not feasible (as determined by the Administrator), sell the property at fair market value for its highest and best use.
- Property Description: The property is located at 90 7th Street, San Francisco, California 94103, including the building officially known as the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building. The exact boundaries are subject to a survey as deemed appropriate by the GSA Administrator.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a specific deadline and mandate for the disposal or sale of one particular federal building, which was not previously required under general federal property management laws.
- It builds on existing authority in title 40 of the U.S. Code but targets this property explicitly, potentially overriding routine maintenance or retention decisions by making sale compulsory unless infeasible.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The GSA would need to act quickly to comply, potentially reducing federal maintenance costs for the property but requiring resources for the sale process. If the building houses federal operations, relocation could affect agency efficiency.
- Citizens: Local residents and businesses in San Francisco might see economic changes, such as new private development if sold, or job impacts if federal tenants vacate. Taxpayers could benefit from proceeds recouped into the federal budget.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic property matter.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Primarily the General Services Administration (GSA), responsible for execution, and potentially other agencies using the building.
- Local Community: San Francisco residents, city government, and real estate interests, who could gain or lose from the property's transition to private hands.
- Political Figures: Indirectly affects former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as the building is named after her, highlighting a partisan angle to the bill.
- Potential Buyers: Private developers or investors interested in acquiring federal surplus property at market value.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on established federal property disposal laws (title 40, U.S. Code), ensuring the process is lawful, but the tight deadline (under three months from introduction) could challenge administrative feasibility and invite legal challenges if the sale undervalues the property or skips required steps.
- Constitutional: No direct constitutional issues, as Congress has broad authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
- Political: The bill's provocative naming and targeting of a building honoring a prominent Democratic figure suggest partisan motivations, potentially fueling debates on federal spending and symbolic renamings of public assets. It could set a precedent for Congress directing sales of politically charged properties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stop Wasteful Allocations of Money for Pelosi Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (2 pages)