Press Releases

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, chaired by U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), will hold a hearing next week on two Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports to be released on Tuesday that focus on federal leasing.

One GAO report examined agencies that have their own leasing authority, independent of the General Services Administration (GSA), and the associated benefits and drawbacks.  The other GAO report reviewed the use and potential taxpayer benefits of GSA lease agreements that include purchase options.

The Committee requested the GAO reports in its continuing effort to improve GSA and federal agency leasing, reduce the federal footprint, and get better deals for the taxpayer in meeting federal office space requirements.

The Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Independent Leasing Authorities: Increasing Oversight and Reducing Costs of Space Leased by Federal Agencies,” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

Witness List:

• Mr. David Wise, Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office
• The Honorable W. Thomas Reeder Jr., Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
• Mr. Chris Wisner, Assistant Commissioner for Leasing Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration
• Mr. John K. Lapiana, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, Smithsonian Institution

More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast will be posted here as it becomes available.

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