Extending Authority For Relocation Expenses

Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present Senate bill 1825 for consideration. This legislation will grant the General Services Administration the permanent authority to approve Federal agency requests to operate programs that test alternative methods of compensating employees for relocation and travel expenses.

Senate 1825 was introduced on October 21, 2009, by Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and it was favorably reported by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on November 4, 2009. In addition, the legislation passed the United States Senate by unanimous consent on November 9, 2009.

Mr. Speaker, the General Services Administration was granted the authority to approve Federal agency travel and relocation expenses test programs via the Travel Transportation Reform Act of 1998. Through the test programs facilitated by the act, Federal agencies have been able to test new and innovative methods of reimbursing relocation and travel expenses in order to enhance cost savings for the Federal Government. Notably, the current authority granted to the General Services Administration is scheduled to expire in December of 2009.

Mr. Speaker, S. 1825 will therefore ensure that agencies will continue to have the flexibility to use the compensation methods with respect to relocation and travel costs that work best for them and that are in the best interests of the Federal Government. In addition, I would like to note that according to the Congressional Budget Office, the net impact of S. 1825 on the Federal budget would not be significant.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Mr. Lieberman and S. 1825.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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