Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement after Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Commissioner of the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service Michael Peters announced plans to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) out of the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C. and into the headquarters of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia:

“The National Science Foundation is one of the crown jewels of the U.S. government, with an incredibly successful record of driving innovation and scientific breakthroughs that are essential to America’s economy, security, and global leadership. The public servants who power this essential mission must have a safe, secure, and well-maintained workplace that allows them to effectively serve the public – and our community remains the ideal location.

“I believe in HUD’s mission and agree that HUD employees need a facility that provides the safe environment they deserve and reflects the value of their service. That said, the best way to demonstrate the value of HUD staff would be to halt ongoing attempts to lay them off. As a proud Alexandrian, I am always happy to welcome federal agencies into our community, but this proposed move raises serious concerns about the future of NSF, the over 1,800 employees who work in the building, and the broader integrity of American science. 

“NSF thrives in and because of our region’s robust science and technology environment that boasts exceptional talent and policy expertise, with impacts that reach far beyond our region. NSF funds a quarter of all scientific research across the country, supporting research in every state that is deeply embedded in local economies. However, this relocation comes at a time when, at President Trump’s direction, NSF is reeling from mass firings of staff and clumsy grant cancellations and freezes that harm our national interests. Harming NSF’s work will directly harm people across this country. I will continue to do all I can to protect NSF’s legacy of scientific advancement, support its incredible staff, and ensure they have the resources they need with a minimum of disruption. That means its headquarters must remain in our community, where it belongs.”

Beyer serves the Northern Virginia district that is home to the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria. He previously served on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.