[RAY BOGEN]

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill to move federal agencies out of Washington and closer to the communities that they serve. The legislation is called the SWAMP Act and the sponsors said it will provide taxpayers with better service and save them money. 

Rep. Ashley Hinson said in a statement: “[The bill] will ensure that federal bureaucrats who have never left DC aren’t issuing out of touch mandates that disproportionately harm working families, small businesses, and our farmers who feed and fuel the world,” 

Hinson gave the example of the Department of Agriculture, which she said should operate in an agricultural state like Iowa, not the nation’s capital. 

The legislation would apply to just about every department and agency in the federal government. There are six exceptions, including the departments of Defense, State, Energy, Homeland Security, the CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 

To make sure the departments and agencies move, the bill prohibits new construction, new leases or lease renewal. It also sets up a competitive bidding process for new headquarters. 

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, said.  “Redistributing federal agencies and jobs around the country would bring the government closer to the people, ensure regulators are embedded in the communities that thrive or struggle based on their rulings and bring good-paying jobs out of the beltway and into communities across the country.” 

Golden said no one knows better than fishermen what it takes to make a living on the water and added they also better understand what regulations can do to an industry and region. 

Approximately 141,000 federal employees are employed in the District of Columbia and many more work in the DC metro area. The lawmakers did not address whether those employees would be required to move or leave their jobs. They also did not explain how they would relocate those who decide to remain. 

Golden and Hinson introduced the bill in the House, while Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is sponsoring the companion in the Senate.