House subcommittee presses GSA for data and funding as it moves to 'right‑size' federal real estate

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management heard testimony Tuesday on efforts to reduce the federal real estate footprint and tackle mounting deferred maintenance liabilities.Rep. Michael Perry, the subcommittee chair, told witnesses the goal is to improve federal space utilization using recent laws such as the Use It Act and the Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act. "With an anticipated $5,400,000,000 in savings from its second round recommendations, this next round serves as an opportunity to realize even more savings for the taxpayer," Perry said.The committee pressed the General Services Administration for reliable data and firm timelines. Commissioner Andrew Heller, acting commissioner of GSA's Public Buildings Service, said GSA is working with OMB and occupant agencies to collect the required data and committed to provide full, verified data by March 31. "We want to make sure that we have accurate data... you all can trust and use," Heller said.GSA described recent disposition activity and the scale of deferred maintenance. Heller said GSA executed 90 building dispositions last year, reducing the government's footprint by more than 3,000,000 square feet, generating $182,000,000 in proceeds and avoiding $415,000,000 in estimated repairs and operating costs. He also told members the federal buildings fund has been underfunded by about $15,000,000,000 since 2011 and cited a deferred maintenance estimate of approximately $26,000,000,000.GSA asked Congress for funding to facilitate rightsizing. Heller said the FY26 request includes $365,000,000 for an optimization program to support relocations and avoid future repairs, and a $193,000,000 request for access to the asset proceeds fund to cover upfront relocation costs."Without access to this funding, we are unable to maintain facilities in a manner that our customer agencies expect, and we are unable to optimize the portfolio in a way that the taxpayers deserve," Heller said.Members raised concerns that rapid cuts can disrupt services to the public. Ranking Member Stanton urged the committee to balance cost‑cutting with value and reliable planning, citing recent missteps as cautionary examples. The hearing record will remain open for 15 days for follow‑up and the GSA committed to working with committee staff on interim data deliveries before March 31.The committee took no formal votes. Members said they expect to continue oversight as agencies submit utilization data and as GSA seeks the requested appropriations for relocation and optimization work.