For Sale Act targets Energy, HUD buildings to reduce national debt
The Senate DOGE leader is proposing a unique solution to tackle the United States’ staggering $36 trillion national debt by selling off major real estate in Washington, D.C., currently housing several prominent cabinet agencies. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has introduced the “For Sale Act” aimed at selling properties like the James Forrestal Federal Building, which currently houses the Department of Energy.
The James Forrestal Federal Building, known as the “Little Pentagon,” was once used to accommodate overflow Department of Defense personnel during the Vietnam War. After President Jimmy Carter created the Department of Energy in 1977, it became the agency’s headquarters. Along with the Forrestal building, other properties like an Agriculture Department outbuilding on Independence Avenue and the Hubert H. Humphrey Jr. building, home to the Department of Health and Human Services, are also slated for sale.
Ernst and the Senate DOGE Caucus have identified these buildings as underutilized or in need of costly upgrades, making them ripe for sale. The legislation also includes safeguards to prevent foreign entities from purchasing these properties, a concern given previous instances of foreign ownership near sensitive installations.
According to reports, taxpayers currently spend around $81 million annually to maintain underutilized federal offices. With thousands of federal office spaces vacant or majority-empty, the cost of maintaining federal buildings has surpassed $10 billion per year. Ernst’s previous success in mandating the sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which housed only 72 employees within its 1.2 million square feet, serves as a model for this new initiative.
The “For Sale Act” aims to not only alleviate the national debt but also streamline federal operations and reduce unnecessary expenses. By selling off underutilized properties and relocating employees to more efficient spaces, the government can optimize its real estate portfolio and potentially generate revenue. As the proposal moves forward, the focus remains on fiscal responsibility and strategic management of federal assets.
