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 merge their operations under one roof, aiming to cut down on unused federal office space and improve efficiency.
The move is intended to address longstanding concerns about wasted taxpayer money spent on empty or underutilized government buildings in Washington, D.C.
“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,” said Senator Ernst. “By consolidating two agencies under one roof, GSA and OPM are putting more office space to work. As the Trump administration puts taxpayers first, I’ll continue to make sure every square foot and tax dollar are being used wisely.”
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. We built a roadmap for federal agencies to operate under one roof and deliver what the American people expect—results that respect their tax dollars.”
OPM Director Scott Kupor added: “This move reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring OPM employees have modern, efficient space to support their mission. By consolidating under-utilized office space and partnering with GSA on long-term facility improvements, we are reducing unnecessary costs and focusing resources where they matter most, delivering results for the American people.”
As part of this plan, GSA will temporarily relocate its staff starting in July from its current headquarters at 1800 F St., which is scheduled for renovation, into OPM’s Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building.
In recent years Senator Ernst has highlighted issues with federal property usage; her December 2023 report found that no single agency was using even half its available office space. In 2024 she released an “Out of Office” report detailing costs related to abandoned government buildings.
Ernst has proposed legislative measures such as the FOR SALE Act—which would put six properties up for auction potentially generating $400 million—and the DISPOSAL Act aimed at speeding up sales by removing regulatory barriers.
Ernst’s background includes over two decades in military service with the Iowa Army National Guard where she reached lieutenant colonel rank during Operation Iraqi Freedom according to her official website. She became Iowa’s first woman elected to federal office according to her official website after growing up on a family farm in Montgomery County according to her official website. Her educational credentials include degrees from Iowa State University and Columbus State University according to her official website.
The consolidation effort is expected by supporters like Ernst not only to save money but also set an example for other agencies looking at ways of improving resource management.
