(Washington D.C.) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves, the ranking member of the subcommittee that oversees the General Services Administration, pushed a proposal through his House Committee late Wednesday despite early opposition from other lawmakers. The proposal will save the federal government one hundred million dollars a year and keep 2,000 jobs in Kansas City.

 

“This is an important project for Kansas City that has true bi-partisan support,” said Graves. “Not only were we able to save millions of dollars in taxpayer money, but we were able to keep 2,000 jobs in Kansas City. I was pleased to be in a position to help.”

 

The GSA proposal would move the jobs at Bannister Federal Complex to a new facility to be constructed near Richard Gebaur Memorial Airport. The plan is supported by Kansas City area lawmakers and would occupy a 185 acre complex in Jackson County.

 

“The NNSA gave us two choices; either they would build a new facility here or pack up and move somewhere else. I have fought to keep the nearly 2000 jobs at the plant here in Kansas City. I am very grateful to have found a partner on this issue in Sam Graves, who joined me in this fight to keep these jobs and federal investment in our area,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II.

 

On Tuesday night, Committee leadership inexplicably threatened to pull the project from today’s hearing claiming they didn’t have enough information. The proposal by the General Services Administration has been in Washington for over a year.

 

Graves threatened to hold up everything in the full committee unless the proposal was allowed to proceed in the hearing. Leadership then relented. The House panel’s approval was the last step for the plan, which has already been approved by the Senate and the Office of Management and Budget.

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