Federal Agency Headquarters to Remain in National Capital Region Unless New Law Says Otherwise: Protecting Federal Agencies and Employees from Political Interference Act of 2025

The "Protecting Federal Agencies and Employees from Political Interference Act of 2025" aims to keep federal agency headquarters and their employees rooted in the National Capital Region (NCR). Essentially, if an agency or position is located in the NCR when this bill is introduced, it stays there—unless Congress passes a whole new law specifically allowing a move. (SEC. 2)

Location, Location, Location

This bill locks in the location of federal agencies. As of its introduction, any headquarters or employee positions in the National Capital Region are required to stay put. Moving them would require a new act of Congress—no easy feat. This means that, barring new legislation, agencies can't just pick up and move on a whim.

Real-World Ripple Effects

For federal employees already working in the NCR, this offers a significant layer of job security and predictability. It means no sudden, forced relocations to different parts of the country, which can be a major upheaval for families and careers. Think of a systems analyst at the Department of Agriculture, for instance, who can now plan their future around staying in the D.C. area, knowing their job isn't going to be unexpectedly shipped to, say, rural Iowa, unless Congress makes a very deliberate decision about it.

Businesses and communities in the NCR also get a boost. Local restaurants, shops, and service providers that rely on federal workers as customers can count on a more stable economic base. This could range from the coffee shop across from a federal building to the local dry cleaner, which might see a consistent flow of business from federal employees.

The Flip Side: Potential Hurdles

While stability is a plus, this bill could also create some roadblocks. Future administrations might want to decentralize agencies, perhaps to spur economic growth in other regions or to streamline operations. This bill ties their hands, requiring them to navigate the full legislative process for any relocation, which could delay or prevent potentially beneficial changes. For example, if a future administration wants to move a research division of the Environmental Protection Agency closer to a specific ecosystem it studies, it would have to be approved by the legislative process.

How does it fit with existing laws and regulations?

This Act would create a new hurdle that doesn't currently exist. Currently, some agencies have the ability to reorganize internally. This would eliminate that ability for agencies and positions located in the National Capital Region. (SEC. 2.)