Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Burlison for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6330, the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act.

I am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support this legislation received in committee, and I am grateful for the opportunity to present it before the House of Representatives for consideration today.

Madam Speaker, our Republican majority was elected on a promise to make the Federal Government more efficient, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. My bill fulfills that pledge by streamlining the Federal employee relocation process, reducing administrative burdens, lowering costs for American taxpayers, and modernizing an outdated system.

To understand why this reform is necessary, let us review how the current process operates. Each year, approximately 33,000 Federal employees relocate across the country to meet the operational needs of their agencies, at a cost of nearly $1.5 billion to the taxpayer.

Under current law, a Federal employee who is directed to relocate pays relocation expenses out of pocket, retains documentation for each of those expenses, submits detailed reimbursement requests, and then waits sometimes more than 2 years to be fully reimbursed.

Meanwhile, the agencies tasked with administering these relocation reimbursements dedicate significant time and resources to reviewing, processing, and reconciling each claim. In some cases, a single relocation can generate more than $140,000 in administrative costs.

The result is a process that is burdensome for employees, costly for agencies, and inefficient for taxpayers. Fortunately, Madam Speaker, there is a better way. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have participated in pilot programs that provide employees with a single, upfront, lump-sum relocation payment instead of requiring reimbursement for each individual expense.

When given the option, Federal employees have overwhelmingly chosen this streamlined approach. For instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported nearly $1 million in administrative savings. The GSA estimates expanding this authority across the Federal Government could save taxpayers between $300 million and $500 million annually.

Madam Speaker, that is the purpose of my legislation, H.R. 6330. My bill makes this successful authority permanent and available to every Federal agency. My bill preserves agency flexibility by keeping participation optional. My bill requires agencies to report to Congress on the savings achieved, ensuring continuing accountability to Congress and the American taxpayer.

For Federal employees, this means a simpler and more predictable relocation process. For Federal agencies, it means fewer administrative burdens and a more efficient use of administrative resources. For American taxpayers, it means an estimated $300 million to $500 million in annual savings.

I thank our chairman, Representative James Comer, for his leadership in advancing commonsense government reforms. I thank my colleague Representative Burlison, who has distinguished himself as one of the greatest defenders of liberty in Congress. I thank the members of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for their thoughtful consideration of my legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support my bill, H.R. 6330.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6330) to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for lump-sum relocation payments for Federal employees relocated in the interest of the Government, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, relocating Federal employees who receive assignments to change official duty stations is a costly and bureaucratic process. According to the General Services Administration, which manages such relocations, in fiscal year 2024, the cost for employee relocation across agencies ranged from $11,000 to a staggering $143,000 per employee.

This high cost contrasts with the private sector, where relocation costs are considerably less. In fact, current law and regulations require seven categories of mandatory relocation entitlements and another six discretionary.

This complexity diverts Federal agency resources that could otherwise be available for other mission-focused priorities. It also comes at the expense of Federal employee satisfaction, as those relocating are forced to navigate a prolonged bureaucratic maze of document filings and payment processes.

Fortunately, there is a tested alternative to the current system, as demonstrated by agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service and Customs and Border Protection in a recent pilot program.

Those agencies have utilized this pilot program to provide negotiated, lump-sum payments to relocating employees who are then responsible for moving themselves. The simplified lump-sum payments and processes have already been demonstrated to reduce agency costs while boosting employee satisfaction.

This bill would expand and codify the successful pilot program to allow all agencies to provide these lump-sum payments to relocating employees when such alternative is the most cost-effective option.

Furthermore, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that enacting H.R. 6330 would save the government $306 million over 5 years.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for offering this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jack).

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important governmentwide reform bill that will save hundreds of millions of dollars while improving the lives of the Federal workforce.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise regarding H.R. 6330, the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act. As mentioned, the bill would allow Federal agencies to pay for employee relocation costs through a simple lump-sum payment. It also directs the government to establish an appeals process for employees to dispute reimbursement decisions.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.