Impact of Crime on Public Building Usage Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mrs. CHAVEZ-DeREMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6261, which would commission a Federal study on public safety issues in and around public office buildings.

In Oregon and in communities across the country, rampant fentanyl use and homelessness understandably cause workers to worry about their safety, and some just might choose to stay home as a result.

Public buildings are running parallel to private buildings. Let me quote from an article in Willamette Week from August 16, 2023--I know my colleague recognized San Francisco--titled:

Empty and Unwanted, the Iconic Buildings of Portland's Skyline Are in Trouble. The question--and it is a contentious one--is whether Portland is worse than any place else because of blight. Plywood that went up during the protests is still there. Homeless camps that took root during the pandemic are only now being removed. On some downtown blocks, you will see someone smoking fentanyl while drinking a Frappuccino.

That has the same effect on our Federal buildings. Additionally, the GAO would be required to examine any costs that are associated with safety issues at these buildings.

To make more informed spending decisions on Federal real estate moving forward, Congress needs to understand how factors like crime contribute to building costs and employee decisions.

H.R. 6261 will shine a light on public safety concerns and help Congress identify improvements that can be made to protect Federal workers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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