Norton Says Work and Jobs to Continue at DHS Site

September 8, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that, after checking the status of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters construction project in Ward 8, she has confirmed that the DHS site is fully funded not only for the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters, but also for other construction, including restoring several historic buildings and building a perimeter fence. The $1.3 billion in funding for the initial phase of the DHS complex of several building was appropriated over the past two years. The contracts have been let, the work is ongoing, and jobs for D.C. residents and others will continue to be available.

Norton said that a statement today by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano unfortunately left the impression that the work at the site is being suspended for the short term. Although additional moving expenses still need to be appropriated, Norton said, "It is unthinkable that the federal government would allow a building to be built and stand empty while the Coast Guard pays rent to lease a privately-owned building, which is soon to expire. The new Coast Guard headquarters at the site is being built to the specification of the Coast Guard. The federal government would incur between $50 and $70 million to reprogram the building for another agency."

Norton has a call into Secretary Napolitano to clear up the unfortunate impression that the work at the DHS site is being suspended.