Media contact: Alexei Woltornist (202)225-6205

WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Drain the Swamp Act of 2017, which will require all agencies in Washington, DC to relocate their headquarters outside of the DC metro area. No more than 10 percent of agency employees will be permitted to remain in Washington.

“Five out of ten of the richest counties in the country are located in Washington. Something is wrong here,” said Davidson. “In addition to cost benefits, my hope is that government agencies will reorient themselves to what is most important- the people they serve.”

The bill directs agency heads to develop and submit a plan to Congress for relocation by September 30, 2018. They then have five years to implement their plan and must be moved by September 30, 2023.

“Americans made it clear that they are fed up with the disconnect between the DC elite and the hardworking American people, and I agree. The legislation that Warren and I introduced will help address this detachment by moving these government agencies into the same neighborhoods as the people they are serving across the country. I strongly believe that if we can make neighbors of the agency employees and the hardworking Americans we will start to see policies that reflect the needs of our neighbors rather than the wants of Washington,” said Rep. Ted Budd. 

A letter from FreedomWorks supporting the bill is forthcoming.