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Lawmakers press GSA on Roosevelt Hotel MOU, DC disposals and demolition of historic campus buildings

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management · March 5, 2026

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Summary

Committee members pressed GSA Administrator Ed Forrest about an MOU with Pakistan on the Roosevelt Hotel redevelopment, the agency's role in the Trump Hotel lease and Kennedy Center oversight, and demolition activity at the Saint Elizabeth West campus; Forrest said the MOU imposes no obligations on GSA and that DHS issued an emergency declaration for demolitions.

Members asked detailed questions about several high-profile properties beyond routine maintenance and leasing.

Full committee ranking member Larson asked whether GSA had signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan's defense ministry concerning the Roosevelt Hotel in New York; Forrest confirmed the MOU but said it "obligates us to do nothing" and described it as a first-stage, exploratory conversation. Larson pressed for the MOU and any legal advice GSA received; Forrest agreed to provide the MOU and counsel opinions to the committee.

Representative Titus asked about the Trump Hotel (the Old Post Office) and safeguards against officials benefiting from federal land leases; Forrest said GSA's remaining role was limited to the land lease and offered to follow up with details. Titus also asked about GSA oversight of the Kennedy Center; Forrest said GSA had no involvement.

Delegate Norton raised two DC-focused issues: whether GSA has a disposition plan for federal properties that maximizes sale value and economic development, and recent DHS demolition of historic buildings on the Saint Elizabeth West Campus. Forrest said he is in early conversations with Mayor Bowser about disposal planning, that GSA is focused on realizing returns and moving people out of underutilized space, and that DHS declared an emergency enabling demolition work. He said GSA notified the National Trust and the DC Preservation Commission and contracted Clark Construction to perform demolition under regulatory safeguards.

Committee members requested the MOU, legal memos, and additional documentation on demolition authority and community-protection measures; Forrest said he would provide follow-up material. No formal committee action occurred at the hearing.