Hoyer Testifies at House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing on FBI Consolidated Headquarters Project
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) testified in support of bringing the FBI Consolidated Headquarters project to Prince George's County, Maryland before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"I thank Chairman Lou Barletta, Ranking Member Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Members of the Committee for holding this hearing today to examine the possibility of a new, consolidated FBI Headquarters – and for the opportunity to testify on the merits of relocating it to Prince George's County, Maryland.
"The J. Edgar Hoover building is in disrepair and does not comply with today's higher security standards. The agency suffers from space constraints and security challenges. To restore the current building is neither cost-effective nor feasible.
"In addition, roughly half the Headquarters' staff is in leased space around the National Capital Region because there is insufficient space within the J. Edgar Hoover building. This dispersion of staff negatively impacts the FBI's ability to perform its mission.
"Consolidating and relocating the Headquarters in a timely manner will help ensure that the FBI can carry out that mission – and save our taxpayers at least $44 million annually in the process.
"Any new location for a possible new consolidated FBI Headquarters must meet several requirements. First, it must have a minimum of 45-50 acres of land. It must be located within the National Capital Region. It must have ready access to public transportation, such as metro rail. And it must have space to house approximately 11,000 personnel.
"With a variety of potential sites in close proximity to Washington with sufficient available acreage and close to mass transit, Prince George's County is an ideal location for the new Headquarters.
"Prince George's County has ample, undeveloped land near the Metro, the Marc commuter rail, the Capital Beltway, a variety of Metro and county transit bus lines, and regional bike trail networks. These sites can provide a secure and convenient campus setting.
"Twenty-five percent of the Region's federal workforce resides in Prince George's County, and our state is already home to a plurality of the FBI's employees.
"According to a Maryland state study released in September, 43% of FBI Headquarters employees live in Maryland, 17% live in Washington, D.C., and 33% live in Virginia.
"FBI personnel and their families could benefit from lower daily transportation expenses, Prince George's County's vibrant neighborhoods, and an easier commute.
"In addition, Maryland has recently seen unprecedented growth in the field of cyber security, which would provide the FBI with greater access to experts in the field, as well as a highly-skilled workforce.
"Our state is home to the U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, the National Security Agency, the Defense Information Systems Agency, the National Cyber Security Center of Excellence Headquarters at the National Institute of Standards And Technology, the Department Of Defense's Cyber Crime Center, and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity.
"Our state's institutions of higher education, including the University Of Maryland, College Park and Bowie State University – both located in Prince George's County – are training the next generation of leaders in cyber security.
"Numerous companies and contractors in the field of cyber security are located in Prince George's County as well – not far from others operating in Montgomery and Anne Arundel Counties.
"Prince George's County, with several potential secure and convenient locations and a significant portion of the region's federal workforce, is the right choice for the new FBI Headquarters.
"I will continue working with our Senators, Members of the Maryland delegation, and local officials to advocate for any proposed consolidated FBI headquarters to be relocated to Prince George's County, which would be a win for the FBI, its employees, our regional economy, and our national security. Thank you."