Amending Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to Ensure Adequate Time for Public Buildings Reform Board

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I also support H.R. 7318. This bill that is under consideration this morning addresses an outstanding issue that has emerged since Congress originally passed the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act, known as FASTA, back in 2016.

FASTA authorized an independent Board to make recommendations on real estate actions designed to dispose of unneeded Federal real estate and redevelop underutilized property. This bill amends FASTA and aligns the dates of the termination of the Public Buildings Reform Board created by FASTA with the appointment of those Board members.

I have worked closely with Chairman Barletta during his tenure as chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, and I appreciate his leadership in making the management of real estate more efficient.

I also look forward to continuing his work to help the General Services Administration scrutinize the real estate decisions of the Federal Government in order to find savings, promote energy efficiency, and ensure transparency. Towards that end, I look forward to conducting vigorous oversight of the GSA in the next Congress to ensure that the American taxpayers are receiving full value for their dollars that are being invested in Federal real estate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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