Rep. Eric Burlison’s Smart Space Act Passes House to Address Waste in Federal Buildings

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7388, the Smart Space Act of 2026, legislation introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-07) to address taxpayer dollars being spent on underused federal office space.

“The federal government’s real-estate portfolio is wasting taxpayer money,” Burlison said. “My bill requires a thorough evaluation of how this property is being used and lays out a plan to address underused buildings. Taxpayers deserve to see exactly what they’re paying for.”

The federal government owns and leases hundreds of millions of square feet of property across the country, much of it underused or sitting empty. Taxpayers continue to cover the cost of maintaining and operating those buildings.

The Smart Space Act would direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to consult with private-sector real-estate experts to evaluate federal properties and how they are being used. It would also require the agency to examine alternative financing options, including long-term agreements where private-sector partners help fund the construction, renovation, or disposal of federal facilities.

Within 120 days of enactment, the GSA would also publish a report to the president and Congress outlining recommendations to reduce excess space and lower long-term costs.

H.R. 7388 now heads to the Senate for consideration.