Mitch Landrieu: “I take the opportunity to thank the Governmental Affairs Committee for bringing H.R. 3699 to the floor for passage…”

“I take the opportunity to thank the Governmental Affairs Committee for bringing H.R. 3699 to the floor for passage today. The Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2005 is a unique proposal to reevaluate the significant Federal property in DC and make some land available to redevelopment by the city. This redevelopment will broaden the District's tax base and will eventually add strength to the city economy. As the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the District of Columbia I am tasked with my friends on the Government Affairs Committee to provide appropriate oversight of the District and ensure a strong financial condition. The Federal property that will be transferred to the District through this bill will provide for a variety of new projects and there is a great deal of potential. Reservation 13 is envisioned as a mixed-use new community that will include new housing and businesses, and improve access to existing healthcare facilities. That property also includes the Court Services and Offender Services Agency, CSOSA, a Federal entity providing offender and defendant oversight in the District. I commend my colleagues for including a provision in this bill to ensure the CSOSA will remain on reservation 13 in a facility which the Federal government has provided significant resources to renovate.”