I am disheartened that it has taken a decade for Congress to force the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration (to take action on redeveloping one of the nation’s most valuable properties. After years of intense scrutiny, and a federal law, GSA finally opened the property up to private developers to make bids. Immediately, name brand companies such as Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Montage, Waldorf-Astoria and Donald Trump lined up at the opportunity to put their stamp on the property.
Earlier this month, the Trump Organization was announced as the preferred developer. Whether or not you approve of Trump’s selection, the fact is redevelopment of the Old Post Office will create upwards of 200 construction jobs and 200 long-term jobs to operate the newly opened luxury hotel and restaurants. Hundreds of millions of private dollars will be poured into the building and the surrounding area; the government will receive millions of dollars in lease payments and the taxpayer will not be on the hook for the cost of maintaining these empty buildings.
In a time when the government is struggling for ways to reduce our debt, how GSA or OMB have not acted more swiftly in filling this building is exemplary of the fact that government has little interest in cutting waste.
The delays with the Old Post Office Pavilion demonstrate the need for my bill, H.R. 1734, the Civilian Property Realignment Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, and should be signed into law as soon as possible. The act will force executive agencies to stop sitting on valuable assets so the government can sell or lease them to the private sector to allow for development and economic and job growth in our communities.
We have a great challenge in this country. We are currently $15 trillion in debt and our annual deficit currently stands at more than $1 trillion for the fourth year in a row. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, support raising taxes on the wealthy or cutting spending, I think everyone can agree: What we are finally seeing here with the development of the Old Post Office is a win both for the government and the American tax payer. If my bill, the Civilian Property Realignment Act, is implemented we will see this replicated across the nation time and again.
Hundreds of millions of dollars will flow into local communities creating jobs and easing the economic burden on American taxpayers. This legislation will also bring in billions in new revenue without raising taxes. We must continue to push government to making these decisions quickly and to take a full account of our inventory. The nation deserves nothing less.
Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
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