{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"DC\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-congressional-budget-process-ironically-allows-dc-homeowners", "Norton Says Congressional Budget Process Ironically Allows D.C. Homeowners to Avoid New Property Tax Deduction Cap", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that in one of the great ironies of the onerous District of Columbia budget process, D.C. residents can prepay their 2018 property taxes by December 31, 2017, to avoid the $10,000 state and local tax deduction cap that takes effect next year. Congress requires the District to submit a complete budget before its fiscal year begins on October 1, which was set by Congress, for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes property assessments and property tax liabilities for the new federal fiscal year. According to the Districts Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey DeWitt, D.C. taxpayers can now prepay property taxes online by going to D.C.s Office of Tax and Revenue website at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com. The official opinion of D.C. Chief Financial Officer comes at a time when many D.C. homeowners will face significantly higher taxes because the new Republican tax bill limits the state and local tax deduction to $10,000.\nFor the first time, we reap a sardonic advantage from the requirement that D.C. submit its entire budget to Congress for approval, Norton said. Congress has not yet approved the local budget (it only uses D.C. appropriations to try to attach anti-home-rule riders), but D.C. has done its property assessments for fiscal year 2018. I encourage all D.C. homeowners, who already pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the nation, to consider taking advantage of prepaying their property taxes in order to claim a deduction on their 2017 return, but only after consulting with a tax expert.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-bill-rolling-back-a-major-portion-of-the-dc", "Norton Condemns Bill Rolling Back a Major Portion of the D.C. Revitalization Act, Reimposing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in New State Costs on the District", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) pledged to defeat a bill introduced last week by Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA), a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, that would roll back a critical component of the District of Columbia Revitalization Act and blow a massive hole in the Districts budget. The bill would reduce the federal governments share of the Districts Medicaid expenditures, known as the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), from the current 70 percent to 54 percent. Compounding the harm to the District, the federal governments share of the Districts expenditures for several other joint federal-state programs, including the Childrens Health Insurance Program, is tied to the FMAP. Griffith is a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where the bill has been referred. Norton noted that Virginias FMAP is 50 percent currently.\nThis is perhaps the first time we have seen a Member attempt to roll back the Revitalization Act since it was passed in 1997, Norton said. Even with the Revitalization Act Medicaid provision, which helped pull D.C. out of an economic crisis, D.C. pays a higher percentage of Medicaid than any U.S. city. A Republican Congress wrote the Revitalization Act in acknowledgement that D.C. was the only local jurisdiction that paid for state functions, the major reason for the economic crisis.\nIn response to the Districts financial crisis in the mid-1990s, Congress, with the Districts consent, passed the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, which transferred from the District to the federal government the costs and/or operations of several state functions, including prisons, courts and offender supervision. The Revitalization Act statutorily set D.C.s FMAP at 70 percent. The Districts financial crisis was largely a result of the fact that the District was the only city responsible for paying for state functions, while the federal government imposed unique revenue limitations on the District. All of the revenue limitations remain.\nThe FMAP formula is based on a state's per capita income relative to the national average, and the higher a states per capita income, the lower the FMAP. The FMAP statutory minimum is 50 percent and the maximum is 83 percent. If the District operated under the FMAP formula, as it did prior to the Revitalization Act, the federal government would pay only 50 percent of D.C.s Medicaid expenditures. Under the bill, beginning in fiscal year 2020, the federal government would pay the higher of the FMAP formula or a FMAP fixed percentage that decreases until it reaches 54 percent in 2027 and thereafter.\nUnder the bill, the FMAP fixed percentage would be: fiscal year 2020 is 68 percent; fiscal year 2021 is 66 percent; fiscal year 2022 is 64 percent; fiscal year 2023 is 62 percent; fiscal year 2024 is 60 percent; fiscal year 2025 is 58 percent; fiscal year 2026 is 56 percent; and fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year is 54 percent.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-commemorates-44th-anniversary-of-home-rule-act", "Norton Commemorates 44th Anniversary of Home Rule Act, Today", "2017-12-24", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) issued the following statement today on the 44th anniversary of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973. Today, Norton published a series of tweets outlining the Republican attacks on D.C. home rule, which can be viewed here.\nAs we insist on statehood for the District of Columbia, today we remember Christmas Eve, 44 years ago, when the Home Rule Act was signed into law. Going on the House floor in remembrance is one way to commemorate this special anniversary. Another is to call out the continuing attacks on D.C. home rule, notwithstanding the Home Rule Act. Fighting back makes all the difference, and this year we defeated all but two of the 16 attacks on D.C. local laws.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/faced-with-latest-threat-of-a-federal-government-shutdown-norton-s", "Faced with Latest Threat of a Federal Government Shutdown, Nortons Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.As budget negotiations continue and the Republican-controlled House and Senate head toward possibly shutting down the federal government, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today assured District of Columbia residents that a critical provision she got included in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill will keep the D.C. government open if the federal government shuts down on Saturday, when the fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution expires. The Norton provision allows D.C. to spend under its local fiscal year 2018 budget during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus. Norton has gotten the D.C. shutdown exemption included in each spending bill since the last federal government shutdown, in 2013.\nUnfortunately, Republicans in Congress still have not figured out how to govern and face the challenges our nation faces without running up against deadlines for funding the government and then doing short-term continuing resolutions to keep the government running, Norton said. D.C. residents can take some solace in that at least their local government will stay open if the federal government shuts down this weekend. D.C. has a balanced budget and a surplus and should not be caught up in congressional dysfunction.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-new-dc-equality-bill-that-could-bring-millions-of", "Norton Introduces New D.C. Equality Bill That Could Bring Millions of Dollars to the District", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) this week introduced the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act, which would allow the D.C. Attorney Generals office to enter into contingency fee contracts with private law firms to represent D.C. in litigation, the same authority enjoyed by states, other local governments and most federal agencies. The bill is part of her Free and Equal D.C. series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.\nThe federal Anti-Deficiency Act, which applies to both the federal and D.C. governments, notwithstanding the Districts Local Budget Autonomy Act, prohibits the federal and D.C. governments from entering into such contingency fee contracts. However, Congress has given most federal agencies the express statutory authority to enter into such contracts, notwithstanding the Anti-Deficiency Act, but has not done so for the District. As of 2012, at least 36 states, both Republican and Democratic, have used contingency fee contracts for a variety of cases.\nD.C. should have the same right as state and local governments to enter into contracts with private attorneys to ensure violations of local D.C. laws do not go unpunished, Norton said. We saw the power of these contracts when state attorneys general joined with private law firms to sue the tobacco industry and recovered hundreds of billions of dollars for the states in a landmark settlement. My bill could help bring millions of dollars in settlements to D.C. that otherwise would not be pursued. This is both good policy and fair treatment for the District.\nIn a contingency fee contract, lawyers pay for the initial costs of the litigation, and then the lawyers are reimbursed only for out-of-pocket expenses and receive a percentage of any amount awarded to the plaintiff.\nNortons full introductory statement for the bill is below.\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act \nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker.\nToday, I introduce the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act. This bill is necessary to allow the District to enter into contracts with private attorneys to sue on the Districts behalf for violations of D.C. law that may otherwise go unpunished due to a lack of resources. This bill would give D.C. the same authority enjoyed by states, other local governments and most federal agencies.\nThe federal Anti-Deficiency Act, which applies to both the federal and District governments, prohibits contracting in advance of appropriations, such as contingency fee contracts. However, Congress has provided the authority for most federal agencies to enter into such contracts, notwithstanding the Anti-Deficiency Act, but has not done so for the District. This precludes the District from entering into contracts with attorneys on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency fee contract, lawyers pay for the initial costs of the litigation, and then the lawyers are reimbursed only for out-of-pocket expenses and receive a percentage of any amount awarded to the plaintiff.\nThere is no federal law that precludes states and other local governments from entering into such contracts. At least 36 states, both red and blue states, have already used contingency fee contracts to enforce state laws, in addition to numerous city and county governments across the country. Contingency fee contracts are especially useful in cases with a large, costly discovery component. Examples of cases that are commonly tried on a contingency fee basis by state and local governments include nuisance, deceptive lending, securities fraud and debt and tax collection.\nThis is an important step to increase D.C. home rule and generate revenue for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-special-order-time-on-house-floor-to-commemorate-the-44th", "Norton to Host Special Order Time on House Floor to Commemorate the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, Tonight", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the enactment of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act on Christmas Eve by hosting a special order hour on the House floor tonight, Thursday, December 21, 2017. Norton will review the implications of the Districts fight for a local government leading up to the passage of the Home Rule Act and leading to D.C.s 21st century struggle for statehood. She will compare the congressional bipartisanship that resulted in the Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973, with todays repeated attempts by Republican Members to violate their own local control principles by trying to overturn local D.C. laws. Norton has defeated all new attempts this Congress to overturn D.C. laws.\nThis month, we celebrate 44 years of home rule here in the District of Columbia and the progress our city has made since achieving local democracy here, Norton said. Yet, we still face dozens of attacks from Republican Members of Congress to overturn our local laws. I will go to the House floor to celebrate home rule, but also to lay out the case for why the District of Columbia deserves statehood, the only remedy for the unequal status District residents have struggled to eliminate since 1801, when the District became the nations capital.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-writes-tsa-administrator-about-continued-problems-with-tsa", "Norton Writes TSA Administrator About Continued Problems with TSA Recognizing D.C. Licenses", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Nortons letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske regarding the chronic inability of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to recognize District of Columbia licenses, which were changed from Washington, D.C. to District of Columbia in May 2014. A constituent recently contacted Nortons office after being stopped at Newark International Airport when a TSO refused to accept her District license as a valid form of ID. Norton has raised the issue to two previous TSA administrators, who took corrective action to implement additional training for TSOs so that they could more easily recognize District licenses.\nIn her letter, Norton wrote, As I am sure you can imagine, it can be humiliating for a U.S. citizen to be delayed because a federal government employee does not recognize the name of the District of Columbia. I understand that there is significant turnover of TSOs and that TSA is hiring more TSOs to alleviate overcrowding and long wait times at checkpoints at U.S. airports. I therefore ask that you, like your predecessors, take action to ensure that all D.C. licenses and IDs in circulation continue to be included in the daily TSO briefings and to take any additional steps that can help TSOs recognize District drivers licenses.\nNortons full letter is below.\nDavid Pekoske  \n\tAdministrator     \n\tTransportation Security Administration  \n\tEast Tower, Floor 11, TSA-5  \n\t601 South Twelfth Street  \n\tArlington, VA 20598-6001\nDear Administrator Pekoske:\nI write regarding a chronic problem faced by air travelers from the District of Columbiathe inability of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to recognize D.C.-issued licenses and IDs as valid. My office has been working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ever since the D.C. license was changed from Washington, D.C. to District of Columbia in May 2014 as the license was updated to comply with REAL ID. I am grateful that your predecessors implemented additional training for TSOs so that they could more easily recognize District licenses, but perhaps due to turnover at TSA, the problem persists.\nIn the most recent incident, a D.C. resident was stopped at the Newark International Airport after the Thanksgiving holiday. The TSO refused to accept her District license as a valid form of ID. It is my understanding that other TSOs came over and discussed whether it was valid before letting her through, although the resident nearly missed her flight as a result.\nAs I am sure you can imagine, it can be humiliating for a U.S. citizen to be delayed because a federal government employee does not recognize the name of the District of Columbia. I understand that there is significant turnover of TSOs and that TSA is hiring more TSOs to alleviate overcrowding and long wait times at checkpoints at U.S. airports. I therefore ask that you, like your predecessors, take action to ensure that all D.C. licenses and IDs in circulation continue to be included in the daily TSO briefings and to take any additional steps that can help TSOs recognize District drivers licenses.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-wins-in-tax-bill-for-economic-development-in-low-income-dc", "Norton Gets Wins in Tax Bill for Economic Development in Low-Income D.C. Neighborhoods and D.C. Utility Ratepayers After Working with Conferees to Ensure Equal Treatment for D.C.", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she secured important wins for the District of Columbia in the Republican tax conference report after working with conferees on equal treatment for the District. Norton said that while she opposes the conference report, she nevertheless fought to ensure that D.C. would benefit from changes to the tax code.\nNorton expressed her gratitude to Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), with whom she worked closely to ensure that his provision to create new tax incentives for businesses to invest in low-income communities also applied to the District. Norton has been pressing her own bill to designate certain high-poverty neighborhoods in D.C., including parts of Wards 5, 7 and 8, as federal empowerment zones in which federal tax incentives are available to businesses that locate and invest there. Norton got unique federal tax incentives for investment in D.C. included in a 1997 tax bill, which helped to revitalize D.C. neighborhoods and the Districts economy, but the incentives expired in 2011.\nNorton also got language in the conference report to clarify that utilities in D.C. would be treated in the same favorable manner as utilities in states. If D.C. utilities were not treated the same, D.C. residents would have had to pay higher utility rates.\nI thank my good friend Senator Tim Scott, with whom I have worked since he was a Member of the House, for working closely with me to ensure that his provision in the tax bill to help low-income communities also applied to D.C., Norton said. Senator Scott has been willing to assist us when I have raised issues with him and has been fair to the District. Although some sections of D.C. have experienced record economic development, that development has not reached some neighborhoods in Wards 5, 7, and 8. It is critical that we provide incentives for businesses to create jobs in D.C. neighborhoods that need them most. The special tax incentives that I won for D.C. in the past, which expired in 2011, had significant effects on many D.C. neighborhoods and on the Districts economy.\nIn addition, our language makes crystal clear that D.C. public utilities are exempt from the limitation on the deductibility of interest. If they had not been, costs for Washington Gas and Pepco would have risen, meaning higher rates for D.C. residents.\nBelow is additional background information on the two tax provisions.\nOpportunity Zones\nThe conference report creates new tax incentives for businesses to invest in low-income communities, referred to as Opportunity Zones. The provision is based on a bipartisan bill, the Investing in Opportunity Act, introduced by Senator Scott. Scott got the provision included in the Senate version of the tax bill, but it was not included in the House version. Scott, who was on the conference committee, got it included in the conference report. The original provision allowed governors of states to designate a limited number of zones in their states as Opportunity Zones. D.C. is treated as a state for most purposes of the tax code. While Norton confirmed with Scotts office that the intent of the provision was to include D.C., the language was ambiguous at best, and Norton did not want to risk an interpretation after passage that the D.C. mayor would not be considered a governor for purposes of the provision. The final provision was changed to allow the chief executive officer of a state to designate a zone, and the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report indicates that the change from governor to chief executive officer was made to clarify that the D.C. mayor can designate zones.\nPublic Utilities\nThe conference report limits the deductibility of interest expenses for business debt, but exempts certain entities from the limitation, including public utilities. A public utilities provision in existing law expressly referred to utilities in both states and D.C. The deductibility limitation in the House and Senate bills only referred to states. While D.C. is treated as state for most purposes of the tax code, Norton was concerned that the Treasury Department or a court could have made a negative inference that Congress meant to exclude D.C. in the deductibility provision in the conference report. However, Norton got a provision included in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report clarifying that utilities in D.C., like those in states, are exempt from the limitation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-bill-to-create-national-commission-to-combat-sexual", "Norton to Introduce Bill to Create National Commission to Combat Sexual Harassment in All Major Sectors", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton will introduce a bill to create a national commission to find ways to combat sexual harassment nationwide in major industries and workplaces, modeled on legislation Congress has enacted to combat national problems. The committee will report to Congress on recommended changes in law or regulations and best practices for preventing, training, investigating, responding to and punishing sexual harassment in the private and public sectors. Norton, the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws.\nCongress has begun to confront sexual harassment here in Congress, but only Congress, which represents every sector, can truly take on the national problem of sexual harassment, which we now know has infected every major sector of the American workplace, Norton said. If 2017 was the year of the silence breakers, we must make 2018 the year of heeding their call for action. The facts are tumbling out almost entirely because of women themselves and the free press that reports their stories. Many of the courageous women who have come forward have been in high-profile workplaces. Congress can take the lead in getting beyond women who work with the Harvey Weinsteins, Members of Congress, and other powerful figures to uncover sexual harassment against women who face greater challenges to exposing it in their industries, such as women in hospitality and retail sectors, where the personnel are disproportionately female and the managers are male. In reality, discrimination and the hierarchy of power in the workplace means that, regardless of the sector, men still hold positions that enable them to take advantage of female subordinates if they choose. A national commission would help reach and reduce sexual harassment where the average woman works. A national commission would not have to wait for women to take the risk of coming forward. It would be charged with identifying and taking affirmative steps to investigate sectors that receive too little attention.\nCongress has created similar national commissions on other national areas, such as gambling and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. Nortons bill will model the sexual harassment commission on the prior commissions.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-trump-nominee-to-dc-district-court-withdraws-name-norton-says", "After Trump Nominee to D.C. District Court Withdraws Name, Norton Says White House Should Consult Her and Her Nominating Commission on Candidates", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after Matthew Petersen, President Trumps nominee to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, today withdrew his name from consideration after he could not answer basic questions about federal legal procedure at his confirmation hearing last week.\nFaced with tough, revealing questions from a Republican senator, Petersen ultimately could not get the votes even of Republicans. D.C.s District Court is one of the most important federal courts in the nation and should be filled with judges who have first-rate qualifications and experience. The White House should learn from this embarrassing moment and, at the very least, extend to District of Columbia residents the courtesy of consulting on nominees to our federal bench here. The last three administrations have given me a role in the vetting process of nominees, and last weeks hearing shows what can happen when the White House excludes the local jurisdiction from the nominating process of judges to its federal district court. We have a talented and diverse pool of candidates here in the District, and we already have three prime candidates the White House could nominate right now. Florence Pan, Abid Quereshi and Todd Edelman were nominated by President Obama to the D.C. court last Congress after being fully vetted and recommended by my nominating commission, but were not ultimately confirmed by the Senate. I am ready to work with the White House on their next nomination to our court here.\nThe Senate has confirmed three Trump nominees to the D.C. District Court, which comprises half of the Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year. Norton said the high volume of D.C. District court confirmations is due to the Districts lack of Senate representation and blue-slip authority.\nPresidents Obama and Clinton granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend to the president federal district judges, the U.S. Attorney, and other federal law enforcement officials who serve the District, resulting in the D.C. District Court becoming one of the most high-quality and diverse federal benches in the nation. She chose to form a Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates to her, all of whom were D.C. residents. Norton then made her recommendations to the president, who nominated all of her selections. Unlike President George W. Bush, who extended her at least the courtesy of consultation, Trump has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District. However, after Norton protested, her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to require all D.C. district court nominees to meet with Norton before their committee votes.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-calls-on-usps-to-address-unreliable-mail-delivery-and-poor", "Norton Calls on USPS to Address Unreliable Mail Delivery and Poor Service at Several NW D.C. Neighborhood Post Offices", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released her letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Megan Brennan asking her to address several concerns raised by constituents about difficulties receiving their mail consistently and experiencing poor customer service at the Friendship Heights, Cleveland Park and Tenleytown Post Offices in the District of Columbia.\nIn her letter, Norton wrote, At these post offices, I understand that customers often do not receive their mail at all on certain days. The most common complaints include late-night delivery, failed delivery and damaged mail. One issue I have heard about repeatedly is that there is a lack of responsiveness by station managers to customers. I understand that phones are frequently not answered when my constituents call to make complaints, and, when they go to the post offices themselves, they are not allowed to speak to managers or are told they are unavailable and managers do not return messages. We are considering holding a forum with you and our constituents to help the community understand the best way to quickly get responses and change.\nNorton requested a response within 30 days outlining how USPS plans to address her concerns. Her full letter is below.\nMegan J. Brennan  \n\tPostmaster General and Chief Executive Officer  \n\tUnited States Postal Service  \n\t475 LEnfant Plaza SW  \n\tWashington, DC 20260-3500\nDear Postmaster General Brennan:\nI am writing because a number of my constituents in the District of Columbia have been experiencing difficulties receiving their mail consistently and properly.\nWe realize that from time to time there will be mishaps in delivery of mail. However, there appear to be recurrent problems in at least four post offices in Northwest D.C., which may be indicative of a pattern of mail delivery problems in those clustered locations. For example, we have learned from constituents and from a member of the D.C. Council that there is unreliable service at the Friendship Heights, Cleveland Park, and Tenleytown Post Offices in the District, as well as the Bethesda station in nearby Chevy Chase, Maryland. At these post offices, I understand that customers often do not receive their mail at all on certain days. The most common complaints include late-night delivery, failed delivery and damaged mail.\nOne issue I have heard about repeatedly is that there is a lack of responsiveness by station managers to customers. I understand that phones are frequently not answered when my constituents call to make complaints, and, when they go to the post offices themselves, they are not allowed to speak to managers or are told they are unavailable and managers do not return messages.\nWe are considering holding a forum with you and our constituents to help the community understand the best way to quickly get responses and change.\nI ask that you respond to this letter within 30 days, outlining how the United States Postal Service plans to address these concerns. I look forward to working with you on these important issues.\nSincerely\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-joins-the-bruce-depuyt-podcast-to-discuss-sexual-harassment-and", "Norton Joins The Bruce DePuyt Podcast to Discuss Sexual Harassment and the #MeToo Movement, Attacks on D.C. Home Rule, and More", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) joined Bruce DePuyt on his podcast for a wide-ranging discussion in a new episode released today. Norton and Bruce discussed her time as the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws; recent allegations of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and the #MeToo movement; the record number of Republican attacks on local District of Columbia laws this Congress; and more.\nTo listen to the episode, click here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-sharp-questioning-by-republican-senator-casts-doubt-that", "Norton Says Sharp Questioning by Republican Senator Casts Doubt that Unqualified D.C. District Court Nominee Will Get Through", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trump Has Nominated All White Nominees to Serve on D.C. District Court, Highlighting Larger Trend of Lack of Diversity \nWASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that yesterdays confirmation hearing for Matthew Petersen to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where Peterson could not answer basic questions about federal legal procedure, shows the peril of avoiding the vetting process involving District of Columbia residents in nominating D.C. federal judges. Norton said that if she had blue-slip authority, as Senators do, Petersen would never have gotten to the hearing stage.\nPresidents Obama and Clinton granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend to the president federal district judges, the U.S. Attorney, and other federal law enforcement officials who serve the District, resulting in the D.C. District Court becoming one of the most high-quality and diverse federal benches in the nation. She chose to form a Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates to her, all of whom were D.C. residents. Norton then made her recommendations to the president, who nominated all of her selections. Unlike President George W. Bush, who extended her at least the courtesy of consultation, Trump has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District. However, after Norton protested, her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to require all D.C. district court nominees to meet with Norton before their committee votes.\nNorton also said that all four nominees to the D.C. Court have been white, in stark contrast to the ten nominees (four African Americans, including two African American women, one Hispanic, and the first-ever Asian American) confirmed to the D.C. Court under President Obama, all recommended by Norton after a rigorous vetting process by her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission. Nationwide, as of the end of October, 91.2 percent of Trumps judicial nominees have been white, while President Clintons nominees were 72.4 percent white, President Bushs were 85.5 percent white and President Obamas were 50.0 percent white through the same point of their first terms. Norton, who is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Judicial Nomination Working Group, will host a CBC roundtable to discuss the lack of diversity and, in some cases, lack of qualifications, of President Trumps nominees for the federal bench Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 3:30 p.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.\nThere is zero chance that a nominee without qualifications and experience, such as Matthew Petersen, could have made it through the process my Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission used to vet candidates for me to recommend to the president, Norton said. This latest nomination highlights the inequality D.C. faces by not having senatorial courtesy. Petersen was nominated not because he has the necessary qualifications, but due to his close ties to White House Counsel Donald McGahn, who served as a Federal Election Commissioner alongside Petersen. The nomination of four white nominees to the D.C. District Court continues the Trump administrations failure to give any attention to the need for diversity on the federal bench. I would be more than happy to convene our nominating commission to gather names of qualified candidates to submit to the White House.\nHalf of the six Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year were for the D.C. district court. Norton said the high volume of D.C. district court confirmations shows that the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans are fast-tracking D.C. nominees due to the Districts lack of Senate representation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-reroute-hazmats-away-from-urban-areas-to", "Norton Introduces Bill to Reroute Hazmats Away from Urban Areas to Counter Trump Administration Repeal of Requirement for Braking Systems on Rail Cars Carrying Crude Oil", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this week introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia.\u00a0 Norton said her legislation is particularly needed now after DOT\u2019s recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments.\u00a0 In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation\u2019s capital and spilled sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol, which is flammable.\n\u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s senseless repeal of critical safeguards against dangerous train derailments requires my bill to reroute hazardous substances as a critical way to protect communities from the risk created by trains carrying these dangerous materials through densely populated areas like the District,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThere have been high-profile derailments across the United States and Canada, and Members of Congress may not realize that ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol.\u00a0 While I appreciate freight companies for working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials, Congress should enshrine this provision into federal law.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s full introductory statement is below.\nStatement of the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton on Introduction of the Save Our Communities from Risky Trains Act \nMs. Norton. Mr. Speaker,\nIn light of recent train derailments across the country and ongoing transportation security threats, I rise to introduce the Save Our Community from Risky Trains Act, which directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia.\u00a0 This legislation is needed now more than ever, especially given DOT\u2019s recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments.\nDerailments of rail cars carrying hazardous materials are a serious concern and should be a priority of Congress.\u00a0 In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation\u2019s capital, disrupting Metrorail, passenger rail, and freight rail service and putting families at risk.\u00a0 Among the derailed freight train cars, cars carrying sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol\u2014which is flammable and led to a Metrorail shutdown\u2014spilled.\u00a0 The neighborhood was lucky that there were no injuries, but the continuing threat to the safety and security of urban communities is clear.\nIn 2007, the House passed the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, which included my amendment to protect the District and similar communities nationwide from dangerous hazardous material shipments by mandating that federal regulations and penalties be developed to increase security and safety for the shipment of these materials through high-threat urban areas.\u00a0 My amendment was not included in the final bill signed into law.\u00a0 While freight companies have begun working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials that are toxic or poisonous by inhalation, or explosive from these communities, there is no federal law requiring them to reroute the materials.\u00a0\nThis bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require enhanced security measures for shipments of security-sensitive materials.\u00a0 The bill also requires railroad carriers to use the most secure route and storage pattern to avoid moving certain hazardous materials by rail through selected high-threat urban areas.\u00a0 These security sensitive materials include a highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material; more than 25 kilograms of a division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive; more than one liter per package of a material poisonous by inhalation; shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kilograms gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car or freight container is required; and select agents or toxins regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nHigh-profile derailments in North Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Canada demonstrate the need for this legislation.\u00a0 Ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol.\u00a0 This bill will protect our communities from the risk created by trains carrying hazardous materials.\nI urge support for this bill.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-perform-in-washington-ballet-production-of-the-nutcracker-0", "Norton to Perform in Washington Ballet Production of The Nutcracker, Tomorrow", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will perform in the Washington Ballet production of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d tomorrow, Friday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Warner Theatre (513 13th Street NW).\u00a0 This will be Norton\u2019s fourth appearance in the District of Columbia-based historical adaptation of The Nutcracker, which uses local places, lawmakers, sports figures and other notable D.C. figures in major and minor roles.\n\u201cI cannot wait to get back out on the stage for one of Washington\u2019s most celebrated holiday productions,\u201d Norton said.\n###a", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-welcome-dc-children-to-annual-upo-holiday-party-at-the", "Norton to Welcome D.C. Children to Annual UPO Holiday Party at the National Building Museum, Today", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The United Planning Organization (UPO) Inspire Foundation, in conjunction with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), will host their annual holiday party for underprivileged children in the District of Columbia today, Thursday, December 14, 2017, from, 10:00 a.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m., at the National Building Museum (401 F. St. NW).\u00a0 The annual party provides children with gifts, as well as a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and has been held during Christmas time ever since Norton has served in Congress.\u00a0 Norton and UPO normally host the children on Capitol Hill, but the largest reception room used in the past is under construction.\n\u201cYou know we are in the holiday season when UPO and our office get together to host our annual holiday party for D.C. kids,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cSeeing the joy on the faces of these D.C. children as they receive presents that might not otherwise be available is always a highlight of my year.\u00a0 This event showcases the tremendous generosity of residents and businesses in our city and region.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-appear-on-c-span-s-washington-journal-to-discuss-addressing", "Norton to Appear on C-SPANs Washington Journal to Discuss Addressing Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill and Beyond, Tomorrow", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss the issue of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and in workplaces across the nation on C-SPAN\u2019s \u201cWashington Journal\u201d tomorrow, Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 8:00 a.m.\u00a0 As EEOC chair, Norton issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, which Norton administered, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.\nNorton today sent a letter with 58 female Members of Congress to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) urging the committee to investigate numerous sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump.\u00a0 Norton introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/on-the-44th-anniversary-of-the-home-rule-act-norton-to-go-to-house-floor", "On the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, Norton to Go to House Floor to Recall Its Bipartisan Origin and Call Out Members Who Attack D.C. Home Rule, Tomorrow", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the enactment of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act this month, beginning with a floor speech tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., and another speech planned for next week.\u00a0 Norton will not only review the history of the Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973, she will use the occasion to expose the repeated attempts by Republican Members, who violate their local control principles, to overturn local D.C. laws.\u00a0 Norton has defeated all new attempts this Congress to overturn D.C. laws.\n\u201cMy Republicans colleagues should read and respect their own history to understand that it was a Republican president, Richard Nixon, who signed the Home Rule Act,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cAfter nearly 100 years of struggle by D.C. residents, there was strong bipartisan support for giving D.C. a local government and a Member of Congress.\u00a0 President Nixon carried out the foremost Republican principle that local residents should always be served by a democratically-elected local government when he signed the Home Rule Act into law, eliminating the prior system of unelected commissioners, who had governed the District.\u00a0 Yet, 44 years after the Home Rule Act became law, we still must fight annual attempts by Members of Congress to undermine the Home Rule Act by trying to overturn local D.C. laws.\u00a0 These Members have shown they have no interest in the daily activities of the District, which has had a balanced budget and surplus for years, but only become involved when they disagree with policies residents have asked the D.C. Council and the mayor to enact.\u00a0 As we celebrate the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, I also will be reminding my colleagues that D.C. residents rank number one per capita in taxes paid to support the federal government and of the local control intent of the historic legislation, passed with widespread bipartisan support.\u201d\nIn his signing statement on the Home Rule Act, Nixon wrote, \u201cOne of the major goals of this Administration is to place responsibility for local functions under local control and to provide local governments with the authority and resources they need to serve their communities effectively. The measure I sign today represents a significant step in achieving this goal in the city of Washington. It will give the people of the District of Columbia the right to elect their own city officials and to govern themselves in local affairs. As the Nation approaches the 200th anniversary of its founding, it is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our Capital City rights and privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of their countrymen.\u00a0 But the measure I sign today does more than create machinery for the election of local officials. It also broadens and strengthens the structure of the city government to enable it to deal more effectively with its responsibilities.\u201d\nBelow is a full list of the anti-home-rule attacks so far in the 115th Congress.\u00a0 Norton expects to be able to defeat most of them.\nGuns\n Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Tom Garrett\u00a0(R-VA) introduced the Second Amendment Enforcement Act (S. 162/H.R. 1537), which would eliminate D.C.\u2019s gun safety laws.\u00a0 The bill would eliminate the District\u2019s ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines, and its registration requirements, and prohibit D.C. from passing gun laws in the future.\n\tRepresentative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act (H.R. 2909), which would require D.C. to recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits.\n Education\n Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced the Educational Freedom Accounts Act (S. 2163/H.R. 4576), which would require D.C. to use local funds to pay for private schools and other educational expenses for any student.\n Medical Aid in Dying\u00a0 \n Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced disapproval resolutions (H.J.Res. 27/S.J.Res. 4) on D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA).\u00a0 The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed H.J.Res. 27.\n\tPresident Trump\u2019s FY 18 budget prohibits D.C. from using its local funds to carry out the DWDA in FY 18.\n\tThe House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) repeals the DWDA and prohibits D.C. from passing similar legislation in FY 18 (Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) offered the provision as an amendment at the markup.)\n Budget Autonomy\n The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) repeals the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 and prohibits D.C. from passing similar legislation in the future.\n Non-Discrimination\n The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL) offered the provision as an amendment on the House floor).\n Wipes Labeling\n Representative Harris offered and withdrew an amendment at the markup of the House\u2019s FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3280) to prohibit D.C. from spending its local funds to carry out the Nonwoven Disposable Products Act in FY 18.\n Marijuana\n The enacted FY 17 omnibus appropriations bill (P.L. 115-31) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 2017.\n\tPresident Trump\u2019s budget prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 18.\n\tThe House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 18.\n Abortion\n Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017 (H.R. 7/S.184), which would, among other things, permanently prohibit the D.C. government from spending its local funds on abortion services for low-income women, prohibit D.C. government employees from providing abortions, prohibit abortions in D.C. government facilities, and define the D.C. government as part of the federal government for purposes of abortion.\u00a0The House passed H.R. 7.\n\tThe enacted fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill (P.L. 115-31) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 17.\n\tPresident Trump\u2019s fiscal year 2018 budget prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 18.\n\tThe House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 18.\n Labor\n Representative Steve King (R-IA) introduced the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2017 (H.R. 4422), which would, among other things, make it a federal crime to commit violence within the District in connection with a legitimate labor dispute.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/at-hearing-on-self-driving-trucks-norton-says-congress-must-take-action", "At Hearing on Self-Driving Trucks, Norton Says Congress Must Take Action to Help Workers Transition Skills to New Jobs", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, yesterday at a subcommittee roundtable, entitled \u201cEmerging Technologies in the Trucking Industry,\u201d urged congressional action to prepare for possible job losses to self-driving trucks.\u00a0 According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the jobs of two million truck drivers and half a million bus drivers could be threatened by autonomous commercial vehicles.\u00a0 Norton asked about the chronic shortage of truck drivers in the United States, and roundtable witnesses testified that innovation in technology could help encourage younger drivers to pursue a trucking career by making a job with long hours and tough working conditions more attractive.\u00a0 Norton said Congress has a role to play in helping truck drivers, whose jobs require significant skills, transition to new positions.\u00a0 Experts witnesses said that widespread self-driving trucks were not likely in the foreseeable future.\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s experience with technological innovation has been generally positive, but we have already seen the loss of retail jobs to internet shopping, for example,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cExperts testifying at our roundtable said that drivers are still indispensable to the industry.\u00a0 However, Congress needs to dive in now to think through what it would mean to the economy if two million truck drivers and half a million bus drivers, who have significant skills, are out work, and what Congress can do it about it.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-rename-rock-creek-park-rock-creek-national", "Norton Introduces Bill to Rename Rock Creek Park Rock Creek National Park", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill yesterday to rename Rock Creek Park \u201cRock Creek National Park,\u201d which would highlight the significance of the park for the nation, including visitors to the nation\u2019s capital, in addition to District of Columbia residents.\u00a0 Norton said adding \u201cNational\u201d will help recognize Rock Creek as one of the nation\u2019s great historic parks, along with Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.\u00a0 Rock Creek is the nation\u2019s oldest urban park and the third oldest federal park.\n\u201cRock Creek Park is one of the nation\u2019s oldest and most historic parks and is a treasure not only to hundreds of thousands of D.C. residents, but to the millions who visit the nation\u2019s capital each year,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cFormally recognizing Rock Creek Park as one of our country\u2019s great national parks also will help encourage the necessary funding to support the park\u2019s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement is below.\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Rock Creek National Park Act \nMr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill to redesignate the National Park Service-owned Rock Creek Park, in the District of Columbia, as \u201cRock Creek National Park.\u201d\u00a0 Renaming this park will highlight its significance to the nation, including visitors to the nation\u2019s capital, and will help get much-needed funding for the park\u2019s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features.\nRock Creek Park is already a national park, established by Congress in 1890 \u201cfor the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States,\u201d and is the oldest urban park and the third federal park ever created, after Yellowstone and Sequoia.\u00a0 Rock Creek Park was designed to preserve animals, timber, forestry and other interests in the park, and to ensure that its natural state is maintained as much as possible, for all American people, not just for D.C. residents.\u00a0\nOver time, several structures have been established or donated to further preserve Rock Creek Park.\u00a0 In 1892, for example, the federal government acquired Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, one of the mills used by local farmers during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.\u00a0 In 1950, the Old Stone House, located at 3051 M Street NW, with its great pre-Revolutionary War architectural merit, was acquired by the park.\u00a0 The building was restored, and programs explain the house\u2019s rich history from the colonial period to the present day.\u00a0 The Fort Circle Parks were also acquired to interpret and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, which created a ring of protection for the nation\u2019s capital during the Civil War.\u00a0\nToday, Rock Creek Park offers residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as thousands of visitors, an escape from our increasingly urban environment.\u00a0 Residents and tourists alike also enjoy many activities in the park\u2019s 2,000 acres, including hiking and bike riding on the historical trails, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis and other recreational activities in some of the open fields.\u00a0 Our residents have expressed their appreciation by volunteering to clean up and maintain the trails and waterways.\nRedesignating Rock Creek Park as Rock Creek National Park will help recognize the national status of the park and protect and revitalize this remarkable resource in our nation\u2019s capital.\u00a0\nI strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-give-opening-remarks-at-frederick-douglass-bicentennial", "Norton to Give Opening Remarks at Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Community Conference, Tomorrow", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will give opening remarks at a special Frederick Douglass Community Conference to help plan and raise awareness for the bicentennial celebration of Douglass\u2019 birth tomorrow, Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., at DC Prep\u2019s Anacostia Elementary Campus (1409 V St. SE).\u00a0 Norton was appointed by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission, which was established by Norton\u2019s bill.\u00a0 Another Norton bill placed a statue of Douglass in the Capitol representing the District of Columbia, making D.C. the only jurisdiction that is not a state with a statue in the Capitol.\u00a0 The bicentennial commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 Douglass\u2019 home at Cedar Hill in Southeast is an official National Historic Site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.\n\u201cFrederick Douglass called D.C. home for most of his adult life. I am pleased to offer remarks at the Bicentennial Community Conference, which is already helping D.C. residents prepare to organize a fitting celebration for one of the greatest Americans in history,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to discussing the many ways in which both the District, its residents and the federal government can honor Douglass during the 200th anniversary of his birth.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-meadows-for-introducing-bill-to-radically-alter-dc-s-0", "Norton Blasts Meadows for Introducing Bill to Radically Alter D.C.s Local Education System", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), the chair of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and the leader of the far-right Freedom Caucus, for reintroducing a bill that would radically alter D.C.\u2019s local education system by forcing D.C. to steer its local funds away from D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools to vouchers for any student who chooses to attend private schools.\u00a0 Norton said Meadows seems to be taking marching orders from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who introduced the same bill last week.\u00a0 This far-right bill is far worse and intrusive than the existing D.C. private school voucher program, which uses federal funds.\u00a0 The bill would also force D.C. to use its local funds to pay for other educational expenses such as private online classes.\u00a0 Last Congress, the Republican-controlled House and Senate roundly rejected all amendments to establish national voucher programs as part of the bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.\n\u201cMy friend Representative Meadows apparently does not have enough going on with a looming government shutdown that he decided to go back to one of his favorite pastimes\u2014abusing congressional authority to attack D.C. home rule and our local laws,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cRepresentative Meadows, the chair on the most conservative caucus in the Congress, should reread some of his past statements on local control over local affairs and his calls to respect the choices of local jurisdictions.\u00a0 If Representative Meadows truly believes private vouchers are the best policy, he should introduce a bill to create a national voucher program, well within the appropriate purview of Congress.\u00a0 Instead, he picks on the District\u2019s educational system, which already boasts robust school choice with our public charter schools, which nearly half of our public school students attend.\u00a0 We will defeat this radical bill, as we did last Congress.\u201d\nMeadows is a frequent offender of D.C. home rule.\u00a0 He has led the effort in the House to repeal the referendum passed overwhelmingly by D.C. voters in 2013 that granted the District budget autonomy.\u00a0 Last Congress, he introduced a standalone bill, which passed the House, to repeal the budget autonomy referendum, the text of which has been included in the fiscal years 2017 and 2018 House-passed D.C. appropriations bills.\u00a0 However, Norton has kept the referendum from being overturned.\u00a0 Last Congress, Meadows introduced a bill to interfere with and alter D.C.\u2019s local occupational licensing laws and require the District to create a new legislative committee or subcommittee on occupational regulations, which Norton kept from moving forward.\u00a0 Last Congress, Meadows was one of the most vocal supporters of a House-passed disapproval resolution to nullify a local D.C. anti-discrimination law, the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act, which Norton kept from becoming law.\u00a0 In the 113th Congress, he introduced a bill to redefine the District government as a federal agency and prohibit it from deducting union dues from employee paychecks.\u00a0 Norton said that her success in keeping anti-home-rule bills from being enacted seems to not deter Meadows and other anti-democratic Members of Congress from introducing such bills.\u00a0 \u201cSome Members simply seek to burnish their right-wing credentials at the expense of the District of Columbia,\u201d Norton said.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-provision-ensures-dc-government-will-stay-open-if-federal-0", "Norton Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open if Federal Government Shuts Down Saturday", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) assured District of Columbia residents that the D.C. government would remain open if the federal government shuts down on Saturday, when the fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution expires, because of a critical provision she got included in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill.\u00a0 The provision allows D.C. to spend under its local fiscal year 2018 budget during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus.\u00a0 Norton has gotten the D.C. shutdown exemption included in each spending bill since the last federal government shutdown, in 2013.\n\u201cThe 2013 federal government shutdown was uniquely stressful for D.C., which was forced to allocate contingency funds in order to stay open and avoid getting caught in the congressionally-inflicted snafu,\u201d Norton said. \u201cI made Congress understand the needless problem federal shutdowns cause D.C., with no benefit to the federal government or the American people.\u00a0 Since the 2013 shutdown, I have successfully included a provision in annual spending bills to remove the threat of a D.C. government shutdown, even if the federal government shuts down.\u00a0 Our city has done its job and created a balanced budget.\u00a0 The District should not be the victim of a congressional debacle when it has done the right thing.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-open-new-york-city-human-rights-commission-hearing-on-sexual", "Norton to Open New York City Human Rights Commission Hearing on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Today", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the New York City Commission on Human Rights and the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will give opening remarks at a public hearing on sexual harassment in the workplace today, Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., at the CUNY School of Law\u2019s Dave Fields Auditorium, 2nd Floor (2 Court Square, Long Island City, NY).\u00a0 Norton served as NYC Human Rights Commissioner from 1970 \u2013 1977 and held the first public hearings in the country on discrimination against women, seen as so significant at the time that the hearings became a commercial paperback book, Women\u2019s Role in Contemporary Society, the Report of the New York Commission on Human Rights.\u00a0 Norton was appointed EEOC Chair by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld those guidelines.\n\u201cIt will be a special homecoming to open hearings before the Commission I chaired 40 years ago on the challenges we face today in confronting sexual harassment in the workplace,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cFrom my work at the EEOC, to my service in Congress, I have seen women themselves take the steps that are creating a more equal workplace, but sexual harassment still pervades nearly every major sector of society, including the halls of Congress.\u00a0 I look forward to working with the Commission and others who will be testifying at today\u2019s landmark hearing on steps we in Congress can take to eliminate workplace sexual harassment.\u201d\nNorton introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the very same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-defend-dc-bill-requiring-health-plans-to-cover-0", "Norton to Defend D.C. Bill Requiring Health Plans to Cover Contraceptives and Other Essential Heath Services for Women", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she would vigorously defend from congressional interference a bill passed by the District of Columbia Council today that, among other things, requires health plans to provide coverage for preventive health services for women, including contraceptives.\u00a0 Twenty-eight states currently have laws requiring insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to cover contraceptives.\n\u201cI applaud the District of Columbia for taking the necessary steps to ensure essential health services for women are included at no extra cost in health care plans, just as 28 states already do,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cD.C. women are the only U.S. residents whose local jurisdiction is blocked from spending local dollars on abortion services.\u00a0 Our residents should not also be forced to pay for contraceptives, which make abortions unnecessary, and other essential services, such as cancer screenings.\u00a0 I will fight tirelessly to defend this important D.C. bill from being overturned by Republicans in Congress.\u201d\nFederal regulations promulgated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during the Obama administration required most health plans to cover contraceptives for women.\u00a0 The ACA\u2019s contraceptive mandate was challenged in court, and the U.S. Supreme Court held in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which applies to the federal government and the D.C. government, but not state governments, prohibits the contraceptive mandate from being enforced at least against closely held private companies.\u00a0 However, in October, the Trump Administration issued a rule to allow most employers to decline to provide such coverage if they have religious or moral objections.\nLast Congress, Norton defeated multiple Republican attempts to block D.C.\u2019s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees, their spouses and dependents based on their reproductive health decisions.\u00a0 RHNDA is now law.\u00a0 This year, the House-passed fiscal year 2018 D.C. Appropriations bill blocks D.C. from using its local funds to enforce RHNDA.\u00a0 The Senate FY18 D.C. Appropriations bill does not block RHNDA, and Norton believes she can again keep RHNDA from being blocked.\u00a0 The current FY18 continuing resolution blocks D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-files-amendment-tying-national-concealed-carry-reciprocity-bill", "Norton Files Amendment Tying National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill to Current Ban on Guns in U.S. Capitol Buildings and Grounds", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman\u00a0Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she filed an amendment today at the House Rules Committee to prohibit the provisions of a bill (H.R. 38) that would require every jurisdiction to recognize out-of-state concealed carry handgun permits, even though states have different requirements for such permits, from taking effect until the federal law prohibiting guns in U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds is repealed.\u00a0 Norton successfully fought a bill, sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), that would have required only the District of Columbia to recognize out-of-state permits, but the Massie bill has not moved and would be moot if H.R. 38 were enacted.\u00a0 Norton said the new concealed carry bill is expected on the House floor this week because it is the National Rifle Association\u2019s top priority.\n\u201cI obviously strongly oppose both H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, and allowing guns in U.S. buildings and grounds,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI filed my amendment simply to point out the hypocrisy of overriding local laws enacted throughout the United States after assessing local views of risk, while Congress insulates itself by banning guns from the entire Capitol complex.\u00a0 If Congress feels it must impose the danger of allowing people from permissive jurisdictions to bring guns of every kind into the nation\u2019s capital, my amendment would highlight how communities across the country would similarly be endangered with this national concealed carry reciprocity bill.\u00a0 Republicans will claim that guns are unnecessary for self-protection on U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds because the U.S. Capitol Police check people for weapons.\u00a0 However, that is a red herring.\u00a0 The Capitol Police only check for weapons at the entrance of buildings.\u00a0\u00a0 People are not searched for weapons as they enter the hundreds of acres of grounds, which Members regularly traverse.\u201d\nNorton regularly calls out Republicans for their hypocrisy when they introduce bills to repeal District of Columbia gun safety laws, yet refuse to allow guns in Capitol buildings and grounds.\u00a0 She continues to fight the two D.C.-specific gun bills that are pending in Congress and has succeeded in keeping these bills from becoming law in past Congresses.\u00a0 She has blocked advancement of the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Thomas Garrett (R-VA), which would eliminate almost all of D.C.\u2019s gun laws, as well as Massie\u2019s D.C. concealed carry bill.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-washington-post-forum-on-combating-hivaids-tuesday", "Norton to Speak at Washington Post Forum on Combating HIV/AIDS, Tuesday", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will participate in a forum hosted by the Washington Post, entitled \u201cPathways to Progress: Combating the HIV/AIDS Epidemic,\u201d tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., at the Washington Post headquarters (1301 K St. NW).\u00a0 Norton will serve on a panel entitled \u201cCrisis Response: Views from the Policy and Advocacy Community,\u201d along with Jesse Milan, Jr., President and CEO, AIDS United, and Phill Wilson, President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute.\nNorton has played a unique role in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia.\u00a0 From 1998 \u2013 2007, Congress used its jurisdiction over the District to ban only D.C. from using its local funds for needle exchange programs, escalating the HIV/AIDS rate in D.C. above comparable jurisdictions and leading to the deaths of thousands of D.C. residents.\u00a0 In 2007, Norton was successful in removing the deadly needle exchange rider.\u00a0 Since then, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases attributable to injection drug use has fallen by 95 percent, from 149 cases in 2007 to seven cases in 2016.\u00a0 To help make up for the years of needle exchange local funds ban, Norton has been able to annually secure a $5 million federal payment to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C., including in the House and Senate fiscal year 2018 D.C. appropriations bills, in addition to funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS, which is available to every jurisdiction.\n\u201cThe congressionally-imposed needle exchange ban left the District with a uniquely high HIV/AIDS epidemic, from which the city is beginning to show genuine recovery,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cRelieved of this unnecessary burden, progress in preventing new cases and providing enhanced treatment has made the District an example for others to follow.\u00a0 Congress still needs to do more to help localities provide life-saving preventative care, as well as support the Affordable Care Act\u2019s success in reducing the number of uninsured Americans through Medicaid expansion.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-that-rehab-for-top-infrastructure-priority-the-0", "Norton Announces that Rehab for Top Infrastructure Priority, the Memorial Bridge, is Fully Funded", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014One of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\u2019s (D-DC) top construction priorities, the Memorial Bridge, which is owned and maintained by the National Park Service (NPS), now has the total funds necessary to complete repairs, Norton said today.\u00a0 Norton, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, worked to secure $90 million for phase one funding from the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program in fiscal year 2016.\u00a0 However, the full funding announcement will allow the project to be completed in one phase, and will save the federal government $35 million and 1.5 years in construction time.\u00a0 NPS said today that it had awarded the contract for $227 million, one of the largest infrastructure projects in NPS history, and that substantial work would begin in fall 2018.\u00a0 The project is expected to be complete in 2021.\n\u201cThis is a great day for D.C. and the national capital region,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe Memorial Bridge, which has fallen into an unacceptable state of disrepair, has been one of my top priorities for years, because of its unique role as the gateway from the South, to Arlington National Cemetery, and to popular monumental tourist sites in the nation\u2019s capital.\u00a0 The Memorial Bridge is an icon that unites this region, as our work together shows, especially Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser.\u201d\nNorton also said she was hopeful that the new funding would free up resources for NPS to finally address its deferred maintenance backlog, which includes NPS-maintained roads in the District, such as Ft. Dupont road, which have suffered through patch jobs and emergency repairs instead of needed comprehensive repairs.\nThe Memorial Bridge rehabilitation will be funded in part by a $90 million FASTLANE grant, as well as a $30 million contribution from the District of Columbia and Virginia.\u00a0 The remaining $107 million will come from NPS transportation and construction budgets.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/at-norton-s-request-us-marshal-for-dc-superior-court-to-investigate", "At Nortons Request, U.S. Marshal for D.C. Superior Court to Investigate Eviction Policies, But Norton Wants More Information on Eviction Policies and Training After D.C. Resident Files Complaint", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the U.S. Marshals Service\u2019s (USMS) response to Norton\u2019s letter requesting that the office of U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court reexamine its eviction policies after an incident in which tax documents were left on a curb in D.C. during the eviction of a local tax company.\nIn its response to Norton\u2019s letter, the USMS wrote, \u201cThe United States Marshals Service (USMS) takes privacy protection seriously and shares your concerns related to the protection of sensitive information.\u00a0 Therefore, in response to this incident, United States Marshal Michael Hughes has directed a full internal review of our eviction policies and procedures to address this issue.\u201d\u00a0 Norton said that she appreciated that USMS understands that an investigation is necessary when sensitive, private documents are dumped on the street as if they were mere furniture or other material objects during an eviction.\nNorton\u2019s office also released her follow-up letter to the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, Michael Hughes, requesting additional information on his office\u2019s eviction policies, procedures and training practices after she heard from a D.C. resident who has filed a complaint after experiencing an upsetting eviction by Marshals.\u00a0 In her letter, Norton wrote, \u201ca D.C. family informed me of their disturbing experience during an eviction executed by your office.\u00a0 Among other things, the family alleged that U.S. Marshals entered their home with their guns drawn and were verbally abusive.\u2026Because your office has local responsibilities for evictions in the District, it is essential that D.C. residents be made aware of your office\u2019s eviction policies and procedures.\u201d\nThe U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court\u2019s eviction orders.\u00a0 The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the landlord-tenant laws passed by the D.C. Council.\nNorton\u2019s full letter is below.\nThe Honorable Michael A. Hughes  \n\tU.S. Marshal  \n\tDistrict of Columbia Superior Court  \n\tH. Carl Moultrie Courthouse  \n\t500 Indiana Ave. NW Room C-250  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20001\nDear Marshal Hughes:\nOn November 3, 2017, I wrote to you regarding your office\u2019s policies and procedures for protecting sensitive personal information during evictions, after media reports that tax documents were left on a curb in the District of Columbia during the eviction of a tax company.\u00a0 After that letter received media attention, a D.C. family informed me of their disturbing experience during an eviction executed by your office.\u00a0 Among other things, the family alleged that U.S. Marshals entered their home with their guns drawn and were verbally abusive.\u00a0 The family has filed a claim with the U.S. Marshals Service for personal injuries and property damage, so I am appropriately precluded from commenting on the merits of the matter, and, in any case, there has been no official response from the Marshals Service to my constituent\u2019s claim.\nHowever, because your office has local responsibilities for evictions in the District, it is essential that D.C. residents be made aware of your office\u2019s eviction policies and procedures.\u00a0 As you know, the eviction process in the District is emblematic of the unique, hybrid federal-local criminal justice system here.\u00a0 The D.C. Council, which consists of locally elected officials, passes the landlord-tenant laws.\u00a0 The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the laws passed by the Council.\u00a0 The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court\u2019s eviction orders. \u00a0In other jurisdictions, all of these steps would be undertaken by local officials.\nI would also ask you to respond in writing to the following matters within the next thirty days:\n In general, U.S. Marshals do not execute residential evictions.\u00a0 However, your office executes them almost daily.\u00a0 What type of eviction training do your officers receive?\n\tDoes the Marshals Service in general and your office in particular have written eviction policies and procedures? If there are written policies and procedures, are any public and readily available?\n\tI understand that your office provides written notice to tenants informing them it will execute an eviction in the near future.\u00a0 Does that notice describe the eviction process and/or the rights and responsibilities of tenants during an eviction?\n\tIt appears that no individual district offices within the Marshals Service have websites.\u00a0 This lack of transparency and access is particularly problematic for your office, given your office\u2019s unique functions within the Marshals Service.\u00a0 I urge you to create a website so that D.C. residents and elected officials can easily contact your office, learn about the office\u2019s work, including the eviction process, and file complaints if necessary.\n\tHow does your office investigate complaints from the public of inappropriate conduct during evictions?\u00a0 Are the results of the investigations made public, or at least to the complainant?\n Thank you for your attention to these matters.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-allow-commercial-filming-on-capitol-grounds", "Norton Introduces Bill to Allow Commercial Filming on Capitol Grounds When Congress is Out of Session", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on all U.S. Capitol Grounds, beyond the single area where it is currently permitted, Union Square, when both chambers of Congress are out of session.\u00a0 Norton said her bill would provide a patriotic and economic boost to our nation and to the District of Columbia by allowing filmmakers to showcase the Capitol in its fullest authenticity to the nation and the rest of the world.\u00a0 The expanded filming would be subject to the same terms and conditions as filming in Union Square.\u00a0 Norton said her bill addresses any security concerns by giving Capitol Police full discretion to issue filming permits depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill is part of her effort to expand public access to public space, particularly around the Capitol.\n\u201cIn our open and free democracy, to the fullest extent possible, we should allow access to film our nation\u2019s most iconic democratic symbol\u2014the Capitol,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cIt is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation\u2019s democratic traditions to exclude filming of the Capitol, and, as we have shown, there is no justifiable policy or security reason to limit filming to Union Square.\u00a0 Encouraging commercial photography and filming at the Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around the world, while providing a boost to both the economies of the nation and the District of Columbia.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement is below.\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Permit Commercial Filming and Photography on the Grounds of the U.S. Capitol\nToday, I introduce a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, east of Union Square, the only area where such filming is currently authorized.\u00a0 This bill would permit commercial filming and photography outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit, so long as both the House and Senate are not in session.\u00a0 In today\u2019s world, where many societies are facing upheavals, our country should be the first to encourage commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, which symbolizes U.S. democracy at work.\u00a0 Hollywood and other commercial filmmakers should not have to go to other or fake capitol buildings for movies and films about the U.S. Capitol.\u00a0 The current policy permitting filming near the United States Botanic Garden shows that the Capitol police can handle filmmaking on Capitol grounds, especially when Congress is not in session.\u00a0 However, filming from that vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol.\u00a0 At a time when the reputation of Congress is particularly low, filming of the Capitol, a building that represents American democracy, could bolster its image.\u00a0 Keeping filmmakers from standing in front of the Capitol is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation\u2019s democratic traditions.\u00a0 Encouraging commercial filming and photography at the Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around the world.\u00a0 The time is overdue to allow commercial filming and photography of the exterior of the historic 19th century Capitol building.\u00a0\nThere is no good reason why commercial filming and photography should be confined to Union Square.\u00a0 Specifically, my bill gives the Capitol Police the discretion, depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol, to issue a permit authorizing commercial filming and photography under the same conditions as those in Union Square.\u00a0 Such areas might include, for example, Independence Avenue on the House side and Constitution Avenue on the Senate side.\u00a0 No policy or security reason exists to justify limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol complex to only one location, Union Square, particularly considering that permits are necessary.\u00a0 People are regularly seen on East Capitol Street (east of 2nd Street) taking pictures, where they get a full view of the Capitol building, demonstrating how arbitrary it is to limit commercial filming and photography to Union Square.\u00a0\nCapitol Police would also have authority to charge a fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol as a result of the issuance of the permit, to be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account.\u00a0 The Capitol Trust Account was established to accept proceeds from any fees collected for commercial filming and photography permits for Union Square.\u00a0 Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for such maintenance, improvements, and projects with respect to the Capitol grounds as the Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate.\nViews of the U.S. Capitol are among America\u2019s most iconic.\u00a0 Limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation\u2019s story, does not serve the American people.\u00a0 Indeed, most of the world knows our country and reveres our system of government largely through commercial films and photos of the Capitol, which symbolizes our democracy at work.\u00a0 Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation\u2019s story and showcasing its democratic system of government.\u00a0 Republicans and Democrats alike revere the image as a symbol of patriotism.\u00a0 My bill would enable appropriate, permitted commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, and would create economic benefits for the nation, the city, and private business.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-defeat-of-her-amendment-to-exempt-federal-sexual-harassment", "Norton Says Defeat of Her Amendment to Exempt Federal Sexual Harassment Rules from Anti-Regulatory Bill Shows Republican Rejection of Needed Changes", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today offered an amendment at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) hearing to prevent federal rules and regulations regarding sexual harassment from being repealed or modified at the expense of enacting new regulations.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s amendment was to a bill introduced by Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), which would codify President Trump\u2019s executive orders that arbitrarily require offsetting the number and costs of new regulations by amending or repealing existing important regulations that protect the health and security of the American public.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s amendment garnered immediate support from all OGR Democrats present at the markup, who all asked to be cosponsors of her amendment.\n\u201cFor weeks, Congress has been on the hot seat on sexual harassment and cannot seem to get off of it,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cJust yesterday, Democrats and Republicans trotted to the House floor to express bipartisan support for mandatory sexual harassment training and posting of worker rights.\u00a0 That was so easy a change\u2014one I had already implemented in my own office\u2014that the public must wonder why these policies were not law long ago.\u00a0 It took only one day to retract even that progress with today\u2019s vote.\u00a0 Instead of moving forward in the congressional promise to eliminate sexual harassment, we have just doubled down on the unacceptable status quo.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-bill-requiring-anti-harassment-and-anti-discrimination-training", "After Bill Requiring Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training Passes House, Norton Still Pressing for Congressional Employees to Receive Same Comprehensive Protections Afforded to Other Federal and Private Sector Workers", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today spoke on the House floor in support of a resolution requiring House Members and staff to complete anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, but even though it passed and is now in force, congressional staff still lack the same workplace protections afforded to executive branch and private sector employees.\u00a0 Last month, Norton, an expert in sexual harassment and other anti-discrimination laws, introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the very same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill provides general whistleblower protections and anti-retaliation measures and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions applicable to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to the Office of Compliance, which was established by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.\n\u201cThe House today has taken an easy, non-controversial step that should have been law long ago,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe posting of rights and training is certainly needed, with controversies about sexual harassment popping up in the House and Senate.\u00a0 It is not clear that Members of Congress and others who have power in the workplace even know what actions constitute sexual harassment.\u00a0 It is time they learned, and training should therefore help.\u00a0\n\u201cHowever, even with today\u2019s bill passage, Congress still exempts itself from a number of critical workplace protections that it imposes on the American people, American businesses and others.\u00a0 Congress must afford a workplace culture where employees feel protected, and the debate should not stop at just sexual harassment.\u00a0 We need to take a comprehensive look at all ways to protect against unequal treatment in the congressional workplace.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-cruz-for-reintroducing-radical-bill-to-force-dc-to-direct", "Norton Blasts Cruz for Reintroducing Radical Bill to Force D.C. to Direct Local Education Funds to Private School Vouchers and Vows to Defeat Again", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for reintroducing a bill she has kept from moving before that would radically alter the District of Columbia\u2019s local education system by forcing D.C. to steer its local funds away from D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools to vouchers for any student who chooses to attend private schools.\u00a0 Norton said Cruz\u2019s bill is \u201cprivate school vouchers on steroids,\u201d and goes far beyond the existing D.C. private school voucher program, which uses federal funds.\u00a0 The bill would also force D.C. to use its local funds to pay for other educational expenses such as private online classes.\nLast Congress, Cruz launched multiple attacks on D.C. home rule ahead of announcing his presidential bid, introducing bills to overturn two D.C. anti-discrimination laws.\u00a0 Last Congress, the Republican-controlled House and Senate roundly rejected all amendments to establish national voucher programs as part of the bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.\n\u201cSenator Cruz\u2019s attempt to force the District of Columbia to spend its own locally-raised education dollars on private school vouchers ranks among the most extreme attack on home rule we have witnessed,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cEducation is one of the most fundamental functions of local government, which Cruz, a champion of local control, knows well.\u00a0 His abuse of congressional power to undermine our public and charter school system violates every single local control bone in his body.\u00a0 Cruz\u2019s bill would starve local funding for D.C. public and public charter schools and redirect funds to unaccountable private schools.\u00a0 While I oppose the existing private school voucher program in D.C., it at least uses federal funds.\u00a0 We defeated the Cruz bill last Congress by working with Members of the House and Senate and our national and local coalition of allies, and we will do so again.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-raskin-for-amendment-to-protect-nation-s-capital-from", "Norton Thanks Raskin for Amendment to Protect Nations Capital from National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) thanked Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, for offering an amendment today that would exempt the District of Columbia from a bill (H.R. 38) that would require every jurisdiction to recognize out-of-state concealed carry handgun permits, even though states have different requirements for such permits.\u00a0 Norton spoke in support of the amendment this morning at a House Democratic Caucus meeting.\u00a0 The amendment failed by voice vote.\n\u201cI do not serve on the Judiciary Committee, but Representative Raskin, who has been a leading champion of equality for the District of Columbia, has stepped up to try to stop the insanity of allowing virtually unrestricted concealed carry in the nation\u2019s capital,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThis bill is a threat to the heart of the federal government and local D.C.\u00a0 Considering recent gun massacres from, Sutherland Springs, TX to Las Vegas, NV, it is difficult to believe any national or local legislature would encourage people to carry concealed guns across state lines today.\u00a0 Republicans are so beholden to the National Rifle Association, which has made national concealed carry reciprocity its top priority, they are willing to endanger the President, cabinet, other federal officials, foreign diplomats and the many controversial figures, who regularly frequent our amenities and travel openly in our public places.\u00a0 Representative Raskin\u2019s amendment is necessary, with the permission of the District of Columbia, even if D.C. had statehood.\u201d\nUnder Norton\u2019s D.C. statehood bill, D.C.\u2019s current residential and commercial neighborhoods would become the 51st state, while the federal territory, the nation\u2019s capital, would be reduced in size and consist only of the monumental core of the city, including the White House and Capitol.\u00a0 Norton would support exempting that new nation\u2019s capital from the bill, as well as the new state because those who visit the nation\u2019s capital frequent public places outside of the confines of the Mall and federal buildings.\nNorton continues to fight the two D.C.-specific gun bills that are pending in Congress.\u00a0 One bill, the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Thomas Garrett (R-VA), would eliminate almost all of D.C.\u2019s gun laws.\u00a0 The other, the DC Personal Protection Reciprocity Act, sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), would require D.C. to recognize out-of-state permits, regardless of a state\u2019s permitting laws.\u00a0 The Congresswoman has succeeded in keeping these bills from becoming law in past Congresses.\nIn light of a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision, concealed carry permit applicants in D.C. no longer need to demonstrate a good reason to carry.\u00a0 However, other D.C. permit requirements, such as training, are still in force.\u00a0 If H.R. 38 were to become law, people with out-of-state carry permits could carry in D.C. without complying with D.C.\u2019s requirements.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-republican-senate-confirms-third-dc-district-court-nominee", "Norton Says Republican Senate Confirms Third D.C. District Court Nominee Without Input from Residents, Comprising Half of All Senate-Confirmed District Court Nominees", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that yesterday\u2019s Senate confirmation of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia means that half of the six Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year were for the D.C. district court.\u00a0 The other three confirmed nominees were from states with two Republican senators.\u00a0 Norton said the high volume of D.C. district court confirmations shows that the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans are fast-tracking D.C. nominees due to the District\u2019s lack of Senate representation.\u00a0 Thus far, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been observing the traditional \u201cblue-slip\u201d process for district court nominees, which requires both home-state senators to sign off before the committee will consider a nominee.\nUnlike the last three administrations, the Trump administration has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District.\u00a0 Norton repeatedly protested and her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who then requested that all D.C. district court nominees meet with Norton before their committee votes.\n\u201cBy excluding D.C. from the nominating process, the Trump administration is treating the D.C. district court like a patronage center without regard to the D.C. residents who these federal officials must serve,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cAlthough the District lacks Senate representation, we had senatorial courtesy in Democratic administrations and courtesy of consultation from the George W. Bush administration.\u00a0 I now meet with President Trump\u2019s nominees, thanks to working with Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, who have insisted that at least that courtesy take place.\u00a0 However, I will continue to insist that the Trump administration fully incorporate D.C. in the nominating process.\u201d\nIn March, Norton wrote Trump requesting that he extend her the courtesy of consulting on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C.\u2014including federal district court judges, the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Marshals\u2014the same courtesy extended to her by President George W. Bush.\u00a0 Presidents Clinton and Obama extended Norton \u201csenatorial courtesy\u201d to recommend these federal officials in the same manner as Democratic senators, and all of Norton\u2019s recommendations were D.C. residents or committed to residing in the District during their terms.\u00a0 Using the senatorial authority granted by Presidents Clinton and Obama, Norton formed her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates.\u00a0 Norton interviewed commission-vetted candidates and submitted names to the president from a list recommended by the commission.\nTo date, Trump has nominated five officials for positions in D.C.\u2014four to the federal district court and the U.S. Attorney\u2014but four of the five are not D.C. residents.\u00a0 Friedrich is not a D.C. resident.\u00a0 Under federal law, in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, federal district court judges, U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals are required to reside within the jurisdictions where they have been appointed\u2014but no such residency requirement exists for officials serving in the District.\u00a0 In April, Norton introduced a bill to require these officials serving in D.C. to live in D.C.\u00a0 The bill is part of her \u201cFree and Equal D.C.\u201d series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-participate-in-ogr-field-hearing-in-baltimore-on-combating-the", "Norton to Participate in OGR Field Hearing in Baltimore on Combating the Opioid Crisis, Today", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will travel to Baltimore, MD for a special Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) field hearing today, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 12:30 p.m., at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (Chevy Chase Auditorium, 1800 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD).\u00a0 The hearing was requested by OGR Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to examine the ongoing national opioid crisis and hear recommendations from expert witnesses.\n\u201cEvery part of our nation, including the nation\u2019s capital, has been affected by the opioid epidemic,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe governors of Maryland and Virginia and the mayor of the District of Columbia held a regional summit on opioid abuse and are working together to learn from one another.\u00a0 It makes sense for Members of Congress to do the same.\u00a0 The opioid crisis runs so deep that it needs all parts of our government to coordinate an overwhelming response with bolstered information and resources.\u00a0 I look forward to questioning today\u2019s witnesses on the steps Congress can take to help localities confront this crisis.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-king-for-introducing-anti-union-bill-uniquely-targeting-dc", "Norton Blasts King for Introducing Anti-Union Bill Uniquely Targeting D.C.s Labor Laws, Expects to Defeat Bill for Ninth Straight Time", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Representative Steve King (R-IA) for introducing a bill attacking the District of Columbia's local labor laws.\u00a0 King\u2019s bill, the Freedom from Union Violence Act of 2017, would make it a special federal crime to engage in violence during a labor dispute solely within the District, but not solely within states.\u00a0 The bill would also cover violence during labor disputes in connection with interstate commerce or solely within the territories.\n\u201cRepresentative King is abusing congressional authority to drag the District of Columbia into his politically-motivated attack on organized labor, uniquely affecting local D.C. union workers,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI will be fighting with our allies to defeat this anti-labor and anti-home-rule legislation, as I have successfully done the past eight Congresses.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-18th-annual-safeway-feast-of-sharing-at-the", "Norton to Speak at 18th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing at the Convention Center, Today", "2017-11-22", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak to District of Columbia seniors at the 18th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing today, Wednesday, November 22, 2017, and speak at approximately 11:20 a.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon PL NW).\u00a0 The event will provide a free turkey dinner to approximately 5,000 residents, as well as health screenings and clothing donations.\n\u201cWe owe so much to the District\u2019s seniors that they get a Thanksgiving feast before Thanksgiving,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI thank Safeway and the many partners for providing a special occasion to say thank you to seniors, who built our city giving us the strong foundation that is enabling today\u2019s growth.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-elated-that-republican-senate-dc-appropriations-bill-contains-no", "Norton Elated That Republican Senate D.C. Appropriations Bill Contains No Anti-Home-Rule Riders for Third Year in a Row", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Republican Senate fiscal year 2018 District of Columbia appropriations bill does not contain any anti-home-rule riders, exempts D.C. from a shutdown in fiscal year 2019, and provides funds for many of Norton\u2019s legislative priorities.\u00a0 Unlike in past years, the bill was released by the Senate Appropriations Committee before being marked up by the committee, likely signaling the committee will not mark up the bill and it instead will be used as the basis for negotiations with the House on any final spending bill.\u00a0 Norton said that the Senate bill provides $30 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), $10 million below the $40 million fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and equal to the $30 million provided in President Trump\u2019s budget and the House-passed fiscal year 2018 D.C. appropriations bill.\u00a0 However, Norton said that she will try to restore DCTAG funding to $40 million in the final spending bill, as she has done the past two fiscal years.\n\u201cGetting the D.C. Tuition Access Grant funding was necessarily our top priority, with thousands of our young people enrolled in colleges across the country and hundreds slated to go in February and September,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cYet again, this year getting a Senate appropriations bill free of anti-home rule riders is tangible progress that we intend to build upon.\u00a0 In a period known for budget cuts, we have successfully used the returns to the federal and District government by federal funds, such as DCTAG and HIV/AIDS progress, to keep these funds from being cut.\u201d\nFor the third straight year, the Republican Senate D.C. appropriations bill allows the District to spend its local funds as its sees fit.\u00a0 In contrast, the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill repealed D.C.\u2019s medical aid-in-dying law, the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), and blocks D.C. from spending its local funds on abortion, taxing and regulating marijuana sales, and carrying out a local D.C. anti-discrimination law, the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA).\u00a0 Nevertheless, Norton saved RHNDA the past two fiscal years and believes she can do so again, along with saving the DWDA.\nNorton said that the Senate bill again ignores the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 (BAA), the referendum overwhelmingly passed in 2013 by D.C. voters that granted the District budget autonomy, for fiscal year 2018 by appropriating D.C.\u2019s funds for fiscal year 2018.\u00a0 However, unlike the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill, the Senate bill does not repeal the budget autonomy referendum.\nNorton said that the Senate bill provides $8.5 million for the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for ongoing work to control flooding in the city and clean up the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek, increasingly urgent as the city faces increasing flood risks on the National Mall and in downtown D.C. and city neighborhoods.\u00a0 The House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill did not provide any funding for DC Water.\nThe Senate bill provides $5 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C., equal to the amount in the House appropriations bill and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the president\u2019s fiscal year 2017 budget request, a Norton priority that has always been preserved in the final bill.\u00a0 The Senate bill also provides $435,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program for tuition for D.C. National Guard soldiers, the same level provided by the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill and a small decrease from the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-appear-on-abc-s-this-week-with-george-stephanopoulos-to", "Norton to Appear on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos to Discuss Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill, Sunday", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss the topical issue of addressing sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and beyond on ABC\u2019s \u201cThis Week with George Stephanopoulos\u201d tomorrow, Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.\u00a0 As EEOC chair, Norton issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, which Norton administered, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.\u00a0 Norton has introduced legislation to require that congressional employees receive the same comprehensive workplace protections now required by law in federal agencies and the private sector, including required sexual harassment training.\u00a0 Norton has taken sexual harassment training by video and has required her staff to do the same.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-discusses-issues-facing-dc-immigrants-with-her-congressional", "Norton Discusses Issues Facing D.C. Immigrants with Her Congressional Latino Council", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday met with her Congressional Latino Council on the economic, legal and humanitarian issues facing District of Columbia DREAMers and the large number of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders in the District.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s Congressional Latino Council comprises prominent D.C. Latino organizations that work directly with communities affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and TPS.\u00a0 The following organizations attended yesterday\u2019s meeting: CARECEN, La Clinica del Pueblo, Mary\u2019s Center, Latin American Youth Center, Carlos Rosario Public Charter School, and Latino Economic Development Center.\nNorton reported on the official number of D.C. residents who are DACA and TPS recipients\u2014D.C. has nearly 800 DREAMers and 3,470 TPS holders, primarily from El Salvador (3,128) and Honduras (231).\u00a0 The Council reported that if DACA ends, D.C.\u2019s economy would lose nearly $50 million annually, and the U.S. economy would lose over $460 billion in GDP over the next decade.\u00a0 In the D.C. area, 20 percent of the construction and hospitality workforce is comprised of TPS recipients.\nNorton and the Council discussed the need to pass the DREAM Act (H.R. 3440), which Norton has cosponsored, without any poison pills, such as funding for any border wall or an increase in Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Border Patrol agents.\u00a0 Norton is a cosponsor of over a dozen other key immigration bills in Congress.\u00a0 The Council also recommended increased funding for legal defense for undocumented immigrants, who may not know their rights upon arrival, as well as increased local pro bono services.\u00a0 Such legal services could advise undocumented residents on filing asylum claims, as the conditions on the ground in El Salvador and Honduras have not improved since Congress extended TPS for both nations in 2016.\nThe Council reported that the constant stream of threats regarding DACA and TPS has put enormous trauma on our immigrant residents, particularly children, many of whom live in mixed-status families where some members are American citizens and others are undocumented.\u00a0 In addition, the Council reported a shortage of teachers and staff at D.C. schools who can communicate in both English and Spanish to help immigrant children when they first arrive.\u00a0 However, D.C. is providing wrap-around services to help the children integrate into D.C. schools.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-31st-annual-adoption-day-celebration-saturday", "Norton to Speak at 31st Annual Adoption Day Celebration, Saturday", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at the 2017 Annual Adoption Day Celebration being held tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. \u2013 noon, at the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Ave. NW).\u00a0 The annual event celebrates the adoptions of children in the District of Columbia.\u00a0 At the event, a D.C. Superior Court judge will announce the new last names for over twenty children as they are received by their new parents.\n\u201cVirtually every year since becoming our city\u2019s representative in Congress, I have taken great joy in celebrating Adoption Day,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cOver the years, our city has significantly reduced the number of children in foster care, which is emblematic of a city with a big heart where children come first.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-appointed-by-pelosi-to-serve-on-frederick-douglass-bicentennial", "Norton Appointed by Pelosi to Serve on Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Established by Nortons Bill", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pelosi Also Appoints Douglass\u2019 Great-Great-Great Grandson\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has appointed Norton to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission, which was established by Norton\u2019s bill (Public Law 115-77).\u00a0 The commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 Douglass\u2019 home at Cedar Hill in Southeast Washington, D.C. is an official National Historic Site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.\u00a0 Leader Pelosi also appointed Kenneth Morris, Jr., Douglass\u2019 great-great-great grandson, to the commission.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill specified that the House Minority Leader would appoint two members of the commission, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House.\n\u201cI thank Leader Pelosi for selecting me to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI am particularly pleased that she also has appointed Kenneth Morris, Jr., the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass, whose knowledge of Douglass\u2019 legacy is unequaled.\u00a0 I look forward to the bipartisan work of planning a fitting celebration in honor of one of the greatest Americans in history, including events here in the District of Columbia, which Douglass called home for most of his adult life.\u201d\nThe commission\u2019s other 14 members will be appointed as follows:\n Two members appointed by the President.\n\tFour members appointed by the President on the recommendation of each of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\n\tThree members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House.\n\tThree members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.\n\tTwo members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-presses-dhs-inspector-general-on-federal-government-s-shamefully", "Norton Presses DHS Inspector General on Federal Governments Shamefully Slow Response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) hearing questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General John Roth regarding the federal government\u2019s slow response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Maria, which made landfall there eight weeks ago.\u00a0 DHS has jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has responsibility for disaster response.\u00a0 Norton requested that the committee subpoena documents regarding the Administration\u2019s response to Hurricane Maria because the White House is withholding information from Congress and the public.\nNorton first asked Roth what grade, from one to 10, he would give the Administration for its hurricane response.\u00a0 Roth said his office is currently looking into that very issue and to assess how the situation has been handled.\nNorton raised serious concerns about the future of disaster responses after the allegations surrounding a $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy, which had only two employees when Hurricane Maria made landfall.\u00a0 She asked Roth if there are any measures in place to flag such an inappropriate selection, emphasizing that the contract was ultimately canceled due to press reports and ensuing public outcry, not because of executive or congressional oversight.\u00a0 Roth said there is an ongoing investigation led by federal auditors into FEMA\u2019s involvement in the contract selection process in Puerto Rico.\nNorton said after there was an eight-day delay in appointing a three-star general to lead recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, now, to make matters worse, Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan is already being withdrawn, along with his military equipment, despite his acknowledgement that \u201cpeople still need help.\u201d\u00a0 Norton asked Roth how Buchanan\u2019s withdrawal is justified and whether his office is looking into the military\u2019s decision to withdraw.\u00a0 Roth said he would take Norton\u2019s request into account as he examines the role DHS played in the decision to withdraw Buchanan and military equipment.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-continues-to-build-record-support-for-her-dc-statehood-bill-now", "Norton Continues to Build Record Support for Her D.C. Statehood Bill, Now with 140 Cosponsors", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that she has garnered 140 cosponsors for her bill to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, up from the last reported high.\u00a0 Norton has continued to build support for her Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 1291) since she broke the record for cosponsors in July as high school students with DC Vote met with congressional offices and helped Norton get to a new record of 134 cosponsors.\u00a0 In March, Norton introduced her statehood bill with a record number of House original cosponsors (116), which are Members who introduced the bill with Norton.\n\u201cWith each Congress, we are growing a strong foundation of support for D.C. statehood with Members understanding the injustice of D.C. being first in federal taxes paid per capita and last in congressional voting rights,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWe now have 72 percent of all House Democrats on our bill, and we will keep working to get every single Member of our caucus to sign on.\u00a0 Republicans are opposed, but that will change with time and struggle.\u00a0 While our effort continues in the House, residents keep working to galvanize support among neighbors, family and friends and to use social media to go national and build the pressure in Congress.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-wants-nps-to-reconsider-proposal-to-close-washington-monument", "Norton Wants NPS to Reconsider Proposal to Close Washington Monument Athletic Fields, Spike in Fees for Other Fields on the Mall", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), joined by Representatives Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), today sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) urging it to reconsider its proposal to permanently close six athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument and to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.\nIn the letter, the Members wrote, \u201cAs you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity\u2014including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.\u00a0 We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS\u2019s desire to protect it from damage.\u00a0 But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary\u2014it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.\u00a0 Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.\u00a0 Space for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region\u2026.We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone.\u201d\nThe full letter is below.\nMichael Reynolds  \n\tActing Director  \n\tNational Park Service  \n\t1849 C Street  \n\tWashington, DC 20240\nDear Acting Director Reynolds:\nWe are writing in regard to the National Park Service\u2019s (NPS) proposal to permanently close the athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument, and, in addition, to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.\u00a0 Our understanding is that this proposal will permanently close six fields and increase rates at the remaining fields from $7 per season to and astronomical $70 for only a two-hour reservation.\u00a0 We understand that Congress has underfunded NPS over the years, and we are committed to ensuring that NPS\u2019s budget is increased.\u00a0 Nevertheless, we are dismayed by this proposal, which limits access to the Mall and places enormous financial barriers to recreation.\nAs you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity\u2014including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.\u00a0 We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS\u2019s desire to protect it from damage.\u00a0 But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary\u2014it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.\u00a0 Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.\nSpace for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region.\u00a0 Closing six fields at the Washington Monument will impact local parks and recreation departments that already have long waitlists for neighborhood fields.\u00a0 We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone.\u00a0\nWe ask that you respond to us within 30 days of receipt of this letter.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton  \n\tElijah E. Cummings  \n\tGerald E. Connolly  \n\tC.A. Dutch Ruppersberger  \n\tDonald S. Beyer Jr.  \n\tJohn P. Sarbanes  \n\tJamie Raskin\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-press-conference-with-mayor-bowser-and-local-leaders-on", "Norton to Host Press Conference with  Mayor Bowser and Local Leaders on House Republican Tax Plans Harmful Impact on D.C. and Other Localities", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a press conference to highlight the House Republican tax reform bill\u2019s (H.R. 1) harmful impact on the District of Columbia today, Monday, November 13, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the House Triangle (SE Corner of U.S. Capitol).\u00a0 Norton will be joined by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, the African American Mayors Association, and Americans Against Double Taxation (AADT).\u00a0 Among Norton\u2019s top priorities is preserving State and Local Tax Exemption (SALT) deductions, used by 40 percent of D.C. taxpayers, which would be repealed by the House bill for state and local income and sales taxes.\u00a0 The House bill would also cap SALT deductions for property taxes at $10,000 per year.\n\u201cHouse Republicans are rushing through a massive tax cut bill that will leave District residents with the highest tax increase in the nation,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe House bill is a giveaway to corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent at the expense of hardworking, everyday Americans. \u00a0It is particularly insulting to D.C. residents, who already pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the United States.\u00a0 However, the District has many allies in this fight.\u00a0 If enough of us, like our coalition at tomorrow\u2019s press conference, work together, we can get a better product.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-dc-veterans-who-served-their", "Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans, Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied a Vote and Full Home Rule", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Because District of Columbia veterans uniquely serve without a vote in Congress, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) took two actions to commemorate Veterans Day, which is on Saturday, November 11, 2017.\nNorton introduced a resolution recognizing D.C.\u2019s 30,000 veterans and their families, condemning the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families, and calling for statehood for the District to make D.C. veterans and other residents whole.\nYesterday, she spoke on the House floor in honor of D.C. veterans, and asked Congress to erase taxation without representation.\u00a0 In her remarks, Norton said, \u201cDo it for District residents.\u00a0 But on this Veterans Day, I ask you to do it for the 30,000 D.C. veterans who deserve equal rights.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s resolution is below.\nRESOLUTION\nRecognizing the denial of full voting rights in Congress for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents.\nWhereas on November 11th, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served and sacrificed for their country;\nWhereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized;\nWhereas the service of approximately 30,000 residents of the District of Columbia in the armed forces is unparalleled because they served without full voting rights in Congress;\nWhereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of 'no taxation without representation', and have served in every war fought by the United States since;\nWhereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during the War;\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 the War;\nWhereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during the War;\nWhereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during the War;\nWhereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;\nWhereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied full voting rights in the House of Representatives and the Senate; and\nWhereas H.R. 1291, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, would grant full and equal voting rights as well as democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State: Now, therefore, be it\nResolved,\u00a0That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-provide-employers-with-incentives-to-hire-long", "Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Employers with Incentives to Hire Long-Term Unemployed", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill that would help address the ongoing crisis of long-term unemployment by giving employers a $5,000 tax credit against their payroll tax liability for each new net person hired who has been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.\u00a0 Although the overall unemployment rate has dropped to roughly four percent, the number of long-term unemployed in October 2017 was 1.6 million, which accounted for 24.8 percent of the total unemployed population.\n\u201cToo many long-term unemployed Americans face employment discrimination as employers continue to show reluctance to hire these job-seekers because of the length of their unemployment.\u00a0 Therefore, my bill provides a necessary incentive to hire those who have been unjustifiably left behind,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThese workers often have impressive experience and backgrounds.\u00a0 They have enviable work records.\u00a0 The country cannot afford to discard them.\u00a0 Putting the long-term unemployed back to work will provide a boost to our economy.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement is below.\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Reducing Long-Term Unemployment Act\nToday, I introduce the Reducing Long-Term Unemployment Act to address one of the lingering workforce tragedies in today\u2019s economy\u2014our long-term unemployed\u2014and to keep the economy growing.\u00a0 Although the overall unemployment rate has fallen to approximately four percent, Americans who have remained unemployed for longer than 27 weeks have not enjoyed a similar recovery.\u00a0 In October 2017, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was 1.6 million, which accounted for 24.8 percent of the total unemployed population.\nTo make matters even worse, the long-term unemployed now face employment discrimination as employers show reluctance to hire these job-seekers because of the length of their unemployment.\u00a0 Therefore, my bill provides a necessary incentive to hire the long-term unemployed\u2014a $5,000 tax credit for employers against their payroll tax liability for each (net) new long-term unemployed person they hire.\u00a0 This tax credit is large enough to give employers an incentive to increase the hiring and wages of those who have been unjustifiably left behind, while ensuring that the economy benefits from their participation.\u00a0 The credit would be available to the broadest base of employers because every employer, including nonprofits, pays payroll taxes, and employers could claim the credit on a quarterly, rather than annual, basis.\u00a0 According to the independent, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposal would \u201cincrease both output and employment\u201d through four mechanisms: (1) with lower employment costs, employers would reduce the costs of their products and services, which, in turn, would first boost sales and then hiring and hours worked; (2) employers would pass on some of the tax savings to employees in the form of higher wages or other compensation, which, in turn, would increase employees\u2019 purchasing power; (3) higher profits would lead to higher stock prices for public companies, increasing shareholders\u2019 wealth and therefore their willingness to spend; and (4) with lower employment costs, employers would increase hiring.\u00a0 The bill has safeguards to prevent employers from gaming the system, including denying a credit to an employer that fires one employee and hires a replacement in order to take advantage of the incentive.\nFor some time, it has been clear that targeted policies are necessary to address today\u2019s stubborn long-term unemployment rates.\u00a0 Without significant targeting, the long-term unemployed are in danger of becoming permanently unemployed.\u00a0 This group of competent and experienced Americans deserves better.\u00a0\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-requests-to-testify-at-hearing-on-sexual-harassment-in-congress", "Norton Requests to Testify at Hearing on Sexual Harassment in Congress", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton\u2019s letter to the House Administration Committee requesting to testify at an upcoming committee hearing on the House\u2019s sexual harassment policies, including whether to require Members and staff to complete sexual harassment training.\u00a0 The hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 1310 Longworth House Office Building.\u00a0 As the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Norton issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.\u00a0 Last week, Norton introduced a bill to offer congressional employees the same workplace protections, including required sexual harassment training, as other federal and private sector workers.\u00a0 Norton has required herself and her congressional staff to complete sexual harassment training, and has urged her colleagues to mandate training even before a formal House requirement.\nIn her letter, Norton wrote, \u201cI understand that the committee is reviewing the House\u2019s sexual harassment policies, and I believe that my past role as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) could provide valuable insight for the committee as it undertakes its review.\u00a0 I was appointed in 1977 to the EEOC as the first woman Chair, and enforced federal job discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars job discrimination.\u00a0 As Chair, I issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld our guidelines.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s full letter is below.\nThe Honorable Gregg Harper\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0  \n\tChairman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0  \n\tHouse Administration Committee\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0  \n\t1309 Longworth House Office Building  \n\tWashington, DC 20515\nThe Honorable Robert Brady\u00a0\u00a0  \n\tRanking Member  \n\tHouse Administration Committee  \n\t1307 Longworth House Office Building  \n\tWashington, DC 20515\nDear Chairman Harper and Ranking Member Brady:\nI write to request to testify at the House Administration Committee\u2019s hearing on November 14, 2017, which will focus on sexual harassment awareness training.\u00a0 I understand that the committee is reviewing the House\u2019s sexual harassment policies, and I believe that my past role as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) could provide valuable insight for the committee as it undertakes its review.\u00a0 I was appointed in 1977 to the EEOC as the first woman Chair, and enforced federal job discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars job discrimination.\u00a0 As Chair, I issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld our guidelines.\nMore recently, I led a letter with our House colleagues, Representative Jackie Speier and Representative Brenda Lawrence, asking Members to take action on their own to require sexual harassment training in our offices while our bills that mandate training are pending.\u00a0 I have taken these actions myself and see no reason why Members should not immediately act on their own to protect their staff from workplace harassment.\nI look forward to hearing from you.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-files-amendment-to-make-dc-eligible-for-federal-flood-mitigation", "Norton Files Amendment to Make D.C. Eligible for Federal Flood Mitigation Funds", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has filed an amendment to the 21st Century Flood Reform Act (H.R. 2874) to make the District of Columbia eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s amendment is the same text as the Flood Prevention Act of 2017 (H.R. 2540), which she introduced in May.\u00a0 Norton filed her amendment at the House Rules Committee, which is scheduled to consider H.R. 2874 today, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., in H-313 (U.S. Capitol).\n\u201cI am using every vehicle I can to protect the nation\u2019s capital from floods like those that put Federal Triangle, several federal agencies and D.C. neighborhoods underwater 11 years ago,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe District of Columbia, a city situated on two rivers, experienced major flooding in the recent past and continues to be at significant risk.\u00a0 Making D.C. eligible for these critical federal flood prevention funds would help protect not only D.C. neighborhoods, but also the National Mall, our museums, and critical federal buildings located downtown.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-asks-us-marshal-superior-court-to-update-eviction-policies-after", "Norton Asks U.S. Marshal, Superior Court to Update Eviction Policies After Sensitive Tax Documents Were Left on Curb", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton\u2019s letter to U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court Michael Hughes and D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse regarding an incident in which tax documents were left on a curb in D.C. during the eviction of a local tax company earlier this week.\u00a0 The letter requests that the Marshal\u2019s office and the Court reexamine eviction policies to ensure sensitive information is protected.\u00a0 The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court\u2019s eviction orders.\u00a0 The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the landlord-tenant laws passed by the D.C. Council.\nIn her letter, Norton wrote, \u201cWhile I understand that landlords are responsible for removing their evicted tenants\u2019 property from their premises, the Superior Court and the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court play a significant role in evictions.\u00a0 Therefore, I urge you to adopt protocols and policies to protect sensitive information during evictions\u2026.It is particularly important for policies and practices to be developed to protect sensitive information during evictions of commercial tenants that possess obviously sensitive information, such as tax and law firms or physician offices, as illustrated by the Speedy Tax Service eviction.\u00a0 However, evictions of tenants from residential premises may also involve the removal of sensitive information, so steps should be taken to protect sensitive information during such evictions, too.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s full letter is below.\nThe Honorable Michael A. Hughes  \n\tU.S. Marshal  \n\tDistrict of Columbia Superior Court  \n\tH. Carl Moultrie Courthouse  \n\t500 Indiana Ave. NW Room C-250  \n\tWashington, DC 20001\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Robert E. Morin  \n\tDistrict of Columbia Superior Court  \n\tChief Judge  \n\tH. Carl Moultrie Courthouse\u00a0\u00a0  \n\t500 Indiana Ave. NW  \n\tWashington, DC 20001\nDear Marshal Hughes and Chief Judge Morin:\nI was alarmed to read news reports that tax documents were left on a curb in the District of Columbia during the eviction this week of a tax company, Speedy Tax Service, from its office.\u00a0 Fortunately, it appears that the Treasury Department has attempted to collect these documents, and, apparently in light of these news reports, the U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court has started an internal review of its eviction policies and practices, including how to protect sensitive information.\nWhile I understand that landlords are responsible for removing their evicted tenants\u2019 property from their premises, the Superior Court and the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court play a significant role in evictions.\u00a0 Therefore, I urge you to adopt protocols and policies to protect sensitive information during evictions.\nAs you know, several entities are involved in the eviction process, and all have a role to play in protecting sensitive information.\u00a0 After the Superior Court approves an eviction, landlords, generally along with movers they have hired, enter their premises and remove the evicted tenant\u2019s property and place it on the curb.\u00a0 Prior to the removal of the property, Marshals enter the premises to check for individuals who may interfere with the eviction, and search for weapons and contraband that should not be left on the curb.\nIt is particularly important for policies and practices to be developed to protect sensitive information during evictions of commercial tenants that possess obviously sensitive information, such as tax and law firms or physician offices, as illustrated by the Speedy Tax Service eviction.\u00a0 However, evictions of tenants from residential premises may also involve the removal of sensitive information, so steps should be taken to protect sensitive information during such evictions, too.\nAs you know, the eviction process in the District is emblematic of the unique, hybrid federal-local criminal justice system here.\u00a0 The D.C. Council, which consists of locally elected officials, passes the landlord-tenant laws.\u00a0 The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the laws passed by the Council.\u00a0 The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court\u2019s eviction orders. \u00a0In other jurisdictions, all of these steps would be undertaken by local officials.\nAgain, I appreciate that the Marshal\u2019s office has apparently begun a review of its eviction policies and practices, and look forward to your findings.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-speier-lawrence-urge-colleagues-to-require-sexual-harassment", "Norton, Speier, Lawrence Urge Colleagues to Require Sexual Harassment Training for Members and Staff", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today sent a \u201cDear Colleague\u201d letter to Members of the House of Representatives urging them to adopt mandatory sexual harassment training for their offices, already required for federal agencies.\u00a0 Norton, Lawrence, and Speier have each introduced bills to address the issue of sexual harassment in Congress.\nIn their letter, the Members wrote, \u201cWe must lead by example in our own offices by instituting mandatory sexual harassment prevention and response training now.\u00a0 Our staff works incredibly hard each day, and they deserve to have the same protections afforded their counterparts in the private sector as well as those in federal agencies.\u00a0 We should ensure that their workplaces are free from harassment and discrimination by doing whatever is in our power even if not required by law We may not always agree on matters of policy, but we should all come together to ensure our staff are as protected as they would be in the private sector or other branches of government.\u00a0 We therefore urge you to follow our lead and require regular sexual harassment prevention and response training in your offices for yourselves, as leaders of your offices, and for current and new employees.\u201d\nBelow is their full letter.\nDear Colleague:\nWe write to urge you to use your own authority to adopt mandatory sexual harassment training for your offices.\u00a0 This training is already required for federal agencies.\u00a0 The Office of Compliance (OOC) offers a 30-minute online training, available now, that would be a good start for all of our offices to view and learn from, particularly considering that many staff may not be aware of what constitutes sexual harassment and misconduct.\u00a0 As you may have seen in recent news reports, Congress is not immune from horrific stories of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct.\u00a0 Former and current staffers spoke out on social media during the #MeToo campaign, which originated after the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations, sharing stunning and embarrassing stories of workplace harassment, including groping, inappropriate emails and text messages, and predatory behavior on the part of both Members and staff.\nEach of us has introduced bills aimed at protecting legislative branch employees from sexual harassment by requiring proactive measures such as sexual harassment prevention and response training, enhancing anti-retaliation protections for staffers who report harassment, and streamlining the dispute resolution process currently in place at the OOC.\u00a0 However, we can and should take whatever action we can now to prevent sexual harassment in Congress.\u00a0 We must lead by example in our own offices by instituting mandatory sexual harassment prevention and response training now.\u00a0\u00a0 Our staff works incredibly hard each day, and they deserve to have the same protections afforded their counterparts in the private sector as well as those in federal agencies.\u00a0 We should ensure that their workplaces are free from harassment and discrimination by doing whatever is in our power even if not required by law.\nWe may not always agree on matters of policy, but we should all come together to ensure our staff are as protected as they would be in the private sector or other branches of government.\u00a0 We therefore urge you to follow our lead and require regular sexual harassment prevention and response training in your offices for yourselves, as leaders of your offices, and for current and new employees.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nJackie Speier\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nBrenda Lawrence\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-discuss-addressing-sexual-harassment-and-assault-in-the", "Norton to Discuss Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Workplace on PBS To the Contrary, This Weekend", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who authored the nation\u2019s first sexual harassment guidance as the first woman to chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss this burgeoning issue on the PBS series \u201cTo The Contrary,\u201d can be seen on this week\u2019s show today, Friday, November 3, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. (WETA), Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. (WHUT), and on Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (WETA).\u00a0 Norton generally appears on To The Contrary every other week.\u00a0 The program, which airs nationally, is shown at different times depending on the local station and includes two conservative and progressive panelists who discuss hot topics of the day.\u00a0 Local listings can be found here.\u00a0 Norton appears regularly with host Bonnie Erb\u00e9 on the program, which covers political topics and emerging controversial issues.\nThis week\u2019s topic focused on how sexual harassment and assault will change society and the workplace.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-dc-health-link-open-enrollment-kick-off-day-and", "Norton to Speak at DC Health Link Open Enrollment Kick-off Day and Health Fair, Tomorrow", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at DC Health Link\u2019s Open Enrollment Kick-off Day & Health Fair tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, at noon, at the Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library (1630 7th St NW).\u00a0 The Fair will provide residents and small businesses a prime opportunity to sign up for affordable health care plans offered in the District of Columbia\u2019s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.\u00a0 The open enrollment began on November 1, 2017, and runs through January 31, 2018.\n\u201cAt the Fair, I will explain that, despite attempts by President Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, it is alive and well,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cDC Health Link has done a fabulous job signing up residents for health care, but we need to scoop up the few who have not signed up before.\u00a0 We are particularly grateful that, despite President Trump\u2019s action to drastically shorten the enrollment period in states that rely on the federal marketplace, DC Health Link will be open for business until January 31, 2018, giving D.C. residents ample time to sign up.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-van-hollen-and-cardin-announce-president-trump-signs", "Norton, Harris, Van Hollen, and Cardin Announce President Trump Signs Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act into Law", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD), and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced that President Trump today signed their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2989) into law.\u00a0 The bill establishes a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 In addition, the commission must make recommendations to Congress by August 1, 2018, on programs and activities that the federal government should carry out to honor Douglass.\u00a0 The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission will be only the 16th commemorative commission created by Congress since 1989, and only six of those commemorated specific individuals, none of them African American.\u00a0 The other individuals were: Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy.\n\u201cFrederick Douglass was one of the most transformative figures in our nation\u2019s history,\u201d said Congresswoman Norton.\u00a0 \u201cIt is only fitting that the federal government and the nation celebrate and honor his life on the 200th anniversary of his birth.\u00a0 Commemorative commissions for individuals are understandably rare, but there is perhaps none more deserving than Douglass.\u00a0 We in the District of Columbia are particularly proud he called D.C. home for most of his adult life.\u00a0 His home here in Southeast is an official national historic site and one of our city\u2019s treasures, visited by thousands of tourists and residents annually.\u00a0 I am grateful that the House and Senate passed the bill with unanimous bipartisan support and that the President signed it in time for the commission to do its important work.\u201d\n\u201cI commend my colleagues in Congress for their bipartisan and bicameral efforts to pass this legislation, and I am grateful to President Trump for his attention to this important matter. As we approach the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass\u2019 birth, it is critical that Douglass\u2019 contributions to our nation are recognized and celebrated. Frederick Douglass was the father of the abolitionist movement and left a lasting imprint on American culture,\u201d said Congressman Harris.\u00a0 \u201cNow that the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act is law and the commission can be formed to develop its recommendations.\u00a0 I am eager to hear the commission\u2019s recommendations, and participate in the activities honoring this American hero and Eastern Shore native.\u201d\n\u201cNow more than ever, it\u2019s important that we remember the work and passion of Frederick Douglass,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\u00a0 \u201cHe fought tirelessly to improve our great nation and create a more perfect union.\u00a0 His impact on Maryland can be seen across our state and still has lasting impacts on our communities.\u00a0 This commission will explore how we can learn from his legacy and continue to apply these lessons today.\u00a0 As Douglass once stated, \u2018The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.\u2019\u00a0 We should never stop fighting to move our country forward.\u201d\n\u201cFrederick Douglass, who was born in 1818 in the State of Maryland, escaped from slavery and became a leading writer, orator, publisher, and one of the United States\u2019 most influential advocates for abolitionism and the equality of all people,\u201d said Senator Cardin.\u00a0 \u201cHonoring Douglass on his bicentennial allows the nation to look back at the incredible life and work of this great man.\u00a0 It also gives us a unique lens to view our world and nation today and the continuing fight for civil rights and equality.\u201d\nMembers of the commission must be appointed within 60 days (January 1, 2018).\u00a0 The commission will have 16 members.\u00a0 The members will be appointed as follows:\n Two members appointed by the President.\n\tFour members appointed by the President on the recommendation of each of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\n\tThree members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House.\n\tThree members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.\n\tTwo members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the House Minority Leader.\n\tTwo members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-requires-her-staff-to-do-sexual-harassment-training-and", "Norton Requires Her Staff to Do Sexual Harassment Training and Encourages House and Senate Offices to Do the Same", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Training is Already Required for Federal Agencies \nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014With the public controversy surrounding sexual harassment at an all-time high, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), took steps to have her own office take a 30-minute online sexual harassment training during work hours and called on her colleagues to do likewise.\u00a0 Such training is required by law for federal agencies, but Norton yesterday introduced legislation to subject Congress and its legislative agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch agencies and private sector employers, which include required training and the posting of workers\u2019 rights.\u00a0 Congress passed the Congressional Accountability of 1995 (CAA) after then-Senator Bob Packwood was publicly accused of sexual misconduct.\u00a0 The CAA brought the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice, training, and other provisions.\nAs chair of the EEOC, Norton issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld those guidelines.\n\u201cIt is time Congress took steps to fully abide by the laws it requires of private employers and federal agencies, including requiring training and the posting of workers\u2019 rights,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cReported cases of sexual harassment by Members of the House and Senate and staff show that Congress is not immune from such harassment by high-profile or powerful figures.\u00a0 We need to do more to raise awareness and ensure a safe working environment for staff.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-new-bop-director-to-discuss-dc-inmates-housed-at-bop", "Norton to Meet with New BOP Director to Discuss D.C. Inmates Housed at BOP Facilities", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Gets Response to Her Inquiry on BOP\u2019s Capacity to Evacuate Inmates in Event of Natural Disasters \nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the Federal Bureau of Prisons\u2019 (BOP) response to her letter asking whether the agency has the capacity and planning in place to move and relocate inmates from facilities facing severe damage from flooding, hurricanes or other natural disasters.\u00a0 Norton was concerned after the BOP facility in Beaumont, TX, which houses 48 D.C. inmates, was not evacuated during Hurricane Harvey.\u00a0 Her office had received reports from constituents that families could not contact their loved ones housed at the Beaumont facility.\u00a0 In its letter to Norton, BOP responded that \u201cthe Bureau mandates detailed contingency plans for natural disasters, as well as other emergency situations such a bomb threats, institution fires, or escapes.\u00a0 Each of the 122 federal prisons has a specific plan that is drafted to ensure the safety of the public, staff, and inmates.\u00a0 Each facility tests these plans annually by conducting a mock exercise including testing the recall system that notifies staff to report to the institution in the event of an emergency.\u201d\nShe will meet soon with new BOP Director Mark Inch to discuss ongoing efforts to ensure the best policies for District of Columbia Code felons, the only local felons housed by BOP.\u00a0 Norton also recently wrote to BOP requesting that it take action on four specific policies: eliminate or significantly reduce the fee that residents of Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs), or halfway houses, must pay to offset the cost of being housed; change the policy limiting physical contact during a visitation, particularly between a parent and young child, from only the beginning and closing of the visitation; change the visitor dress code; and provide all inmates with the opportunity to receive computer training.\n\u201cThe BOP response on its evacuation policies was reassuring,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to meeting with Director Inch to discuss both the unique and other challenges facing D.C. inmates at BOP facilities, including the specific issues I raised in my recent letters.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-offer-congressional-employees-same-workplace", "Norton Introduces Bill to Offer Congressional Employees Same Workplace Protections, Including Sexual Harassment Provisions, as Other Federal and Private Sector Workers", "2017-10-31", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who authored the nation\u2019s first sexual harassment guidance as the first woman to chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch agencies and private sector employers, but not to Congress.\u00a0 Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to bring the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice and training provisions, and altogether omitted important substantive and administrative protections.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill provides general whistleblower protections, anti-retaliation measures, and makes applicable additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to the Office of Compliance (OOC), which was established by the CAA, to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.\n\u201cAs sexual harassment takes an increasingly high profile, it is impossible to justify exempting congressional offices from the comprehensive provisions Congress now requires of private employers and federal agencies, especially sexual harassment laws that protect workers, such as requiring employers to post workers\u2019 rights or to conduct training,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe public debate on sexual harassment also raises the importance of granting congressional staff the same civil and anti-discrimination protections afforded to other federal workers.\u00a0 Congress must facilitate a workplace culture where employees feel protected and know their rights are protected.\u00a0 Particularly in a work environment such as Congress, where powerful figures often play an outsized role with a sense of their own importance, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination must be met head on, especially by Members of Congress, who have compelled other institutions to observe strict standards.\u201d\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement is below.\nStatement of Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2017\nI am introducing the Congress Leads by Example Act, which would subject Congress and the rest of the legislative branch to the federal whistleblower and anti-discrimination laws that now protect employees in the private sector and the executive branch.\u00a0 Now more than ever, especially given ongoing reports of sexual harassment and other workplace abuses in the legislative branch, Congress should abide by the laws it imposes on the American people, American businesses, and others.\u00a0 Congress has already acknowledged the importance of accountability in the legislative branch when it passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA).\u00a0\nThe CAA was an important first step in making the legislative branch accountable for its employment practices, but it did not finish the job.\u00a0 The CAA did bring the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice and training provisions, and altogether omitted important substantive and administrative protections.\u00a0 In its annual report for fiscal year 2016, the Office of Compliance (OOC), which was established through the CAA, identified additional provisions of federal workplace laws and standards that should be applicable to the legislative branch.\u00a0 OOC\u2019s recommendations include mandatory anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation training, providing whistleblowers with protection from retaliation by making the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 applicable to the legislative branch, and urging Congress to approve regulations that provide additional protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.\u00a0 This bill takes into account the OOC report, and seeks to both apply the standard of fairness to employees in the legislative branch that Congress requires for other employees and to provide a safer work environment for Congress, Capitol Hill employees, and visitors by bringing the legislative branch in line with the legal requirements of private sector employers and the executive branch.\nMy bill is a necessary companion to the CAA, particularly in light of recent news reports of appalling behavior on the part of Members of Congress and staff in positions of authority in Member offices and committees.\u00a0 Former and current staffers spoke out on social media during the #MeToo campaign, which originated after the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations, sharing horrifying stories of workplace harassment, including groping, inappropriate emails and text messages, and predatory behavior on the part of both Members and staff.\u00a0 But many legislative branch employees who have been victims of workplace harassment or worse have not felt empowered to report it since they are not protected from retaliation.\u00a0 My bill provides general whistleblower protections, anti-retaliation measures, and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions applicable to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to OOC to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.\nThis bill also furthers the CAA's mission to prevent discrimination in legislative branch offices by prohibiting the legislative branch from making adverse employment decisions on the basis of an employee's wage garnishment or involvement in bankruptcy proceedings pursuant to the Consumer Credit Protection Act and Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.\u00a0 This bill requires legislative branch employers to provide their employees with notice of their rights and remedies under the CAA anti-discrimination provisions through the placement of signage in offices highlighting relevant anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.\u00a0 This bill also requires legislative branch offices to provide training to employees about their CAA rights and remedies.\u00a0 Finally, this bill bolsters the CAA\u2019s recordkeeping requirements.\u00a0 It extends to the legislative branch the obligation to maintain accurate records of safety information and employee injuries, as otherwise required by OSHA, as well as employee records necessary to administer anti-discrimination laws.\nBy passing this bill, Congress will help restore the public trust in this institution by redoubling our efforts to exercise leadership by example.\u00a0 I urge bipartisan support for this important measure.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-trump-administration-and-senate-republicans-are-moving-dc", "Norton Says Trump Administration and Senate Republicans Are Moving D.C. District Court Nominees Due to D.C.s Lack of Senate Representation", "2017-10-30", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that today\u2019s Senate confirmation of Trevor N. McFadden to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia demonstrates that the Trump administration and Senate Republicans are moving D.C.\u2019s nominees first because that is the path of least resistance, since D.C. lacks Senate representation.\u00a0 The Senate has now confirmed two D.C. district court nominees, but only two nominees for other district courts in the United States, both of whom are from states with two Republican senators.\u00a0 Thus far, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been observing the traditional \u201cblue-slip\u201d process, which requires both home-state senators to sign off before the committee will consider a nominee.\u00a0 Unlike the last three administrations, the Trump administration has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal judges and law enforcement officials in the District.\u00a0 The Trump Administration initially did not even offer Norton courtesy meetings with the nominees.\u00a0 However, after Norton protested and after her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), all three D.C. district court nominees met with Norton before their committee votes.\n\u201cBecause of our contacts with Senate Judiciary Democrats, Trump nominees for federal positions here do meet with me; however, the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans continue to exclude D.C. from the nominating process for our local district court judges and are moving quickly on our court with nominees on whom we have had limited say,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI have no reason to oppose the D.C. nominees, but I have not been given the opportunity to fully vet them.\u00a0 D.C. is doubly disenfranchised in the nominating process\u2014the Trump Administration has refused to consult with me on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C., and D.C.\u2019s lack of Senate representation excludes us altogether from the blue-slip process by which Senators can either support or block local nominees from moving forward.\u00a0 The Trump administration and Senate Republicans need to give D.C. residents a more meaningful role in the nomination of federal officials who serve our city.\u201d\nIn March, Norton wrote Trump requesting that he extend her the courtesy of consulting on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C.\u2014including federal district court judges, the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Marshals\u2014the same courtesy extended to her by President George W. Bush.\u00a0 Presidents Clinton and Obama extended Norton \u201csenatorial courtesy\u201d to recommend these federal officials in the same manner as Democratic senators, and all of Norton\u2019s recommendations were D.C. residents or committed to residing in the District during their terms.\u00a0 Using the senatorial authority granted by Presidents Clinton and Obama, Norton formed her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates.\u00a0 Norton interviewed commission-vetted candidates and submitted names to the president from a list recommended by the commission.\nTo date, Trump has nominated five\u00a0officials for positions in D.C.\u2014four\u00a0to the federal district court and the U.S. Attorney, but four of them are not D.C. residents.\u00a0 McFadden is not a D.C. resident, and only Timothy Kelly is a D.C. resident.\u00a0 In September, the Senate confirmed Kelly to the D.C. District Court and Jessie Liu as U.S. Attorney to D.C.\u00a0 Under federal law, in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, federal district court judges, U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals are required to reside within the jurisdictions where they have been appointed\u2014but no such residency requirement exists for officials serving in the District.\u00a0 In April, Norton introduced a bill to require these officials serving in D.C. to live in D.C.\u00a0 The bill is part of her \u201cFree and Equal D.C.\u201d series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-promise-from-treasury-inspector-general-concerning", "Norton Gets Promise from Treasury Inspector General Concerning Investigation into Threats to IRS Employees", "2017-10-25", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing asked Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russel George about press reports on an increase in threats to Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employees and \u201cpotential vulnerabilities outside agency headquarters.\u201d\u00a0 NBC4 reported that \u201cfederal investigators have launched 1,556 investigations into possible threats against agency employees from taxpayers since the beginning of the year.\u201d\u00a0 George said his office was currently working with the IRS\u2019 security division to investigate such threats and potential security vulnerabilities and offered to brief Norton and the Committee on his findings at the conclusion of the investigation.\u00a0 Norton pressed George that, in addition to a congressional briefing, a report of findings, recommendations or remedies would be important to reassure employees and the public.\u00a0 George responded that he thought a report with necessary redactions might be appropriate.\n\u201cI appreciate that the Inspector General has taken the increase in threats to IRS employees seriously and is pursuing an investigation,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI will be working with his office to ensure he has the necessary resources to investigate threats against IRS employees and any potential security vulnerabilities.\u00a0 Our federal employees deserve a safe working environment.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-roundtable-on-dc-flood-risks-to-feature-her-bill-to-make-dc", "Norton Roundtable on D.C. Flood Risks to Feature Her Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Federal Flood Mitigation Funds, Tomorrow", "2017-10-23", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\u2019s (D-DC) roundtable discussion on near- and long-term risks of flooding in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building, will highlight the need for her bill (H.R. 2540) to make D.C. eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.\n\u201cLast year, a D.C. Flood Summit and a congressional briefing we held brought front and center serious flood risks for the District,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWe must now be all in for remedies before the next all but inevitable flood in the District of Columbia.\u201d\nThe roundtable will feature the following panelists who will provide testimony and answer questions: Hugh Roberts and Dough McCoach, ARCADIS; Kevin Bush, D.C. Chief Resilience Officer, Officer of the City Administration; Stacey Underwood, Baltimore District DC Silver Jackets Program Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Sharon Sartor, Baltimore District Ecologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Mitigation, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FEMA).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-commemorate-hispanic-heritage-month-at-cardozo-high-school", "Norton to Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month at Cardozo High School with D.C. DREAMers, Wednesday", "2017-10-23", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host her annual event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the District of Columbia with a roundtable discussion on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. \u2013 12:30 p.m., at Cardozo High School (1200 Clifton St. NW).\u00a0 Norton and a panel of young D.C. immigrants who came to the U.S. as children will engage with students on the experiences of immigrants who live in D.C. at a time when immigration reform is being highlighted in Congress and across the nation.\u00a0 Three of our four panelists have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.\n\u201cImmigrants contribute much to the cultural and sophisticated diversity of the District of Columbia, and particularly to our local economy,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cIt is important for students and young residents to hear about the experiences of our many successful immigrants.\u00a0 Wednesday\u2019s event will be a perfect showcase of why D.C. is a proud sanctuary city and why Congress should take up and pass the DREAM Act.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-trump-administration-s-delay-of-an-abortion-for", "Norton Says Trump Administrations Delay of an Abortion for Unaccompanied Minor Denies Her Constitutional Right and Jeopardizes Her Health", "2017-10-21", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia yesterday issued a ruling allowing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to delay a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor, who is 15 weeks pregnant and being held in a government shelter in Texas under HHS supervision, from having an abortion she desires.\u00a0 The court allowed HHS until October 31 to find a \u201csponsor\u201d for the young woman.\u00a0 The administration appealed after the District Court here ruled in her favor.\n\u201cThe Trump administration is jeopardizing a young woman\u2019s health for political reasons in violation of her constitutional right to an abortion.\u00a0 The Constitution not only protects a woman\u2019s right to have an abortion, but the Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be undue burdens placed on that right.\u00a0 This young woman has already met all the necessary steps required in Texas for an abortion, and she has been appointed a guardian who is willing to go with her to the session.\u00a0 It is an unprecedented outrage to delay this young woman\u2019s right to an abortion after she has met all the requirements.\u00a0 The decision permitting 10 additional days of an unwanted pregnancy puts the federal government in the position of blocking an abortion that no court has found to be unlawful.\u00a0 The only appropriate course is for HHS to drop its appeal.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-launch-of-space4-visual-arts-mobile-art-gallery", "Norton to Speak at Launch of SPACE4: Visual Arts Mobile Art Gallery, Tomorrow", "2017-10-20", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will join CulturalDC and Forest City to celebrate the launch of SPACE4: Visual Arts, a District of Columbia mobile arts gallery, tomorrow, Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. \u2013 8:00 p.m., at Yards Park (355 Water Street SE).\n\u201cI thank CulturalDC for this innovative project that will provide residents in neighborhoods across the District access to a first-class art experience,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cYards Park is the perfect setting to launch SPACE4 for an evening of fun and entertainment for the entire community.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-senate-passage-of-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor", "Norton Announces Senate Passage of Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth", "2017-10-19", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Senate last night passed her Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2989).\u00a0 The bill, which last week passed the House and now heads to the president\u2019s desk, would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) is the original cosponsor of Norton\u2019s bill, and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion.\n\u201cI am grateful to the Republican and Democratic Senate leadership for ushering swift passage of our bipartisan bill to honor the life of Frederick Douglass,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWith the president\u2019s signature, the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission can begin planning its recommendations for the most fitting ways Congress and the nation can celebrate the life of a truly great American.\u00a0 We in the District of Columbia, Douglass\u2019 home for most of his adult life, are particularly excited to start brainstorming possible events to recognize his significant contributions to our city and the nation.\u201d\nThe Commission would plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial of his birth.\u00a0 The Commission would also recommend programs and activities to Congress.\u00a0 The Commission would be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.\u00a0 Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-two-postal-workers-and-three-other", "Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring Two Postal Workers and Three Other Americans Killed in Anthrax Attacks", "2017-10-19", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014During the week of the 16-year anniversary of the 2001 anthrax attacks, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced she will introduce a resolution honoring the late Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr., the United States Postal Service (USPS) employees who died from anthrax inhalation while working at the USPS processing facility located at 900 Brentwood Road NE, which is now named for them.\u00a0 Morris and Curseen died on October 21, 2001, and October 22, 2001, respectively.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s resolution also honors three other Americans who died from exposure to anthrax during the attacks, as well as all USPS employees for their dedicated service to the nation in the face of such threats to federal facilities throughout the U.S., and a lack of deserved funding support from the Congress.\n\u201cEach Congress I introduce this resolution to honor the lives of Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr., who were tragically lost in the 2001 anthrax terrorist attacks, to ensure they are never forgotten,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cSixteen years later, it is important that Congress and the nation continue to recognize these men and the entire U.S. Postal Service workforce for serving the nation in the face of unpredictable risks.\u201d\nBelow is the full text of Norton\u2019s resolution.\nRESOLUTION\nHonoring the lives, work, and sacrifice of Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., the two United States Postal Service employees who died as a result of their contact with anthrax while working at the United States Postal Facility located at 900 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington, DC, during the anthrax attack in the fall of 2001; United States Postal Service employees, who have continued to work diligently in service to the people of the United States notwithstanding anthrax attack; as well as the other three Americans who died and the 17 who became ill in the attacks.\nWhereas the founders of the United States, recognizing the importance of a national system of mail to the new country in the U.S. Constitution, gave Congress the authority \u201cTo establish post offices and post roads\u201d;\nWhereas employees of the United States Postal Service provide indispensable public services and honorably represent the United States on a daily basis;\nWhereas despite the many terrorist attacks in federal facilities throughout the United States, including the anthrax attack more than ten years ago, Postal Service employees continue to risk their lives daily to serve the people of the United States;\nWhereas Joseph P. Curseen, Jr., and Thomas L. Morris, Jr., both born in the District of Columbia, diligently and admirably served the Nation for decades as employees of the United States Postal Service;\nWhereas in the fall of 2001, during the course of their jobs with the United States Postal Service, Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., were exposed to letters containing anthrax that were placed in the mail and subsequently suffered from the inhalation of anthrax and thereafter died;\nWhereas five individuals in the United States died from exposure to anthrax during the 2001 anthrax attacks and 17 became ill; and\nWhereas in 2002, the United States Postal Service facility located at 900 Brentwood Road NE, Washington, DC, was designated as the \u201cJoseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and Distribution Center\u201d by Public Law 107-225: Now, therefore, be it\nResolved, That the House of Representatives honors the lives and work of Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., and acknowledges the sacrifice that all Postal Service employees make on behalf of the United States on a daily basis.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-roundtable-on-remedies-for-dc-flood-risk-next-tuesday", "Norton to Host Roundtable on Remedies for D.C. Flood Risk, Next Tuesday", "2017-10-19", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a roundtable discussion on near- and long-term risks of flooding in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.\u00a0 Norton is seeking passage of her bill (H.R. 2540) to make D.C. eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CMZA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.\u00a0 D.C. is not currently included in CMZA, despite its location on two rivers, the Anacostia and Potomac, and its risk of interior flooding.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill would also give the District oversight for federally issued permits/facilities/actions that affect the coastal waters of the District.\u00a0 D.C. has had three major floods\u2014in 1889, 1942 and 2006\u2014which did serious damage to the National Mall and federal buildings, Federal Triangle, and Southwest D.C.\u00a0 The roundtable will be open to the public.\n\u201cD.C. is a city on the water, and we have seen in the past the proven risks that flooding poses to the nation\u2019s capital,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cParticularly with rising sea levels and increasingly powerful natural disasters due to climate change, the District must be prepared to deal with flood risks and implement preventative measures to mitigate damage.\u00a0 This roundtable will offer state-of the-art information and remedies.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-redevelopment-of-whitman", "Norton to Speak at Groundbreaking Ceremony for Redevelopment of Whitman-Walker Healths Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, Today", "2017-10-18", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at a ceremony to mark the groundbreaking of the redevelopment of Whitman-Walker Health\u2019s Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center today, Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., at 1701 14th St. NW.\n\u201cWhitman-Walker Health has provided essential, high-quality health care to District of Columbia residents for decades,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWe are fortunate that Whitman-Walker will be adding another fruitful chapter to its history with the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-pushes-for-federal-financial-incentives-for-localities-like-dc", "Norton Pushes for Federal Financial Incentives for Localities like D.C. that Use Local Dollars for Transportation and Infrastructure Projects", "2017-10-12", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, yesterday at a subcommittee hearing on building a 21st century infrastructure asked key stakeholders about increasing incentives for state and local governments, such as the District of Columbia, that move ahead on infrastructure projects without always waiting for full federal transportation and infrastructure funding.\u00a0\u00a0 Norton said that she would like to see incentives for states and localities and funding for such projects, but is concerned that they could be punished for so-called \u201covermatching,\u201d or self-help when state and local governments use non-federal transportation and infrastructure funds to move projects forward.\n\u201cWe built D.C.\u2019s NoMa\u2013Gallaudet U Metro station using 50 percent D.C. funds, 25 percent federal funds and 25 percent private funds from area businesses,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI want to explore how the federal government could offer financial incentives for state and local governments to pursue more such projects while ensuring no reduction in their traditional transportation and infrastructure funding.\u00a0 I do not know whether Congress could use grants or some other mechanism, but I believe such incentives could ultimately save federal dollars and avoid state-level delays in construction.\u00a0 Some states and localities are moving ahead of the federal government because much of their non-transportation construction depends on roads, bridges, and transit.\u00a0 We need to find ways to encourage, not punish, such initiatives.\u201d\nNorton was concerned by testimony of one of the witnesses, Peter Rogoff, Chief Executive Officer of Sound Transit in Washington State.\u00a0 Washington residents voted to raise local taxes, including, but not limited to, the state\u2019s gas tax, to pay for improvements to the state\u2019s highway infrastructure and to fund Sound Transit, the Seattle region\u2019s public transit system.\u00a0 Rogoff said that his agency was \u201cdeeply dismayed when the President\u2019s budget was released to see the self-sacrifice by our voters called out by the Office of Management and Budget as a reason to terminate Federal assistance for transit expansions.\u201d\u00a0 While holding a jurisdiction\u2019s traditional federal funding constant, Norton said she is interested in how overmatching or self-help could be encouraged by Congress, instead of using local self-help tax increases as reason to eliminate federal funding for such projects.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-s-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor-bicentennial-of-frederick", "Nortons Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth Passes House", "2017-10-11", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House today passed by voice vote her Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act.\u00a0 The bill would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest abolitionist against slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) is the original cosponsor of Norton\u2019s bill, and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have introduced the Senate companion.\n\u201cI am grateful for the bipartisan support for our bill to honor the life of Frederick Douglass,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWith House passage of our Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of a nationwide celebration on the bicentennial of Douglass\u2019 birth.\u00a0 I look forward to working with our allies in the Senate on swift passage of our bill to ensure the commission has the time it needs to plan next year\u2019s many programs and activities.\u201d\nThe Commission would plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial of his birth.\u00a0 The Commission would also recommend programs and activities to Congress.\u00a0 The Commission would be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.\u00a0 Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\nNorton\u2019s full floor statement on the bill, as prepared for delivery, is below.\nFloor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act\nI thank the lead cosponsor of this bill, Representative Andy Harris, for working closely with me on it.\u00a0 I also thank Chairman Trey Gowdy, Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for bringing this bill to the floor in time to begin the commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, in 2018.\u00a0 I am pleased that this bill has not only bipartisan but also bicameral support.\u00a0 Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin have introduced the companion bill in the Senate.\nThe bill would establish a commission to plan and carry out programs and activities, as well as to recommend to Congress programs and activities that the federal government could undertake, to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass during the bicentennial of his birth, in 2018.\nFrederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.\u00a0 He learned basic reading skills from his mistress and continued to teach himself and other slaves to read and write despite the risks he faced, including death.\u00a0 After two attempts, Douglass successfully escaped to New York and went on to become this country\u2019s leading abolitionist and anti-slavery lecturer.\u00a0 He served in several administrations, including as close advisor to President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia under President Rutherford B. Hayes, and District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds under President James Garfield.\u00a0 In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Frederick Douglass to be the U.S. minister to Haiti.\u00a0 He was later appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as secretary of the commission of Santo Domingo.\nDouglass dedicated his life to achieving justice for all Americans.\u00a0 He lived in the District of Columbia for 23 of his 57 years as a free man, and his home at Cedar Hill is an official National Historic Site in Southeast Washington, D.C.\u00a0 Every year, thousands of Americans and others visit Cedar Hill.\u00a0 The Frederick Douglass statue that stands in his honor in the United States Capitol is a gift from the nearly 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia.\nI urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.\u00a0 I reserve the balance of my time.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-s-southwest-waterfront-bill-culminates-with-grand-opening-of", "Nortons Southwest Waterfront Bill Culminates with Grand Opening of Phase I of the Wharf, Tomorrow", "2017-10-11", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said one of her major economic development initiatives will culminate with the grand opening of Phase I of The Wharf tomorrow, Thursday, October 12, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at 690 Water Street SW.\u00a0 The developers of the project adopted the name \u201cThe Wharf,\u201d which is what the Southwest Waterfront was called when Norton\u2019s great-grandfather came to Washington in the 1850s as a runaway slave.\nNorton introduced two bills in 2011 that were necessary for the Southwest Waterfront development project to begin.\u00a0 One bill clarified the District of Columbia\u2019s ownership of the Southwest Waterfront and removed use restrictions on the land.\u00a0 The other bill redesignated part of the water designated by the federal government as the Washington Channel, for increased boating and waterside activity.\u00a0 Norton worked with two different committees on a parliamentary maneuver to combine the two bills into one bill, which was signed into law (Public Law 112\u2013143) on July 9, 2012.\n\u201cNone of my infrastructure projects were as complicated or as difficult to get through the House and Senate as the Southwest Waterfront bill, but tomorrow I believe everyone will agree that this new waterfront neighborhood was worth it,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cI invite residents to imagine what the total Southwest Waterfront development will mean in amenities, housing and jobs, considering that tomorrow\u2019s opening represents only Phase I.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/to-help-strengthen-dc-national-guard-norton-introduces-bill-to-give", "To Help Strengthen D.C. National Guard, Norton Introduces Bill to Give Education Grants to D.C. Guard Members", "2017-10-11", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act to permanently authorize funding for a program that provides grants for higher education to members of the D.C. National Guard.\u00a0 Norton has continued to get funds every year for the program ($450,000 for fiscal year 2017) through the appropriations process, but she has fought for permanent authorization to ensure the program\u2019s permanent equality with similar programs in the region and nation.\u00a0 The fund is named for Major General David F. Wherley, a former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along with his wife, Ann, and seven others, was killed in the tragic 2009 Metro crash.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill is part of her effort to strengthen the D.C. National Guard in light of its unique role responding to natural disasters, such as the devastating hurricanes the nation has experienced this year, as well as terrorist attacks.\u00a0 She earlier introduced a bill to give the D.C. mayor the authority that the chief executive of states and territories have over their Guards.\u00a0 The mayor would be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard during local emergencies, including natural disasters and civil disturbances unrelated to national or homeland security, after consultation with the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard.\n\u201cIt is critical for the D.C. National Guard to be able to attract the best candidates, given its unique mixed mission on federal and local matters and the increasing strength of natural disasters,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWe are grateful to our men and women in uniform who volunteer to serve their city and protect our residents, and we should reward them fittingly with a permanent authorization of this critical scholarship grant program.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-announce-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor", "Norton, Harris Announce Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth Scheduled for House Floor Consideration, Next Week", "2017-10-07", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) today announced that their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act is scheduled to be brought to the House floor on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, under suspension of the rules.\u00a0 The bill would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 The bipartisan bill was passed by voice vote by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.\u00a0 Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion to Norton\u2019s bill.\n\u201cI thank the House leadership for permitting our bill to go forward in time for the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission\u2019s recommendations to be implemented, and I appreciate Congressman Harris for being the original cosponsor of the bill, as Douglass was born in Maryland.\u201d Congresswoman Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cDouglass spent most of his adult life in the District of Columbia, and his home is located in Cedar Hill in Ward 8, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, and D.C. residents chose Douglass as our representative statue in the Capitol.\u00a0 Douglass is admired worldwide, and it is important that the life of this extraordinary American be celebrated across the country, and this commission will ensure it is.\u201d\n\u201cI commend the Oversight Committee\u2019s approval of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act and House Leadership\u2019s plan to provide this bill with a vote on the House floor.\u00a0 As we approach the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass\u2019 birth, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this bill,\u201d Congressman Harris stated.\u00a0 \u201cThe purpose of this bill is more than just honoring the birth of one great civil rights leader.\u00a0 Its purpose is to recognize his lasting impact on American government, culture, and values.\u00a0 Frederick Douglass is a model for the values that make our nation great: equality, liberty, and a commitment to working hard and helping others.\u201d\nThe Commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth.\u00a0 The Commission will also recommend to Congress programs and activities that the Commission considers fitting and proper to honor Douglass on such occasion.\u00a0 The Commission will be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.\u00a0 Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-discuss-the-week-s-top-topics-on-pbs-to-the-contrary-this", "Norton to Discuss the Weeks Top Topics on PBS To the Contrary, This Weekend", "2017-10-06", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who generally appears every other week on the PBS series \u201cTo The Contrary,\u201d can be seen on this week\u2019s show on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. (WHUT), and on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (WETA).\u00a0 The program, which airs nationally, is shown at different times depending on the local station and includes two conservative and progressive panelists who discuss hot topics of the day.\u00a0 Local listings can be found here.\u00a0 Norton appears regularly with host Bonnie Erb\u00e9 on the program, which covers political topics and emerging controversial issues.\nThis week\u2019s topics include women and guns following the mass shooting in Las Vegas and the Trump administration\u2019s decision to restrict the Affordable Care Act\u2019s mandate to provide contraception without cost sharing by allowing employers and insurers to claim a religious or moral exemption.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-remove-statue-of-confederate-general-pike-from", "Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Statue of Confederate General Pike from Judiciary Square", "2017-10-05", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to remove a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike located on federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia.\u00a0 Last week, Norton met with members of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, of which Pike was a member, to discuss the statue\u2019s removal.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill makes clear that the Freemasons support the Pike statue\u2019s removal and that no federal funds will be used to remove it.\u00a0 The statue was authorized by Congress in 1898, was donated to the federal government by the Freemasons, and was installed in 1901.\nIn her introductory statement, Norton said, \u201cI oppose tearing down Confederate statues, because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn.\u00a0 However, Pike was a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace\u2026After meeting with the Freemasons, I believe that the best course of action is to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for it.\u00a0 The Freemasons themselves have said they \u2018will support an action\u2026to remove the statue forthwith so that it shall not serve as a source of contention or strife for the residents of our community.\u2019\u00a0 The Mayor of the District of Columbia and the D.C. Council also support the removal of the statue.\u201d\nNorton full introductory statement is below.\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Remove the Statue of Confederate General Albert Pike\nOctober 5, 2017\nMs. Norton.\u00a0 Mr. Speaker,\nI rise to introduce a bill to require the removal of a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike, which is currently located on federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia.\u00a0 This statue was authorized by Congress in 1898, and was paid for by both federal and private funds\u2014the Freemasons, of which Pike was a member, donated the majority of the money needed to build and install the statue in 1901.\u00a0 I oppose tearing down Confederate statues, because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn.\u00a0 However, Pike was a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace.\u00a0 Soldiers under his command were found to have mutilated the bodies of Union soldiers, and he was ultimately imprisoned after his fellow officers reported that he had been misappropriating funds.\u00a0 Adding to the dishonor of taking up arms against the United States, Pike dishonored even his Confederate military service.\u00a0 He certainly has no claim to be memorialized in the nation\u2019s capital.\u00a0 Even those who do not want Confederate statues removed will have to justify according Pike any honor considering his history.\nAfter meeting with the Freemasons, I believe that the best course of action is to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for it.\u00a0 The Freemasons themselves have said they \u201cwill support an action\u2026to remove the statue forthwith so that it shall not serve as a source of contention or strife for the residents of our community.\u201d\u00a0 The Mayor of the District of Columbia and the D.C. Council also support the removal of the statue.\nMy bill clarifies that no federal funds will be used to take the Pike statue down.\u00a0 I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-the-life-of-dick-gregory", "Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring the Life of Dick Gregory", "2017-10-05", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a congressional resolution recognizing the life and legacy of Dick Gregory and honoring his contributions to the civil rights movement, American comedy, and the District of Columbia\u2019s struggle for home rule and voting rights.\u00a0 Norton spoke at Gregory\u2019s funeral service, and will present his family with a copy of the resolution.\n\u201cDick Gregory, a satirist who made everyone laugh out loud with his comedy, committed his life to being a champion for human and civil rights, leaving an indelible mark on this nation,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cAfter fighting for the rights of African Americans during the civil rights movement, he came to the District of Columbia, his adopted hometown, and helped lead the fight for home rule and statehood.\u201d\nBelow is the full text of Norton\u2019s resolution.\nRESOLUTION\nRecognizing the life and legacy of Richard (Dick) Gregory, and honoring his contributions to the civil rights movement and to American comedy.\nWhereas Dick Gregory was born on October 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on August 19, 2017, in the District of Columbia at the age of 84;\nWhereas Dick Gregory was an early civil rights pioneer, participating in sit-ins and getting arrested numerous times throughout the South for the defeat of segregation and for equal rights;\nWhereas Dick Gregory was a passionate champion for voting rights and home rule for the residents of the District of Columbia and in the 1960s was in the forefront of the struggle that culminated in home rule for the District of Columbia;\nWhereas Dick Gregory moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1956 to begin his comedy career after having served in the United States Army;\nWhereas in 1959, Dick Gregory married Lillian Smith, with whom he had 11 children;\nWhereas, besides civil rights, Dick Gregory was an activist in numerous causes over the course of his life, including the Vietnam War, the Equal Rights Amendment, police brutality, South African apartheid, nuclear power, prison reform, feminism, drug abuse and Native American rights;\nWhereas Dick Gregory authored a dozen books; and\nWhereas Dick Gregory became one of the first African American comedians to enjoy crossover appeal to blacks and whites alike, using his talent to point up the absurdity of racism and discrimination: Now, therefore, be it\nResolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life and legacy of Richard (Dick) Gregory and acknowledges his contributions to civil rights, to multiple other causes for freedom and equality, and to American comedy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-las-vegas-shooting-norton-calls-on-rubio-and-garrett-to-withdraw", "After Las Vegas Shooting, Norton Calls on Rubio and Garrett to Withdraw Their Bills to Gut D.C. Gun Laws", "2017-10-04", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Tom Garrett (R-VA) to withdraw their bills to overturn the District of Columbia\u2019s gun safety laws in the wake of the shocking massacre in Las Vegas, NV.\u00a0 Rubio and Garrett have introduced companion bills to eliminate the District\u2019s ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, similar to those that killed 59 and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas, as well D.C.\u2019s registration requirements, and would keep D.C. from passing gun laws in the future.\u00a0 Norton said Garrett in particular has outrageously misrepresented what his bill does, writing on his website that he introduced it \u201cto allow for citizens with legal gun ownership to carry in the District of Columbia,\u201d omitting the fact it would permit nearly anyone to possess powerful military-grade weapons and high capacity magazines in the nation\u2019s capital.\u00a0 Garrett also claims he introduced his bill \u201cafter several concerned constituents expressed their disappointment over wanting to visit the nation\u2019s Capital with their family, but due to the high crime rate in D.C., did not want to visit unprotected,\u201d when, in reality, identical versions of his bill have been introduced by other Members in previous Congresses and it is backed by the National Rifle Association.\n\u201cMembers may continue to disagree on remedies for the horrifying gun violence in Las Vegas by a single gunman armed to the teeth with assault rifles,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, out of respect for the victims and their families, no one can be satisfied with speeches on the House floor about thoughts and prayers.\u00a0 At the very least, Members should withdraw their bills to overturn D.C.\u2019s gun safety laws that protect not only D.C. residents, but high-level officials, world figures and millions of tourists who frequent our public places and amenities.\u00a0 Senator Rubio and Representative Garrett are abusing congressional authority by trying to overturn the District\u2019s duly-enacted local gun safety laws.\u00a0 Our local jurisdiction, which also happens to be the nation\u2019s capital, has strong gun safety laws for a reason.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-bill-allowing-dc-to-work-with-nps-to-make-improvements-to-0", "Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park Passed by Natural Resources Committee", "2017-10-04", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton\u2019s bill to clarify that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and operate NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, was passed today by the House Natural Resources Committee.\u00a0 The bill had already being passed by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.\u00a0 She hopes that since Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) cosponsored the bill and that the bill passed unanimously out of both committees, it will be scheduled for expedited House floor consideration.\n\u201cI am grateful to Chairman Bishop for not only scheduling for markup my bill to facilitate the renovation of Franklin Park, but for also cosponsoring the legislation,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cOur bill will take a centrally located park, which is so run-down that too often people simply pass by it, and turn it into a space where residents, workers and tourists can enjoy green space and amenities.\u00a0 NPS is so underfunded that it would not be able to renovate this park for many years.\u00a0 This partnership between the District and NPS is a demonstration of how working together with a federal agency, D.C., using its own or private funds, can make Franklin Park and other NPS parks into attractive destinations.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-participate-in-walk-to-school-day-event-at-lincoln-park", "Norton to Participate in Walk to School Day Event at Lincoln Park, Wednesday", "2017-10-03", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will join District of Columbia students and parents for Walk to School Day tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 7:30 a.m., in Lincoln Park (11th St. and East Capitol St. NE).\n\u201cAs a graduate of a D.C. public schools who often walked to school, I am looking forward to joining students and parents to celebrate a time-old tradition,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cWe are proud of the progress our public and public charter schools have made over the last several years.\u00a0 Funding for Safe Routes to School projects that we included in the most recent surface transportation bill helps improve streets to make them safer for kids and parents.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/as-supreme-court-begins-its-term-today-norton-introduces-resolution-0", "As Supreme Court Begins its Term Today, Norton Introduces Resolution Urging the Court to Adopt Same Ethics Guidelines as Other Federal Judges", "2017-10-02", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014To mark the first day of the United States Supreme Court\u2019s new term, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution calling on Supreme Court Justices to make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethical guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges or create their own rules.\n\u201cEach year, the Supreme Court decides the landmark cases that take our country in new directions, from Brown v. Board of Education, barring state-sponsored racial discrimination, to Obergefell v. Hodges, recognizing the right of same-sex marriage,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cAs the last and final word, the nine justices can be more powerful than the president and the Congress.\u00a0 Yet, the justices do not submit to even the ethical standards required of other federal judges.\u00a0 Just last week, Justice Neil Gorsuch gave a speech at the Trump International Hotel, which is now in litigation alleging violation of the Constitution and could reach the Supreme Court for decision.\u00a0 Adopting ethical standards would guard against ethical concerns and would strengthen public trust.\u00a0 Supreme Court justices, who are unelected and serve lifetime appointments, cannot afford to give rise to even the appearance of ethical conflicts.\u201d\nThe full text of the resolution follows.\nRESOLUTION\nExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the justices of the United States 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.\nWhereas section 455 of title 28, United States Code, establishes the circumstances under which any justice, judge, or magistrate judge of the United States shall disqualify himself or herself from a case;\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;\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;\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 a judge or magistrate judge of the United States must abide by when deciding whether to recuse himself or herself from a case, but the Code does not apply to a justice of the United States Supreme Court;\nWhereas justices of the United States Supreme Court are not bound by any written code of conduct;\nWhereas justices of the United States Supreme Court 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;\nWhereas the Federal Judicial Center has concluded that `balancing the duty to decide' with `the duty to disqualify' precludes judges from using recusal as an excuse to shirk their duties by avoiding difficult or unpleasant cases;\nWhereas the United States Constitution vests judicial power in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish;\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;\nWhereas James Madison argued in Federalist Paper Number 10 that `[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'; and\nWhereas the United States Supreme Court has acknowledged in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White, and reiterated in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., that `[t]he citizen's respect for judgments depends . . . upon the issuing court's absolute probity' and that `[j]udicial integrity is, in consequence, a state interest of the highest order': Now, therefore, be it\nResolved,\u00a0That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the justices of the United States 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###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/to-republicans-who-tout-local-control-leave-sanctuary-cities-alone", "To Republicans Who Tout Local Control: Leave Sanctuary Cities Alone", "2017-10-01", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In an effort to intimidate sanctuary cities, the Trump administration last week picked up undocumented immigrants who had various levels of criminal convictions across the country. That is ICE\u2019s job, and it has nothing to do with sanctuary cities. What Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions want is for sanctuary cities to detain and hand over to ICE people in state or local custody. However, several courts have held that \u201cdetainers,\u201d or requests from ICE to hold immigrants\u00a0in custody after their release date, or those who may be in state or local custody, for example for minor infractions such as traffic violations or shoplifting, violate the Fourth Amendment. The people arrested last week were located by ICE in open society, not under state or local custody. Sanctuary cities do not interfere with federal officials from ICE. All they are asking is that ICE not interfere with them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-bill-allowing-dc-to-work-with-nps-to-make-improvements-to", "Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park to be Marked Up by Natural Resources Committee, Next Week", "2017-09-29", "2017", "2017-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill to clarify that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and invest in NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, will be marked up by the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 1334 Longworth House Office Building.\u00a0 Norton thanked Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) for scheduling her bill for markup and for signing on as a cosponsor.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s bill was passed by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.\n\u201cI am grateful to Chairman Bishop for scheduling my bill for markup and supporting our efforts to rehabilitate Franklin Park in downtown D.C.,\u201d Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cThe bipartisan bill is a win for the federal government and the District.\u00a0 We look forward to having D.C. residents and visitors to the nation\u2019s capital enjoy our new and improved downtown park.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-national-weather-service-director-on-promoting-0", "Norton to Meet with National Weather Service Director on Promoting Snowfall Measurements Recorded in D.C., Today", "2017-02-13", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will meet with National Weather Service (NWS) Director Louis Uccellini today, Monday, February 13, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in 2136 Rayburn House Office Building, to discuss strategies for more accurately measuring snowfall measurements within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Norton is preparing for a roundtable on the issue and wants to work with the NWS to get a better understanding of the snow fall measurements.\n\nThe meeting will be closed door, but members of the press are invited to ask questions afterwards.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-statement-on-fta-decision-to-withhold-transit-funds-from-dc", "Norton Statement on FTA Decision to Withhold Transit Funds from D.C., Maryland and Virginia", "2017-02-10", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it will withhold federal transit funds from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia until the jurisdictions establish a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP), certified by FTA, for the rail operations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).\n\n\u201cThe FTA's decision to punish the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia by withholding transit funds from WMATA and other regions of the states with their own transit needs is unfair and counterproductive. Unlike other areas of the country, WMATA encompasses three jurisdictions and three separate legislatures, each of which must pass legislation. Today's decision is particularly unfair to the District of Columbia, which has already passed the necessary legislation to create the Metro Safety Commission. Nevertheless, we have been working in good faith with our partners and we will continue to work with the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies until they pass legislation to form the Metro Safety Commission. I am committed to doing everything I can to help speed action on the enactment of the new Metro Safety Commission to ensure safety for WMATA.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-dc-councilmember-hr-crawford", "Norton Statement on the Passing of Former D.C. Councilmember H.R. Crawford", "2017-02-10", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today released the following statement on the passing of former District of Columbia Councilmember H.R. Crawford.\n\n\u201cWith the death of H.R. Crawford, the District of Columbia has lost a particularly dedicated Washingtonian who gave the city 12 years of service at the D.C. Council representing Ward 7. As a real estate developer, he reclaimed run-down buildings to improve low- and moderate-income housing.\n\n\u201cEven while engaged in real estate management his entire professional life, H.R. continued to work in the public interest. He served as chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. H.R.\u2019s contributions to D.C. were deeply felt and he will be missed by all those whose lives were improved by his work.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/early-signs-on-dc-in-the-115th-congress-with-trump-as-president", "Early Signs on D.C. in the 115th Congress with Trump as President", "2017-02-07", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nPresident Trump\u2019s first two weeks were not about the District of Columbia, but his chaotic beginning coincided with my amendment to remove language from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee\u2019s (OGR) Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress that appeared to signal an intention to get into D.C.\u2019s local government operations well beyond the usual disagreements with D.C. laws. As a member of the minority party, I knew my amendment could not pass, but it accomplished its purposes. Notwithstanding broader language than usual in the plan, the actual committee discussion revealed no particular issues or intention to take on D.C.\u2019s finances and operations, and OGR Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows and I agreed to go to lunch. The surprise was hearing OGR Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) say he favors D.C.\u2019s retrocession to Maryland to enable the city to get full rights. No one ever asks what Maryland thinks of this old canard (though the Republicans who favor it are often sincere), but D.C.\u2019s 2016 statehood referendum showed that 85% of D.C. voters want D.C. to become the 51st state.\n\nThe usual anti-home-rule bills were introduced as Congress began\u2014the permanent ban of local D.C. funds for abortion and the elimination of the District\u2019s gun safety laws. Many saw these bills, which have become tradition each Congress, as menacing, although we have been able to keep them from being enacted into law for years. What heightens concern is the presence of the new president. Yet, even President Obama was not in these fights because we were able to keep such bills from getting to his desk. Of course, this is a different administration and a different Congress\u2014but Republicans controlled the House and Senate last Congress, and these dangerous anti-home-rule bills did not get enacted.\n\nStill, the responses of residents to the OGR plan that seemed to intrude into D.C. home rule was gratifying. Residents called Chairman Chaffetz\u2019s office so often that he had to change his answering message. Residents tweeted and went on social media to oppose congressional meddling with D.C.\u2019s local affairs. Some residents even came to the House to visit the Chairman\u2019s office.\n\nIt is still too early to forecast whether D.C. will face the same barrage of radical proposals that we have seen for the nation from day one of the new administration. For now, the administration is preoccupied with travel bans, cabinet votes, and border walls, and D.C. is not on its radar.\n\nAction against the District usually begins and ends in the Congress. That is the way it was last Congress when there were eight attempts to eliminate the District\u2019s gun safety laws, eight attempts to repeal or block D.C. anti-discrimination laws, two attempts to repeal D.C. budget autonomy, and eight other attacks on D.C.\u2019s local laws. None of those attacks became law. However, the early response of D.C. residents to a plan by a congressional committee to intrude into D.C.\u2019s home rule showed that residents are ready to fight\u2014and fighting can make the difference.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-oversight-committee-to-mark-up-bill-to-nullify-dc-s-death-with", "House Oversight Committee to Mark Up Bill to Nullify D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act, Monday Evening", "2017-02-07", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) today announced that the committee will mark up a disapproval resolution to nullify the District of Columbia\u2019s medical aid-in-dying bill, the Death with Dignity Act, on Monday evening, February 13, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. After originally scheduling the markup of the disapproval resolution for last week, OGR Republicans postponed it at the last minute. The Death with Dignity Act was transmitted for a 30-legislative-day review period on January 6, 2017. A bill takes effect at the expiration of the review period unless a resolution of disapproval is passed by both houses and signed into law during that period.\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans are rushing against the clock to abuse congressional authority over the District to overturn a local law,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe Committee has refused to allow local D.C. officials to defend it. Congress is way out of line on D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act, which is substantially similar to the medical aid-in-dying statutes in five states: California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Moreover, 24 House Republicans are from the six states where medical aid in dying in legal. D.C. is neither an outlier nor a pioneer on this bill, and it is entitled to the same respect as the six states where medical aid in dying is legal. D.C. residents have made it clear with their calls, tweets, and visits to Capitol Hill that they resent this meddling by Congress into the District\u2019s purely local affairs.\u201d\n\nAccording to Gallup, a majority of Americans (69% in 2016) have supported medical aid in dying since 1973.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-us-marshal-for-dc-patrick-burke-for-service-following", "Norton Thanks U.S. Marshal for D.C. Patrick Burke for Service Following Decision to Resign", "2017-02-03", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked Patrick Burke, the U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, U.S. District Court, for his service following his announcement that he will resign his office effective February 4, 2017. Burke has been offered other opportunities. Norton recommended Burke to President Obama for the position, which is responsible for the enforcement of federal law throughout the District. When Democratic presidents are in power, Norton has had senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other federal law enforcement officials in the District.\n\n\u201cPatrick Burke was an exemplary U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia,\u201d Norton said. \u201cWe were fortunate for the first time to have a high-ranking leader of the Metropolitan Police Department as the District\u2019s U.S. Marshal. Mr. Burke brought a rare understanding of the city to a federal position dedicated to the District of Columbia.\u201d\n\nBefore his service as U.S. Marshal for D.C., Burke spent his entire 26-year career as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He began his career as a patrol officer before rising to become one of five MPD Assistant Chiefs. From 2007-2011, Burke was the first-ever Assistant Chief for the Homeland Security Bureau, where he oversaw the special operations and intelligence divisions and coordinated with federal and regional security and police forces. From 2011-2016, Burke served as Assistant Chief for the Strategic Services Bureau, where he oversaw agency policy, training, testing and recruiting.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-and-house-democrats-introduce-freedom-of-religion-act", "Norton and House Democrats Introduce Freedom of Religion Act", "2017-02-02", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) joined Gold Star Father Khizr Khan, Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), and several House Democrats at a press conference today to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibits barring immigrants, refugees, and international visitors from entry in the United States on the basis of religion.\n\nAt the press conference, Norton said, \u201cOur bill takes religion off the table as a tool for deciding who is admitted to our country\u2014whether as immigrants, refugees, or international visitors. The Freedom of Religion Act is a testament to our nation\u2019s strength. It shows we still know how to keep our country safe without sacrificing our most fundamental values.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.\n\n\u201cThe self-inflicted confusion and demonstrations across our country and the world cry out for our bill, the Freedom of Religion Act. We are compelled to examine again why our country was founded. The first colonists were not refugees from politics or poverty. They gave up whatever they had and risked everything to come to the wilderness of a largely unsettled country where they could practice their religion freely and openly without government interference. Freedom of religion was at the core of our nation\u2019s founding.\n\n\u201cOur bill takes religion off the table as a tool for deciding who is admitted to our country\u2014whether as immigrants, refugees, or international visitors. The Freedom of Religion Act is a testament to our nation\u2019s strength. It shows we still know how to keep our country safe without sacrificing our most fundamental values.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-applauds-usps-for-unveiling-dorothy-height-forever-stamp-to-begin", "Norton Applauds USPS for Unveiling Dorothy Height Forever Stamp to Begin Black History Month", "2017-02-01", "2017", "2017-02", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who was scheduled to speak at a United States Postal Service ceremony today dedicating a Dorothy Height Forever stamp, said that the stamp was an honor due to the most influential female leader of the 1960\u2019s Civil Rights Movement. Urgent business in the Congress kept Norton from attending. In 2010, Norton\u2019s bill to rename the historic Post Office at 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE was passed by the House and Senate. That historic building is a part of the Smithsonian and houses the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the repository of the postal history of our country visited by millions of Americans every year. Norton attended the signing of the bill by President Obama at a ceremony at the White House. Norton participated in the dedication of the Dorothy I. Height Post Office in 2011.\n\n\u201cDorothy Height was known as the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement for her deep influence on the movement that resulted in the three landmark civil rights laws,\u201d Norton said. She was my friend and mentor, but she also mentored countless women who saw her as a role model and found her as friendly as she was dignified. Dorothy also was a vital bridge between the feminist and civil rights movements. The Dorothy Height Forever stamp is a particularly fitting way to begin Black History Month today.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-commitment-from-republican-oversight-committee-leaders-on", "Norton Gets Commitment from Republican Oversight Committee Leaders on Overreach into D.C. Affairs", "2017-01-31", "2017", "2017-01", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was encouraged by the comments of Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and OGR Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC), who said at an OGR committee markup today they would work with her when the committee considers local District of Columbia issues. Norton had filed an amendment to remove a broad provision in the Committee\u2019s Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress that appeared to imply an intention to intrude more deeply into D.C. home-rule matters than had been the tradition of the Committee. However, following the Congresswoman\u2019s objections, the committee conversation was so productive that Norton withdrew her request for a roll call vote on her amendment. For example, Chairman Chaffetz noted that the Committee document was an oversight plan, not a legislative plan. Norton thanked OGR Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) for forcefully supporting D.C. home rule during the markup. She said she was particularly grateful to Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), a former OGR chairman, who committed to working with Norton on ways to protect D.C. home rule, as he did when he was chairman during the 112th and 113th Congresses.\n\n\u201cDuring today\u2019s committee discussion, I did not hear remarks about the need for more scrutiny into the operations of the District of Columbia government,\u201d Norton said. \u201cInstead, I was pleased by the collegial conversation we had today at the markup, where Republicans, including Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows, committed to working with me to find more common ground when D.C. issues arise in the Congress. I appreciate Chairman Chaffetz and Subcommittee Chairman Meadows\u2019 willingness to having an open dialogue on how we can work together to balance respect for D.C. home rule with traditional committee oversight over the District.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-releases-prepared-remarks-for-press-conference-with-bowser", "Norton Releases Prepared Remarks for Press Conference with Bowser, Mendelson to Defend D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act Ahead of Disapproval Resolution Markup", "2017-01-31", "2017", "2017-01", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her statement ahead of a press conference today with District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to defend D.C.\u2019s medical aid-in-dying bill, the Death with Dignity Act, from congressional interference. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a markup of a disapproval resolution to nullify the Death with Dignity Act on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.\n\nNorton\u2019s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.\n\nSTATEMENT FOR DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT PRESS CONFERENCE\n\nTuesday, January 31, 2017\n\nI thank Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson for coming to Congress to explain and defend D.C.\u2019s duly enacted \u201cDeath with Dignity Act,\u201d the District\u2019s medical aid-in-dying bill. It is perhaps a fitting title for today as we demand dignity for the democratic rights of D.C. residents, who simply want their laws to be respected and to be left alone by Members of Congress.\n\nOn Thursday afternoon, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will meet to mark up a disapproval resolution to nullify D.C.\u2019s Death with Dignity Act. Members of Congress from other jurisdictions in the United States, who are totally unaccountable to D.C. residents (I am the only one accountable to D.C. residents), will sit in judgment on a purely local matter. The District\u2019s duly-elected mayor Muriel Bowser, and the District\u2019s duly-elected Council Chairman, Phil Mendelson, are here today to voice the District\u2019s collective opposition to this anti-democratic attack on the District and to speak out for the democratic rights of D.C. residents.\n\nThis purely local matter went through a rigorous democratic process that heard debate from both sides of this issue. To its credit, the Council recognized that medical aid in dying presents complex moral, legal, medical and ethical issues. That is why the D.C. Council held an exhaustive hearing on the Death with Dignity Act to examine these issues, where 69 experts and dozens of concerned citizens testified, both for and against the legislation. After hearing debate, the elected D.C. Council passed the Death with Dignity Act by a vote of 11-2, and the elected D.C. Mayor signed it. That should have ended the matter, as it would in any other jurisdiction in the United States.\n\nHowever, unlike other jurisdictions, the District lacks the status of a state it deserves, despite having paid for it dearly in both blood and treasure to the government of the United States. But the District does operate under the Home Rule Act, which in 1973 gave D.C. the authority to legislate on local matters, with only a few enumerated exceptions, and to \u201crelieve Congress of the burden of legislating upon essentially local District matters.\u201d Medical aid in dying is not among the exceptions.\n\nAlthough I support the District\u2019s Death with Dignity Act, which is substantially similar to the laws of the five states that have legalized medical aid in dying by statute and contains strong safeguards that protect against potential abuses of the program, my position on the bill is irrelevant to why we are here today. We will ask Members of Congress to vote with the District on this bill, even if they personally disagree with . The District\u2019s right to home rule is superior to any ideological position I or any other Member of Congress may have on a piece of D.C. legislation. That is why at Thursday\u2019s markup I will not request that Members take a position on the merits of the Death with Dignity Act, only on the District\u2019s democratic right to pass its own laws.\n\nI want to correct a statement by Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, who coauthored an op-ed calling for Congress to intervene and nullify the Death with Dignity Act. They made the false argument that Congress not only has the constitutional authority to regulate D.C.\u2019s local affairs, but that it has the obligation to do so. Congressional authority over the District is a fact, however inconsistent that authority is with democracy and the bedrock American principle of local control. But the Home Rule Act does not obligate Congress to intervene in the District\u2019s affairs. The proof, of course, is that Congress uses its plenary jurisdiction over the District only for ideological reasons when it disagrees with legislation. Of course, a Member has not introduced legislation to ban medical aid in dying nationally. The Committee knows such a bill would fail. Public support for medical aid in dying is growing\u2014according to Gallup, 69% of Americans supported it in 2016. It is easier to abuse congressional power over the District than it would be to take the fight nationally.\n\nIronically, to conclude his op-ed, Chairman Chaffetz wrote that \u201cwe will rage for the citizens of the District\u2026.\u201d D.C. residents would very much appreciate the Chairman \u201craging\u201d for their democratic rights, including statehood, voting rights, budget autonomy and legislative autonomy, instead of actively working against laws passed democratically by local authorities.\n\nMayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, and I are in this fight for the long haul. No matter what anti-home-rule attacks House Republicans throw our way, we will always be here standing strongly together to defend the democratic rights of our residents.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 93, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "DC", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 93, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 93, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "DC", "label": "DC", "count": 93, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 93, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 77.25944882258773, "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"}