{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"DC\" and year = 2023 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-authority-over-dates-special-elections-local", "Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority Over Dates of Special Elections for Local Offices", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act, which would give the District complete authority to set the date of special elections for local offices, as other jurisdictions already have. The bill would remove a limitation on the District that is not only inconsistent with the self-government authority granted by the Home Rule Act, but is also counterproductive. This bill would strengthen the District's home-rule authority and does not require statehood.\n\n\"The Home Rule Act originally required the Board of Elections to hold special elections on the first Tuesday more than 114 days from when the vacancy occurred,\" Norton said. \"This inflexibility led to special elections being held on religious holidays and forced the District to hold a special election separate from an upcoming general election, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra election costs. A 2012 law I got enacted requires the Board of Elections to hold a special election on a Tuesday occurring between 70 and 174 days after the vacancy. My new bill would provide even greater flexibility for the District.\"\n\nPending passage and enactment of her D.C. statehood bill, Norton introduces legislation to reduce the federal government\u2019s control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-allow-dc-set-pay-dc-cfo", "Norton Introduces Bill to Allow D.C. to Set Pay for D.C. CFO", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to allow D.C. to set the pay for its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The salary of the CFO is paid from D.C.\u2019s own local funds. In the last Congress, the bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.\n\n\u201cThere is no reason D.C. should not have the authority to set the pay of a local official who is paid with local funds,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy bill will allow D.C. to raise the pay for this unique position to recruit the best candidates and give D.C. more competition with both the public and private sectors for high quality candidates when there is a vacancy in the position.\u201d\n\nUnder the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress established a maximum rate of pay of the CFO, and the D.C. Council has no authority to increase that rate. Congress does not cap, or otherwise establish, the pay of any other D.C. employee. Under this bill, the CFO would be paid at the greater of a rate equal to the current maximum rate of pay or a rate established in law by D.C.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act\n\nDecember 11, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act, which would give the District of Columbia the authority to increase the pay of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The D.C. CFO is a local D.C. official and is paid with local D.C. funds. D.C. should have the authority to set the pay of all its employees. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability passed this bill.\n\nUnder the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress established a maximum rate of pay of the CFO, and the D.C. Council has no authority to increase that rate. Congress does not cap, or otherwise establish, the pay of any other D.C. employee. Under this bill, the CFO would be paid at the greater of a rate equal to the current maximum rate of pay or a rate established in law by D.C.\n\nD.C. requested that I introduce this bill to enable it to retain and recruit the best CFOs. The D.C. CFO was established by Congress in 1995. Congress vested the CFO with extraordinary powers and designed the CFO to be independent of the D.C. Mayor and Council. D.C. cannot obligate or expend funds without the CFO\u2019s approval. The CFO manages an approximately $20 billion budget that consists of state, county and city functions, and the CFO has more than 1,700 employees. The CFO may be removed only for cause by the Mayor, subject to the approval of two-thirds of the Council and a 30-day congressional review and comment period. This bill would help maintain the independence of the CFO by establishing a permanent floor on the CFO\u2019s pay and by prohibiting the Council from reducing the CFO\u2019s pay during the CFO\u2019s term.\n\nAlthough the D.C. CFO is the most powerful non-elected official in D.C., more than 20 D.C. employees are paid more than the CFO. D.C. must compete with both the private and public sectors for high-quality CFOs, and there are many private- and public-sector CFOs who are paid more than the D.C. CFO.\n\nThis bill is critical to the financial operations of D.C. and is an important step to increase home-rule authority for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-perry-bill-direct-gsa-sell-webster-school-passes-house", "Norton, Perry Bill to Direct GSA to Sell the Webster School Passes House", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill, co-led by Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA), to direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell the Webster School in downtown D.C. for fair market value passed the House today by voice vote. The legislation would return the long-vacant Webster School building to productive use and was marked up by the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in July.\n\n\u201cI am pleased my bill to direct GSA to sell the Webster School, which has been vacant since the 1980s and has fallen into disrepair, passed the House today,\u201d said Norton. \u201cDuring my service in Congress, I have enacted bipartisan bills to transfer unused or underused federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and to generate tax revenue. This includes the Southeast and Southwest waterfronts. My hope is to see the Daniel Webster School similarly reactivated.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full floor statement follows.\n\nFloor Consideration Statement \u2013 H.R. 4688 Webster School Building Disposal\n\nDecember 4, 2023\n\nThis bill, which I introduced with Public Buildings Subcommittee Chair Scott Perry, would direct the General Services Administration to sell the federal property known as the Daniel Webster School in the District of Columbia for fair market value by December 31, 2025.\n\nBuilt in 1882, the Daniel Webster School, a red-brick, three-story building, has been used for a variety of purposes over the years. However, since the 1980s, the building, which is located in downtown D.C., has been vacant and fallen into disrepair. The General Services Administration purchased the Webster School 20 years ago, yet the school remains unoccupied, draining the General Services Administration\u2019s resources for decades. This bill would return the site to productive use.\n\nDuring my service in Congress, I have enacted bipartisan bills to transfer unused or underused federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and to generate tax revenue. This includes the Southeast and Southwest waterfronts. My hope is to see the Daniel Webster School similarly reactivated. The sale provision in this bill is the same as the sale provision in the bill enacted in 2016 that directed the General Services Administration to sell the federal property in D.C. known as the Cotton Annex, which is now being converted into housing.\n\nI thank Chairman Perry for his partnership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-schiff-request-status-update-and-wrongfully-detained-determination", "Norton, Schiff Request Status Update and \u201cWrongfully Detained\u201d Determination from State Department for U.S. Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) led Members of Congress in writing a letter to the State Department today to request a status update on the case of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship who has been unlawfully detained by Russia since October 18, 2023. Kurmasheva is an editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was detained after traveling to Russia for a family emergency.\n\n\u201cWe respectfully request that the State Department provide us with an update on her case upon receipt of this letter, including the status of the State Department\u2019s efforts to secure consular access,\u201d the letter stated. \u201cWe also strongly urge the Department to immediately issue a \u201cwrongfully detained\u201d determination in this case. Based on the facts that are known, we believe aformal designation is warranted and remains important to ensure the full engagement of the U.S. government and the provision of all relevant resources to support Ms. Kurmasheva and her family as efforts continue to return her to her loved ones as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter follows.\n\nDecember 1, 2023\n\nThe Honorable Antony Blinken\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of State\n\n2201 C Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20522\n\nDear Secretary Blinken:\n\nWe write to express our deep concern about Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship and has been unlawfully detained in Russia.\n\nMs. Kurmasheva is an editor with the Tatar-Bashkir Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded by a grant from Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. After traveling to Russia for a family emergency, Ms. Kurmasheva was detained at Kazan International Airport on June 2, 2023, before her return flight. Her U.S. and Russian passports were confiscated, and she was fined 10,000 rubles for failure to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. She was then released but was denied the return of her travel documents. On October 18, 2023, she was detained again and charged with failure to register as a foreign agent. We are concerned about her well-being.\n\nWe respectfully request that the State Department provide us with an update on her case upon receipt of this letter, including the status of the State Department\u2019s efforts to secure consular access. We also strongly urge the Department to immediately issue a \u201cwrongfully detained\u201d determination in this case. Based on the facts that are known, we believe aformal designation is warranted and remains important to ensure the full engagement of the U.S. government and the provision of all relevant resources to support Ms. Kurmasheva and her family as efforts continue to return her to her loved ones as soon as possible. We also request that you prioritize the immediate release of Ms. Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich and all other U.S. citizens who are unlawfully detained in Russia, and seek pathways to secure their safe return. Ms. Kurmasheva\u2019s case is yet another example of Russia\u2019s assault on press freedom and democratic values. We further request that the State Department keep us informed of any developments in her case.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\nAdam Schiff\n\nAndr\u00e9 Carson\n\nLloyd Doggett\n\nRobert Garcia\n\nJames McGovern\n\nMike Quigley\n\nEric Swalwell", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-designate-dc-neighborhoods-need-investment-empowerment", "Norton Introduces Bill to Designate D.C. Neighborhoods in Need of Investment as Empowerment Zones", "2023-11-28", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reintroduced a bill that would add the District of Columbia to the national empowerment zone program to provide federal tax incentives for businesses to locate and invest in low-income areas in the District. This bill would effectively restore many of the federal tax incentives for investment in low-income D.C. neighborhoods that a Norton bill created in 1997, but that Congress let expire in 2011. Norton's previous tax incentives bill produced significant investment in the District. Norton said that since Congress continues to extend the national empowerment zone program, D.C. neighborhoods that need the incentives should be able to participate in it.\n\nIn her introductory statement, Norton said: \"D.C.\u2019s downtown, which has been the economic engine of the city, has been particularly hard hit by the increase in remote and hybrid work since the COVID-19 pandemic, making this bill especially important. Congress has recognized that the benefits of tax incentives for investment in economically distressed communities outweigh the costs, as it has continuously extended the national empowerment zone program. The tax incentives for D.C. were effective and their costs were de minimis.\"\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of a Bill to Designate the District of Columbia\n\nas an Empowerment Zone\n\nNovember 28, 2023\n\nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce a bill that would designatecertain areas of the District of Columbia as empowerment zones. This bill would effectively reauthorize many of the unique federal tax incentives for business investment in D.C. that expired in 2011. D.C.\u2019s downtown, which has been the economic engine of the city, has been particularly hard hit by the increase in remote and hybrid work since the COVID-19 pandemic, making this bill especially important.\n\nIn 1993, Congress created the national empowerment zone program to encourage investment in low-income communities and delegated to federal agencies the authority to designate communities as empowerment zones. D.C. was not among those so designated. However, in 1997, working primarily with Republicans in Congress, I created federal tax incentives for investment in D.C. by businesses and individuals. The business incentives were similar to, but more generous than, those available under the national empowerment zone program. I got the D.C. incentives reauthorized regularly until 2011, when Congress refused to extend the D.C. incentives. At the same time, Congress extended the national empowerment zone program, and the program was last extended through 2025. Under my bill, low-income neighborhoods in D.C. would be treated as empowerment zones as long as the national empowerment zone program remains in effect.\n\nCongress has recognized that the benefits of tax incentives for investment in economically distressed communities outweigh the costs, as it has continuously extended the national empowerment zone program. The tax incentives for D.C. were the only tax incentives for a big city that were not extended, even though they were initially created by Republicans, with the help of several Democrats.\n\nThe expiration of the tax incentives for D.C. was tragically timed, as the low-income parts of D.C., which needed the incentives most, were ready for revitalization. As we work to revitalize downtown D.C. and Wards 5, 7 and 8, the need for these incentives for D.C. is of paramount importance. The tax incentives for D.C. were effective and their costs were de minimis.\n\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-federal-agencies-report-advertising-minority", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require Federal Agencies to Report on Advertising with Minority and Women-Owned Media", "2023-11-21", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill that requires federal agencies to include in their annual budget justifications the amount they spent on advertising contracts with small, disadvantaged businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities in the previous fiscal year, as well as projections of their spending for the upcoming fiscal year. Norton co-led a letter to President Biden with Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Val Demings (D-FL) seeking answers about the inequity in federal advertising contracts awarded to media and advertising agencies owned by women and minorities as compared to the rest of the industry. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study found that over a five-year period, the federal government spent more than $5 billion on advertising but Black-owned businesses received only $51 million, or 1.02 percent of those funds.\n\n\"As the largest advertiser in the United States, the federal government has an obligation to ensure fair access for minority and women-owned media companies,\" Norton said. \"My bill would ensure that federal agencies are striving to reach minorities and women, who often get their news from outlets that serve more specific communities.\"\n\nIn 2016, Norton led Members of Congress in requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on their advertising contracts. The GAO report, released in July 2018, showed that in fiscal year 2017, only 16 percent of the federal government's advertising contract obligations went to businesses owned by minorities and women. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Henry C. \"Hank\u201d Johnson, Jr. (D-GA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA).\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement for the bill follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act\n\nNovember 21, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act, which would require all federal agencies to include in their annual budget requests to Congress the amount they spend on advertising contracts with small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) and businesses owned by minorities and women. Federal agencies would be required to provide prior and projected total expenditures for such contracts. At my request, the Committee on Appropriations has been requiring such information from many agencies for the last several years, but this bill would codify this requirement and apply it to all federal agencies.\n\nIn 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined spending on advertising contracts with minority-owned businesses by five agencies\u2014the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration\u2014and found that only five percent of the $4.3 billion available for advertising contracts went to minority businesses. In light of these concerning findings, several Members of Congress and I sent letters to GAO in April 2016 and June 2022 requesting updated information on the amount of federal advertising dollars spent with SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. A GAO report released in July 2018 showed that in fiscal year 2017, only 16 percent of the federal government\u2019s advertising contract obligations went to SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. GAO agreed last year to issue an updated report.\n\nThe federal government is the largest advertiser in the United States, and it has an obligation to ensure equitable access to its contracts for SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. The GAO\u2019s findings demonstrate that there is still much progress to be made.\n\nThe regular collection of information on federal advertising contracts with SDBs and businesses owned by women and minorities is essential to bridging the gap between what current statistics show and a more inclusive advertising landscape. This bill would help achieve this goal while also promoting transparency and encouraging federal agencies to strive to reach minorities, who often receive the news from smaller media outlets that serve communities of color. The requirement that agencies submit prior and projected information on the amount of advertising dollars spent with SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women would allow federal agencies to evaluate their progress. The regular collection of this information would also demonstrate that the promotion of equity in advertising, and in all areas of government, is a continuous effort and is important to the mission of every agency.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-prohibit-recouping-pay-dc-national-guard-members-who", "Norton Introduces Bill to Prohibit Recouping Pay from D.C. National Guard Members Who are Also Federal Civilian Employees", "2023-11-13", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to prohibit the Department of Defense (DoD) from recouping pay from federal civilian or District of Columbia employees who took encampment leave when mobilized by the D.C. National Guard (DCNG). DoD and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have indicated these members should have had their civilian pay offset by their DCNG pay during encampment leave. Norton wrote DoD and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in July 2022 urging them not to try to recoup this pay and has long taken the position that DoD and OPM are misinterpreting the applicable law. Norton was able to get included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA) her amendment that effectively prohibited the DoD from recouping pay for encampment leave taken by DCNG members after the enactment of that NDAA, but that amendment did not apply to encampment leave taken before the 2022 NDAA\u2019s enactment because of budget rules. Norton\u2019s bill applies the same rule to the leave taken prior to the enactment of the 2022 NDAA, covering, for example, encampment leave taken during the DCNG\u2019s COVID response.\n\n\"These D.C. National Guard members took this leave to which they were entitled and relied on. They should not be punished because of federal agencies\u2019 misinterpretation of the relevant statutes,\u201d Norton said.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows:\n\nStatement of CongresswomanEleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the District of Columbia National Guard Federal Employee Leave Fairness Act\n\nNovember 13, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Federal Employee Leave Fairness Act, which would prohibit the Department of Defense (DOD) from recouping pay from District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) members who are federal civilian employees or District of Columbia employees and took encampment leave. The DOD claims these employees were not entitled to encampment leave without a loss of pay. While I disagree with the DOD\u2019s interpretation, I am introducing this bill to resolve this matter.\n\nCongress partially addressed this matter in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA) by adopting my amendment that effectively prohibited the DOD from recouping pay for encampment leave taken by DCNG members after the enactment of the NDAA. That amendment, however, did not apply to encampment leave taken before the enactment of the NDAA because of budget rules.\n\nIn 1899, Congress codified in the D.C. Code the original authority for entitlement to leave when federal civilian employees were mobilized by the DCNG. In 1968, that authority was moved into 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 6323. In that same year, Congress authorized two additional leave entitlements in 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 6323, as well as established a salary offset provision in 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 5519 referencing those two additional leave entitlements. However, because the U.S. Code had not been updated to include the earlier DCNG authority, the U.S. Code contained a duplicate subsection, one referring to DCNG mobilizations and one to a general leave entitlement for the National Guard and Reserves.\n\nBased on this legislative drafting error, the DOD has sometimes attempted to apply a salary offset to DCNG members who are federal employees and took encampment leave, and the DOD has indicated it will do so again soon. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), has said that 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 6323(c) was not intended to be subject to a salary offset under 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 5519 and noted in 1990 that the \u201c[Office of Personnel Management] advised that it now believes that the salary offset provisions of 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 5519 do not apply to D.C. National Guardsmen under the circumstances described in 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 6323(c).\u201d However, the Office of Personnel Management once again believes that the salary offset provisions of 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 5519 apply to 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 6323(c).\n\nDCNG members sincerely believed that they were taking this leave correctly, they have relied on this money, the recoupment will cause financial hardships for current and former DCNG members and it was Congress\u2019 intent that DCNG members were entitled to this leave without a salary offset.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-kaine-introduce-bill-give-dc-equal-number-service-academy-nominations", "Norton, Kaine Introduce Bill to Give D.C. Equal Number of Service Academy Nominations and Appointments as States", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced their bill to give the District of Columbia the same number of U.S. service academy nominations and appointments as states. Currently, each member of the House and Senate is allocated five appointments to each of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is allowed to nominate 10 people for each appointment as it becomes vacant. However, because D.C. has no senators, the District is deprived of 10 appointments to each of these service academies.\n\n\u201cThis bill would bring equality to the residents of the District who choose to serve their country by applying to a service academy,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt is remarkable that D.C. residents volunteer to serve a country that denies them statehood, congressional voting rights and full home rule. Yet, District residents have fought in every American war, and our residents, who pay all federal taxes, including paying more federal taxes per capita than the residents of any state, deserve to have the same access to our prestigious service academies as residents of the states.\u201d\n\n\u201cAny young person who hopes to receive a nomination and attend one of our nation\u2019s service academies should have the same opportunity to do so no matter where they live,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m joining Congresswoman Norton in introducing this bill to provide residents of D.C. with the same opportunity to pursue military service as young people in other states.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-dc-veterans-who-served-their-nation", "Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied Full Voting Representation in Congress", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Ahead of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution honoring D.C.\u2019s veterans and current service members and their families, all who served their country and continue to serve without voting representation in Congress or complete home rule. The resolution condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families and calls for statehood for the District.\n\n\u201cResidents of the District of Columbia have fought and died for their country in every war, including the Revolutionary War, which created our country, yet are still denied a full voting representation in Congress,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy annual resolution honors their sacrifices. It also outlines our progress on our D.C. statehood bill, which has passed the House twice, has had a hearing in the Senate, and is supported by the President.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s resolution follows.\n\nRecognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.\n\nIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n\nMs. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nRecognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.\n\nWhereas, on November 11, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served in the military;\n\nWhereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized;\n\nWhereas the service of approximately 30,000 current residents of the District of Columbia in the Armed Forces is unparalleled because they served without voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;\n\nWhereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of \u201cno taxation without representation\u201d, and have served in every war fought by the United States since;\n\nWhereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that of 3 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that of 4 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that of 8 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that of 10 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;\n\nWhereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied voting representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as full local self-government;\n\nWhereas the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51) would grant full and equal voting rights in Congress as well as unimpeded democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State; and\n\nWhereas on June 26, 2020, and April 22, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, the only two times in history the D.C. statehood bill has been passed by either chamber of Congress: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-rules-committee-making-order-three-anti-dc-home-rule", "Norton Statement on Rules Committee Making in Order Three Anti-D.C. Home Rule Amendments in D.C. Appropriations Bill", "2023-11-07", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after the Rules Committee yesterday made in order three anti-D.C. home rule amendments and did not make in order Norton\u2019s amendments to the D.C. Appropriations bill that will soon be coming to the House floor. The Committee made in order an amendment by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) to prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to require an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, one filed by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) to prohibit D.C. from using its own local funds on signage to designate 16th Street Northwest as \u201cBlack Lives Matter Plaza,\u201d and one filed by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to carry out the section of D.C.\u2019s Immunization of School Students At of 1979 that required students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. D.C. has already repealed this section.\n\n\u201cAll three of these amendments, filed by members who do not represent D.C., seek to constrain D.C.\u2019s ability to spend its own local funds, generated from local taxes and fees,\u201d Norton said. \u201cDecisions about how D.C. should spend its own local funds should be left to D.C.\u2019s own locally-elected officials who are accountable to D.C. residents. If D.C. residents don\u2019t approve of the performance of their elected officials, they can vote those officials out of office.\n\n\u201cD.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. If House Republicans cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, they would bring my D.C. statehood bill, which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government, to the floor. I say to every member of Congress: Keep your hands off D.C. If you want to legislate on local D.C. matters, become a D.C. resident and get elected mayor or councilmember.\u201d\n\nNorton will speak on the House floor about the three anti-D.C. amendments before the House votes on the D.C. Appropriations bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-after-republicans-file-six-anti-home-rule-amendments-dc", "Norton Statement After Republicans File Six Anti-Home Rule Amendments to D.C. Appropriations Bill", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) filed six anti-D.C. home rule amendments to the fiscal year 2024 D.C. appropriations bill, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement calling the amendments anti-democratic and vowing to do everything in her power to defeat them.\n\nPfluger filed three of the amendments, Roy filed two, and Good filed one. Pfluger\u2019s first amendment would prohibit D.C. from using its own local funds on signage to designate 16th Street Northwest as \u201cBlack Lives Matter Plaza.\u201d The second would prevent D.C. from using its local funds to allow noncitizens to vote in any local D.C. election. The third aims to prohibit D.C. from using its own local funds to reduce penalties for crimes of violence.\n\nRoy\u2019s first amendment would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to allow noncitizens to vote. His second amendment would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to impose or enforce a COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students.\n\nGood filed an amendment that would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to require an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.\n\n\u201cThese anti-home rule amendments are patronizing and anti-democratic. D.C. will not be used as political fodder for members who would rather spend their time meddling in the District's affairs than working on behalf of their own constituents,\u201d Norton said.\n\n\u201cIf House Republicans cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, they would bring my D.C. statehood bill, which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government, to the floor.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-molinaro-introduce-words-matter-district-columbia-courts-act-remove", "Norton, Molinaro Introduce Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act to Remove Derogatory Language from D.C. Code", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-NY) today introduced the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term \u201cretarded\u201d from Title 11 of the District of Columbia Code and replace it with more appropriate and respectful terminology. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code.\n\n\u201cWords indisputably matter, and I am pleased to be joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in bringing the D.C. Code into the 21st Century,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy own daughter, Katherine, has Down syndrome. I\u2019m appalled at the thought of someone using the \u2018R-word\u2019 slur toward her, and it is unacceptable that the derogatory term is still a part of the D.C. Code.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m introducing the bipartisan Words Matter for the D.C. Courts Act to replace language that disparages the disability community with terminology that respects human dignity,\u201d Molinaro said. \u201cThere\u2019s value in every person. Our laws and our words should reflect that.\u201d\n\nThe Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act has been endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Special Olympics.\n\n\u201cFor too long, our nation\u2019s laws have used hurtful and dehumanizing language to describe people with Down syndrome and differently-abled individuals,\u201d said Global Down Syndrome Foundation President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Marc Molinaro for their efforts to remove forever these slurs in the District of Columbia Code and replace them with inclusive and respectful language. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation and related bills to remove this terrible terminology from all U.S. laws.\u201d\n\n\u201cAntiquated and derogatory language, like the \u201cR\u201d word, does not accurately reflect the inherent dignity and capabilities of individuals with disabilities,\u201d says Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). \u201cNDSS applauds Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Marc Molinaro for taking the necessary steps to ensure this harmful language is removed from the D.C. court system. As a fellow parent of a child with Down syndrome, this legislation reaffirms that our loved ones are valued and respected members of our communities and our nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\n\"The National Down Syndrome Congress applauds Congresswoman Norton and Congressman Molinaro for introducing the 'Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act,'\u201d said NDSC Interim Executive Director, Stephanie Smith Lee. \u201cEliminating derogatory terms like the 'R-word' is not just a legislative change; it's a commitment to dignity and respect for all. We urge Congress to quickly pass this important bill and remove this offensive slur from the D.C. court system.\"\n\nNorton's introductory remarks are below.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act\n\nNovember 1, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term \u201cretarded\u201d from Title 11 of the District of Columbia Code and replace it with more appropriate and respectful terminology. I am pleased that Representative Marc Molinaro is the co-lead of this bill.\n\nRemoving the term from the law has bipartisan support. In 2010, Congress removed several instances of the term from federal law by passing Rosa\u2019s Law (P.L. 111-256). Earlier this year, I joined both Republican and Democratic colleagues in introducing the Words Matter Act, which would remove several more instances of the term from federal law.\n\nThe term is used three times in Title 11 of the D.C. Code, and, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code.\n\nThere was a time when the term was a clinical term, but in more recent years, it has become a slur used against people with intellectual disabilities. Words indisputably matter, and I know our country is better than keeping such language in our law.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-files-amendments-strike-anti-home-rule-riders-dc-appropriations-bill", "Norton Files Amendments to Strike Anti-Home-Rule Riders from D.C. Appropriations Bill", "2023-10-31", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed more than a dozen amendments with the Rules Committee to remove anti-home-rule riders from the House\u2019s fiscal year 2024 District of Columbia Appropriations bill as it goes to the House floor.\n\nNorton's amendments would:\n\nStrike the section appropriating the District of Columbia\u2019s local funds, which consist of local taxes and fees, thereby permitting D.C. to spend its own local funds without congressional approval.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to commercialize adult-use marijuana.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds on abortion.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to carry out its Death with Dignity Act, and remove the prohibition from D.C. enacting Death with Dignity in the future.\n\nStrike the section requiring the District of Columbia to submit a report to Congress on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003.\n\nStrike the section requiring the District of Columbia to submit a report to Congress on maternity care in D.C.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to enact or carry out any law that prohibits motorists from making right turns on red.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law.\n\nStrike the section that repeals the provision of D.C.\u2019s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government.\n\nPermit the District of Columbia to spend its local funds to carry out the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.\n\nStrike the section permitting an individual with a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by a state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in the District of Columbia or on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority property.\n\nStrikes the section that reauthorizes the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act, increases funding for the federal private school voucher program in D.C. and reduces funding for D.C. Public Schools.\n\nReps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) are cosponsoring the amendment to allow D.C. to spend its own local funds to commercialize adult-use marijuana, and Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Don Beyer (D-VA) are cosponsoring Norton\u2019s amendment to strike the section permitting an individual with a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by a state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in the District of Columbia or on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority property. Norton vowed to do everything possible to fight all the anti-home-rule riders.\n\n\"The anti-democratic interference in D.C.'s purely local affairs flies directly in the face of the Republican principle of local control, and I am making sure no member of Congress gets a free pass on abusing congressional authority over the District,\" Norton said.\n\n\u201cD.C. will not be used as political fodder for members who would rather spend their time meddling in the District's affairs than working on behalf of their own constituents.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-allow-state-and-local-governments-charge-sales-tax-gift", "Norton Introduces Bill to Allow State and Local Governments to Charge Sales Tax at Gift Shops on Federal Property", "2023-10-25", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her Federal Gift Shop Tax Act today to allow state and local governments to impose a sales tax on purchases at gift shops located on federal property.\n\n\u201cState and local governments often provide uncompensated services to federal property, such as EMS and fire service, and allowing them to impose a sales tax on gift shops would allow them to recoup some of those costs,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThis bill is of particular importance to the District of Columbia, as it is home to a number of gift shops on federal property, such as at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of the Federal Gift Shop Tax Act\n\nOctober 25, 2023\n\nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce the Federal Gift Shop Tax Act, which would allow state and local governments to impose a sales tax at gift shops on federal property. These governments would be able to generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue.\n\nWhen the federal government engages in activity that is not inherently governmental, such as operating a gift shop, there is no reason to exempt customer purchases from a sales tax. Theitems sold at federal gift shops, such as jewelry, apparel, accessories, games and books, are subject to a sales tax if sold on private property. Customers are often unaware of the exemption from a sales tax at gift shops on federal property, so the introduction of a sales tax is unlikely to have a significant impact on gift shop sales. It would, however, create a valuable revenue stream for state and local governments. In addition, state and local governments often provide uncompensated services on federal property, such as fire service, and allowing them to impose a sales tax at gift shops on federal property would allow them to recoup some of these costs.\n\nThis bill is of particular importance to the District of Columbia, which is home to a number of gift shops on federal property, such as at the Smithsonian Institution and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.\n\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-introduce-no-fencing-united-states-capitol-complex-act", "Norton, Van Hollen Introduce No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act", "2023-10-20", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) this week introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of permanent fencing on the grounds of the United States Capitol complex. After the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, a fence was erected around the Capitol that stayed in place for months as officials recommended a permanent barrier. Norton criticized permanent fencing as both cosmetic and imprecise and instead called for smarter, state-of-the-art solutions.\n\n\u201cPermanent fencing would send an un-American message to the nation and the world, by transforming our democracy from one that is accessible and of the people to one that is exclusive and fearful of its own citizens,\u201d Norton said. \u201cAlready, the distance between government and the people has grown, with trust in government at historic lows. We should not entrench that distance further by placing intimidating barriers between ourselves as public servants and the people we serve, especially when such barriers are neither effective nor necessary.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t ever allow the U.S. Capitol to become a fortress where the American people are left on the outside looking in. We can and should secure Congress without walling it off. This bill is about making sure the people can always safely access the heart of our democracy and impact the decisions made in our nation\u2019s halls of power,\u201d said Van Hollen.\n\nNorton's introductory remarks are below.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act\n\nOctober 17, 2023\n\nMr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of new permanent fencing on the grounds of the United States Capitol complex. I am pleased that Senator Chris Van Hollen is introducing this bill in the Senate.\n\nAfter the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the Capitol complex became an untraversable fortress surrounded by frightening fences capped with barbed wire\u2014typical of authoritarian regimes. Although more needs to be done to protect the Capitol complex, the failure of Capitol security leaders to plan for the predictable and openly announced attack on the Capitol on January 6th does not justify closing the complex to the public, to whom it belongs. We can and must maintain our commitment to security without sacrificing public access by using the least restrictive means necessary to address security.\n\nThe January 6th attack on the Capitol, which had little to do with the lack of permanent fencing, was the greatest intelligence and security failure in the history of our nation\u2019s capital. There were countless security failures on January 6th that we can and must address, including: taking threats of extremist violence seriously at an earlier stage; closing the Capitol building grounds during high-profile and high-threat events, as is typically done, but was not done on January 6th; manpower; building security; and training. Permanent fencing, which is incredibly imprecise, would not address those security lapses. It is more likely to keep out children, joggers and tourists than a coordinated attack on the Capitol. In fact, it is a form of security theater\u2014it would make the Capitol \u201clook\u201d safer but mask the lack of state-of-the-art security measures that could prevent attacks in the future. Every threat to the Capitol since January 6th has been stopped by longstanding and new security measures and the excellent work of the Capitol Police. Permanent fencing would not aid the Capitol Police in stopping threats but it would create an image of authoritarianism, secrecy and inaccessibility. The Capitol complex is for all the American people, and, with proper security, must remain open to them.\n\nPermanent fencing would send an un-American message to the nation and the world, by transforming our democracy from one that is accessible, transparent and of the people to one that is closed off, secretive and fearful of its own citizens. It would tell the world that the most powerful nation must rely on crude barriers for safety instead of state-of-the-art intelligence and security protocols. The Capitol has welcomed First Amendment protests and demonstrations for centuries without becoming a fortress. The openness of the Capitol and our democracy is our strength, not a security weakness that needs to be rooted out. Any further consideration of permanent fencing is desperate, distasteful and disrespectful of our history and institutions.\n\nFurthermore, the Capitol complex does not exist in a vacuum. It is immediately surrounded by residential neighborhoods and local businesses, which form the heart of the District of Columbia. Permanent fencing would cause serious damage to the fabric of these communities. After January 6th, these residents and businesses were more than understanding as their neighborhoods turned into militarized zones. They waited patiently as officers checked their identification on their walks home or took alternative routes when they found blocked streets. Permanent fencing would infringe on their ability, as well as the general public\u2019s ability, to enjoy the public spaces that define our nation\u2019s capital.\n\nThe distance between government and the people has grown, with trust in government at historic lows. Installing permanent fencing at the Capitol complex would only increase that distance.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-juror-pay-act-raise-pay-dc-superior-court-jurors-match-pay", "Norton Introduces Juror Pay Act to Raise Pay of D.C. Superior Court Jurors to Match Pay for Federal Jurors", "2023-10-17", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday introduced her District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would raise the pay of D.C. Superior Court jurors to match that of federal jurors.\n\n\u201cOur local courts preside over critical matters affecting our residents and our city and deserve pay consistent with this important civic duty,\u201d said Norton.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of\n\nthe District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act\n\nOctober 16, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would require D.C.\u2019s local trial court, the Superior Court, to pay jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors. Currently, the Superior Court pays jurors the same amount as federal jurors, but the Superior Court has sometimes paid less.\n\nUnder the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, Congress assumed responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts. The local D.C. courts, however, have always been under the direct control of Congress, even when they were funded by D.C. The D.C. Home Rule Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting any law with respect to any provision of Title 11 of the D.C. Code. Under Title 11, the Board of Judges of the Superior Court sets juror pay.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-carey-introduce-bipartisan-bill-provide-national-childrens-museum-rent", "Norton, Carey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide National Children\u2019s Museum with Rent-Free Space", "2023-10-12", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced a bill to provide the National Children\u2019s Museum (NCM) with rent-free space in the federally owned Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in D.C.\n\nNCM, the nation's first combination children's museum and science center, is the only congressionally designated museum that pays rent in a federal building. NCM has said it could close at its downtown location. The House previously passed the bill twice, in the 116th and 117th Congresses.\n\n\"The National Children's Museum will bring visitors to D.C. from throughout the U.S. and the world,\" Norton said. \"The bill's enactment would be a victory for the museum, the nation's capital, and especially children. Thank you to Rep. Carey for introducing the bill this Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Children\u2019s Museum provides families a prime learning experience,\u201d Carey said. \u201cOur bipartisan bill would make this museum more accessible for visitors to our nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\n\"National Children\u2019s Museum is a cornerstone of the Washington, D.C. community, and serves visitors from across the country and world,\" Crystal Bowyer, President and CEO of the National Children's Museum, said. \"In order to succeed in our previously empty federal space in downtown DC, we need Congress to ensure our new home is provided rent-free for hands-on, STEM engagement.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-tomorrows-undemocratic-paternalistic-judiciary-subcommittee", "Norton Condemns Tomorrow\u2019s Undemocratic, Paternalistic Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on D.C. Crime", "2023-10-11", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) condemned Republicans ahead of tomorrow\u2019s House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance hearing on crime in D.C., saying that the Republican focus on meddling in local D.C. affairs is undemocratic, paternalistic, and irresponsible. The hearing is scheduled to take place tomorrow, October 12th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have a peculiar preoccupation with expending their resources, which rightly belong to their own constituents, on meddling in local D.C. governmental affairs \u2013 a district none of them represent in Congress,\u201d Norton said. \u201cParticularly at a time when Republican extremism has paralyzed the House, tomorrow\u2019s hearing is a demonstration of Republicans\u2019 peculiar and irresponsible obsession with local D.C. affairs. This undemocratic, paternalistic fixation consistently denies their own constituents time, attention and resources that should be used to solve problems for the members\u2019 own districts.\n\n\u201cI will continue working to do everything within my power to stop congressional meddling in local D.C. affairs, and I have one message for the current House Republicans: Keep your hands off D.C.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-majority-commission-fine-arts-members-be-dc", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require Majority of Commission of Fine Arts Members be D.C. Residents", "2023-10-03", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to require a majority of the members of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), which has review authority for several types of property in D.C., be D.C. residents.\n\n\u201cThis bill would ensure that a majority of the officials with authority over D.C. property are actually D.C. residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cLand-use policies are among the most quintessentially local decisions for state and local jurisdictions. These officials should be accountable to District residents.\u201d\n\nUnder presidential executive orders and federal law, the CFA has review authority over D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as certain private land in D.C. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the District \"adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance.\" Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as \"Old Georgetown.\" The Members of the CFA are appointed by the President.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the\n\nIntroduction of the Commission of Fine Arts\n\nDistrict of Columbia Residency Act\n\nOctober 2, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Residency Act. This bill would require that a majority of the members of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) be District of Columbia residents.\n\nUnder federal law and presidential executive orders (EOs), the CFA has review authority for federal property in D.C., certain military property, certain coins and medals, D.C.-owned parks and buildings and certain private land in D.C. Under the relevant EOs, CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in D.C. \u201cadjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,\u201d such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as \u201cOld Georgetown\u201d in the act.\n\nResidency requirements for certain government positions are found in federal, state and D.C. law, including for members of the National Capital Planning Commission. The primary reason such laws exist is so that government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by residents.\n\nI have also introduced the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which would remove the authority of the CFA over non-federal real property in D.C. However, while the CFA maintains that authority, a majority of the members should be D.C. residents.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-control-over-operations-local-dc-courts", "Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Control Over Operations of Local D.C. Courts", "2023-10-02", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act today, which would give the Council of the District of Columbia authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The D.C. Home Rule Act expressly prohibits D.C. from enacting any law with respect to any provision of the D.C. Code that relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. Congress can give D.C. this authority even before the District becomes the 51st state.\n\n\"The District has never had authority over its local courts, even when it was responsible for paying for their operations,\" Norton said. \"As the duly elected and accountable legislature of the District, the D.C. Council is irresponsibly left on the sidelines while Congress remains the entity charged with improving the operations of the local D.C. courts. My bill would correct this wrong and increase democratic self-government for the District.\"\n\nUnder the Home Rule Act, the D.C. Council has no authority to \"enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts).\"\n\nIn 1997, under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act, the federal government assumed the costs for several state-level functions from D.C., including the local D.C. courts. This bill would not affect the authority of the President to nominate, or the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges, which has been within their purview since the creation of the District's modern local court system in 1970.\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act\n\nOctober 2, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act. This bill would give the Council of the District of Columbia authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The D.C. Home Rule Act (HRA) expressly prohibits the Council from enacting any law with respect to any title 11 of the D.C. Code, which relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. Congress can correct this injustice to D.C. residents, who pay all federal taxes, by amending the HRA, even before D.C. becomes the 51st state.\n\nFifty years after passage of the HRA, matters involving the local D.C. courts almost never come to Congress, so Congress knows virtually nothing about D.C.\u2019s local courts \u2013 and could not care less. Notwithstanding the importance of D.C.\u2019s local courts to D.C. residents, the Council, which is the repository of knowledge and experience for D.C.\u2019s criminal and civil justice systems and the body accountable to D.C. residents, is irresponsibly left on the sidelines while Congress remains the sole entity that may correct flaws in D.C.\u2019s local courts.\n\nUnder the HRA, the Council has no authority to \u201cenact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts).\u201d Matters in title 11 primarily relate to the rules of criminal and civil procedure, court administration, the branches of the courts, the rules of jury service and admission to the bar. This bill would strike this limitation on the Council\u2019s authority.\n\nD.C. has never had authority over its local courts, even when it was responsible for paying for their operations. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, the federal government assumed the costs for several state-level functions, including the courts. This bill would not change the courts\u2019 funding. This bill also would not change the authority of the President to nominate, or the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges, which has been within their purview since the creation of the modern local court system in 1970.\n\nThis bill is an important step to increase democratic self-government for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-provision-will-keep-dc-government-open-if-federal-government-shuts-0", "Norton Provision Will Keep D.C. Government Open if Federal Government Shuts Down", "2023-09-28", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 With the possibility of a federal government shutdown beginning Sunday morning, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reminded District of Columbia residents that a provision she got included in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 District of Columbia Appropriations bill exempts the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2024. Norton has gotten a provision exempting the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns each year since FY 2015.\n\n\u201cThe D.C. shutdown exemption, which I have gotten included in the D.C. Appropriations bill since 2014, will prevent the D.C. government from shutting down if the federal government shuts down on Sunday morning,\u201d Norton said.\n\nIf Congress does not pass the regular FY 2024 appropriations bills or a continuing resolution by Sunday morning, the federal government will shut down. However, the D.C. government will not shut down because Norton got a provision included in the FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill that allows D.C. to remain open and spend under the D.C. Council-passed FY 2024 local budget for the duration of a federal government shutdown in FY 2024. Before Norton first got the shutdown exemption, the District government had to prepare shutdown contingency plans every time there was the threat of a federal government shutdown and would shut down if the federal government shut down. Consistent shutdown threats harmed D.C.\u2019s credit rating. Credit rating agencies have favorably cited Norton\u2019s shutdown exemption provision.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designate-september-national-campus-sexual", "Norton Introduces Resolution to Designate September as \u201cNational Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month\u201d", "2023-09-26", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her annual resolution to designate September as \"National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.\u201d\n\n\"In recent years, sexual assaults on college campuses have been increasing,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe high rates of sexual assault at colleges point to the continuing importance of my resolution.\u201d\n\nNorton has introduced this resolution for the past several years to highlight the problem of sexual assaults on campuses. Norton said her determination to continue to speak out has only grown in recent years, and that we must change behavior at the earliest stages of the lives of young men and women.\n\nThe resolution follows.\n\n118th CONGRESS\n\n1st Session\n\nH. RES. __\n\nExpressing support for the designation of September 2023 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.\n\nIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n\nMs. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of September 2023 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.\n\nWhereas colleges are now receiving students in person for the academic year;\n\nWhereas freshmen and sophomores in college are at a greater risk of being sexually assaulted than juniors or seniors;\n\nWhereas college students are at a higher risk of sexual assault during the first few months of school, with more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occurring in either August, September, October, or November;\n\nWhereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that both middle school and high school students are increasingly experiencing sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence, with nearly 35 percent of female sexual assault survivors reporting that they were first attacked between the ages of 11 and 17;\n\nWhereas many college students are survivors of \u201cincapacitated assault\u201d, in which they are sexually assaulted while drugged, drunk, passed out, or otherwise incapacitated;\n\nWhereas these survivors often know their attackers;\n\nWhereas less than 5 percent of rapes and attempted rapes of college students are reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement;\n\nWhereas college sexual assault survivors are likely to tell someone they know, most often a friend, about their experience;\n\nWhereas over 20 percent of college sexual assault survivors fear reprisal by the perpetrator;\n\nWhereas approximately 5 percent of college men account for 90 to 95 percent of the rapes on college campuses;\n\nWhereas many college sexual assault survivors fear poor treatment by campus or law enforcement authorities, or even lack knowledge of the reporting process;\n\nWhereas approximately 8 percent of colleges still do not allow confidential reporting of sexual assaults to campus authorities;\n\nWhereas 21 percent of colleges provide no sexual assault response training for members of their faculty and staff;\n\nWhereas approximately 41 percent of colleges have not conducted a single sexual assault investigation in the last 5 years;\n\nWhereas most colleges fail to provide access to a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner;\n\nWhereas law enforcement officials at 30 percent of colleges receive no training on how to respond to reports of sexual violence;\n\nWhereas more than 70 percent of colleges do not have protocols regarding how the institution and local law enforcement should work together to respond to sexual violence;\n\nWhereas 33 percent of colleges fail to provide training to dispel \u201crape myths\u201d to persons adjudicating sexual assault claims;\n\nWhereas 43 percent of the Nation\u2019s largest colleges have students assisting in adjudicating sexual assault cases, which creates privacy and conflict-of-interest concerns;\n\nWhereas 22 percent of colleges allow athletic department oversight of sexual violence cases involving student athletes;\n\nWhereas many college sexual assault survivors experience confusion over how to report a sexual assault, are unsure of acceptable standards of sexual conduct and definitions of rape and sexual assault, and fear punishment for activities preceding some sexual assaults, such as underage drinking;\n\nWhereas 21 percent of the Nation\u2019s largest private colleges report not independently investigating all claims of sexual assault that they conveyed to the Department of Education;\n\nWhereas only approximately 13 percent of the perpetrators of college sexual assaults are permanently expelled;\n\nWhereas only 10 percent of reported college rape cases result in criminal charges against the alleged perpetrator;\n\nWhereas survivors of campus sexual assaults are more likely to have their lives disrupted, such as by changing a college major, changing campus housing, and dropping a class, than the average student;\n\nWhereas over 90 percent of colleges do not have an affirmative consent policy regarding sexual relations; and\n\nWhereas September 2023, when many students begin or return to college, is an appropriate month to designate as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-celebrates-safe-return-dc-resident-emad-shargi-detained-iran-2018", "Norton Celebrates Safe Return of D.C. Resident Emad Shargi, Detained in Iran Since 2018", "2023-09-21", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated the safe return home of D.C. resident Emad Shargi, who had been detained in Iran since 2018. Norton wrote Secretary of State Blinken twice on Shargi's behalf, received a State Department briefing on his case in July 2022, and published a Congressional Record statement to coincide with Shargi's birthday in September 2022.\n\n\u201cThank you, President Biden and Secretary Blinken, for prioritizing the safe return home of D.C. resident Emad Shargi after he was unjustly and inhumanely imprisoned in Iran in 2018,\u201d Norton said. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that our advocacy efforts, and those of his family, were fruitful in bringing Mr. Shargi home. Mr. Shargi\u2019s family and I appreciate the State Department\u2019s dedicated work to secure his release and for keeping my office updated during the ordeal. I am delighted to say at long last, \u2018Mr. Shargi, welcome home.\u2019\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-september-peace-month-inspired-dc", "Norton Introduces Resolution Designating September as \u2018Peace Month\u2019, Inspired by D.C. Second Graders", "2023-09-21", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, on the International Day of Peace, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 2023 as national \u201cPeace Month\u201d and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace, at home and abroad. The idea for the resolution came from the Helpful Potato Bugs, a class of second-grade students at Horace Mann Elementary School in the District of Columbia. In 2018, the students sent Norton a handwritten note, adorned with peace signs, expressing their desire to \u201chelp make the world a peaceful place\u201d and for \u201call Americans to be nice, have no conflicts, and be very peaceful.\u201d Norton has been introducing resolutions supporting the designation of September as Peace Month since then.\n\n\u201cI am pleased to reintroduce this resolution on the International Day of Peace, a day that urges nations around the world to lay down their arms and focus on peacemaking and diplomacy,\u201d Norton said. \u201cI am grateful to the wise second graders who wrote to me in 2018, stressing the importance of a more peaceful America and world. Congress should take note that our children are watching, adding to our responsibility to encourage action to help achieve peace around the world. Thank you again to the 2018 Helpful Potato Bugs for keeping Congress on its toes!\u201d\n\nNorton's resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of September 2023 as \u201cPeace Month\u201d and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace.\n\nWhereas the United Nations designated September 21 \u201cInternational Day of Peace\u201d\u2014otherwise known as Peace Day;\n\nWhereas the United Nations General Assembly declared Peace Day as a day devoted to \u201ccommemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples\u201d;\n\nWhereas all United Nations member states, organizations, regional and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and recognize global peace efforts on Peace Day;\n\nWhereas Peace Day represents shared hopes of an end to conflict in all forms;\n\nWhereas the United Nations calls for a 24-hour global cease fire on Peace Day;\n\nWhereas this year\u2019s Peace Day theme is \u201cActions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #Global Goals\u201d;\n\nWhereas 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone development in contemporary human history promoting peace and well-being worldwide;\n\nWhereas violent conflicts could cost upwards of $14.4 trillion per year globally;\n\nWhereas global peace promotion efforts improve the lives of Americans and all peoples;\n\nWhereas the United States has a long history of promoting peace and human rights at home and abroad; and\n\nWhereas September would be an appropriate month to designate as Peace Month: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n(1) supports the designation of \u2018\u2018Peace Month\u2019\u2019; and\n\n(2) calls on Congress to promote peace, both at home and abroad.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-markup-statement-bill-revitalize-rfk-stadium-campus", "Norton Releases Markup Statement on Bill to Revitalize RFK Stadium Campus", "2023-09-20", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her statement, as prepared for delivery, for today\u2019s markup of Chairman James Comer (R-KY)\u2019s and Norton\u2019s bill to direct the federal government to lease the RFK campus to D.C. for 99 years, allowing D.C. to use the land for stadium redevelopment, commercial and residential development, or other public purposes. Norton previously introduced legislation to allow the federal government to sell the land, which at 174 acres is the largest unused track of land in the District, to D.C. for fair market value.\n\n\u201cThis committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan manner to redevelop unused and underutilized federal land in D.C.,\u201d Norton said. \u201cFor example, I partnered with then-Oversight Committee Chair Tom Davis on a bill that transferred, among other things, Reservation 13, which is next to the RFK campus, from the federal government to D.C. The 67-acre Reservation 13 is now being turned into a mixed-use development. I also worked with then-Oversight Committee Chair Darrell Issa on a bill that enabled the Wharf, a 3.5 million square foot development on the Southwest Waterfront. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.\u201d\n\nThroughout her career in Congress, Norton has prioritized transferring unused federal land to D.C. or the private sector, enabling the redevelopment of neighborhoods, generating tax revenue and bringing much-needed space to the District.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nCommittee on Oversight and Accountability Markup\n\nH.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act\n\nSeptember 20, 2023\n\nI thank Chairman Comer for his leadership on introducing the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act and for working closely with me on this bill. This bill would allow the District of Columbia to revitalize the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus, which is 174 acres of underutilized federal land in D.C. At least as far back as 2006, the National Capital Planning Commission, the central planning agency for the federal government in D.C., called for the revitalization of the RFK campus.\n\nD.C. currently leases the RFK campus from the federal government, but the campus may be used only for recreation, a stadium and open space, and the lease expires in 2038. Currently, the RFK campus primarily consists of parking lots, a stadium that is being demolished, and sports fields. This bill would direct the federal government to lease the RFK campus to D.C. for up to 99 years and permit the campus to be used for commercial and residential development, recreation, a stadium and open space.\n\nThis committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan manner to redevelop unused and underutilized federal land in D.C. For example, I partnered with then-Oversight Committee Chair Tom Davis on a bill that transferred, among other things, Reservation 13, which is next to the RFK campus, from the federal government to D.C. The 67-acre Reservation 13 is now being turned into a mixed-use development. I also worked with then-Oversight Committee Chair Darrell Issa on a bill that enabled the Wharf, a 3.5 million square foot development on the Southwest Waterfront.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this important bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-exempt-dc-courts-csosa-pds-federal-government-shutdowns", "Norton Introduces Bill to Exempt D.C. Courts, CSOSA, PDS from Federal Government Shutdowns", "2023-09-19", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her bill to exempt from federal government shutdowns agencies that have jurisdiction only over District of Columbia matters but are exclusively or primarily funded by the federal government and not under the District's control. Norton emphasized that these agencies are essentially D.C. agencies that have nothing to do with federal issues or congressional shutdown matters. They provide critical criminal and civil justice services to the District and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown to protect the safety and well-being of D.C. residents.\n\nThis bill includes agencies that are exclusively funded by the federal government and are not under the District's control: the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C., the D.C. Courts, the D.C. Public Defender Service, the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, and the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. The bill also includes the D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which is a D.C. agency but is primarily funded by the federal government.\n\n\"These are criminal and civil justice agencies whose focus is exclusively on District of Columbia matters but are funded by the federal government,\" Norton said. \"As a local jurisdiction, the District is a bystander to the federal issues involved in government shutdowns and should not be caught up in congressional shutdown fights.\"\n\nSince the 2013 federal government shutdown, Norton has gotten a provision enacted each year exempting the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns.\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the introduction of a bill to provide for interim appropriations for the District of Columbia courts and related agencies with respect to any fiscal year for which appropriations are not otherwise provided for such courts and agencies\n\nSeptember 18, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce a bill that would exempt from federal government shutdowns the federal and independent agencies that are exclusively or primarily federally funded but have jurisdiction over local District of Columbia civil and criminal justice matters. This bill is modeled on a provision I have gotten enacted each year since the 2013 federal government shutdown to exempt the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns.\n\nThis bill would exempt the following agencies from federal government shutdowns: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C., D.C. Courts, D.C. Public Defender Service, D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. With one exception, these agencies are not under the District\u2019s control and are funded exclusively by the federal government. These agencies provide critical local services to the District, including law enforcement, and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown.\n\nEach of these agencies has been adversely affected by federal government shutdowns, including canceled services and furloughed employees. My bill would allow these agencies to continue to function during a federal government shutdown, in much the same way that the D.C. government itself is now exempt from shutting down during a federal government shutdown.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this important bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-14th-national-dance-day-resolution-ahead-celebration", "Norton Introduces 14th National Dance Day Resolution Ahead of Celebration, Saturday", "2023-09-14", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution supporting the designation of Saturday, September 16, 2023, as National Dance Day. In 2010, Norton partnered with \"So You Think You Can Dance\" co-creator Nigel Lythgoe to launch the first National Dance Day with inaugural celebrations on the National Mall and in Los Angeles.\n\nThe event, originally held in July, was moved to September to encourage schools and students to participate in expressing themselves through dance.\n\n\u201cI am pleased to join the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the American Dance Movement again this year to enjoy and celebrate our nation's rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and racial diversity in honor of National Dance Day,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThis year, we will be focusing on Hip Hop in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop as a genre. I look forward to being dazzled once again by this year\u2019s talented dance troupes.\u201d\n\nNorton's resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic expression, and for the designation of September 16, 2023, as \u201cNational Dance Day\u201d.\n\nWhereas Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and cocreator of the dance-themed television show \u2018\u2018So You Think You Can Dance\u2019\u2019, in association with the American Dance Movement, has encouraged the creation of National Dance Day celebrations across the country, beginning\n\nwith the first National Dance Day on the National Mall in 2010;\n\nWhereas the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in conjunction with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will celebrate National Dance Day on September 16, 2023, in the District of Columbia, through events hosted\n\nby the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day has captured the imagination of people throughout the Nation and around the world, and has helped popularize dance as an art form, as a form of exercise, and as a way of having fun;\n\nWhereas States, the District of Columbia, territories, and cities across the country have been encouraged to celebrate National Dance Day with events;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day will be celebrated this year with events cohosted by the American Dance Movement and the\u2014\n\n(1) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the District of Columbia; and\n\n(2) Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day encourages many forms of dance expression, representing the Nation\u2019s rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and racial diversity;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day features the full spectrum of dance, from classical, to popular, to line and partner dances;\n\nWhereas, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop as a genre, National Dance Day will be focusing on Hip Hop dance and expression in its many forms;\n\nWhereas dance helps improve heart health, burn calories, strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility for people of all ages;\n\nWhereas health officials have repeatedly documented an overweight and obesity epidemic in the United States;\n\nWhereas dance, in all its variations, is a popular form of exercise;\n\nWhereas this year at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, organizations and individuals will entertain and encourage dance, with interactive classes and performances for the whole family;\n\nWhereas, in advance of National Dance Day, instructional videos are available on the American Dance Movement YouTube channel featuring the official dance routine, translatable for all abilities and skill levels, to be performed by audiences on National Dance Day; and\n\nWhereas National Dance Day has been celebrated annually for the past 13 years: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n(1) supports the designation of \u2018\u2018National Dance Day\u2019\u2019 to celebrate and encourage a national commitment to dance and dance education;\n\n(2) acknowledges that dance is making an important contribution to health by encouraging physical fitness and reducing overweight and obesity;\n\n(3) commends Nigel Lythgoe for his leadership in promoting dance and National Dance Day; and\n\n(4) thanks the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and American Dance Movement for their continuing efforts to spread awareness of National Dance Day and the many benefits of dance.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-ensure-public-access-public-buildings-and-grounds", "Norton Introduces Bill to Ensure Public Access to Public Buildings and Grounds", "2023-09-13", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act to establish a national commission of experts from a broad spectrum of disciplines to investigate how to maintain our democratic traditions of openness and access while responding adequately to the security threats posed by terrorism. The bill authorizes a 21-member commission, with the President designating nine members and the House and Senate leadership each designating six members, to investigate and offer recommendations on the balance between public access to and security in Federal buildings and other Federal property. Members of the commission must come from diverse fields, including security, architecture, technology, sociology, psychology, military, city planning, business, engineering and history. Norton began working on the bill after Pennsylvania Avenue was closed and ugly security barriers first began to emerge in the District of Columbia following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The events of 9/11 and the attack on the Capitol have made this bill even more urgent.\n\nNorton introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of permanent fencing at the Capitol complex, in February 2021. Her consistent calls to remove the temporary fencing installed at the Capitol complex after the January 6th attack, which gained congressional and national support, led to the removal of the fencing. In addition, Norton gets a provision included each year in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill authorizing sledding on Capitol grounds.\n\nIn her introductory statement, Norton said, \"Security is not only about reducing lives lost and costs. It is also about safeguarding the institutions, freedoms and values that anchor our country, not only for ourselves but for future generations. The social compact between government and the people should not be the result of a series of hostage negotiations.\n\n\"We cannot allow security protocols to proliferate without informed civilian oversight and a thorough analysis of alternatives that might better safeguard freedom and commerce.\n\n\"As the home of our federal government, the District of Columbia\u2019s residents have suffered disproportionate infringement on public spaces, personal rights and freedoms in the name of security\u2026 Barriers such as walls and fences are touted as essential security features while our citizens are left peering at their democracy from a distance.\u201d\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act of 2023\n\nSeptember 12, 2023\n\nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act of 2023, which would create a commission to investigate how we can maintain our democratic traditions while actively responding to the real and substantial threats posed by foreign and domestic terrorism.\n\nThe impetus for this commission was the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, its importance grew after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and has reached peak urgency since the insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The succession of tragic events endured by our nation has led to a series of sweeping security increases that are deemed both necessary and temporary in the moment but create lasting security infrastructure that is difficult to dismantle and infringes on our open, democratic society.\n\nWe must acknowledge and accept that we have entered an era of constant internal and external threats, requiring ever-higher levels of security for our people and public spaces. What we thought would be a temporary infringement on our open society has turned into a permanent restriction on how our citizens interact with each other and our democratic institutions. Because emergencies typically dictate security decisions, essential discussions on the proper balance between security, individual rights and the freedoms enjoyed in an open society have been repeatedly deferred.\n\nThis bill would ensure that these long overdue discussions take place in a public forum with experts drawn from across the spectrum. To date, security planning has been delegated almost exclusively to security, intelligence and military experts. Although their input is indispensable, they cannot be expected to consider matters outside of their expertise. To strike a better balance that gives sufficient importance to our democratic traditions, we need to invite experts from diverse fields to the same table to work together. Therefore, the commission would be composed not only of security, intelligence and military experts, but also experts from such fields as business, architecture, technology, law, city planning, art, engineering, philosophy, history, sociology and psychology.\n\nWe have used commissions before to deeply investigate and address unprecedented challenges, such as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9/11 Commission), the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (also known as the Silberman Robb Commission) and the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (also known as the Kerner Commission). The commission created by this bill would seek to avert a crisis in basic freedoms before their infringement becomes entrenched. We cannot allow security protocols to proliferate without informed civilian oversight and a thorough analysis of alternatives that might better safeguard freedom and commerce.\n\nFurthermore, we have had decades to develop security strategies and technologies that do not deprive our citizens of access to institutions and personal liberty. Thus far, we have either relied on imprecise, medieval approaches like crude barriers or on intrusive new technologies that treat privacy like a privilege instead of a right. We can, and must, do better.\n\nAs the home of our federal government, the District of Columbia\u2019s residents have suffered disproportionate infringement on public spaces, personal rights and freedoms in the name of security. Public spaces that serve as the heart of our local communities have become restricted zones characterized by a heavy security presence, with individuals liable to be reprimanded for walking on the wrong side of the street or marveling too long at the architecture. Barriers such as walls and fences are touted as essential security features while our citizens are left peering at their democracy from a distance.\n\nSecurity is not only about reducing lives lost and costs. It is also about safeguarding the institutions, freedoms and values that anchor our country, not only for ourselves but for future generations. The social compact between government and the people should not be the result of a series of hostage negotiations. We must resume reasoned and deliberative decision-making, beginning with a high-level commission composed of experts from diverse disciplines charged with developing a new course that will protect both our people and our precious democratic institutions and traditions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/22nd-anniversary-911-terrorist-attacks-norton-releases-statement-honoring-dc", "On 22nd Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Norton Releases Statement Honoring D.C. Residents Lost", "2023-09-11", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on District of Columbia residents to remember the children, teachers, and others lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.\n\n\"Today marks 22 years since our nation and our city incurred a tragedy that shook us to our core,\" Norton said. \"We will never forget the three District of Columbia public school students, Rodney Dickens, Asia Cottom, and Bernard Brown; their three teachers, James Debeuneure, Sarah Clark, and Hilda Taylor; and the two National Geographic chaperones, Ann Judge and Joe Ferguson, who were on board the hijacked plane that struck the Pentagon on 9/11. We honored them all in 2011, especially the children who had just won a National Geographic contest, by planting trees that will forever grow in their memory.\n\n\"We also will never forget the brave, selfless first responders who put their lives in danger to save the lives of others at a moment's notice. Here in the District, what that day taught us is that our region's safety and security are always on the line and that we must always be vigilant in our resolve. District residents, and the entire nation, will never forget the sacrifices made 22 years ago and the thousands of innocent lives taken from us all.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:35:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-commission-accepting-applications-upcoming-vacancy-us-district-court-dc", "Norton Commission Accepting Applications for Upcoming Vacancy on U.S. District Court for D.C.", "2023-09-11", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission (Commission) is accepting applications for an upcoming vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Judge Beryl A. Howell, whom Norton recommended to President Obama, will take senior status in February 2024, creating an upcoming vacancy.\n\nApplications are due to the Commission by 5:00 p.m. on September 26, 2023.\n\nThe application is available here: http://norton.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/norton-evo.house.gov/files/documents/US District Court Judge Questionnaire.doc and must be submitted to DCFLENC@afslaw.com.\n\nPresident Biden, like Presidents Clinton and Obama, granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other important federal law enforcement officials in D.C.\n\nThe Commission screens and recommends candidates to Norton, who makes recommendations to Biden. The Commission is comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from across the District.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:35:26Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-hold-roundtable-discussion-basics-social-security-medicare-and-medicaid", "Norton to Hold Roundtable Discussion on the Basics of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid", "2023-09-06", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she will be hosting an online roundtable discussion Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm with representatives from the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The roundtable will be open to all District of Columbia residents and discuss the basics of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.\n\nThose who would like to attend can register here: tinyurl.com/NortonDiscussionSignup\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-august-22nd-chuck-brown-day", "Norton Introduces Resolution Designating August 22nd as \u2018Chuck Brown Day\u2019", "2023-08-22", "2023", "2023-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution that would support the designation of Chuck Brown's birthday, August 22nd, as national \"Chuck Brown Day\" to honor his contributions as the \"Godfather of Go-Go\" and his support for District of Columbia statehood. The musical genre of go-go originated in D.C. with Brown as the main progenitor. Norton introduces the resolution each year for Brown's birthday.\n\n\u201cChuck Brown was loved by this city and the nation for his innovative and unique sound, which gave us the music of go-go,\" Norton said. \"Not only was he a musical legend, he gave back to his community. His free concert in front of the Capitol in support of D.C. voting rights and statehood will not be forgotten. He will be remembered as one of D.C.'s great voices.\u201d\n\nThe text of the resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of August 22, 2023, as national \"Chuck Brown Day\" and honoring his contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown is known as the \u201cGodfather of Go-Go\u201d because he was the major architect of the musical genre known as go-go, a unique mix of funk, soul, and Latin party sounds, whose popularity continues today;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown, who was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away at the age of 75 on May 16, 2012, was a resident of the District of Columbia most of his life;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown, who taught himself to play guitar, became a virtuoso singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's go-go beat gave the District of Columbia a musical identity of its own and reminds the Nation that the District of Columbia has always been the hometown of talented artists, among them Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's musical catalogue spans 22 studio albums over 3 decades;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's hit \u201cBustin' Loose\u201d, with his group, the Soul Searchers, was the top song on the Billboard Top 100 R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1979;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song \u201cLove\u201d, from his album entitled \u201cWe Got This\u201d, and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's go-go has been passed from generation to generation with undiminished popularity;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown influenced jazz, rap, and go-go musicians, such as the bands Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Experience Unlimited (also known as E.U.);\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown was so committed to securing statehood and equal voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia that he played a concert on a very hot, humid day on the United States Capitol Grounds in 2010;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has named a street located near the historic, modernized Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has named a park located at 2901 20th Street, NE, for Chuck Brown;\n\nWhereas go-go serves as the soundtrack for the \u201cDon't Mute D.C.\u201d movement;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and overcoming time in prison to become a devoted father and family man;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown was a great, multitalented musician who brought joy through his music, never stopping until his death; and\n\nWhereas August 22, 2023, is Chuck Brown's birthday: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of \u201cChuck Brown Day\u201d and honors Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:30:18Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-remove-authority-us-commission-fine-arts-over-local-dc", "Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Authority of U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Over Local D.C. Land Use", "2023-08-08", "2023", "2023-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to remove the authority of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), a federal agency, over District of Columbia-owned property and private property in D.C. The bill would expand home rule for the District. This Congress, Norton has introduced two other land-use home-rule bills, one to give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission and another to remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission over D.C.-owned real property.\n\n\"Quite apart from our fight for D.C. statehood, I will continue our two-track approach to achieve complete self-government for the District,\" Norton said. \"Land-use policies are among the most important priorities for state and local jurisdictions. Whether it is the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the D.C. Zoning Commission, or the National Capital Planning Commission, federal authorities have no business in local land decisions. Not only is this interference a violation of home rule, it delays and increases costs for development in the District.\"\n\nUnder presidential executive orders and federal law, the CFA has review authority over D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as certain private land in D.C. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the District \"adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance.\" Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as \"Old Georgetown.\" The Members of the CFA are appointed by the President.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act\n\nAugust 8, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would remove the authority of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) over non-federal real property in the District of Columbia.\n\nUnder presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, the CFA has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as for certain private land in D.C. Under the relevant EOs, CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in D.C. \u201cadjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,\u201d such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as \u201cOld Georgetown\u201d in the act.\n\nThe federal government, including the CFA, whose members are appointed by the President, has no business in D.C. land-use policies and decisions unrelated to the federal presence. Not only is the federal government\u2019s authority over D.C. buildings and private property a violation of home rule, it also delays and increases the cost of public and private development in D.C.\n\nThis bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support it.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:30:18Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-federal-employee-pay-compression-relief-act", "Norton Introduces Federal Employee Pay Compression Relief Act", "2023-08-08", "2023", "2023-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to reduce federal employee pay compression today. This bill would allow federal employees who reach the pay cap in their respective pay system to receive the base and locality pay adjustments they would otherwise be entitled to. Currently, federal employees who reach the pay cap do not receive such adjustments. Norton is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has jurisdiction over federal employees.\n\n\"This bill will allow many of the longest-serving federal public servants, District of Columbia residents among them, to receive the pay adjustments they are entitled to but for the pay cap,\" Norton said. \"This bill will help the federal government hire and retain the most qualified individuals for the job.\u201d\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the\n\nIntroduction of the Federal Employee Pay Compression Relief Act of 2023\n\nAugust 8, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Federal Employee Pay Compression Relief Act of 2023, which would allow federal employees who reach the pay cap in their pay system to receive the base and locality pay adjustments they would otherwise be entitled to. Currently, federal employees who reach the pay cap do not receive such adjustments.\n\nThis bill would allow many of the longest-serving federal public servants, District of Columbia residents among them, to receive the pay adjustments they would be entitled to but for the pay cap. This bill would help the federal government hire and retain the most qualified individuals.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this important bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:30:18Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-remove-authority-federal-national-capital-planning", "Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Authority of Federal National Capital Planning Commission to Review D.C.-Owned Property", "2023-08-01", "2023", "2023-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to remove the authority of the federal National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to review or approve the development of D.C.-owned real property.\n\n\"As we continue to fight for statehood, we cannot sit on ways Congress could act now to increase home rule for D.C.,\u201d Norton said. \"That is why I am simultaneously moving to expand home rule, including for the most local of activities such as land-use policies. The federal government has no business in local land-use policies and decisions. Not only is the federal government's authority over D.C property anti-democratic, it delays and increases the cost of development in the District.\"\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the National Capital Planning Commission\n\nDistrict of Columbia Home Rule Act\n\nAugust 1, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), a federal agency, to review or approve the development of District of Columbia-owned real property. This bill would also remove the requirement that the D.C. Mayor get NCPC\u2019s approval before selling D.C.-owned real property and allow D.C. agencies to transfer jurisdiction over D.C.-owned real property among themselves without NCPC\u2019s approval.\n\nUnder federal law, NCPC has approval authority for the development of D.C.-owned buildings located in the \u201ccentral area,\u201d including the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of such buildings. D.C. is required to consult with NCPC on D.C.-owned buildings outside the central area, but NCPC has only advisory authority in those areas. The central area is defined by the concurrent action of NCPC and the D.C. Council and currently consists of the Downtown and Shaw Urban Renewal Areas.\n\nNCPC\u2019s authority over D.C.-owned real property is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the virtual absence of its use to disapprove sales or development, and violates D.C. home rule. The federal government should not be able to slow or block the development of D.C.-owned real property or add to the cost of development.\n\nThis bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:30:18Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-perry-bill-direct-gsa-sell-webster-school-marked-passed-out", "Norton, Perry Bill to Direct GSA to Sell Webster School Marked Up & Passed Out of Transportation & Infrastructure Committee", "2023-07-27", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 A bill co-led by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) to direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell the Daniel Webster School in downtown D.C. for fair market value was marked up and passed by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee today. The legislation would return the long-vacant Webster School building to productive use.\n\n\u201cThe Webster School has been vacant since the 1980s and has fallen into disrepair,\u201d said Norton. \u201cMy bill contains the same sale provision included legislation successfully enacted in 2016 that directed GSA to sell a building known as the Cotton Annex, which is now being converted into housing. This bill will ensure that the Webster School too shall return to productive use. I thank Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) for prioritizing the markup of this commonsense bill.\u201d\n\nNorton's markup statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Markup of a Bill to Direct the Administrator of General Services to Sell the Property Known as the Webster School\n\nJuly 27, 2023\n\nI thank Chair Graves for marking up this bill, and I thank Subcommittee Chair Perry for co-leading this common-sense bill. This bill would direct the General Services Administration to sell the federal property known as the Daniel Webster School, which is located in the District of Columbia, for fair market value by December 31, 2025.\n\nBuilt in 1882, the Daniel Webster School, a red-brick, three-story building, has been used for a variety of purposes over the years. However, since the 1980s, the building, which is located in downtown, has been vacant and fallen into disrepair. GSA purchased the Webster School 20 years ago upon the request of the Secret Service, and yet neither the Secret Service nor the General Services Administration has ever used the building. This bill will return the site to productive use.\n\nDuring my service in Congress, I have enacted bipartisan bills to transfer unused or underused federal land in D.C. to D.C. or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and to generate tax revenue. This includes the Southeast and Southwest waterfronts. My hope is to see the Daniel Webster School similarly reactivated. The sale provision in this bill is the same as the sale provision in the bill enacted in 2016 that directed the General Services Administration to sell the federal property in D.C. known as the Cotton Annex, which is now being converted into housing.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-dc-zoning-commission-home-rule-act", "Norton Introduces D.C. Zoning Commission Home Rule Act", "2023-07-24", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act today, which would give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission (Commission). Currently, the Commission consists of two federal officials (the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service), in addition to three members appointed by D.C.\u2019s mayor with the D.C. Council\u2019s approval, even though the Commission has no authority over federal property. Despite the D.C. Home Rule Act, which gave D.C. authority over local matters, 40 percent of the members of the Commission are federal officials, who are unaccountable to the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents.\n\n\"This bill is an essential step to increase home rule in the District of Columbia,\" Norton said. \"Land use is the epitome of a local matter. The federal government loses nothing because the interests of the federal government in land use in the nation's capital are protected by federal law.\"\n\nThe Commission creates zoning maps and regulations, which must \"not be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan for the national capital.\" The mayor is responsible for the local elements of the comprehensive plan, subject to Council approval. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which is the central federal planning agency for the federal government in D.C. and approves federal projects here, is responsible for the federal elements of the comprehensive plan. This bill would not alter the comprehensive plan process nor the authority of NCPC and the Commission.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-passage-faa-reauthorization-bill", "Norton Statement on House Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill", "2023-07-20", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus (QSC), celebrated with her colleagues after the House passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill this morning and defeated a provision filed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) that would have increased aircraft noise and congestion by adding seven round-trip flights to Reagan National Airport (DCA) per day. In total, five amendments from QSC members passed, strengthening the provisions increasing community collaboration on noise mitigation.\n\nIn addition, three of Norton\u2019s provisions were included in the bill passed by the House:\n\nOne provision directs the FAA to create and implement a helicopter noise-sharing mechanism for all helicopter operators in the National Capital Region and to make the data accessible to the public online.\n\nOne requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on reducing helicopter noise in D.C. and clarify that the study will examine helicopters operated by federal agencies and departments including noise-mitigation recommendations.\n\nOne requires the FAA to review and update the regulations within 12 months regarding emergency medical equipment on airplanes, require the costs of flight diversions and emergency landings to be considered by the FAA in reviewing and updating the regulations, and require training required for flight crews.\n\n\u201cAs co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, a senior member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, I am pleased with the FAA Reauthorization Bill passed by the House today,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe provision we defeated to add seven round-trip flights to DCA would have increased aircraft noise in the region, a top concern of D.C. residents, and would have sharply increased the number of delays and cancellations at DCA. In addition, my provisions regarding helicopter noise will function to encourage noise-mitigation strategies via community collaboration.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-perry-introduce-bill-direct-general-services-administration-sell", "Norton, Perry Introduce Bill to Direct the General Services Administration to Sell the Webster School", "2023-07-19", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced a bill to direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell the Daniel Webster School in downtown D.C. for fair market value. This legislation would return this long-vacant building to productive use.\n\n\u201cThe Webster School has been vacant since the 1980s and fallen into disrepair,\u201d said Norton. \u201cMy bill contains the same sale provision included legislation successfully enacted in 2016 that directed GSA to sell a building known as the Cotton Annex, which is now being converted into housing. This bill will ensure that the Webster School too shall return to productive use.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am happy to work with Ms. Norton to direct the sale of the Webster School after it sat vacant for decades awaiting disposal,\u201d Perry said. \u201cThis is an important step towards a right-sized federal real estate portfolio that matches the needs of the federal government and eliminates unnecessary space and the cost it brings to the American Taxpayer.\u201d\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of a Bill to Direct the Administrator of General Services to Sell the Property Known as the Webster School\n\nJuly 17, 2023\n\nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce a bill to direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell the federal property known as the Daniel Webster School, which is located in the District of Columbia, for fair market value by December 31, 2025. I am grateful that Representative Scott Perry, the Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\u2019s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, joins me in introducing this common-sense legislation.\n\nBuilt in 1882, the Daniel Webster School, a red-brick, three-story building, has been used for a variety of purposes over the years. However, since the 1980s, the building, which is located in downtown, has been vacant and fallen into disrepair. This bill will return it to productive use.\n\nDuring my service in Congress, I have worked to transfer unused or underused federal land in D.C. to D.C. or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and to generate tax revenue for D.C. I passed two bills that enabled the transformation of the Southeast and Southwest waterfronts into thriving, mixed-use neighborhoods known today as The Yards and The Wharf, respectively. I passed a bill to transfer Reservation 13, which is in Hill East, and Poplar Point to D.C. I passed a bill that required the redevelopment of the Old Post Office, which is now a hotel. I successfully fought to ensure that at least 67 acres of the 110-acre Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus would go to D.C. for redevelopment. I also successfully worked to bring federal agencies to NoMa, which spurred billions of dollars in mixed-use development.\n\nThe sale provision in this bill is the same as the sale provision in the bill enacted in 2016 that directed GSA to sell the federal property in D.C. known as the Cotton Annex, which is now being converted into housing.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-co-chair-quiet-skies-caucus-says-she-disappointed-unsurprised-rules", "Norton, Co-Chair of Quiet Skies Caucus, Says She is Disappointed but Unsurprised Rules Committee Excluded Her Amendments to FAA Reauthorization Bill", "2023-07-18", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After her amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill were excluded by the Rules Committee late last night and an amendment filed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) to increase the number of flights to Reagan National Airport was advanced, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, said she is disappointed but unsurprised that the Republican-controlled House chose to prioritize the temporary comfort of members of Congress over passenger safety and equality for D.C.\n\nNorton filed two floor amendments, neither of which were approved by the Rules Committee to be considered on the floor. The first was to strengthen language regarding review of Emergency Medical Kits on commercial airlines and the other was to require all provisions in the bill to treat D.C. as a state and provide all the opportunities and protections of any other state. Rep. Owens\u2019 amendment to add seven round-trip flights per day to Reagan National Airport, an effort Norton opposes due to the expected increases in aircraft noise and congestion, was advanced by the Committee and will be considered on the House floor.\n\n\u201cI am disappointed but unsurprised that the Republican Rules Committee chose to prioritize Rep. Owens\u2019 short-sighted amendment, which would only benefit a few members of Congress, over my amendments which would have provided stronger health and safety measures for the flying public and treat D.C. equal to the states.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-federal-officials-charge-dc-supervision", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require Federal Officials in Charge of D.C. Supervision Agencies to Reside in D.C.", "2023-07-17", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the Director of the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) to be D.C. residents during their tenure. CSOSA is a federal agency, and PSA is an independent entity within CSOSA.\n\n\"A residency requirement for the Directors of CSOSA and PSA would help ensure these officials have in-depth knowledge of the issues and challenges that D.C. residents face,\" Norton said.\n\nNorton has introduced two other bills to require certain federal officials to reside in D.C. The District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act would require federal district court judges, federal circuit court judges, the U.S. Attorney, the two U.S. Marshals, and the federal court clerk who serve in D.C. to reside in D.C., just as such officials are required to do in other jurisdictions. The District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act would require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C. The President controls the D.C. National Guard.\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of A Bill to Require the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and the Director of the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency to Reside in the District of Columbia\n\nJuly 17, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce a bill that would require the Directors of two federal agencies, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), to reside in the District of Columbia during their terms. Residency requirements for certain government positions are found in federal law, D.C. law and the laws of jurisdictions throughout the United States. The primary reason such laws exist is so that government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by residents. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill.\n\nCSOSA and PSA are federal agencies that focus exclusively on D.C. CSOSA supervises individuals on probation, parole or supervised release under D.C. law. PSA makes recommendations regarding pretrial release and supervises defendants for the D.C. Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for D.C. The Directors of CSOSA and PSA should be required to be D.C. residents since these agencies serve only D.C.\n\nCongress has justifiably required that certain federal officials live in the jurisdictions to which they are appointed, including U.S. district court judges, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys. Similarly, Congress, which controls the local D.C. court system, has justifiably required local D.C. judges and members of the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure to reside in D.C.\n\nThere is no reason that the Directors of CSOSA and PSA, federal agencies that uniquely serve D.C., should not be required to live in D.C. These federal officials need to be part of the community they serve. A D.C. residency requirement for these federal officials will lead to better outcomes in the criminal justice system and is a matter of fairness for D.C. residents.\n\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-and-senate-markups-dc-appropriations-bills", "Norton Statement on House and Senate Markups of D.C. Appropriations Bills", "2023-07-14", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "July 14, 2023\n\nThe House and Senate Appropriations Committees marked up the bills yesterday\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 After the House and Senate Appropriations Committees each marked up their versions of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill that funds D.C. yesterday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that although she was able to get some victories for D.C., she is very disappointed with the anti-home rule riders in both bills, but especially the House version.\n\nThe Senate bill, as reported out of committee:\n\nIncreases the annual award limit for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) from $10,000 to $15,000 and the lifetime award limit from $50,000 to $75,000. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States.\n\nMaintains the existing abortion rider, which prohibits D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortions for low-income women.\n\nMaintains the existing marijuana rider, which prohibits D.C. from commercializing the sale of marijuana.\n\nThe House bill, as reported out of committee:\n\nProhibits any funds from being used to carry out D.C.\u2019s 2022 policing reform law.\n\nRepeals D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act.\n\nPermits anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA.\n\nMaintains the existing abortion rider, which prohibits D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortions for low-income women.\n\nMaintains the existing marijuana rider, which prohibits D.C. from commercializing the sale of marijuana.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to enact or carry out any law that prohibits motorists from making right turns on red, including the Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law.\n\nRepeals a portion of D.C \u2018s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) law that currently exempts the D.C. government.\n\nRequires D.C. to report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Act.\n\nRequires D.C. to report on maternity care access.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act.\n\nProvides $40 million for DCTAG.\n\nThe bill exempts D.C. from federal government shutdowns in fiscal year 2024. Norton has gotten annual shutdown exemptions enacted every year since the 2013 federal government shutdown.\n\nThe bill provides $8 million for D.C. Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek.\n\nThe bill provides $28 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund, which pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital, and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact.\n\nThe bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\nThe bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C.\n\n\"While I am pleased at some of the provisions reported out of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees yesterday, I am outraged by the anti-home-rule riders included in both bills,\u201d Norton said.\n\nNorton is disappointed that both versions of the bill allow new students to enroll in the D.C. private school voucher program, instead of only permitting current students to remain in the program. Congress imposed the voucher program on the District, which is the only federally funded or created voucher program, even though Congress has rejected a national voucher program. Norton says the program does not deserve federal funding because, among other things, it has failed to meet its own goal of improving academic achievement, as measured by math and reading test scores.\n\nNorton said she will fight to remove the anti-home-rule riders in the bill, which Republicans try to attach to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as elected officials representing districts far from D.C.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-markup-ace-act-which-contains-provisions-interfere-local-dc", "Norton Statement on Markup of the ACE Act, Which Contains Provisions to Interfere in Local D.C. Elections", "2023-07-14", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the Committee on House Administration reported out the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act, which contains several provisions to interfere in local D.C. elections, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the markup demonstrated Republican\u2019s commitment to reducing access to voting in D.C. and the country and interfering with D.C. home rule. The ACE Act would make it more difficult to vote and administer elections in the District of Columbia.\n\n\u201cYesterday\u2019s markup demonstrated the Republican commitment to meddling in local D.C. affairs and making voting as difficult as possible for D.C. residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt is ironic that Republicans in Congress, who do not represent D.C., are abusing their undemocratic power over D.C. in an attempt to make voting more difficult in a jurisdiction that is already denied voting representation in Congress. While I will work to defeat their bill, the markup was the latest form of the wide-ranging anti-home rule attacks D.C. continues to suffer at the hands of Republicans in Congress.\u201d\n\nThe ACE Act would require photo identification or Social Security number to vote, require photos in poll books, prohibit same-day registration, prohibit automatically mailing ballots to voters, require ballot drop boxes to be located within a D.C. government building and monitored through 24-hour remote or electronic surveillance, require the removal of names from voting rolls, prohibit, with limited exceptions, a person from collecting a mail ballot completed by another person, require mail ballots to be received by the close of the polls, require election results to be announced no later than 12 hours after the closing of polls, prohibit non-citizens from voting, give partisan poll watchers virtually unfettered access to polling sites and permit them to challenge ballots and tabulations, allow the public to observe the testing of election equipment and prohibit the use of ranked choice voting.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-expresses-disappointment-after-rules-committee-did-not-make-her", "Norton Expresses Disappointment After Rules Committee Did Not Make Her Amendments to Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in Order", "2023-07-13", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed disappointment today after the House Rules Committee did not make her amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in order. Norton filed several D.C.-related amendments to the bill, including:\n\nAn amendment to give the D.C. Mayor the same authority over the D.C. National Guard that governors of states and territories have. Currently the president controls the D.C. National Guard. The House passed the amendment last year as part of the FY 2023 NDAA, but Republicans blocked it in the Senate. Congresswoman Norton introduced this amendment with Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD).\n\nAn amendment to give D.C. the same number of appointments and nominations to the U.S. service academies, including West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, as states have. The House passed Norton\u2019s amendment last year as part of the NDAA, but it was not included in the final enacted FY 2023 NDAA.\n\nAn amendment to require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C.\n\nAn amendment to permanently authorize the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\nAn amendment to further correct a longstanding legislative drafting error and clarify that D.C. National Guard members who were federal civilian or District of Columbia employees were entitled to leave without loss in pay or time from their civilian employment during their mobilization from January 6, 2021, until enactment of the FY 2022 NDAA. Congresswoman Norton was able to get this clarification enacted in the FY 2022 NDAA prospectively, so this amendment would make the same provision apply to the time from January 6, 2021, the date many D.C. National Guard members began using this leave due to the attack on the Capitol, until the enactment of that FY 2022 NDAA provision.\n\nAn amendment to require that the United States redirect resources from nuclear weapons programs to address the climate crisis, human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care and restoring the environment.\n\n\u201cWhile I am disappointed that the Rules Committee did not vote to make these critical, common-sense amendments to the NDAA in order today, I will continue working to make them law,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy amendments would have increased equality for D.C. in relation to the states, addressed operational and human needs for D.C. residents, and benefitted the public by redirecting resources from nuclear weaponry to solving human needs and addressing the climate crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn January 6, 2021, as our democracy was under attack, D.C.'s mayor was unable to call out the D.C. National Guard, wasting hours and potentially costing lives. The January 6th attack on the Capitol demonstrated why this authority belongs in the hands of D.C.'s mayor and not the president, as my amendment would do. I appreciate Congressman Jamie Raskin for joining me in this important effort.\n\n\u201cDistrict residents have fought in every American war, and my service academy amendment would have ensured they have the same opportunities to attend our prestigious service academies as residents of the states.\n\n\u201cMy amendment to require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C. would help ensure the Guard's connection to the residents it serves and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by D.C. residents.\n\n\u201cPermanently authorizing the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program would help ensure members of the D.C. National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.\n\n\u201cMy nuclear weapons amendment would redirect the resources the United States uses for nuclear weapons to greater needs our country has, such as housing, restoring the environment, and infrastructure.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-oversight-committee-marking-anti-home-rule-bill-would-overturn", "Norton Condemns Oversight Committee for Marking Up Anti-Home-Rule Bill that Would Overturn D.C.\u2019s Law to Allow Noncitizens to Vote in Local D.C. Elections", "2023-07-12", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability marked up Rep. August Pfluger\u2019s (R-TX) bill to prohibit D.C. residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today vowed to do everything possible to defeat the bill. The D.C. Council passed the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 last year, which allows noncitizens to vote in local D.C. elections.\n\n\"D.C. laws are matters for the duly elected D.C. Council and mayor, not unaccountable members of Congress who do not represent D.C. residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe almost 700,000 D.C. residents are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. Although I am disappointed Rep. Pfluger\u2019s bill was reported out of committee today, I vow to work to defeat this anti-home-rule bill. Despite these constant attacks on D.C. election laws, congressional Republicans have refused to do the one and only thing D.C. residents have asked them to do about elections in D.C.: to give D.C. residents voting representation in the House and Senate, as well as full control over their local affairs, by passing the D.C. statehood bill.\u201d\n\nCongressional Republicans have introduced 17 bills to overturn D.C. election laws so far this Congress. Last year, the D.C. Council passed the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which allows noncitizens to vote in local D.C. elections. This year, the House passed a disapproval resolution that would have nullified the legislation, but the Senate never took it up. The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 is now law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-provide-access-restrooms-retail-establishments", "Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Access to Restrooms in Retail Establishments for Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions", "2023-07-10", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to require retail establishments to provide individuals who have medical conditions requiring immediate access to restrooms, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, access to employee-only bathrooms when such establishments do not have public facilities. The individual would need to present documentation of the medical condition and the bill will include provisions to protect the safety of employees.\n\n\"Individuals living with diseases such like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis often need immediate access to restrooms,\" Norton said. \"When public restrooms are not available, these individuals should be able to use those reserved for employees.\"\n\nEighteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-july-4th-norton-will-introduce-bill-expand-mission-national-park-service", "After July 4th, Norton Will Introduce Bill to Expand Mission of National Park Service to Include Active Use of Urban Parks", "2023-07-05", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 After the July 4th holiday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will introduce a bill to expand the mission of the National Park Service (NPS) to include active use of NPS parks in urban areas. The idea for the bill came from a George Washington University report that examined strategies to create a more activated park system in D.C., which noted that NPS parks in D.C. are \u201cinconsistently managed and inequitably maintained\u201d and \u201cdo not meet the needs of people who both live near and experience the park system as a part of their daily lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill would expand the mission of NPS to include the promotion of active use of its parks located in urban areas,\u201d Norton said. \u201cActive use prioritizes current enjoyment by people and improves quality of life, including with playgrounds, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly infrastructure, sports and recreation facilities, community events, programming like the July 4th celebrations many took part in, and concessions.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of an Act to Expand the Mission of the National Park Service to Include Active Use of System Units Located in Urban Areas\n\nJuly 6, 2023\n\nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\n\nI rise to introduce a bill that would expand the mission of the National Park Service (NPS) to include active use of National Park System units located in urban areas. The idea for this bill came from a new report authored by George Washington University\u2019s Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness that examined strategies to create a more equitable and activated park system in the District of Columbia.\n\nAs the report notes, NPS parks in D.C. are \u201cinconsistently managed and inequitably maintained\u201d and \u201cdo not meet the needs of people who both live near and experience the park system as a part of their daily lives.\u201d Efforts to activate and improve local parks have been hindered by limitations on NPS\u2019s statutory authority. NPS\u2019s primary mission is to preserve spaces for the enjoyment of future generations. This noble mission was crafted for the purpose of wilderness preservation, allowing nature to remain untouched by time. However, in addition to grand national parks, NPS also owns neighborhood parks in urban areas. For example, more than 20 percent of D.C. land consists of parkland, and NPS owns nearly 90 percent of it, over two-thirds of which is local, neighborhood parks, smaller than one acre. These parks could benefit from improvements that prioritize community engagement, including trails, playgrounds and benches. However, NPS\u2019s mission is limited to preserving land as it currently exists. This mission is ill-suited to address the unique and immediate needs of urban neighborhood parks.\n\nThis bill would expand the mission of NPS to include the promotion of active use of its parks located in urban areas. Active use prioritizes current enjoyment by people and improves quality of life, including playgrounds, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly infrastructure, sports and recreation facilities, community events, programming and concessions. This expanded mission would only apply to parks located in areas that have been defined and designated as \u201curban\u201d in the most recent decennial census by the Secretary of Commerce, and would not impact wilderness areas.\n\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-files-pro-dc-amendments-fiscal-year-2024-national-defense-authorization", "Norton Files Pro-D.C. Amendments to Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act", "2023-06-30", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed several D.C.-related amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including:\n\nAn amendment to give the D.C. Mayor the same authority over the D.C. National Guard that governors of states and territories have. Currently the president controls the D.C. National Guard. The House passed the amendment last year as part of the FY 2023 NDAA, but Republicans blocked it in the Senate. Congresswoman Norton introduced this amendment with Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD).\n\nAn amendment to give D.C. the same number of appointments and nominations to the U.S. service academies, including West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, as states have. The House passed Norton\u2019s amendment last year as part of the NDAA, but it was not included in the final enacted FY 2023 NDAA.\n\nAn amendment to require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C.\n\nAn amendment to permanently authorize the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\nAn amendment to further correct a longstanding legislative drafting error and clarify that D.C. National Guard members who were federal civilian or District of Columbia employees were entitled to leave without loss in pay or time from their civilian employment during their mobilization from January 6, 2021, until enactment of the FY 2022 NDAA. Congresswoman Norton was able to get this clarification enacted in the FY 2022 NDAA prospectively, so this amendment would make the same provision apply to the time from January 6, 2021, the date many D.C. National Guard members began using this leave due to the attack on the Capitol, until the enactment of that FY2022 NDAA provision.\n\nAn amendment to require that the United States redirect resources from nuclear weapons programs to address the climate crisis, human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care and restoring the environment.\n\n\u201cThese critical amendments would increase equality for D.C. in relation to the states, address operational and human needs for D.C. residents, and benefit all of us by redirecting resources from nuclear weaponry to solving human needs and addressing the climate crisis,\u201d Norton said.\n\n\u201cOn January 6, 2021, as our democracy was under attack, D.C.'s mayor was unable to call out the D.C. National Guard, wasting hours and potentially costing lives. The January 6th attack on the Capitol demonstrated why this authority belongs in the hands of D.C.'s mayor and not the president, as my amendment would do. I appreciate Congressman Raskin joining me in this important effort.\n\n\u201cDistrict residents have fought in every American war, and my service academy amendment will ensure they have the same opportunities to attend our prestigious service academies as residents of the states.\n\n\u201cMy amendment to require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C. would help ensure the Guard's connection to the residents it serves and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by D.C. residents.\n\n\u201cPermanently authorizing the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program would help ensure members of the D.C. national Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.\n\n\u201cMy nuclear weapons amendment would redirect the resources the United States uses for nuclear weapons to greater needs our country has, such as housing, restoring the environment, and infrastructure.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-us-attorney-federal-judges-and-us-marshals", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require U.S. Attorney, Federal Judges and U.S. Marshals Serving in D.C. to Live in D.C.", "2023-06-27", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the District of Columbia Federal Officials Residency Requirement Equality Act, which would require federal district court judges, federal circuit court judges, the U.S. Attorney, the two U.S. Marshals and the federal court clerk who serve in D.C. to reside in D.C., just as such officials are required to do in other jurisdictions.\n\n\u201cAs we continue to work for full equality for District residents with statehood, this is an important step to ensure that the District of Columbia is treated like the rest of the country,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThese federal officials serve D.C. directly as a hometown, not as a federal jurisdiction. They should be a part of the community they serve and should fully understand the unique issues facing District of Columbia residents, which can only be fully realized by residing in the District of Columbia. Congress, through laws requiring residency in virtually every other jurisdiction, and the courts, through the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, have recognized the importance of federal officials' connections with the communities they serve. The District of Columbia should be treated no differently.\u201d\n\nWhen Norton exercises senatorial courtesy for the District of Columbia, as she did under Presidents Clinton and Obama and currently does under President Biden, she only recommends nominees who commit to living in D.C. during their tenures.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act\n\nJune 27, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act, which would require the federal district court judges, federal circuit court judges, U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshals and federal court clerk appointed to serve D.C. to reside in D.C. In nearly every other jurisdiction in the United States, such officials are required by federal law to reside in the jurisdiction they have been appointed to serve. The only exceptions are the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal for the Northern Mariana Islands who at the same time are serving in the same capacity in another jurisdiction, and officials appointed to the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York, which are the only districts in different parts of the same city.\n\nThe requirement that these federal officials reside in the jurisdiction they serve is related to knowledge of the community and to the effect of decisions. As stated in the official commentary to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, \u201ca judge should not become isolated from the society in which the judge lives.\u201d The same holds true for other federal officials. This bill recognizes that D.C. deserves federal officials with the same understanding and links to the community as Congress has seen fit to require for federal officials in other jurisdictions.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-104-million-grant-wmata-bus-system", "Norton Announces a $104 Million Grant for WMATA Bus System", "2023-06-26", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will receive a $104 million grant from the Federal Transit Authority for low- and no- emission buses and facilities after she wrote a letter supporting WMATA\u2019s grant application. The grant was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a law that Norton heavily shaped through her work as then-Chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Norton currently serves as Ranking Member.\n\n\"I'm pleased with today's announcement that WMATA will receive a $104 million grant for low- and no-emission buses and bus facilities after I wrote a letter supporting its grant application,\" Norton said. \"The funding will be used to procure battery-electric buses, furthering WMATA\u2019s transition to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2045, improving air quality, providing sustainable transportation, and addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the nation's capital.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-secures-victories-dc-appropriations-bill-despite-republican-control", "Norton Secures Victories in D.C. Appropriations Bill Despite Republican Control of House, But Calls Out New D.C. Anti-Home Rule Riders", "2023-06-21", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The House Committee on Appropriations today released the text of the fiscal year 2024 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, which includes many victories secured by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) despite Republican control of the House. The bill provides $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a program created by a Norton bill. The appropriations bill, however, includes several new anti-home rule riders.\n\n\"I am pleased at many of the provisions in the text of the D.C. spending bill released by the House Appropriations Committee today, which I was able to secure despite Republican control of the House,\u201d Norton said. \"I am particularly pleased the bill provides $40 million for DCTAG. DCTAG is critical for D.C. students and families, who do not have the same array of public institutions of higher education that most states do, and for the D.C. tax base because DCTAG encourages taxpayers to move to and remain in the District.\u201d\n\nNorton secured the following victories:\n\nThe bill provides $40 million for DCTAG. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States.\n\nThe bill exempts D.C. from federal government shutdowns in fiscal year 2024. Norton has gotten annual shutdown exemptions enacted every year since the 2013 federal government shutdown.\n\nThe bill provides $8 million for D.C. Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek.\n\nThe bill provides $28 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund, which pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital, and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact.\n\nThe bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\nThe bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C.\n\nNorton is disappointed that the bill allows new students to enroll in the D.C. private school voucher program, instead of only permitting current students to remain in the program. Congress imposed the voucher program on the District, which is the only federally funded or created voucher program, even though Congress has rejected a national voucher program. Norton says the program does not deserve federal funding because, among other things, it has failed to meet its own goal of improving academic achievement, as measured by math and reading test scores.\n\nNorton said she was outraged at the anti-home-rule riders in the bill, which Republicans try to attach to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as elected officials representing districts far from D.C. The text released today:\n\nRepeals D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act.\n\nMaintains the existing abortion rider, which prohibits D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortions for low-income women.\n\nMaintains the existing marijuana rider, which prohibits D.C. from commercializing the sale of marijuana.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to enact or carry out any law that prohibits motorists from making right turns on red, including the Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law.\n\nRepeals a portion of D.C \u2018s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) law that currently exempts the D.C. government.\n\nRequires D.C. to report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Act.\n\nRequires D.C. to report on maternity care access.\n\nProhibits D.C. from using funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/quiet-skies-caucus-co-chairs-norton-lynch-and-vice-chair-quigley-announce", "Quiet Skies Caucus Co-Chairs Norton, Lynch and Vice Chair Quigley Announce Victories in FAA Reauthorization Bill Passed Out of Transportation & Infrastructure Committee", "2023-06-21", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 The co-chairs of the Quiet Skies Caucus (QSC), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Vice Chair Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) announced victories for aircraft noise mitigation included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill passed out of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee last week.\n\nAmong other victories, the bill establishes an Aviation Noise Officer tasked with working directly with the public to assess and address aviation noise faced by average Americans; establishes an airport community task force to engage communities impacted by airport development; establishes a Community Collaboration Program within the FAA to facilitate community engagement in revising and creating new FAA policies; requires the FAA to review and revise the FAA Noise Standards before implementing changes to noise policies; requires the FAA to work with airports and neighboring communities to modify routes to mitigate aircraft noise impacts; orders a study on aviation noise metrics by the National Academies to assess the efficacy of current noise metrics; and orders a GAO study to examine ways in which a state, territorial or local government could mitigate the negative impacts of helicopter noise.\n\n\u201cAs members of the QSC, we are deeply concerned about the impact of aviation noise on the health and quality of life of our constituents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe victories the Caucus got included in the committee-passed version of the FAA reauthorization bill will help mitigate the negative effects of aircraft noise on our districts.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile we still have a lot of work to do, I am encouraged to see several noise mitigation directives included in the FAA reauthorization bill that was passed by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,\u201d said Lynch. \u201cAirplane noise and pollution has been a debilitating, persistent issue for residents living in and around Boston and I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Quiet Skies Caucus to ensure these provisions are included in the final bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, I\u2019ve been working to mitigate harmful noise pollution impacting those living around Chicago\u2019s airports,\u201d said Quigley. While we have received commitments from the FAA, it\u2019s not enough. These issues persist and continue to put our constituents health at risk. I\u2019m pleased to see the provisions in the FAA reauthorization take a new, community-driven approach. They involve hearing directly from those being affected in order to better address and resolve excessive aircraft noise.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-failed-republican-veto-override-vote", "Norton Statement on Failed Republican Veto Override Vote", "2023-06-14", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After yesterday\u2019s failed attempt in the House to override President Biden\u2019s veto on the disapproval resolution that would have nullified D.C.\u2019s policing reform law, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the President was correct in vetoing the disapproval resolution and that Congress should leave decisions about local D.C. laws to D.C. residents.\n\n\u201cD.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 is consistent with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, President Biden\u2019s executive order on policing, and legislation enacted in dozens of states,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMoreover, the disapproval resolution is a profoundly undemocratic and paternalistic piece of legislation. Almost 700,000 people live in the nation\u2019s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs.\n\n\u201cFrom their behavior this Congress, I can only surmise that House Republicans disagree with me, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how offensive that notion is to my values, goals, and more than 30 years of work advocating for D.C. residents in Congress.\n\n\u201cThe President was correct in vetoing the disapproval resolution. Congress should leave all decisions about local D.C. laws to D.C. residents.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-files-three-amendments-faa-reauthorization-bill-todays-markup", "Norton Files Three Amendments to FAA Reauthorization Bill in Today\u2019s Markup", "2023-06-13", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed three amendments to the 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill being marked up today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee.\n\nNorton\u2019s first amendment would direct the FAA to create and implement a helicopter noise sharing mechanism for all helicopter operators in the National Capital Region and to make the data accessible to the public online.\n\nNorton\u2019s second amendment would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on reducing helicopter noise in D.C. and clarify that the study will examine helicopters operated by federal agencies and departments. The GAO\u2019s report on the study will include noise-mitigation recommendations.\n\nNorton\u2019s third amendment would require the FAA to review and update the regulations within 12 months regarding emergency medical equipment on airplanes, require the costs of flight diversions and emergency landings to be considered by the FAA in reviewing and updating the regulations, and require training required for flight crews.\n\n\u201cAs I am co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, my amendments focus primarily on reducing helicopter noise in the National Capital Region, which I hear complaints about from my constituents daily,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe amendment requiring a GAO study, in particular, will generate noise-mitigation recommendations that helicopter operators would follow in order to reduce disruption while flying over the region.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-writes-omb-requesting-federal-agencies-treat-dc-state-city-and-county", "Norton Writes OMB Requesting Federal Agencies Treat D.C. as a State, City and County for Purposes of Federal Funding", "2023-06-13", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote Shalanda Young, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), asking that OMB direct all federal agencies to treat D.C. as a state, city and county for purposes of federal funding unless an applicable statute precludes such funding.\n\nNorton cited as an example of D.C. not being treated properly the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program, which was created to ensure the comprehensive management of post-consumer wastes and plastics. The EPA made D.C. eligible for state funding, but not municipal funding.\n\n\u201cD.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a state, city and county, and should be provided federal funding at each level when such funding is made available to states, cities and counties,\u201d Norton wrote. \u201cD.C. residents pay all federal taxes, and D.C. deserves to be provided the full federal funding to which it is entitled.\u201d\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nJune 12, 2023\n\nThe Honorable Shalanda Young\n\nDirector\n\nOffice of Management and Budget\n\nEisenhower Executive Office Building\n\n1650 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20503\n\nDear Director Young:\n\nI write to urge you to direct all federal agencies to treat the District of Columbia as a state, city and county for purposes of all federal funding, unless an applicable statute expressly precludes such treatment. D.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a state, city and county, and should be provided federal funding at each level when such funding is made available to states, cities and counties.\n\nRecently, D.C. was denied funding for municipalities under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program. The program, which is authorized under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, was created to ensure the comprehensive management of post-consumer wastes and plastics and to prevent the continued contamination of our nation\u2019s waters by these materials. In its implementation of the program, the EPA created two separate grants\u2014one for states and one for municipalities. The EPA made D.C. eligible for the state program, as required by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, but not the municipality program, even though D.C. should have been eligible for the municipality program, too. The EPA has misinterpreted the definition of municipality in the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and is depriving D.C. of funds to which it is entitled. I have introduced a bill that would correct the EPA\u2019s interpretation, but this is the type of grant program where administrative action alone would ensure D.C. is correctly treated as a state, city and county.\n\nI appreciate your consideration of this request and ask that you respond in writing by June 26, 2023.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-pride-month-norton-introduces-bill-ban-discrimination-against-lgbtq", "During Pride Month, Norton Introduces Bill to Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Jurors in D.C. Superior Court", "2023-06-12", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today, during Pride Month, reintroduced her District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act. The bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in D.C. Superior Court on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, the bill would clarify that \"sex,\" which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity.\n\nThe District has one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, the District cannot make its anti-discrimination law applicable to jurors in D.C. Superior Court. Under the Home Rule Act, only Congress has the authority to regulate local jury service.\n\n\"During Pride month we are reminded of the many contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Nobody, including D.C. jurors, should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and D.C. juries should not be deprived of the service of LGBTQ residents,\" Norton said. \"Until the District is given control over its local courts, it is up to Congress to pass this important bill.\"\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of the\n\nDistrict of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2023\n\nJune 12, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2023. This bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in the local D.C. trial court, the D.C. Superior Court, based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, this bill would clarify that the term sex, which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill.\n\nD.C. has one of the strongest non-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, D.C. does not have the authority to amend the non-discrimination law that applies to D.C. jurors. Therefore, until D.C. is given control over its local courts, an act of Congress is required to clarify that LGBTQ+ jurors are protected from discrimination.\n\nAs the Supreme Court said in Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Company, \u201cdiscrimination within the courtroom raises serious questions as to the fairness of the proceedings conducted there. [B]ias mars the integrity of the judicial system and prevents the idea of democratic government from becoming a reality.\u201d Similarly, the Court, in Batson v. Kentucky, which was a juror discrimination case based on race, said, \u201cThe harm from discriminatory jury selection extends beyond that inflicted on the defendant and the excluded juror to touch the entire community. Selection procedures that purposefully exclude black persons from juries undermine public confidence in the fairness of our system of justice.\u201d\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this important bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-eligibility-municipality-level-funding-under", "Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Eligibility for Municipality-Level Funding Under EPA Grant Program", "2023-06-12", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to provide D.C. comprehensive eligibility for the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program. While D.C. is already eligible for funding at the state level, it is excluded at the municipality level even though the District provides both state- and municipality-level services.\n\n\u201cThis bill will ensure D.C. is eligible for both grants \u2014 both as a state and as a municipality \u2014 consistent with the overall intent of the program,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe bill would enable D.C. to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and recycling and implement a specific collection and treatment measures to remove these wastes from the wastewater stream.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Provide Comprehensive Eligibility to the District of Columbia for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program\n\nJune 12, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce a bill to provide the District of Columbia comprehensive eligibility for funding under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program. The program is authorized under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act.\n\nThe program was intended to provide grants to both states and municipalities to ensure the comprehensive management of post-consumer wastes and plastics and to prevent the continued contamination of our nation\u2019s waters by these materials. In its implementation of the program, the EPA created two separate grants\u2014one for states and one for municipalities. The EPA made D.C. eligible for the state program, as required by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, but not the municipality program, even though it should have been eligible for the municipality program, too. The EPA has misinterpreted the definition of municipality in the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and is depriving D.C. of funds to which it is entitled.\n\nMaking D.C. eligible for both grants \u2014both as a state and as a municipality\u2014is consistent with the overall intent of the program and would enable D.C. to utilize funding both for the development of a comprehensive strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and recycling, and for implementation of specific collection and treatment measures to remove these wastes from the wastewater stream.\n\nThe Save Our Seas 2.0 Act defines the terms \u201cstate\u201d and \u201cmunicipality\u201d for the purposes of the program. Section 2 of the Act defines the term \u201cstate\u201d as specifically including D.C. Section 302(c) of the Act utilizes the definition for \u201cmunicipality\u201d in section 502 of the Clean Water Act, which includes \u201ca city, town, borough, county, parish, district, association, or other public body \u2026 having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes.\u201d D.C. falls under the definitions of both terms and therefore should be eligible for both grants under the program.\n\nGiven that D.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a joint city, county and state, D.C. is analogous to a municipality that has jurisdiction over publicly owned treatment works under section 302(c) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, as well as being explicitly defined under section 2 of the Act as a state. Exclusion of D.C. from either portion of the program is inconsistent with the comprehensive nature of post-consumer waste management under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and would leave D.C. poorly positioned to address the challenges of post-consumer wastes in our nation\u2019s waters.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-joint-oversight-and-house-administration-committee-hearing", "Norton Statement on Joint Oversight and House Administration Committee Hearing on Election Integrity in D.C.", "2023-06-07", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today\u2019s joint House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and Committee on House Administration anti-home rule hearing, purporting to be about election integrity in D.C., demonstrated the Republican commitment to reducing access to voting in D.C. and the country. In the hearing, Republicans argued in support of their upcoming American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act, which would make it more difficult to vote and administer elections in the District of Columbia.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s hearing demonstrated the Republican commitment to making voting as difficult as possible for D.C. residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt is ironic that Republicans in Congress, who do not represent D.C., are abusing their undemocratic power over D.C. in an attempt to make voting more difficult in a jurisdiction that is already denied voting representation in Congress. While I will work to defeat their bill, today\u2019s hearing was the latest form of the wide-ranging anti-home rule attacks D.C. continues to suffer at the hands of Republicans in Congress.\u201d\n\nThe American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Integrity and Voter Confidence Act would, assuming it is the same language as Republicans used in their failed attempts in the last Congress, among other things, require photo identification or Social Security number to vote, require photos in poll books, prohibit same-day registration, prohibit automatically mailing ballots to voters, require ballot drop boxes to be located within a D.C. government building and monitored through 24-hour remote or electronic surveillance, require the removal of names from voting rolls, prohibit, with limited exceptions, a person from collecting a mail ballot completed by another person, require mail ballots to be received by the close of the polls, require election results to be announced by 10 a.m. the day after the election, prohibit non-citizens from voting, give partisan poll watchers virtually unfettered access to polling sites and permit them to challenge ballots and tabulations, and allow the public to observe the testing of election equipment.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-pride-month-norton-reintroduces-bill-protect-lgbtq-reproductive-rights", "During Pride Month, Norton Reintroduces Bill to Protect LGBTQ+, Reproductive Rights in D.C.", "2023-06-05", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 During Pride Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act to end the unique applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to the District of Columbia. RFRA, which provides more protection for religious exercise than the First Amendment requires, applies to the federal government, the D.C. government and the territorial governments, but not to state governments. Norton's bill would ensure the District is treated the same as states, while defending LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights in D.C.\n\n\"RFRA was designed to be a shield to protect religious freedom, but the Supreme Court's 2014 Hobby Lobby decision demonstrates it\u2019s now being used as a sword to discriminate against the LGBTQ community and women,\" Norton said. \"Additionally, members of Congress have used RFRA as a justification for trying \u2013 but failing \u2013 to overturn D.C. antidiscrimination laws. My bill is an important step in ensuring home rule for the District.\"\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act of 2023\n\nJune 5, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act of 2023, which would end the unique applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to the District of Columbia. My bill would protect the District\u2019s right to self-government, ensuring the District is treated the same as states, and defend LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights in D.C.\n\nRFRA, which provides more protection for religious exercise than the First Amendment requires, applies to the federal government, the D.C. government and the territorial governments, but not to state governments. As RFRA does not apply to the states, under the principles of home rule, it should likewise not apply to the District.\n\nWhile RFRA was designed to be a shield to protect religious freedom, it is being used, as evidenced by the Supreme Court\u2019s 2014 Hobby Lobby decision, as a sword to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and women. Members of Congress have used RFRA as a justification for trying \u2013 but failing \u2013 to overturn D.C. non-discrimination laws. House Republicans have repeatedly tried since 2015 to nullify or block the District\u2019s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and their families based on reproductive health decisions, claiming, in part, that it violates RFRA.\n\nMy bill would ensure that District residents are treated the same as residents of the states under RFRA. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-house-floor-support-bill-hold-annual-soap-box-derby", "Norton Releases Remarks from House Floor in Support of Bill to Hold Annual Soap Box Derby on Capitol Grounds", "2023-06-05", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, from speaking on the House floor yesterday for a bill to authorize use of Capitol grounds for the annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.\n\n\u201cThis event has become a great tradition in the District of Columbia metropolitan area over the last 25 years,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the work necessary to build the vehicles and enjoy the thrill of competition.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full statement follows, as prepared for delivery.\n\nStatement of the Honorable Eleanor Homes Norton\n\nHouse Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\n\nIn Support of House Concurrent Resolution 43\n\nGreater Washington Soap Box Derby\n\nJune 5, 2023\n\nM.___ Speaker, today we are considering House Concurrent Resolution 43, to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I would like to thank Representative Hoyer for introducing this resolution. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is an annual competitive event that encourages children, ages 9 through 16, to construct and race their own soap box vehicles on Capitol grounds.\n\nThis event has become a great tradition in the District of Columbia metropolitan area over the last 25 years. It provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the work necessary to build the vehicles and enjoy the thrill of competition.\n\nThe Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure the appropriate rules and regulations are in place and that the event remains free to the public.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this resolution.\n\nI reserve the balance of my time.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-reintroduces-her-bill-give-dc-authority-grant-clemency-offenders", "Norton Reintroduces Her Bill to Give D.C. Authority to Grant Clemency to Offenders Convicted Under Local D.C. Laws", "2023-06-01", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency to offenders convicted under its local laws.\n\nWhile D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency, under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president\u2019s consideration. The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act.\n\n\u201cWhile we are defending D.C. home rule and fighting for statehood, I will continue to introduce bills to give D.C. the privileges of statehood,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe D.C. Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the authority to grant clemency to offenders convicted under D.C. laws, exactly as the states and territories have under their laws. This bill is an important step in establishing additional autonomy for D.C.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-bowman-introduce-resolution-calling-senate-ratify-convention", "Norton, Bowman Introduce Resolution Calling on the Senate to Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women", "2023-05-31", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (D-NY), along with four original cosponsors, introduced a resolution calling on the Senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The Convention establishes an agenda for national action to end discrimination against women and ensure the advancement of women in political, social, economic and cultural fields through legislative action and legal protections. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, but has never been brought before the full Senate for a vote.\n\nAs of 2023, 189 countries have ratified the Convention. The United States is an outlier, joining only Iran, Palau, Somalia, Sudan and Tongo in not ratifying the treaty. In light of the Senate\u2019s inaction, dozens of U.S. cities, counties and states have passed resolutions in support of the Convention\u2019s ratification. Most recently, the District of Columbia enacted the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Act in accordance with the principles of the Convention.\n\n\u201cThe Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women represents a monumental step towards eliminating the entrenched disparities in the job market and in our society,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIts ratification is long overdue. President Biden supported ratification of this Convention when he was chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I urge the Senate to ratify this important Convention at last.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a nation, we cannot be a leader in civil rights unless we advocate for and guarantee the rights of all people in this country,\u201d said Bowman. \u201cRatifying the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women is a critical step in promoting equity, regardless of gender identity. U.S. ratification of this 1979 Convention holds broad public support and is long overdue. The U.S. must back-up its international discourse with domestic action and join the 189 countries who have already ratified the Convention.\u201d\n\nAs the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Norton issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws. Earlier this Congress, Norton introduced three bills to help close the pay gap for women and minorities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-recognizing-dc-servicemembers-and-veterans", "Norton Introduces Resolution Recognizing D.C. Servicemembers and Veterans in Advance of Memorial Day", "2023-05-25", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution in advance of Memorial Day recognizing District of Columbia servicemembers and veterans. The resolution calls for statehood for the District to ensure these servicemembers and veterans \u2013 and all District residents \u2013 enjoy the full rights of American democracy. D.C. residents have served in every war since the Revolutionary War, all without the full and equal rights that can come only with statehood.\n\n\"Each year we take Memorial Day to recognize servicemembers who have died in service to our nation,\" Norton said. \"However, it is especially timely this year to recognize District of Columbia servicemembers and veterans, who have fought and died in every war since the Revolution without the equal protections of American democracy, including voting representation in Congress, that residents of the states receive.\u201d\n\nThe House passed Norton's D.C. statehood bill twice in the last two Congresses. When it first passed in 2020, it was the first time in history either the House or the Senate had passed the D.C. statehood bill. Last Congress there was a record 45 cosponsors of the bill in the Senate. There are 45 Senate cosponsors again this Congress. The Biden administration strongly supports the D.C. statehood bill.\n\nThe text of the resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nRecognizing on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, the denial of full participation in their Government through statehood by active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.\n\nWhereas, on the last Monday of May, the Nation observes Memorial Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the members of the Armed Forces who died in the service of their country;\n\nWhereas the service and sacrifice of active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families are unparalleled;\n\nWhereas active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans have risked life and limb to protect the American people and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States;\n\nWhereas approximately 30,000 veterans are residents of the District of Columbia and do not have voting representation in the Congress of the United States or full local self-government in the District of Columbia;\n\nWhereas residents of the District of Columbia fought in the Revolutionary War, which resulted in the creation of the United States and was fought under the slogan of \u201cno taxation without representation\u201d, and have served in every war since;\n\nWhereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 4 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during that war;\n\nWhereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;\n\nWhereas, the District of Columbia statehood bill, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, has 192 cosponsors; and\n\nWhereas S. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, has 45 cosponsors: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That\u2014\n\n(1) District of Columbia residents have earned full and equal representation in the House of Representatives and Senate and full local self-government; and\n\n(2) on Memorial Day, the House of Representatives recognizes that active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia deserve passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-bidens-veto-dc-policing-reform-disapproval-resolution-historic", "Norton Says Biden\u2019s Veto of D.C. Policing Reform Disapproval Resolution a Historic Victory for D.C. Home Rule", "2023-05-25", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Upon learning that President Biden today vetoed the disapproval resolution that would have overturned D.C.\u2019s policing reform law, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the veto represents a historic victory for D.C. home rule. This is the first time a president has ever vetoed a disapproval resolution on D.C. legislation passed under the D.C. Home Rule Act.\n\nThe date of the veto is significant, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. The vetoed disapproval resolution aimed to overturn a local D.C. law that mirrors many of the same reforms included in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.\n\nThe Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy in April committing to veto the disapproval resolution should it reach the president\u2019s desk. The House passed the disapproval resolution in April and the Senate passed it in May.\n\n\u201cThank you to the Congressional Black Caucus, whose members vehemently opposed the disapproval resolution, and to the coalition of more than 50 local D.C. organizations who advocated for the federal government to keep its #HandsOffDC,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThank you to President Biden for following through on your commitment to veto the resolution, which aimed to overturn the will of D.C. residents expressed through their own democratically-elected officials.\n\n\u201cAlmost 700,000 people live in the nation\u2019s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. Congressional Republicans disagree, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts, but today\u2019s historic veto demonstrates that widespread support of D.C. residents\u2019 right to govern their own affairs exists at the highest levels.\n\n\u201cThis episode reminds us that the permanent solution from congressional interference in D.C.\u2019s local affairs, is for Congress to pass and the president to sign my D.C. statehood bill. I will continue working to ensure that we finally achieve full local self-government for the residents of our nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-urges-white-house-ensure-back-pay-contract-workers-case-future", "Norton Urges White House to Ensure Back Pay for Contract Workers in Case of Future Government Shutdown", "2023-05-24", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote President Biden today urging the White House to begin to examine the legal authority it possesses to ensure that low-wage contract workers receive back pay in the event that Republicans force a shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2024. Norton noted that this is prudent given Republicans\u2019 current reckless negotiating positions over the debt ceiling.\n\n\u201cMany federal contract workers earn little more than the minimum wage and receive few, if any, benefits,\u201d Norton wrote. \u201cCongress has provided back pay to federal employees furloughed during shutdowns, who often work in the same buildings as these low-wage contract workers, but not to low-wage contract workers, who often perform similar jobs.\u201d\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nMay 24, 2023\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nThe debt ceiling negotiations suggest that Republicans may force a government shutdown at the start of fiscal year 2024. While I certainly hope that is not the case, it is imperative to plan for that possibility. I write regarding the impact shutdowns have on low-wage contract workers. I urge the administration to begin examining the legal authority it possesses to ensure that low-wage contract workers receive back pay following a shutdown.\n\nMany federal contract workers earn little more than the minimum wage and receive few, if any, benefits. Congress has provided back pay to federal employees furloughed during shutdowns, who often work in the same buildings as these low-wage contract workers, but not to low-wage contract workers, who often perform similar jobs. While some federal contract workers are unionized with a slightly better wage, almost all are the lowest paid workers in the federal government and should not be penalized if Congress fails to do its job to keep the government open.\n\nThank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-thanks-senator-carper-championing-dc-statehood-senate", "Norton Thanks Senator Carper for Championing D.C. Statehood in Senate", "2023-05-23", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement on Senator Tom Carper\u2019s (D-DE) retirement announcement:\n\n\u201cThe people of the District of Columbia have no senator of their own, but they have had in Senator Tom Carper an amazing champion of their rights. Senator Carper has been a co-lead of virtually every bill for our rights for over a decade, most notably sponsoring our bill granting D.C. statehood. Senator Carper also sponsored our bill making D.C. eligible to receive federal flood mitigation and prevention funding and co-led our bills granting D.C. control of its National Guard and Police Department respectively. Most recently, Senator Carper secured a record breaking 43 original cosponsors for our D.C. Statehood bill. I wish Senator Carper well, but when he leaves the Senate, he will have the abiding appreciation of the citizens of the nation's capital, who will never forget where he stood in our fight for self-government.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:07:47Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-make-dc-eligible-three-federal-programs-support", "Norton Introduces Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Three Federal Programs to Support Revitalization of Public Transportation Systems", "2023-05-22", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act, which would make D.C. eligible for three federal programs that support the development and revitalization of public transportation systems in the same manner that states are currently eligible. The bill would also make D.C. eligible for a program to support the replacement and removal of infrastructure that damages the ecosystems of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers.\n\n\u201cD.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of the states,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIn fact, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state. D.C. should be treated as a state in federal programs.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act\n\nMay 22, 2023\n\nI rise to introduce the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act. The bill would make the District of Columbia eligible for three federal programs that support the development and revitalization of public transportation systems in the same manner that states are currently eligible for these programs. It would also make D.C. eligible for a transportation program that would support the replacement and removal of infrastructure that damages the ecosystems of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers. D.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of the states. In fact, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state. D.C. should be treated as a state in federal programs.\n\nFirst, the bill would treat D.C. as a state in the High-Density States Formula for certain grants from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Currently, only states are eligible for these grants. Second, the bill would treat D.C. as a state under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Under this program, each state is authorized to receive a minimum amount of $4 million per year, while D.C. is authorized to receive a minimum of only $1 million. Third, the bill would treat D.C. as a state under the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program. Currently, only states and units of local government are eligible for these competitive grants, and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has held that D.C. does not qualify, even though it operates as the functional equivalent of a joint city, county and state. Fourth, the bill would treat D.C. as a state for the purposes of the Safe Streets for All Program. Cities, counties and political subdivisions of a state are eligible for these grants, but DOT has held that D.C. is ineligible.\n\nThe programs in the bill fund the modernization of bus and rail fleets, the purchase of zero-emission transit vehicles, the improvement of station accessibility for all users, the extension of transit service to new communities, the replacement and repair of culverts, and the implementation of roadway safety improvements for all road users. They especially benefit communities of color, since these households are twice as likely to use public transportation.\n\nLast Congress, the House\u2019s surface transportation reauthorization act, the INVEST in America Act, would have made D.C. eligible for these four programs in the same manner as states. Unfortunately, the enacted surface transportation reauthorization act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the Senate wrote, did not.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-calling-supreme-court-adopt-ethics-code", "Norton Introduces Resolution Calling on Supreme Court to Adopt Ethics Code", "2023-05-19", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her resolution calling on the Supreme Court to subject itself to the ethics code that applies to all other federal judges. The Code of Conduct for United States Judges, adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, an administrative arm of the federal judiciary chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, provides standards for recusals for avoiding various ethics matters that arise in the administration of justice. The Code, however, does not apply to Supreme Court Justices, who have unreviewable authority to determine whether conflicts of interest would undermine their ability to hear and decide a case fairly and without the appearance of bias. The resolution aims to further public integrity and bolster confidence in an institution that in recent years has been criticized concerning issues related to conflicts of interest and whose members have been subject to demands for recusal from cases.\n\n\u201cRecent revelations about Justice Thomas' inappropriate acceptance of trips from a GOP donor illustrate the importance of an ethics code for the highest court in the nation. We cannot afford further erosion of trust in the Supreme Court, which has historically been the arbiter of the most controversial and weighty issues in our country,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy resolution would help the Court eliminate ethics controversies by encouraging it to adopt the same Code that applies to all other federal judges today. Each branch of government has a part in carrying out the nation's laws, so none is above the law.\u201d\n\nNorton came to Congress as a tenured law professor at Georgetown University Law School.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Justices of the Supreme Court should make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethics guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, or should promulgate their own code of conduct.\n\nWhereas section 455 of title 28, United States Code, establishes the circumstances under which Justices, judges, or magistrate judges of the United States shall disqualify themselves from a case;\n\nWhereas under chapter 16 of title 28, United States Code (relating to complaints against judges and judicial discipline), the judicial circuits may prescribe rules and procedures for the conduct of proceedings under that chapter, including regarding complaint, investigative, and review procedures for certain decisions of judges and magistrate judges of the United States not to recuse themselves from cases;\n\nWhereas litigants can seek legal recourse through the United States courts to enforce section 455 of title 28, United States Code, and challenge the disposition of the underlying case, and complainants have administrative procedures under chapter 16 of title 28, United States Code, against a judge or magistrate judge of the United States, but there are no comparable enforcement mechanisms against the Justices of the United States;\n\nWhereas the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a Code of Conduct for United States Judges, which uses language identical to the relevant portion of section 455 of title 28, United States Code, that judges or magistrate judges of the United States must abide by when deciding whether to recuse themselves from a case, but the Code does not apply to Justices of the United States;\n\nWhereas Justices of the United States are not bound by any written code of conduct;\n\nWhereas Justices of the United States each have unreviewable authority to determine whether there is an appearance of bias, conflict of interest, or other ethical justification sufficient for withdrawal from hearing, partaking in deliberations in, or joining in the resolution of, a case or controversy;\n\nWhereas the Federal Judicial Center has concluded that \u201cbalancing the duty to decide\u201d with \u201cthe duty to disqualify\u201d precludes judges from using recusal as an excuse to shirk their duties by avoiding difficult or unpleasant cases;\n\nWhereas the Constitution vests judicial power in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish;\n\nWhereas the separation of powers of the coordinate branches of government, as well as the independence of the judiciary, or the appearance of independence, may be compromised by extensive legislative or executive interference into that branch's functions;\n\nWhereas James Madison argued in Federalist Paper Number 10 that \u201c[n]o man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity\u201d; and\n\nWhereas the Supreme Court has acknowledged in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White, and reiterated in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., that \u201c[t]he citizen's respect for judgments depends \u2026 upon the issuing court's absolute probity\u201d and that \u201c[j]udicial integrity is, in consequence, a state interest of the highest order\u201d: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Justices of the United States should make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethics guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, or should promulgate their own code of conduct.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-todays-press-conference-calling-congress-keep-its", "Norton Releases Remarks from Today\u2019s Press Conference Calling on Congress to Keep Its Hands Off D.C.", "2023-05-16", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today\u2019s press conference with a coalition of more than 50 local D.C. groups calling on Congress to keep its hands off D.C.\n\n\u201cThis week, House Republicans will hold a hearing purporting to conduct \u2018overdue oversight\u2019 of local D.C. affairs, and the Senate will vote on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.\u2019s local policing reform legislation, which contains provisions substantially similar to those in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act,\u201d Norton said. \u201cAlmost 700,000 people live in the nation\u2019s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. House Republicans disagree, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.\n\nRemarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) at Press Conference Calling on Congress to Keep its Hands Off D.C.\n\nMay 16, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at House Triangle\n\nThank you to the coalition of more than 50 local D.C. groups calling on Congress today to keep its Hands Off D.C.\n\nThis week, House Republicans will hold a hearing purporting to conduct \u201coverdue oversight\u201d of local D.C. affairs, and the Senate will vote on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.\u2019s local policing reform legislation, which contains provisions substantially similar to those in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.\n\nAlmost 700,000 people live in the nation\u2019s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. House Republicans disagree, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how offensive that notion is to my values, goals, and more than 30 years of work advocating for D.C. residents in Congress.\n\nSenate Republicans take the same deeply offensive position ahead of the possible Senate vote this week on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.\u2019s local policing reform, which mirrors many of the same provisions contained in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.\n\nThe resolution is being considered in the Senate after the expiration of the congressional review period outlined in the Home Rule Act. This vote goes against the letter and spirit of the Home Rule Act.\n\nI worked to get a commitment from President Biden that, should the disapproval resolution reach his desk, he will veto it, and in April his administration released a Statement of Administration Policy committing to do exactly that.\n\nAs D.C.\u2019s sole member of Congress, I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure Congress keeps its #HandsOffDC, including highlighting local voices like the coalition of more than 50 groups that organized today\u2019s press conference. Thank you for your work, and know that I join you in telling the rest of Congress, which does not represent the nation\u2019s capital, to keep its Hands Off D.C.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-disapproval-resolution-dc-policing-reform-would-have-no-legal", "Norton Says Disapproval Resolution on D.C. Policing Reform Would Have No Legal Effect", "2023-05-16", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the disapproval resolution the Senate passed today on D.C.\u2019s policing reform law would have no legal effect, even if enacted.\n\n\u201cI am disappointed at today\u2019s Senate passage of a disapproval resolution aimed at D.C.\u2019s democratically-passed policing reform law, but there are two reasons to expect that this action will have no effect,\u201d Norton said. \u201cFirst, I worked to get President Biden\u2019s commitment to veto the resolution should it reach his desk, which his administration agreed to in an April Statement of Administration Policy.\n\n\u201cSecond, because the congressional review period outlined in the Home Rule Act expired before today\u2019s Senate vote, the disapproval resolution would have no legal effect. Today D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb released an opinion concluding the same.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-requiring-bop-place-dc-residents-serving-sentences-dc", "Norton Introduces Bill Requiring BOP to Place D.C. Residents Serving Sentences for D.C. Code Felonies Within 250 Miles of D.C.", "2023-05-15", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to place D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, individuals serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies are in BOP custody. Last October, Norton met with the new Director of BOP, Colette Peters, to discuss this bill as well as BOP's treatment of District of Columbia residents in BOP custody.\n\n\u201cThis bill would help D.C. residents in BOP maintain relationships with family and support networks and help them reenter society,\u201d Norton said. \u201cI am pleased BOP committed to reviewing my bill, the Improving Reentry for District of Columbia Residents in the Bureau of Prisons Act of 2023, and to exploring ways BOP can share information with the D.C. government on D.C. residents in BOP custody to improve reentry.\u201d\n\nCurrently, more than 2,000 D.C. residents are serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, and they are in BOP facilities across the United States. Norton said that while Congress will not provide funding to BOP to build a new facility for D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, there are more than enough existing BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. to house all such D.C. residents. Under Norton's bill, a D.C. resident who is already in a BOP facility at the time of enactment would be allowed to decline a transfer from the individual's current facility, and BOP would have authority to place a D.C. resident more than 250 miles outside of D.C. if it were in the best interest of the individual or BOP.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tuesday-norton-and-local-dc-coalition-hold-press-conference-calling-house-and", "Tuesday: Norton and Local D.C. Coalition to Hold Press Conference Calling on House and Senate to Keep #HandsOffDC", "2023-05-14", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Tuesday, May 16th, at 9:00 a.m., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), together with a local coalition of D.C. residents, will hold a press conference at the House Triangle calling on the House and Senate to keep their hands off D.C. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will hold a hearing on D.C. titled, \u201cOverdue Oversight of the Capital City: Part II,\u201d and the Senate is expected to vote on a disapproval resolution that, if enacted, would nullify D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation.\n\nWHO: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)\n\nKelsye Adams, Director of Programming, D.C. Vote\n\nJamila White, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, 8A05\n\nMakia Green, Co-Conductor, Harriet's Wildest Dreams\n\nRon Hampton, former Executive Director, National Black Police Association\n\nRev. Wendy Hamilton, Board member, D.C. Vote\n\nWHEN: 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 16th, 2023\n\nWHERE: In-person, House Triangle\n\nLivestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrTbfCDZa-s\n\n***Space is limited but a livestream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrTbfCDZa-s. To attend in person, media should RSVP by emailing AlexGDodds@gmail.com and SEN@mail.house.gov by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 15th.***\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-display-marijuana-us-botanic-garden", "Norton Requests Display of Marijuana at U.S. Botanic Garden", "2023-05-11", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote to the U.S. Botanic Garden requesting it begin displaying marijuana for the first time after the Botanic Garden recently displayed hemp for the first time in its history. Norton had previously requested that the Botanic Garden display hemp.\n\n\u201cAs individual states and the country as a whole are moving toward the legalization of marijuana, having a display with male and female marijuana plants would be a historic opportunity to highlight the impact of marijuana on American society and, especially, the American economy,\u201d Norton wrote.\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nMay 10, 2023\n\nDr. Susan K. Pell\n\nExecutive Director\n\nUnited States Botanic Garden\n\nWashington, DC 20001\n\nDear Dr. Pell:\n\nAs you are aware, I worked with your predecessor, Dr. Saharah Moon Chaptoin, regarding the display of hemp and marijuana at the U.S. Botanic Garden. I am very pleased that the Botanic Garden recently began displaying hemp for the first time. I am writing to request that the Botanic Garden also display marijuana for the first time.\n\nMore and more states, as well as the federal government, are beginning to legalize various forms of cannabis. In recent years, the House of Representatives has passed several bills that would have descheduled cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.\n\nAs individual states and the country as a whole are moving toward the legalization of marijuana, having a display with male and female marijuana plants would be a historic opportunity to highlight the impact of marijuana on American society and, especially, the American economy. According to recent statistics, states that legalized marijuana sales collected an estimated 20% more in taxes on retail marijuana sales than on the sale of alcohol products in 2021. Twenty-one states and D.C. have legalized adult use marijuana. Cannabis sales are projected to reach approximately $33.6 billion by the end of this year and as much as $53.5 billion by 2027.\n\nI appreciate your consideration of this request. I request a response in writing by May 24, 2023.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-clarke-veasey-lead-23-members-congress-calling-temporary-protected", "Norton, Clarke, Veasey Lead 23 Members of Congress Calling for Temporary Protected Status for Nigeria", "2023-05-09", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After more than 100 deaths due to recent election-related violence in Nigeria, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) led 23 members of Congress in urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to designate the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS designation would allow Nigerian nationals in the U.S. to temporarily remain instead of returning to Nigeria amid the country\u2019s ongoing armed conflict.\n\n\u201cThe scale and geographic extent of insecurity in Nigeria is unprecedented in the country\u2019s history,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cNigeria\u2019s ongoing armed conflict has had a dramatic human cost. Estimates suggest the presence of between 3.1 million and 3.3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria.\u201d\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nMay 9, 2023\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Homeland Security\n\n301 7th Street SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nWe write to request that you protect Nigerian nationals currently in the United States by designating Nigeria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n\nFederal law provides authority to designate TPS in the case of ongoing armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Specifically, the Immigration and Nationality Act provides discretionary authority to grant TPS when \u201cthere is an ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to such conflict, requiring the return of aliens who are nationals of that state to that state (or to the part of the state) would pose a serious threat to their personal safety,\u201d or when \u201cthere exist extraordinary and temporary conditions in the foreign state that prevent aliens who are nationals of the state from returning to the state in safety.\u201d Nigeria meets both the armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions frameworks for TPS designation.\n\nAt present, Nigeria is facing an extraordinary level of insecurity in terms of the extent and protractedness of armed conflict. Ongoing armed conflict in Nigeria includes violent extremist insurgency in the northeast region by the terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa, intense gang fighting, violence between farmers and herders and an emergent separatist insurgency movement known as the Indigenous People of Biafra in the southeast region. This armed conflict has recently escalated. Kidnapping and criminality have increased, often fueled by religious and intercommunal polarization. According to the Centre for Democracy and Development, 109 people were killed amid recent election-related violence in February and March of this year.\n\nThe scale and geographic extent of insecurity in Nigeria is unprecedented in the country\u2019s history. Military operations are underway against insurgencies nationwide, and military forces have been deployed in each of Nigeria\u2019s 36 states to support internal security.\n\nNigeria\u2019s ongoing armed conflict has had a dramatic human cost. Estimates suggest the presence of between 3.1 million and 3.3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria. This does not include an additional 2.1 million \u201creturnees,\u201d formerly displaced people who have returned to their home areas but may not be fully resettled. An additional 336,900 individuals are refugees\u2014that is, displaced outside of Nigeria (mostly in neighboring Niger and Chad). Of particular concern, thousands of children in Nigeria have recently been kidnapped, forcibly recruited, injured or killed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.\n\nThe White House has acknowledged the armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, and the State Department has urged travelers to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping. We urge you to designate Nigeria for Temporary Protected Status.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\nYvette D. Clarke\n\nMarc A. Veasey\n\nEarl Blumenauer\n\nJamaal Bowman, Ed.D.\n\nCori Bush\n\nAndr\u00e9 Carson\n\nGreg Casar\n\nJudy Chu\n\nDwight Evans\n\nValerie P. Foushee\n\nMaxwell Alejandro Frost\n\nSylvia R. Garcia\n\nJes\u00fas G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda\n\nGlenn Ivey\n\nHenry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson, Jr.\n\nBarbara Lee\n\nJames P. McGovern\n\nGrace Meng\n\nDelia C. Ramirez\n\nC. A. Dutch Ruppersberger\n\nBonnie Watson Coleman\n\nFrederica S. Wilson\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-security-cameras-all-usps-facilities", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require Security Cameras at All USPS Facilities", "2023-05-09", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to install security cameras at all USPS facilities to protect USPS employees, customers and property.\n\n\u201cLast year, I asked USPS to expand the use of security cameras at postal facilities in the District of Columbia and across the country after learning that a D.C. resident had recently been robbed in the parking lot of a post office in D.C.,\u201d Norton said in the bill\u2019s introductory statement. \u201cThe parking lot was not monitored by a security camera. USPS responded that it was not financially feasible to install and maintain security cameras at every postal facility. This bill authorizes appropriations for security cameras at postal facilities.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the Postal Facilities Security Camera Act\n\nMay 9, 2023\n\nI rise today to introduce the Postal Facilities Security Camera Act, which would require that, subject to appropriations, the United States Postal Service (USPS) install security cameras at each postal facility to protect USPS employees, customers and property.\n\nLast year, I asked USPS to expand the use of security cameras at postal facilities in the District of Columbia and across the country after learning that a D.C. resident had recently been robbed in the parking lot of a post office in D.C. The parking lot was not monitored by a security camera. USPS responded that it was not financially feasible to install and maintain security cameras at every postal facility. This bill authorizes appropriations for security cameras at postal facilities.\n\nUSPS should have security cameras monitoring postal facilities\u2013both inside and outside\u2014to protect employees, customers and property. Security cameras can deter crime and assist in arrests and prosecutions.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-raskin-and-ivey-urge-biden-administration-provide-robust", "Norton, Van Hollen, Raskin and Ivey Urge Biden Administration to Provide Robust Funding, Expedited Timeline for Union Station Expansion Project", "2023-05-09", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-MD) today led 15 members of Congress, including the entire National Capital Region delegation, in urging the Biden administration to provide robust funding and an expedited timeline for the Union Station Expansion Project (USEP), which would more than double the station\u2019s current capacity.\n\n\"Union Station is five blocks from the U.S. Capitol, serves as a transportation gateway to the District, and has historically welcomed more travelers per day than either Reagan National or Dulles International airports,\" CongresswomanNorton said. \"Additionally, Union Station serves as the backbone connecting East Coast rail lines to the north and south. The USEP would provide the first infrastructure improvements to the station since the 1990s. We cannot delay the project indefinitely and ensure the station continues to function, so we must urge the Biden administration to fund and expedite the project.\"\n\n\u201cUnion Station is a central hub for regional commuters \u2013 including thousands from my state of Maryland \u2013 and a key transportation link along the East Coast. But for too long, this historic station has lacked the renewed investment needed to support its growth and success. We fought to pass the infrastructure modernization law to support infrastructure upgrades just like this and we\u2019re urging the Administration to use this opportunity to fund the Union Station Expansion Plan without delay,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cUnion Station connects our nation\u2019s transportation networks to the Capital region,\u201d said Rep. Raskin. \u201cThe eagerly awaited Union Station expansion project will ensure that the station can continue connecting Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia to communities across the nation and significantly increase its capacity to serve American travelers coming to Washington. As a member of the congressional delegation representing our capital\u2019s greater metropolitan area, I\u2019m joining my colleagues in calling on President Biden to allocate the resources needed to see this exciting project through.\u201d\n\n\u201cFunding Union Station fully is in line with the priorities the Administration has set out with the bi-partisan infrastructure law passed by the last Congress. It\u2019s good for commuters. It\u2019s healthier for the environment. It\u2019s a positive impact on the local and regional economy. The history of this beautiful train station is filled with memories for members of Congress and the public at large, many from my district. I urge the Administration to renew its investment in the expansion plan of DC\u2019s Union Station so future generations can make more memories here in the Nation\u2019s Capital starting at this historic rail and transportation hub,\u201d said Congressman Ivey.\n\nMay 8, 2023\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The Honorable Pete Buttigieg\n\nThe White House Secretary\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Department of Transportation\n\nWashington, DC 20500 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\n\nWashington, DC 20590\n\nDear Mr. President and Secretary Buttigieg:\n\nWe write to express our strong support for the planned renovation and expansion of Union Station in the District of Columbia, which will better serve the travel needs of residents and commuters in our districts. The Washington Union Station Expansion Project (USEP) represents a historic transportation and economic development opportunity for the District of Columbia and the national capital region. We urge your administration to provide robust funding for the USEP and to issue the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision by the end of this fiscal year.\n\nUnion Station is a vital local, regional and national transportation hub that, pre-pandemic, welcomed more than 100,000 travelers and visitors each day\u2014more than either Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport. Located five blocks from the U.S. Capitol, Union Station serves as a gateway to the nation\u2019s capital, as well as the backbone that connects East Coast rail lines to the north and south. Commuters and visitors rely on this station every day to get to work and to visit the nation\u2019s capital. It is the first and second highest ridership stations for the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) lines, respectively.\n\nAmtrak, MARC and VRE are all expecting unprecedented growth in ridership, with demand estimated to reach two or three times higher than pre-pandemic levels by 2040. Despite the growing role the station plays in transportation and regional connectivity, and the unique role it plays in the history of the District of Columbia, the station has not undergone any infrastructure improvements since the 1990s. According to the Federal Railroad Administration\u2019s own assessment, the predicted growth in ridership at Union Station will be constrained without infrastructure improvements.\n\nThe USEP will bring much-needed restoration to the infrastructure behind the station, and also more than double capacity at the station and better meet the growing travel needs of residents, commuters and visitors to the nation\u2019s capital. The USEP will enhance our constituents\u2019 transportation safety and access to intercity buses, rail, cycling and walking paths. The project is essential for connecting neighborhoods, increasing equitable access to transit and combating our climate crisis by enhancing the availability of clean, multimodal transportation options.\n\nD.C. has already committed $250 million to the reconstruction of the H St. Bridge, a project that is essential for the subsequent track reconfiguration element of the USEP. Absent much-needed infrastructure improvements, Union Station will remain the region\u2019s biggest chokepoint and will constrain transit improvements being made across the region.\n\nWhereas nearly all multimodal transportation facilities are owned by state or municipal transportation entities, Union Station is federally owned and requires federal support to modernize its critical infrastructure, increase equitable access and improve rail and intercity bus facilities. As we approach the 120th anniversary of its groundbreaking, we urge you to accelerate the EIS and provide robust funding to the USEP.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nSenator Chris Van Hollen\n\nCongressman Jamie Raskin\n\nCongressman Glenn Ivey\n\nCongressman Donald Beyer\n\nCongressman Steny Hoyer\n\nCongressman David Trone\n\nCongresswoman Jennifer Wexton\n\nSenator Ben Cardin\n\nSenator Timothy Kaine\n\nCongressman Adriano Espaillat\n\nCongressman Jes\u00fas G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda\n\nCongressman Stephen Lynch\n\nCongressman Brendan Boyle\n\nCongressman Donald Norcross\n\nCongressman Gerald Connolly\n\nCongressman Jamaal Bowman\n\nCongresswoman Summer Lee\n\nSenator Mark R. Warner\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-urges-president-biden-create-interagency-working-group-climate-change", "Norton Urges President Biden to Create Interagency Working Group on Climate Change and Migration", "2023-05-01", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to President Biden, signed by 46 other members of Congress, urging creation of an interagency working group on climate change and migration that would better protect populations displaced by weather-related disasters and support efforts to build resilience in the United States and across the world. A 2021 White House report recommended the creation of a standing interagency policy process on Climate Change and Migration to coordinate the U.S.'s response to migration resulting from climate change, but such a process has yet to be established.\n\n\u201cClimate change is creating a widespread humanitarian crisis, as weather-related disasters, drought, famine and rising sea levels increasingly force individuals across the world to leave their homes,\u201d Norton wrote. \u201cThe scale of the challenge requires coordination among different parts of the U.S. government, which is why an interagency working group is necessary.\u201d\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nMay 1, 2023\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\n\nPresident of the United States\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nWe ask that you establish a standing interagency working group on climate change and migration pursuant to your administration\u2019s recommendation in the 2021 \u201cReport on the Impact of Climate Change on Migration.\u201d By establishing the interagency group, the administration can respond to the urgency of climate displacement with policies that support climate-affected communities and individuals in building resilience in the United States and across the world.\n\nClimate change is creating a widespread humanitarian crisis, as weather-related disasters, drought, famine and rising sea levels increasingly force individuals across the world to leave their homes. The Norwegian Refugee Council\u2019s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre estimates that weather-related events have displaced 5.9 million people. The scale of the challenge requires coordination among different parts of the U.S. government, which is why an interagency working group is necessary.\n\nWe applaud Executive Order 14013, \u201cRebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration,\u201d which directs the National Security Advisor to prepare a report on climate change and its impact on migration. Similarly, we commend the publication of the White House\u2019s \u201cReport on the Impact of Climate Change on Migration,\u201d which recognized that \u201c[t]he climate crisis is reshaping our world, as the Earth\u2019s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization.\u201d[1] One of the report\u2019s key recommendations is the establishment of \u201ca standing interagency policy process on Climate Change and Migration to coordinate U.S. Government efforts to mitigate and respond to migration resulting from the impacts of climate change that brings together representatives across the scientific, development, humanitarian, and peace and security elements of the U.S. Government.\u201d[2] As the report recognizes, \u201c[p]ro-active coordination, coherent policy, and effective programming across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus . . . is essential to address migration and displacement issues . . . .\u201d[3] This report marks the first time the U.S. government officially reported on the link between climate change and migration.\n\nWe urge you to establish the interagency working group to scale up coordination efforts to protect climate displaced individuals. Furthermore, we request that the interagency working group publicly identify its members and share a proposed timeline for its work. Given that climate change and climate-related events will grow in severity, the interagency working group can provide a venue for developing long-term strategies consistent with the evolving scientific understanding of climate impacts and respect for human rights.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\nJames P. McGovern\n\nJill Tokuda\n\nRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\n\nNydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez\n\nJes\u00fas G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda\n\nJan Schakowsky\n\nPaul D. Tonko\n\nDwight Evans\n\nMelanie Stansbury\n\nNanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n\n\nJamaal Bowman, Ed.D.\n\nStephen F. Lynch\n\nAdam Smith\n\nYvette D. Clarke\n\nVeronica Escobar\n\nLloyd Doggett\n\nJuan Vargas\n\nKatie Porter\n\nAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez\n\nValerie P. Foushee\n\nSydney Kamlager-Dove\n\nRashida Tlaib\n\nAdriano Espaillat\n\nGreg Casar\n\nAdam B. Schiff\n\nBonnie Watson Coleman\n\nJennifer L. McClellan\n\nChrissy Houlahan\n\nGlenn Ivey\n\nEarl Blumenauer\n\nPramila Jayapal\n\nJamie Raskin\n\nGrace Meng\n\nJudy Chu\n\nDavid J. Trone\n\nSummer Lee\n\nJimmy Gomez\n\nJulia Brownley\n\nBecca Balint\n\nIlhan Omar\n\nSylvia R. Garcia\n\nJared Huffman\n\nDelia C. Ramirez\n\nCori Bush\n\nSuzanne Bonamici\n\nDan Goldman\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designate-may-1-2023-dc-statehood-day", "Norton Introduces Resolution to Designate May 1, 2023, as \u201cD.C. Statehood Day\u201d", "2023-04-27", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2023, as \u201cD.C. Statehood Day\u201d and calling for statehood for the District through enactment of her Washington, D.C. Admission Act.\n\n\"The single idea of 'taxation without representation' that gave rise to the American Revolution still resonates today,\" Norton said. \"D.C. residents pay the highest federal taxes per capita and more federal taxes than 23 states, and the District has a bond rating higher than 35 states. D.C. residents have fought and died in every war since the Revolution, and they deserve voting representation in Congress and full local self-government.\n\n\u201cHighlighting the District\u2019s need for statehood, as early and as often as possible, only serves to help us reach statehood sooner, and I introduced this resolution to name May 1st, or 5/1, \u2018Statehood Day\u2019 for this very reason.\u201d\n\nThe text of the resolution follows.\n\n118th CONGRESS\n\n1st Session\n\nH. RES. __\n\nRecognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2023, as \u201cD.C. Statehood Day\u201d.\n\nIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n\nMs. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nRecognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2023, as \u201cD.C. Statehood Day\u201d.\n\nWhereas the United States was founded on the principles of consent of the governed and no taxation without representation;\n\nWhereas District of Columbia residents are denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia pays more per capita Federal taxes than any State and pays more Federal taxes than 23 States;\n\nWhereas statehood would give District of Columbia residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;\n\nWhereas Congress has the constitutional authority to pass the District of Columbia statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), which would admit the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and reduce the size of the Federal district;\n\nWhereas the Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new States, and all 37 new States were admitted by Congress;\n\nWhereas no State would have to consent to the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth;\n\nWhereas the District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress plenary authority over the Federal district and establishes a maximum size of the Federal district, but not a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district;\n\nWhereas the 23d Amendment to the Constitution allows the Federal district to participate in the electoral college, while not establishing a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district;\n\nWhereas the Constitution does not establish any prerequisites for new States, but Congress has generally considered 3 factors\u2014\n\n(1) population and resources;\n\n(2) support for statehood; and\n\n(3) commitment to democracy;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has a larger population than 2 States;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has a larger gross domestic product than 16 States and a higher per capita gross domestic product than any State;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has a higher per capita personal income than any State;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has a triple-A bond rating;\n\nWhereas 86 percent of District of Columbia residents voted for statehood in 2016; and\n\nWhereas District of Columbia residents have been fighting for voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for more than 200 years: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n(1) supports the designation of \u201cD.C. Statehood Day\u201d; and\n\n(2) calls on Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-raskin-and-carper-urge-armed-services-committees-request-dc", "Norton, Van Hollen, Raskin and Carper Urge Armed Services Committees to Request D.C. Mayor be Given Control over D.C. National Guard in FY24 NDAA", "2023-04-26", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) urged the House and Senate Armed Services Committees\u2019 leadership to include the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, which would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard, in the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act passed the House as part of the fiscal year 2023 NDAA, but Republicans blocked it in the Senate.\n\n\u201cThe D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act would give the D.C. Mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors of states and territories have over their National Guards. It would also give the President the same authority to federalize the D.C. National Guard that the President has to federalize all other National Guards,\u201d the letter states.\n\n\u201cThe D.C. Mayor and the President should have the same respective control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors and the President have over the National Guards of states and territories.\u201d\n\nThe text of the letter follows.\n\nThe Honorable Mike Rogers The Honorable Jack Reed\n\nChairman Chairman\n\nHouse Committee on Armed Services Senate Committee on Armed Services\n\nThe Honorable Adam Smith The Honorable Roger Wicker\n\nRanking Member Ranking Member\n\nHouse Committee on Armed Services Senate Committee on Armed Services\n\nDear Chairmen Rogers and Reed and Ranking Members Smith and Wicker:\n\nAs the sponsors of the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act (H.R. 811/S. 250), we respectfully request that you include the text of the bill in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. We appreciate that the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act was included in the House-passed version of the FY 2022 and FY 2023 NDAA and look forward to working with you to include this important legislation this year.\n\nThe D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act would give the D.C. Mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors of states and territories have over their National Guards. It would also give the President the same authority to federalize the D.C. National Guard that the President has to federalize all other National Guards.\n\nWhereas the National Guards of states and territories operate under dual federal and state/territorial jurisdiction, the D.C. National Guard operates solely under federal jurisdiction. The Governors of the states, as well as of the three territories with National Guards, have the authority to command their National Guards, but the President has the authority to federalize the National Guards. The D.C. Mayor and the President should have the same respective control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors and the President have over the National Guards of states and territories.\n\nThe attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020, are prime examples of why the D.C. Mayor should control the D.C. National Guard. During January 6th, the Trump administration refused to deploy the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol for several hours, likely costing lives and prolonging the attack. At Lafayette Square, the Trump administration used the D.C. National Guard and federal law enforcement officers to forcibly remove peaceful protestors for a presidential photo op. More recently, the D.C. government had to rely on the President to deploy the D.C. National Guard in preparation for trucker convoys in D.C.\n\nToday, by far the most likely need to deploy the D.C. National Guard would be for natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, and to restore order in the wake of local civil disturbances. The D.C. Mayor, who knows D.C. better than any federal official and who works closely with federal security officials, should be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard for natural disasters and local civil disturbances. In the event of a large-scale attack on a federal facility like the attack on the Capitol, the D.C. Mayor would almost certainly immediately deploy the D.C. National Guard to protect the facility. However, in the unlikely event that the D.C. Mayor did not deploy the D.C. National Guard, the President would have the authority to federalize and deploy the D.C. National Guard to do so. This is no different than the division of authority between a Governor and President in the event of a large-scale attack on a federal facility in a state or territory today.\n\nMoreover, presidential control over the D.C. National Guard creates a loophole in the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military\u2019s involvement in civilian law enforcement. The Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel has opined that when the D.C. National Guard is operating for non-federal purposes, even though it is an exclusively federal entity, it may be used for civilian law enforcement without violating the Posse Comitatus Act.\n\nFinally, the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act would be a historic transfer of self-government powers to D.C. that Congress began with the passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, when it delegated most of its authority over D.C. matters to an elected Mayor and Council. D.C. should have the same control over its local affairs as states and territories.\n\nWe appreciate your consideration of this important request.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Senator Chris Van Hollen\n\nCongressman Jamie Raskin Senator Tom Carper\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-combat-train-noise-and-vibrations-near-homes", "Norton Introduces Bill to Combat Train Noise and Vibrations Near Homes", "2023-04-24", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, today introduced a bill to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as cost estimates for each recommendation. Train noise and vibrations negatively affect residents of the District of Columbia and of communities across the country.\n\n\"District of Columbia residents are increasingly contacting me about the negative impact train noise and vibrations are having on their health, quality of life, and the structural integrity of their homes,\" Norton said. \"While trains are a critical mode of transportation, Congress needs to examine whether there are cost-effective solutions to mitigating the harms of train noise and vibrations.\"\n\nIn making its recommendations, the bill would require DOT to consider train speed and frequency, hours of operations, modifications to tracks and trains, track maintenance, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, and distance between tracks and homes, among other factors. The bill would require the department to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than one year after enactment of the bill.\n\nLast year, Norton held a community meeting in Deanwood to discuss residents' concerns about train noise and vibrations.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act\n\nApril 24, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act, which would direct the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report to Congress containing recommendations on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as estimates of the costs and benefits of each recommendation. Such recommendations would include modifications to trains, tracks and maintenance procedures, speed limits for trains, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, the distance between tracks and homes, limitations on the number of trains and the number of cars on trains, limitations on hours of operations, building insulation and modifications to soil conditions. The report would be due to Congress no later than one year after the enactment of the bill.\n\nThe Noise Control Act of 1972 created the Office of Noise Abatement and Control within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), granting EPA authority and oversight over broad noise control regulations. However, years of defunding left this office without any resources to conduct enforcement, forcing EPA to phase out the office in 1982. I hear from District of Columbia residents frequently about the negative impact of train noise and vibrations on their lives. The noise and vibrations can harm health and quality of life, and can even harm the structural integrity of homes. Congress and the executive branch must do more to reduce the harm nationwide.\n\nAs a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I have been committed to reducing transportation noise pollution. I have convened community meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to examine how to reduce train noise and vibrations. A report on reducing train noise and vibrations can help us identify viable, long-term solutions for communities.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-requiring-dismantling-nuclear-weapons", "Norton Introduces Bill Requiring Dismantling of Nuclear Weapons", "2023-04-20", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Conversion Act of 2023 today. Since 1994, Norton has introduced a version of the bill, which would encourage the United States to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and redirect, upon certification that nuclear powers around the world have begun elimination of their nuclear weapons, the U.S.\u2019s funding for nuclear weapons to health care, housing and addressing the climate crisis.\n\nNorton's introductory statement is below.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Conversion Act of 2023\n\nApril 20, 2023\n\nMr. Speaker.\n\nToday, I introduce the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Conversion Act of 2023. This bill would require that, beginning on the date that the president certifies to Congress that all countries possessing nuclear weapons have begun the verifiable and irreversible elimination of such weapons under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Treaty), the United States redirect resources that are being used for nuclear weapons programs to be used for addressing the climate crisis and human and infrastructure needs, such as housing, health care and restoring the environment.\n\nIn 1993, District of Columbia peace activists were successful in getting a ballot initiative in D.C. passed that called for nuclear disarmament. Every Congress since then, I have introduced a bill based on that initiative, including this bill. In March 2019, the D.C. Council passed a \u201cSense of the Council\u201d resolution urging the United States to approve the Treaty. These actions show that D.C. residents were early, prescient leaders on this important issue. It seems that the rest of the world is, thankfully, starting to catch up to D.C.\n\nAs the only nation that has used nuclear weapons in war, and that still possesses one of the largest nuclear weapons arsenals, my bill would help the United States reestablish its moral leadership in the world by redirecting funds that would otherwise go to nuclear weapons to address the climate crisis and urgent domestic needs.\n\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-press-conference-celebrating-dot-grants-establish-tier", "Norton Releases Remarks from Press Conference Celebrating DOT Grants to Establish Tier-1 University Transportation Center at Howard University", "2023-04-19", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from yesterday\u2019s press conference after a tour of the Howard University Transportation Research and Data Center with President of Howard University, Wayne A. I. Frederick, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.\n\n\u201cAs a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Ranking Member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, and a native Washingtonian, I am incredibly proud that Howard University is the first HBCU to be chosen for a Tier-1 University Transportation Center through this Department of Transportation Grant Program,\u201d Norton said.\n\nNorton\u2019s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery.\n\nRemarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nTour of Howard University Transportation Research and Data Center\n\nApril 18, 2023\n\nI am pleased to join Secretary Buttigieg for this tour of the Howard University Transportation Research and Data Center. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Ranking Member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, and a native Washingtonian, I am incredibly proud that Howard University is the first HBCU to be chosen for a Tier-1 University Transportation Center through this Department of Transportation Grant Program.\n\nI am particularly glad that the Howard University Transportation Center will be focused on research and education in transportation safety. As Ranking Member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, safety has been my top priority. In crafting the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we ensured significant investments would be made in safety infrastructure and research, and I continue to work to ensure those investments are made in our local communities. The legislation includes increased funding\u2014including $15.5 billion for the Highway Safety Improvement Program and $7.2 billion for the Transportation Alternatives bicycle and pedestrian program\u2014to stem the rising tide of traffic fatalities. Deaths on our roadways disproportionately harm pedestrians, cyclists, and minority communities, and I am proud of the role Howard University will play in preventing these needless deaths.\n\nI would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to Dr. Stephen Arhin and his team and Howard University as a whole for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to future collaboration between the Department of Transportation and Howard University.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-speaks-house-floor-opposing-resolution-nullify-dc-policing-reform", "Norton Speaks on House Floor Opposing Resolution to Nullify D.C. Policing Reform Legislation", "2023-04-19", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke on the House floor today in advance of the House vote on a disapproval resolution that, if passed by the House and Senate and signed by the president, would nullify the policing reform legislation passed by the D.C. Council.\n\n\u201cThe House of Representatives, in which the nearly 700,000 District of Columbia residents have no voting representation, is attempting to nullify legislation enacted by D.C.\u2019s local legislature, whose members are elected by D.C. residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cBy scheduling this vote, I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are unworthy of governing themselves.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect. President Biden has committed to vetoing the disapproval resolution if it reaches his desk.\n\nNorton\u2019s full remarks follow, as prepared for delivery.\n\nFloor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nH.J.Res. 42, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022\n\nApril 19, 2023\n\nI strongly oppose this profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic resolution. The House of Representatives, in which the nearly 700,000 District of Columbia residents have no voting representation, is attempting to nullify legislation enacted by D.C.\u2019s local legislature, whose members are elected by D.C. residents. By scheduling this vote, I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are unworthy of governing themselves.\n\nThe dictionary defines democracy as \u201ca government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.\u201d D.C.\u2019s lack of voting representation in Congress and Congress\u2019 plenary authority over D.C. are the antithesis of democracy.\n\nThe legislative history and merits of D.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, which is the subject of this disapproval resolution, should be irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress nullifying legislation enacted by D.C., but I would like to set the record straight.\n\nD.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 is consistent with House Democrats\u2019 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, President Biden\u2019s executive order on policing and police accountability and transparency legislation enacted by dozens of states, both red and blue, to improve public safety and public trust after the murder of George Floyd.\n\nD.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 would, among other things, make it easier to fire officers for misconduct; prohibit the hiring of officers with prior misconduct; require the release of the names and body-worn camera recordings of officers directly involved in an officer-involved death or serious use of force; strengthen civilian oversight of police; establish a public database of sustained allegations of officer misconduct; make officer disciplinary records subject to release under the D.C. Freedom of Information Act and prohibit chokeholds and asphyxiating restraints.\n\nCongress requires D.C.\u2019s local legislature, the D.C. Council, to pass the permanent version of legislation twice, separated by at least 13 days. The Council passed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 by votes of 11 to 0 and 13 to 0. While the legislation was enacted without the D.C. mayor\u2019s signature, the mayor has urged Congress to oppose this disapproval resolution.\n\nThe D.C. Council has 13 members. The members are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office.\n\nCongress has 535 voting members. The members are elected by residents of states. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they cannot vote them out of office.\n\nThe Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on national or local D.C. matters, and pay full federal taxes\u2014indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states.\n\nI say to every member of Congress: Keep your hands off D.C. If you want to legislate on local D.C. matters, become a D.C. resident and get elected mayor or councilmember.\n\nI urge members to vote NO.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-passage-dc-policing-reform-disapproval-resolution", "Norton Statement on House Passage of D.C. Policing Reform Disapproval Resolution", "2023-04-19", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the House passed a disapproval resolution to nullify D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) vowed to defeat the undemocratic, paternalistic resolution in the Senate.\n\n\u201cI am disappointed, but not surprised, that the House passed today\u2019s disapproval resolution to invalidate the District\u2019s policing reform legislation passed by the democratically-elected D.C. Council,\u201d Norton said. \u201cAlmost 700,000 people live in the nation\u2019s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. From today\u2019s vote, I can only conclude that House Republicans disagree with me, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how offensive that notion is to my values, goals, and more than 30 years of work advocating for D.C. residents in Congress.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden has committed to vetoing the disapproval resolution if it comes to his desk, a scenario I will not allow to occur. As D.C.\u2019s sole member of Congress, I will work to ensure Republicans\u2019 undemocratic, paternalistic disapproval resolution makes no progress in the Senate.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect. President Biden has committed to vetoing the disapproval resolution if it reaches his desk.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-speaks-house-floor-opposing-disapproval-resolution-nullify-dcs-policing", "Norton Speaks on House Floor Opposing Disapproval Resolution to Nullify D.C.\u2019s Policing Reform", "2023-04-18", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke on the House floor today during debate on the rule governing consideration of the disapproval resolution that would nullify D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation. The Republican-controlled House is expected to vote on the disapproval resolution tomorrow, although the Biden Administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy opposing the resolution yesterday saying President Biden would veto the resolution if it reached his desk.\n\n\u201cI remind my Republican colleagues, who claim to revere the Founders, what James Madison said in Federalist 43 about the residents of the federal district: \u2018[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them,\u2019\u201d Norton said. \u201cI will close by saying to all members of the House: Keep your hands off D.C.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect.\n\nNorton\u2019s statement follows, as prepared for delivery.\n\nFloor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nRule for Consideration of H.J.Res. 42,\n\nDisapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022\n\nApril 18, 2023\n\nI strongly oppose this rule. I will have more to say tomorrow about the police accountability and transparency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia\u2019s local legislature, but I want to take this time to discuss democratic principles.\n\nIt is true that Congress has the constitutional authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, but it is false that Congress has a constitutional duty, obligation or responsibility to do so. Instead, legislating on local D.C. matters is a choice.\n\nI remind my Republican colleagues, who claim to revere the Founders, what James Madison said in Federalist 43 about the residents of the federal district: \u201c[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.\u201d The Supreme Court has held that Congress may delegate \u201cfull legislative power\u201d to D.C. on local D.C. matters.\n\nD.C. disapproval resolutions are profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic legislation.\n\nD.C.\u2019s local legislature, the D.C. Council, has 13 members. The members are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office. That is called democracy.\n\nCongress has 535 voting members. The members are elected by residents of states. None are elected by, or accountable to, D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C., they cannot vote them out of office.\n\nThe Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on national or local D.C. matters, while paying full federal taxes\u2014indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states.\n\nIf the House cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, it would be voting on my D.C. statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, instead. Congress has the constitutional authority to admit the State of Washington, D.C. The House is choosing not to. It is a choice.\n\nI will close by saying to all members of the House: Keep your hands off D.C.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-highlights-biden-administration-statement-opposing-disapproval", "Norton Highlights Biden Administration Statement Opposing Disapproval Resolution to Nullify Local D.C. Policing Reform", "2023-04-17", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today highlighted the Biden Administration\u2019s Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) opposing the disapproval resolution that would, if enacted, nullify D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation. The House is expected to vote on the resolution this week. Norton said the resolution, and the enactment of the previous disapproval resolution that nullified D.C.\u2019s revised criminal code, draw attention to the need for the only permanent protection for D.C. residents\u2019 right to autonomy and local control over local affairs: enactment of her D.C. statehood bill.\n\n\u201cThank you, President Biden, for today\u2019s SAP opposing the resolution heading to the House floor this week,\u201d Norton said. \u201cToday\u2019s statement reinforces your administration\u2019s opposition to the resolution and reminds us that you are a longstanding supporter of the only permanent protection for D.C. residents\u2019 right to local control of their own local affairs \u2013 enacting my D.C. statehood bill. With House passage twice in the last two Congresses of my D.C. statehood bill, I believe we are closer than ever.\n\n\u201cThe nearly 700,000 residents of the nation\u2019s capital deserve, and are fully capable of, governing themselves, and I will continue fighting to defeat this and future disapproval resolutions seeking to override the will of D.C. residents expressed through the District\u2019s own local democratic processes.\u201d\n\nThe House Committee on Oversight and Accountability voted to report out the disapproval resolution in March. The text of the SAP follows.\n\nSTATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY\n\nH.J. Res. 42 \u2013 Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022\n\n(Rep. Clyde, R-GA, and 19 cosponsors)\n\nThe Administration opposes H.J. Res. 42, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. The President believes we have an obligation to make sure all our people are safe and that public safety depends on public trust. It is a core policy of this Administration to provide law enforcement the resources they need for effective, accountable community policing. While President Biden does not support every provision of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, he will not support congressional Republicans\u2019 efforts to overturn commonsense police reforms such as: banning chokeholds; limiting use of force and deadly force; improving access to body-worn camera recordings; and requiring officer training on de-escalation and use of force. Congress should respect the District of Columbia\u2019s right to pass measures that improve public safety and public trust. The President also continues to call on Congress to pass common sense police reform legislation.\n\nIf the President were presented with H.J. Res. 42, he would veto it.\n\n* * * * * * *\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-combat-helicopter-noise-dc", "Norton Introduces Bill to Combat Helicopter Noise in D.C.", "2023-04-10", "2023", "2023-04", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus and a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, introduced a bill last Thursday that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to submit a report and recommendations to Congress on how to reduce helicopter noise in the District of Columbia.\n\n\"I hear from D.C. residents almost daily about the negative impact of helicopter noise on their lives, despite the airspace restrictions related to being the nation\u2019s capital,\" Norton said. \"The noise can be damaging to health and quality of life, and helicopters can even harm the structural integrity of homes. While I recognize the need for helicopters in D.C., the FAA and Congress must do more to mitigate the harm to D.C. residents. I will continue to work with federal agencies that fly helicopters in D.C. and on legislation to reduce helicopter noise for D.C. residents.\"\n\nIn making its recommendations, the bill would require the FAA to consider altitude, frequency of flights, flight paths, flight timing, types of helicopters, operating procedures, and pilot training, among other factors. The bill would require the FAA to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than 180 days after enactment.\n\nNorton has taken several steps to combat helicopter noise in D.C., including:\n\nLast year, she introduced a bill that would require helicopters in D.C. to fly at the maximum altitude permitted by the FAA in D.C., with limited exceptions.\n\nIn 2021, she sent separate letters to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Park Service asking them to fly their helicopters in D.C. at higher altitudes, limit nighttime flights and flights over residential areas, and provide advance notice to residents of prolonged training missions in particular areas.\n\nIn 2019, Norton led National Capital Region (NCR) members in requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study helicopter noise in the NCR. GAO released its report in January 2021. In March 2021, she introduced a bill that would require the FAA to implement GAO's recommendation that the FAA establish a mechanism to exchange helicopter noise information with helicopter operators in the NCR.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:44:29Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-white-house-says-president-biden-will-veto-disapproval", "Norton Announces that White House Says President Biden Will Veto Disapproval Resolution on Local D.C. Policing Reform", "2023-03-30", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked President Biden for the commitment from the White House to veto the congressional disapproval resolution that would, if enacted, nullify D.C.\u2019s Justice and Policing Reform Act. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability voted to report out the disapproval resolution yesterday.\n\n\"Thank you, President Biden, for respecting D.C.'s right to govern itself and for today\u2019s commitment to veto the disapproval resolution to nullify D.C.'s policing reform legislation,\" Norton said. \u201cThe president has finally reached the appropriate conclusion that the nearly 700,000 residents of the nation\u2019s capital deserve, and are fully capable, of governing themselves.\n\n\u201cIn addition, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the compelling, fruitful efforts of the Congressional Black Caucus, led by Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV), who recognized this threat both to D.C.'s home rule and to policing reform nationally, and acted swiftly, galvanizing our members to oppose the disapproval resolution. I also want to thank the numerous organizations and D.C. residents who made the case not to interfere in D.C.\u2019s local affairs.\n\n\u201cBecause of the president\u2019s decision today, future efforts spent to pass this disapproval resolution in either chamber this Congress would be wasted. There is only one political solution that would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and complete control over their local affairs. That solution is to make D.C. a state. With House passage twice in the last two Congresses of my D.C. statehood bill, I believe we are closer than ever.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-cbc-press-conference-dc-home-rule-attacks", "Norton Releases Remarks from CBC Press Conference on D.C. Home Rule Attacks", "2023-03-30", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from yesterday\u2019s press conference hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Steven Horsford (D-NV) to show opposition to the disapproval resolution reported out of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability (COA) yesterday. If enacted, the disapproval resolution would nullify D.C.\u2019s Justice and Policing Reform Act.\n\n\u201cThank you, Chair Horsford, for organizing yesterday\u2019s press conference to show the CBC\u2019s united opposition to the Republican efforts to overturn D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation,\u201d Norton said. \"I say to the Republican members of Congress: Keep your hands off D.C.\n\n\u201cCongress has 535 voting members, elected by the residents of each district. None of the voting members are elected by, or accountable to, D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C. such as this disapproval resolution, they cannot vote the members out of office. Members who vote in favor of this disapproval resolution are choosing to substitute their policy judgment for the judgment of D.C.\u2019s duly elected representatives, effectively governing D.C. without its consent.\"\n\nNorton\u2019s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery.\n\nMy thanks to the CBC for holding this press conference on these outrageous attacks on D.C. Home Rule.\n\nIt is true that Congress has the constitutional authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, but it is false that Congress has a constitutional duty, obligation or responsibility to do so. Instead, legislating on local D.C. matters is a choice. This disapproval resolution is a choice.\n\nSome of my Republican colleagues claim that the founders meant for Congress to control D.C., but in Federalist 43, James Madison said about the residents of the federal district: \u201c[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.\u201d The Supreme Court has held that Congress may delegate \u201cfull legislative power\u201d to D.C. on local D.C. matters.\n\nToday, the Oversight Committee is marking up profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic legislation. This one-sentence legislation would nullify legislation enacted by D.C.\u2019s duly elected representatives.\n\nD.C.\u2019s local legislature, the D.C. Council, has 13 members. The members are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office. That is called democracy.\n\nAfter the murder of George Floyd, many states and D.C. passed police accountability and transparency legislation. The Council has repeatedly passed emergency, temporary and permanent versions of police accountability and transparency legislation. The legislation that would be blocked by this latest disapproval resolution was passed by the Council by votes of 11 to 0 and 13 to 0.\n\nCongress has 535 voting members. The members are elected by the residents of the several states. None are elected by, or accountable to, D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C., such as this disapproval resolution, they cannot vote the members out of office. Members who vote in favor of this disapproval resolution are choosing to substitute their policy judgment for the judgment of D.C.\u2019s duly elected representatives. They will choose to govern D.C. without its consent.\n\nI can only conclude that these members of Congress believe that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are either unworthy or incapable of governing themselves. D.C. voters are not children. They do not need protection from the decisions of their duly elected representatives by members of Congress from Kentucky, Georgia or anywhere else.\n\nThe Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on national or local D.C. matters, while paying full federal taxes\u2014indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states.\n\nIf Congress cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, it would be passing my D.C. statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act instead. Congress has the constitutional authority to admit the State of Washington, D.C. The House twice passed my statehood bill in the last two Congresses, and I call on the House and Senate to pass it in this Congress.\n\nMy heartfelt thanks go out to the members of Congress, especially those in the CBC, who support statehood for the District and are fighting with me to protect its home rule. To those who support the status quo and support this attack on D.C.\u2019s sovereignty, I have only one thing to say to you: keep your hands off D.C.!\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-vows-defeat-disapproval-resolution-after-committee-passage", "Norton Vows to Defeat Disapproval Resolution After Committee Passage", "2023-03-30", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 After the Republican Committee on Oversight and Accountability (COA) reported out a disapproval resolution that, if enacted, would overturn local D.C policing reform legislation, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) vowed to do everything in her power to protect the District\u2019s autonomy and defeat the resolution.\n\n\u201cThe Republican focus on meddling in local D.C. affairs, notably demonstrated by their obsessive questioning in yesterday\u2019s COA hearing about the penalties for low-level crimes and especially in their committee vote to violate home rule and overturn D.C.\u2019s policing reform legislation, is undemocratic and paternalistic,\u201d Norton said. \u201cRepublicans have a peculiar preoccupation with expending their resources, which rightly belong to their own constituents, on meddling in local D.C. affairs \u2013 a district none of them represent in Congress. Their fixation on meddling in local D.C. matters consistently denies their own constituents time, attention and resources that should be used to solve problems for the people who elected them to Congress.\n\n\u201cI will continue working to do everything within my power to stop congressional meddling in local D.C. affairs, and I have one message for the current House Republicans: Keep your hands off D.C.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect. Today\u2019s markup was of a disapproval resolution introduced by Reps. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-republican-oversight-hearing-local-dc-government-keep-your", "Norton Condemns Republican Oversight Hearing on Local D.C. Government: \u201cKeep Your Hands Off D.C.\u201d", "2023-03-29", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned Republicans their scheduled Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on local D.C. government and markup of a disapproval resolution to nullify D.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, saying that the Republican focus on meddling in local D.C. affairs is undemocratic and paternalistic. The hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. and the markup is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have a peculiar preoccupation with expending their resources, which rightly belong to their own constituents, on meddling in local D.C. governmental affairs \u2013 a district none of them represent in Congress,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThis undemocratic, paternalistic fixation consistently denies their own constituents time, attention and resources that should be used to solve problems for their own districts.\n\n\u201cI will continue working to do everything within my power to stop congressional meddling in local D.C. affairs, and I have one message for the current House Republicans: Keep your hands off D.C.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect. Wednesday\u2019s markup will be for a disapproval resolution introduced by Reps. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY).\n\nNorton\u2019s markup statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nMarkup of H.J.Res. 42, Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022\n\nMarch 29, 2023\n\nLet me begin by saying to this committee: Keep your hands off D.C.\n\nIt is true that Congress has the constitutional authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, but it is false that Congress has a constitutional duty, obligation or responsibility to do so. Instead, legislating on local D.C. matters is a choice. This disapproval resolution is a choice.\n\nI remind my Republican colleagues, who claim to revere the Founders, what James Madison said in Federalist 43 about the residents of the federal district: \u201c[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.\u201d The Supreme Court has held that Congress may delegate \u201cfull legislative power\u201d to D.C. on local D.C. matters.\n\nToday, this committee is marking up profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic legislation. This one-sentence legislation would nullify legislation enacted by D.C.\u2019s duly elected representatives.\n\nD.C.\u2019s local legislature, the D.C. Council, has 13 members. The members are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office. That is called democracy.\n\nAfter the murder of George Floyd, many states and D.C. passed police accountability and transparency legislation. The Council has repeatedly passed emergency, temporary and permanent versions of police accountability and transparency legislation.\n\nCongress requires the Council to pass the permanent version of legislation twice, separated by at least 13 days. The Council passed the legislation that is the subject matter of this disapproval resolution by votes of 11 to 0 and 13 to 0.\n\nCongress has 535 voting members. The members are elected by the residents of the several states. None are elected by, or accountable to, D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C., such as this disapproval resolution, they cannot vote the members out of office. Members who vote in favor of this disapproval resolution are choosing to substitute their policy judgment for the judgment of D.C.\u2019s duly elected representatives. They will choose to govern D.C. without its consent.\n\nI can only conclude that this committee believes that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are either unworthy or incapable of governing themselves. D.C. voters are not children. They do not need protection from the decisions of their duly elected representatives by members of Congress from Kentucky, Georgia or anywhere else.\n\nThe Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on national or local D.C. matters, while paying full federal taxes\u2014indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states.\n\nIf this committee cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, it would be marking up my D.C. statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act instead. Congress has the constitutional authority to admit the State of Washington, D.C.. This committee is choosing not to. It is a choice.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-federal-bureau-prisons-provide-information-dc", "Norton Introduces Bill to Require Federal Bureau of Prisons to Provide Information to D.C. on D.C. Returning Citizens", "2023-03-27", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide information to the District of Columbia government on individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies to help ensure that D.C. has services ready for these individuals when they return home from BOP. This bill is necessary because BOP houses D.C. residents convicted of D.C. Code felonies, and BOP contends that federal privacy laws prohibit it from sharing information on such individuals with D.C.\n\n\"Everyone who goes to prison faces significant obstacles in returning to society, but this bill can help D.C. coordinate necessary services to help with the transition,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMost D.C. residents convicted of D.C. Code felonies serve time in BOP facilities hundreds or even thousands of miles from the District, their families and their loved ones. Because they are frequently housed so far away from the District, coordinating returning citizens\u2019 reentry into society is difficult. Under my bill, the District\u2019s government would know the mental health and other needs of individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies before they are released from BOP custody.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on\n\nThe Introduction of the District of Columbia Code Returning Citizens Coordination Act\n\nMarch 27, 2023\n\nI rise today to introduce the District of Columbia Code Returning Citizens Coordination Act, which would require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide information to the District of Columbia government on individuals convicted of felonies under D.C. law in BOP custody. Currently, BOP provides no information to D.C. on these individuals, even immediately before release, which inhibits reentry, increases recidivism and harms public safety. Last Congress, the Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill.\n\nFederal law requires BOP to incarcerate individuals convicted of felonies under D.C. law. There are currently 3,200 such individuals in BOP custody, and they are located in prisons throughout the United States. This unique custody arrangement creates several obstacles to successful reentry, including information sharing among agencies.\n\nBOP asserts that federal privacy laws prohibit it from providing any information to D.C. on these individuals, which prevents D.C. from having services ready for them when they return from prison. Yet, studies consistently show the importance of health care, housing, education, job training and substance use disorder treatment for successful reentry.\n\nThis bill would require BOP to provide D.C. two types of information on each individual convicted of a D.C. Code felony in BOP custody. Every 90 days, BOP would provide the name, age, Federal Register Number, facility where housed and the scheduled release date. Upon D.C.\u2019s request, BOP would provide D.C. the same information that BOP provides to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) on these individuals, such as their release plan. CSOSA is a federal agency that supervises individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies on supervised release and parole.\n\nD.C. would be allowed to provide the biographical information only to counsel for the individuals, and to organizations that provide legal representation to individuals in criminal or post-conviction matters, or in matters related to reentry. D.C. would not be allowed to provide any of the other information, and D.C. law enforcement agencies would not have access to any of the information.\n\nThe overwhelming majority of people in prison return home. I hope everyone agrees on the importance of successful reentry.\n\nI ask my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-polling-shows-plurality-voters-support-biden-veto-disapproval", "Norton Announces Polling Shows a Plurality of Voters Support Biden Veto of Disapproval Resolution to Nullify Local D.C.\u2019s Revised Criminal Code", "2023-03-20", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) highlighted recent Data for Progress polling showing a plurality of voters, 46%, believe that President Biden should respect D.C.\u2019s autonomy and right to self-governance by vetoing the disapproval resolution passed by Congress to overturn D.C.\u2019s revised criminal code. The House passed the disapproval resolution on February 9th and the Senate passed it on March 8th.\n\n\u201cI am pleased, but not surprised, that a plurality of voters from across the country support D.C.\u2019s right to local control over its own local affairs,\u201d Norton said. \u201cLike residents of other jurisdictions across the country, D.C. residents and the District\u2019s duly-elected officials should be able to pass local laws without congressional interference. If D.C. residents are unhappy with the performance of their own local leaders, D.C. residents can vote them out of office.\n\n\u201cThank you to Data for Progress for your efforts and for giving me the opportunity to write a piece for your website [LINK] announcing the results of the polling.\u201d\n\nBecause D.C. is not a state, it faces congressional interference in its own local laws. Under the Home Rule Act, passed in 1973 and signed into law by President Nixon, local D.C. laws must be transmitted to Congress for a review period. During the review period, any member of Congress can introduce a disapproval resolution. If the disapproval resolution is enacted, the local D.C. legislation is prevented from taking effect.\n\nAlthough the Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy opposing the disapproval resolution, mere weeks later the president committed to signing the resolution into law. If he signs the disapproval resolution, it will mark the first time local D.C. legislation has been nullified via a disapproval resolution since 1991.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-clyde-garbarinos-disapproval-resolution-nullify-dcs", "Norton Condemns Clyde, Garbarino\u2019s Disapproval Resolution to Nullify D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Bill", "2023-03-16", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) condemned the disapproval resolution introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) that would nullify D.C.\u2019s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, passed by the D.C. Council, and pledged to continue working to defeat the disapproval resolution.\n\n\u201cI am unsure why Republicans, and Rep. Clyde in particular, have a peculiar preoccupation with overturning D.C. legislation, a district they do not represent,\u201d Norton said. \u201cRep. Clyde\u2019s constituents should be concerned with his consistent choice to direct his time, attention and resources at interfering with local D.C. issues instead of solving problems for the people who elected him and who he represents in Congress.\n\n\u201cRegardless of Rep. Clyde or Rep. Garbarino\u2019s motivations, this disapproval resolution aims to overturn local D.C. legislation passed by the District\u2019s duly-elected Council. I will work to defeat this paternalistic, undemocratic disapproval resolution.\u201d\n\nLocal D.C. bills must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/equal-pay-day-norton-introduces-three-equal-pay-bills", "On Equal Pay Day, Norton Introduces Three Equal Pay Bills", "2023-03-14", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, on Equal Pay Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, introduced three bills to help close the pay gap for women and minorities. Equal Pay Day marks the number of additional days women must work to earn what men earned the prior year. Norton's Pay Equity for All Act would prohibit employers from asking job applicants for their salary history before making a job or salary offer. Norton's Fair Pay Act would require that if men and women are doing comparable work, they must be paid comparable wages. Norton's Salary Transparency Act would require employers to provide the salary range for jobs in advertisements and interviews and to existing employees.\n\n\"Equal Pay Day is an annual reminder that American women earn less than men,\" Norton said. \"I have introduced three bills this Congress to help close the pay gap for women and minorities. These changes are long overdue to help eliminate the entrenched wage disparities in the job market.\"\n\nThe Pay Equity for All Act would help reduce the pay gap by prohibiting employers from asking for a job applicant's salary history. Workers from historically disadvantaged groups often start their careers with lower pay than their white male counterparts and can never catch up. While employers may not intend to discriminate, asking for prior pay information can have a discriminatory effect and reinforce the pay gap. This bill passed the House last year as part of the Paycheck Fairness Act.\n\nThe Fair Pay Act builds on the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by allowing women to show that some or all of a pay disparity is based on gender-segregated comparable jobs. For example, if a woman is employed as an emergency services operator, which is a female-dominated profession, she should not be paid less than a fire dispatcher, which is a male-dominated profession, just because these jobs have been historically dominated by one sex.\n\nThe Salary Transparency Act would help reduce the pay gap by requiring employers to provide the salary range for jobs. Salary secrecy facilitates both intentional and unintentional pay discrimination and perpetuates the pay gap.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-president-bidens-2024-budget-includes-many-victories-dc", "Norton Says President Biden\u2019s 2024 Budget Includes Many Victories for D.C.", "2023-03-14", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that President Biden's fiscal year 2024 budget includes several significant victories for the District of Columbia that she requested, including:\n\nIncreases the maximum annual award and lifetime cap for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG). The budget proposal would increase the maximum annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 and would increase the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States.\n\n$600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\n$5 million for HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and prevention in D.C.\n\n$48 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund (EPSF), which pays for the increased cost of emergency and security planning related to the federal presence in D.C.\n\nRemoves the abortion rider on D.C.\u2019s budget that currently prohibits D.C. from using local funds on abortion services for low-income women.\n\nExempts the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2024. Norton has gotten D.C. exempted from federal government shutdowns on an annual basis since the federal government shut down in 2013.\n\n$193.4 million for the General Services Administration\u2019s portion for the Department of Homeland Security headquarters consolidation at St. Elizabeths.\n\n$8 million for D.C. Water.\n\n$93 million for the construction of Howard University Hospital.\n\nLifts the restrictions that prevent Howard University from accessing the Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Capital Financing Program.\n\n\u201cI particularly appreciate that the Biden administration recognizes the importance of the DCTAG program for D.C. students and families and has included increases in the annual and lifetime awards,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe cost of college has increased dramatically, but the grants have not kept pace since Congress created the program in 1999. I am also pleased the budget includes my provision exempting the local D.C. government from federal government shutdowns, which I have gotten enacted every year since 2014.\u201d\n\nHowever, Norton said she was disappointed that the budget maintains the rider that prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on recreational marijuana commercialization despite her efforts meeting with senior administration officials and advocating for its removal.\n\n\u201cI have a hard time reconciling the administration's strong support for D.C. statehood, which would give D.C. not only voting representation in Congress but also full local self-government, with a budget that prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on recreational marijuana commercialization,\u201d Norton said.\n\n\u201cI am pleased that the budget does not include the abortion rider, which currently bars D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women. This significant win matters deeply to the people of D.C., particularly after the Dobbs decision has threatened D.C. residents\u2019 continued ability to receive full reproductive healthcare.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-senate-passage-disapproval-resolution-overturn-dcs-revised", "Norton Statement on Senate Passage of Disapproval Resolution to Overturn D.C.\u2019s Revised Criminal Code", "2023-03-09", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the Senate voted to pass the disapproval resolution to overturn the local D.C. Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement:\n\n\"Yesterday\u2019s Senate vote marked the first time in three decades that the Senate has voted for a disapproval resolution under the D.C. Home Rule Act to overturn a piece of legislation passed by the duly-elected D.C. Council,\" Norton said. \"While we are discouraged that both chambers have now passed such a resolution for the first time since 1991, we are not defeated. I will continue working to convince President Biden that his intention to sign the disapproval resolution is incompatible with his Statement of Administration Policy opposing the very same resolution, irreconcilable with his support for the idea of D.C. statehood, and in direct contradiction to his administration\u2019s statement that '[T]axation without representation and denial of self-governance is an affront to the democratic values on which our Nation was founded,' a quote from his Statement of Administration Policy supporting D.C. statehood.\n\n\u201cHowever, even if President Biden signs the resolution and denies D.C. residents the very self-governance that he has claimed to support, this chapter of D.C.\u2019s continuing fight for autonomy is, in itself, a powerful argument for the full rights that can only be provided by D.C. statehood. Statehood would give the nearly 700,000 residents of the nation\u2019s capital voting representation in Congress and full local self-government, and would ensure that Congress and the Executive Branch will never again be able to overturn local D.C. laws. I will not stop until the job is done.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-establish-inspector-general-thrift-savings-plan", "Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Inspector General for Thrift Savings Plan", "2023-03-08", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to establish an inspector general for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB), which manages the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement plan available to federal employees and members of the armed services.\n\n\"I am deeply concerned about the widespread problems with the TSP\u2019s online system,\" Norton said. \"I hear frequently from constituents about many problems with the system after last year\u2019s platform change, including discrepancies in account balances, difficulties accessing accounts, lost beneficiary information, and hours-long wait times for customer service. I will continue to demand immediate fixes to the problems, but we need to understand how this debacle occurred and to create new accountability mechanisms at FRTIB, which is why I introduced my bill to establish an inspector general.\"\n\nNorton has sent multiple letters to FRTIB, raising the concerns she heard from constituents about the new TSP system, and Norton has met with the Executive Director of FRTIB, who committed to giving Norton weekly updates on the new TSP system.\n\nFrom a request headed by Norton and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), the Government Accountability Office is conducting a comprehensive review of the planning, contract award and implementation of the new TSP system, as well as oversight by FRTIB.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-hands-dc-rally", "Norton Releases Remarks from \u201cHands Off D.C.\u201d Rally", "2023-03-08", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke at a \u201cHands Off D.C.\u201d rally today, emphasizing that the federal government should leave local D.C. laws to D.C. residents and D.C.\u2019s own duly-elected public officials. The Senate is expected to vote on a disapproval resolution that would nullify local D.C.\u2019s Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA) today.\n\n\u201cWe have come together today with one simple message for Congress and President Biden: keep your hands off D.C. You either support D.C. home rule or you don\u2019t. There are no exceptions and there is no middle ground on D.C.\u2019s right to self-government,\u201d Norton said.\n\n\u201cAlthough these last few weeks have been deeply disappointing, this attack on home rule is also an opportunity to make the case to the country that D.C. needs statehood. I will continue to fight with you to protect home rule and to make D.C. the 51st state.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s remarks follow in full, as prepared for delivery.\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nSpeech for Hands Off DC Rally\n\nMarch 8, 2023\n\nThank you very much for being here today. I am grateful to the many groups across the District of Columbia that helped organize this event. We have come together today with one simple message for Congress and President Biden: keep your hands off D.C. You either support D.C. home rule or you don\u2019t. There are no exceptions and there is no middle ground on D.C.\u2019s right to self-government.\n\nLater today, the Senate is expected to pass a disapproval resolution that would nullify D.C.\u2019s Revised Criminal Code Act. The president went out of his way to announce he will sign it. It would be the first D.C. disapproval resolution enacted into law since 1991 and only the fourth disapproval resolution enacted since D.C. achieved the limited home rule it has today 50 years ago.\n\nThe Revised Criminal Code Act was duly enacted by D.C.\u2019s elected government. Nonpartisan experts spent many years drafting it. After holding three hearings on the bill, the D.C. Council passed it by votes of 12-0 and 13-0. The mayor vetoed the bill. The Council voted to override the veto by a vote of 12-1. The bill, in short, was the product of a democratic process.\n\nWhat is happening in Congress is undemocratic. None of the 535 voting members of Congress were elected by D.C. residents. None of them are accountable to D.C. residents. Yet if they vote in favor of the disapproval resolution, they are choosing to substitute their policy judgments for the judgment of D.C.\u2019s elected leaders. They will choose to govern D.C. without its consent. The nearly 700,000 D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of self-government.\n\nI am deeply concerned that the president\u2019s decision to sign the disapproval resolution, along with the large bicameral, bipartisan majorities that are expected to pass the disapproval resolution, will only embolden Republicans to interfere in D.C.\u2019s local affairs. We expect Republicans to not only try to pass more standalone bills overturning D.C. policies, but also to try to use must-pass legislation, such as the debt limit and appropriations bills, to attack D.C. policies. They may also try to limit D.C.\u2019s general authority to legislate, including abolishing home rule altogether.\n\nI thank you all for making your voices heard to defend D.C. home rule. Although these last few weeks have been deeply disappointing, this attack on home rule is also an opportunity to make the case to the country that D.C. needs statehood. I will continue to fight with you to protect home rule and to make D.C. the 51st state.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-hold-town-hall-meeting-national-park-service-national-zoo-and-district", "Norton to Hold Town Hall Meeting with National Park Service, National Zoo and District Department of Transportation", "2023-03-03", "2023", "2023-03", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a virtual town hall meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS), National Zoo (Zoo), and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be open to the public and to members of the media and will provide a forum for questions, comments and concerns about federal parks in D.C., the Zoo\u2019s timed entry pass policy, and Zoo Loop Trail.\n\nTo attend, D.C. residents and members of the media should register here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:30:02Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 135, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "DC", "p2": "2023"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "DC", "label": "DC", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "2023", "label": "2023", "count": 135, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2023-03-03,https~3A~2F~2Fnorton~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fnorton-hold-town-hall-meeting-national-park-service-national-zoo-and-district", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=DC&year=2023&_next=2023-03-03%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fnorton~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fnorton-hold-town-hall-meeting-national-park-service-national-zoo-and-district&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 51.41165992245078, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}