U.S. Senator Joni Ernst announced on Apr. 20 that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will consolidate their offices under one roof in an effort to cut down on unused federal office space.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to address excess government real estate and save taxpayer money by making better use of existing buildings. Ernst said, “For years, I’ve been working to literally downsize government by selling off Washington’s unneeded, unused, and deteriorating real estate, and today we are taking action.” She added that consolidating two agencies would ensure more office space is used efficiently.
GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst said, “GSA and OPM are taking unprecedented action by coming together to fortify America’s real estate portfolio and tackle the delinquent maintenance and vacancies that have plagued it for decades.” Forst explained that this collaboration provides a model for other federal agencies seeking cost savings.
OPM Director Scott Kupor said, “This move reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring OPM employees have modern, efficient space to support their mission.” Kupor emphasized the focus on reducing unnecessary costs through facility improvements.
As part of the plan, GSA will temporarily relocate its staff to OPM’s Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building starting in July while renovations take place at GSA’s current headquarters at 1800 F St.
Ernst has previously highlighted concerns about underused government buildings. In December 2023 she published a list showing that no federal agency was occupying even half its available office space. In 2024 she released her “Out of Office” report detailing costs associated with abandoned properties. Her proposed FOR SALE Act aims to sell six prime properties in Washington D.C., potentially generating $400 million or more in revenue while canceling $2.9 billion in overdue maintenance costs; her DISPOSAL Act seeks to remove regulatory barriers for faster sales.
Last month Ernst joined Forst as they announced the sale of GSA’s Regional Office Building in D.C., which is expected to save taxpayers over $700 million.
Ernst’s work assisting Iowans includes helping with Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, immigration matters, and military affairs according to her official website. She served over two decades in the Iowa Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel during Operation Iraqi Freedom according to her official website. Raised on a family farm in Montgomery County where values like hard work were stressed according to her official website, Ernst became Iowa’s first woman elected federally according to her official website after earning degrees from Iowa State University and Columbus State University according to her official website.