The Senate’s DOGE Caucus is focusing on a significant initiative aimed at alleviating the United States’ $36 trillion national debt by proposing the sale of several major government properties in Washington, D.C. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has outlined the “For Sale Act,” which targets various buildings, including the James Forrestal Federal Building, home to the Department of Energy. The plan, which seeks to sell properties without leading to employee layoffs, emphasizes a relocation strategy for personnel involved, ensuring continuity for government functions. This initiative underscores a growing movement among federal legislators to find innovative solutions to reduce national fiscal burdens while managing government assets more effectively.
The James Forrestal Building, often referred to as the “Little Pentagon” due to its historical ties to the Department of Defense during the Vietnam War, is one of six federal properties tagged for sale. The building has housed the Department of Energy since its inception in 1977, and now faces scrutiny for its underutilization. In addition to this centerpiece, the Senate DOGE Caucus has identified other properties along Independence Avenue that contribute less to government efficiency, including a Department of Agriculture outbuilding, which is reportedly at about one-quarter capacity and requires nearly $2 billion in maintenance.
While the aim of the legislation is to enhance fiscal responsibility, the practical and strategic implications of these sales are equally significant. The Hubert H. Humphrey Jr. building, which hosts the Department of Health and Human Services, is included in the proposed sales. It’s positioned prominently near the U.S. Capitol and is also seen as underutilized. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s headquarters is characterized as needing better management to optimize government resources, showcasing the bipartisan acknowledgment of inefficiencies within federal properties.
The Theodore Roosevelt Building and the Frances Perkins Federal Building complete the list of targeted sales, with the legislation suggesting specific protections against foreign investments. Concerns over foreign ownership of significant U.S. real estate assets, especially near sensitive government installations, have spurred the inclusion of measures to prevent foreign nationals from bidding on these properties. This reflects a cautious approach to national security paired with fiscal reform, establishing a framework intended to safeguard American interests while also mitigating financial liabilities.
The financial rationale behind the “For Sale Act” is particularly compelling, as taxpayers currently pay around $81 million annually to maintain underutilized or unutilized federal offices. Reports indicate that the expansive federal real estate portfolio includes about 7,700 vacant office spaces, with over 2,200 of those being mostly empty. Furthermore, the sheer cost of maintenance across approximately 277,000 federal buildings exceeds $10 billion each year, illustrating a pressing need for the government to reassess its property holdings to align with modern operational requirements and fiscal realities.
Historically, the DOGE Caucus has successfully championed similar initiatives, such as the recent sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which had vast, underused space and only 72 employees, showcasing the potential effectiveness of this proposed sale strategy. These legislative efforts reflect a growing sentiment among Republican leaders and some Democrats to actively reconsider federal asset management, thus working towards both financial sustainability and improved government efficiency in a shifting economic landscape.
