ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Federal employees protested the Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD) to Virginia’s present National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters on Tuesday, forcing a deliberate press convention by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and HUD Sec. Scott Turner strikes to a protected room.
US Government Employees An NSF worker, represented by federal native 3403, claimed that plans for the HUD’s relocation to the Alexandria constructing embody Turner’s “building of an government eating room” and “reserved parking areas for the secretary’s five-cars.”
The union additionally claims {that a} potential new health club is in work for use by Turner’s “and his household,” and the approaching acquisition of the HUD constructing was hidden till earlier this week.
Having repeatedly criticised the present headquarters of his company throughout the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, DC, Turner denied claims that he advocated a transfer to fulfill his private want for a extra luxurious workplace.
However, earlier than he, Youngkin, or the General Services Agency (GSA) might clarify the choice or reply questions, their press convention was crashed by offended NSF employees.
Dozens of staff pour into the east wing on the second ground, “NSF! nsf!” – urges the safety guards to steer the governor, secretary, GSA Public Building Services Commissioner, Michael Peters, every employees member and journalist into one other room.
Once information briefings started uninterrupted, Turner emphasised that the HUD transfer is “prioritizing well being, security and happiness.” [the] “To at the present time we’re working in unsafe circumstances.”
“I hope that authorities leaders and, in any other case, employees won’t anticipate to work on daily basis in a questionable ambiance of air high quality. The leaks are barely stopped and HVAC, along with the just about damaged, damaged elevator financial institution, to call only a few examples,” he mentioned.
Opened in 1968, the constructing now faces greater than $500 million in upkeep and modernization wants, with taxpayers spending greater than $56 million in lease and operational spending annually.
Furthermore, since all members of the HUD employees are members of the headquarters, the weaver constructing solely sits at half the overall occupancy charge.
In April, the GSA and HUD introduced that the constructing had been moved to the accelerated disposal checklist.
“So it is time for change,” Turner mentioned. “And as we see right here right this moment, this announcement highlights cross-government partnerships to successfully use taxpayer {dollars} in federal areas, guaranteeing that each one buildings are getting used correctly.”
Youngkin seems to be excited to share the information with Virginians, touting the financial advantages of HUD’s 2,700 head office-based staff shifting to his state.
“We recognize the management behind the transformation of our workspace,” he instructed Turner. “And additionally thanks for selecting Virginia. You know, it isn’t on daily basis – the truth is, I do not suppose it is ever been – {that a} federal cupboard degree company has moved its headquarters to Virginia.”
He additionally thanked him for “main the President’s imaginative and prescient for a extra environment friendly authorities, understanding that cash belongs to taxpayers, not federal authorities, and never state authorities.”
Peters additionally emphasised saving taxpayers cash:
For a very long time, Weaver buildings have struggled with getting old infrastructure and ongoing upkeep points. This continues to burden American taxpayers whereas failing to ship a office the place our civil servants are helpful and have to serve the general public. The present scenario is now not sustainable. Turn the web page by relocating HUD to a contemporary and vibrant facility right here in Alexandria. Taxpayers save greater than $500 million in postponed upkeep and $56 million annual working and upkeep prices. This is a victory for everybody concerned right here.
The committee additionally vowed to “proceed supporting” the NSF, and Youngkin expressed his enthusiasm to maintain his company native to Virginia.
“We had a number of websites that we introduced to the GSA for HUD, however we’re simply dusting away and we’ll current it for the NSF,” the governor mentioned. “And since we’ve websites right here in Alexandria and websites in northern Virginia, we predict it is a nice alternative to offer one other nice house for an amazing workforce.
When reporters requested if the rumors shared by NSF employees had been true, Turner mentioned, “That’s ridiculous.”
“And that is not true. It’s not about Scott Turner. It wasn’t about Scott Turner,” he asserted. “Did I not come to the federal government to get one thing nice? …It’s about HUD staff having a protected house, a beautiful place to work, and representing the individuals we serve in America.”
The rumors “there aren’t any deserves” and “there aren’t any truths,” he added.
Olivia Rondeau is a political reporter for Breitbart News, primarily based in Washington, DC. Find her on X/Twitter and Instagram.