House lawmakers expressed concerns about the General Services Administration’s selection process for the FBI’s new headquarters, threatening to withhold funding unless corrective action is taken. The process of choosing Greenbelt, Maryland, over Springfield, Virginia, was criticized for being “tainted by scandal” due to the influence of a top Biden-appointed GSA official named Nina Albert. The decision to choose Greenbelt was made despite a panel recommending Springfield, raising questions about Albert’s impartiality.
FBI Director Christopher Wray voiced concerns about Albert’s potential conflict of interest and lack of transparency in the selection process. Lawmakers conducted an investigation and uncovered a meeting where Albert favored Greenbelt for its “socioeconomic impact,” despite the panel’s preference for Springfield. Virginia lawmakers called for an inquiry into the process, resulting in a GSA inspector general investigation.
In response to the findings, lawmakers threatened to withhold funding for the $4.5 billion headquarters complex, and recommended rescinding $200 million already authorized for the project. They also suggested that the FBI consider relocating to its upgraded facility in Alabama to resolve the ongoing issues with the headquarters selection process. The committees involved emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in future GSA site-selection processes to avoid similar controversies.
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