Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), spearheading the Senate's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, has introduced legislation to redistribute a significant portion of the federal workforce away from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The bill, aptly named the "Decentralizing and Re-organizing Agency Infrastructure Nationwide To Harness Efficient Services, Workforce Administration, and Management Practices Act" (or DRAIN THE SWAMP), aims to relocate 30% of federal agency employees to locations outside the D.C. area.

This relocation initiative would be overseen by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The remaining federal employees in the D.C. area would be required to work entirely in person. The bill also mandates the OMB to sell off excess office space resulting from the relocation. Senator Ernst, known for her efforts to identify government waste, stated that this move would not only enhance government services for Americans but also offer taxpayers savings through the sale of underutilized office buildings.

Ernst's initiative aligns with President-elect Donald Trump's DOGE project, announced in November, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at the helm. This advisory board focuses on reducing government waste and streamlining federal agencies. Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL), co-chair of the House DOGE Caucus, is introducing companion legislation in the House. Bean echoed Ernst's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of serving the American people and ensuring government accountability.

Both the House and Senate have established DOGE caucuses, and members are actively developing legislation to support the initiative's objectives. This move signifies a concerted effort by Republicans to address perceived government inefficiencies and promote a more streamlined and cost-effective federal workforce.