A Trump administration plan to sell off “non-core” federal buildings could save hundreds of millions in annual operating costs, according to a General Services Administration estimate. But it could also displace dozens of congressional offices around the country, cost taxpayers additional money and disrupt constituent services, say critics on Capitol Hill.
As many as 43 Senate state offices and 14 House district offices are housed in buildings deemed “non-core” in a list that GSA published online last week and then deleted, per a count by Democratic lawmakers. And more could be at risk as part of a push to terminate federal leases to cut spending, led by billionaire Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
“Picking major pieces of real estate to sell without any deeper analysis of market conditions, other office space and the long-term development plans in the region is just plain dumb,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. “That’s what makes this feel like it’s a whole lot more about politics than it is about government efficiency.”
