In a dramatic turn of events, a planned press conference by Governor Glenn Youngkin and HUD Secretary Scott Turner was disrupted by protesting federal workers in Alexandria, Virginia.
The employees, who are part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and represented by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, were voicing their discontent over the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) impending relocation to their building.
The workers alleged that the relocation plans included the construction of an executive dining room and reserved parking spaces for Secretary Turner's five cars. They also claimed that a new gym was being planned for Turner and his family. The union further accused HUD of keeping them in the dark about the takeover until earlier this week.
Secretary Turner, who has been vocal in his criticism of the current HUD headquarters in Washington, DC, denied these allegations. He insisted that the move was not motivated by personal desires for a more luxurious office. However, before he, Governor Youngkin, or the General Services Administration (GSA) could provide further clarification, their press conference was interrupted by the disgruntled NSF workers.
According to Breitbart, the workers flooded the east wing of the second floor, chanting "NSF! NSF!" This forced security personnel to move the governor, secretary, GSA Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters, their respective staff, and journalists to another room.
Once the press briefing resumed, Turner stressed that the relocation was aimed at prioritizing the "health, safety and well being for [the] HUD workforce," who he claimed are "working in unsafe conditions to this day." He expressed his hope that no leader would expect their staff to work in an environment with questionable air quality, persistent leaks, and a barely functional HVAC system, among other issues.
The current HUD headquarters, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, has been plagued with major repair issues for years. A report by Bret Baier for Fox News in March highlighted the unfinished state of the building, which opened in 1968. It currently requires over $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization, costing taxpayers more than $56 million annually in rent and operations expenditures. Despite housing all HUD staff, the building is only half occupied.
In April, the GSA and HUD announced that the building had been moved to the accelerated disposition list. Turner stated, "So its time for change," emphasizing the need for efficient use of taxpayer dollars and proper utilization of all federal buildings.
Governor Youngkin expressed his excitement about the move, highlighting the economic benefits for Virginia as HUD's 2,700 headquarters-based employees would be relocating to the state. He thanked Turner for his leadership and for choosing Virginia, noting that it was unprecedented for a federal cabinet-level agency to move its headquarters to the state.
Commissioner Peters echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to save taxpayer money and provide public servants with the workplaces they deserve. He stated, "The status quo is no longer sustainable. Were going to turn the page by relocating HUD to a modern, vibrant facility here in Alexandria, and the taxpayers are going to save over $500 million in deferred maintenance, as well as $56 million in annual operating and maintenance expenses."
Peters also pledged continued support for the NSF, while Youngkin expressed enthusiasm for keeping the agency local to Virginia.
When questioned about the rumors circulated by NSF workers, Turner dismissed them as "ridiculous" and "not true." He asserted, "This is not about Scott Turner. Its never been about Scott Turner. I didnt come to government to get nice things, you understand? This is about the HUD employees to have a safe space, to have a nice place to work, to represent the people that we serve in America." He insisted that the rumors had "no merit" and "no truth" to them.
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