S.22 - Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act; SWAMP Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act (SWAMP Act) proposes a competitive bidding process for relocating the headquarters of Executive agencies outside the Washington metropolitan area. The bill aims to decentralize government operations and potentially stimulate economic growth in other states. Certain agencies related to national security are exempt from this relocation requirement.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the SWAMP Act would lead to the relocation of some Executive agency headquarters. This could shift jobs and economic activity away from the Washington D.C. area to other parts of the country. The General Services Administration (GSA) would play a key role in managing the relocation process.
Potential Benefits
- Potential for economic stimulus in states and localities that win the competitive bidding process.
- Reduced concentration of federal power and resources in the Washington D.C. area.
- Opportunity for states to showcase their expertise and attract federal agencies aligned with their strengths.
- Possible cost savings from relocating to areas with lower costs of living and doing business.
- Increased public engagement through the requirement for public notice and comment on relocation proposals.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential disruption to agency operations and employee displacement during relocation.
- Costs associated with relocation, even if offset by the sale of federal property.
- Risk of reduced efficiency if agencies are moved to locations lacking necessary infrastructure or skilled workforce.
- Possible loss of institutional knowledge and expertise if experienced employees choose not to relocate.
- Logistical challenges in coordinating with other federal agencies and stakeholders if headquarters are dispersed.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on relocating Executive agencies appears to align with the principle of distributing governmental functions across the country. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause) grants Congress the power to make laws necessary for executing its enumerated powers, which could be interpreted to include determining the location of government agencies. However, the constitutionality of incentivizing states to bid for federal agencies has not been established.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).