GSA Opposes Bill Letting Judiciary Control 10 Courthouse Districts as $8.3 Billion Backlog Fuels Fight
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 20
GSA Opposes Bill Letting Judiciary Control 10 Courthouse Districts as $8.3 Billion Backlog Fuels Fight
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 20
Summary
Up to 10 federal judicial districts could take over courthouse property authority under a Senate bill, but the GSA says the shift would fragment oversight and worsen safety, cost and accountability risks.
The agency points to its lone long-running judiciary-managed example in Birmingham, Alabama, where it says deferred maintenance reached $57.7 million and audits found hazards including faulty fire systems and inoperable elevator emergency phones.
The judiciary rejects that account, saying Birmingham has been managed without GSA involvement and arguing it needs more control because GSA's courthouse maintenance backlog has swelled past $8.3 billion after 15 years of neglect.
GSA counters that Congress's funding and approval rules—not judicial control—are the core problem, citing GAO warnings that transferring authority would not add money and would require real-estate expertise.