Cummings Issues Statement on Unanimous Passage of Bill to Sell Excess Federal Property

Mar 20, 2012
Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement in response to the unanimous passage in the House of Representatives of H. R. 665, the Excess Federal Building and Property Disposal Act, which would establish a five-year pilot program to dispose of the 15 highest value unneeded federal real properties:

“The federal government will clearly gain from the disposal of these excess properties.  Not only will the fair market value generate income, but we will realize significant savings by eliminating maintenance and operating costs.

“I also support H.R. 665 because it will provide aid to organizations dedicated to helping those most vulnerable among us, the homeless.  This legislation permits Congress to appropriate the equivalent of two percent of the proceeds from the sale of these properties to fund grants to eligible organizations that serve the homeless.  This requirement preserves our commitment to the goals of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.”

112th Congress