The Senate Approval Committee approved an amendment on Thursday that aims to prevent the Trump administration from relocating the FBI headquarters from its current site in Washington, D.C. The committee voted 15-14 in favor of language intended to block moving the headquarters outside the Greenbelt, Maryland area.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) aligned with her party, while Democrats supported the proposal.
Murkowski expressed her wish for a deeper analysis, remarking, “My understanding is that this is a very recent decision. I’d like to know that this analysis has actually been going on for more than a few months. In fact, there was an effort to ensure we move forward.”
Republicans attempted to withdraw the amendments to gather more information from the FBI regarding the relocation, but Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), who introduced the proposal, resisted. Van Hollen stated that his earlier decision to bring the FBI headquarters to Maryland was the result of a lengthy competitive process to replace the current outdated structure in D.C. He criticized the Trump administration for insufficiently analyzing the situation before altering the plans.
“A few weeks ago, the administration announced plans to redirect the $555 million allocated for the down payment on the selected site, intending instead to relocate the FBI to the Ronald Reagan Building,” Van Hollen noted during the markup session.
He emphasized that there has been no thorough examination of security requirements, FBI mission needs, or the existing tenants in the Ronald Reagan Building.
The Trump administration’s decision last week to relocate the FBI to the Ronald Reagan Building instead of the Maryland sites has upset many members of the Maryland delegation, who argue that the Greenbelt site was chosen through a competitive process and is the most suitable option.
However, some Virginia lawmakers have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, prompting the inspector’s office to investigate. This follows comments from former FBI director Christopher Wray, who mentioned that someone involved in the decision previously worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and owns land in Greenbelt intended for the new headquarters.
The current J. Edgar Hoover Building faces numerous issues, as many advocate for the FBI to be housed in a more modern facility equipped with enhanced security features. The building’s deteriorating condition has led to it being wrapped in nets to protect pedestrians from falling debris.
The annual Department of Justice funding bill is one of 12 such bills that Senate negotiators aim to pass in the coming weeks, especially with a September deadline looming to avoid government shutdowns. So far, the funding bills discussed in the Senate appear to show more bipartisanship compared to those proposed by the House Republicans. Yet, with both chambers falling behind on funding agreements, there are concerns that a suspension may be necessary to prevent a closure in October and allow for continued negotiations on the 2026 budget.
