Letter to Robin Carnahan, Administrator of the General Services Administration - Chairs DeFazio and Titus Write to GSA Regarding Their Process for Determining Applicability of Recent Economic Sanctions

Letter

Dear Administrator Carnahan:

The United States has recently imposed expanded sanctions in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.[1] These sanctions add to existing layers of sanctions imposed in recent years related to Russian malfeasance by both Democratic and Republican administrations.[2]

We request an explanation of GSA's process to determine the applicability of any such sanctions to its real estate activities, including but not limited to its lease of the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C.-- the pending sale of which is currently under review by GSA. Further, we would like GSA to explain what established processes or new measures GSA is taking to abide by all applicable sanctions as a general matter in its real estate activities. For example, how does GSA determine that no one from the Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control is involved in the purchase of the Old Post Office building?[3]

As you know, the Old Post Office lease is, "…governed by the federal laws of the United States of America…" and therefore it would seem apparent that any outlease sale involving the Old Post Office would have to be verified to comply with United States sanctions.[4]

We would appreciate your response by March 16, 2022. Thank you for your timely attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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