{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"DC\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-her-provisions-authorizing-studies-secondary-drinking-water", "Norton Announces Her Provisions Authorizing Studies on Secondary Drinking Water Source for D.C., Swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and Flooding in Federal Triangle Signed Into Law", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that President Biden today signed into law her provisions authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies on a secondary drinking water source and additional drinking water storage capability for the District of Columbia, swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in D.C., and flooding in the Federal Triangle area of D.C. The provisions are included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA).\n\n\u201cI am pleased the president signed into law my three provisions in WRDA that address issues D.C. has long confronted,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThese provisions will serve to protect the drinking water and other infrastructure of the nation\u2019s capital from serious vulnerabilities and will benefit D.C. residents for years to come.\u201d\n\nThe Potomac River is D.C.\u2019s only source of drinking water, and natural or man-made events could render the river unusable for drinking water. The federally owned and operated Washington Aqueduct produces drinking water from the river for D.C. and parts of Northern Virginia. However, the aqueduct maintains only a single day of backup water supply. Many other highly populated metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have a second source of drinking water, and many are in the planning stages for a third source.\n\nCongress passed Norton\u2019s bills to redevelop the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts, which have reinvigorated community engagement on the water and have generated considerable tax revenue for D.C. Studying the feasibility of swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers is the next logical step to maximize the benefits of D.C.\u2019s beautiful waterways.\n\nWith heavy rain projected to become more frequent due to climate change, the Federal Triangle area is increasingly susceptible to flooding. In June 2006, an intense storm produced flooding in the area, which caused power outages and major disruptions to federal and D.C. operations, forcing closures of local businesses, public transportation hubs and federal buildings. Smaller but still significant storms in the area in 2018, 2019, and 2020 resulted in closures of Constitution Avenue, power and transportation disruptions, and flooding of buildings.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/nortons-women-who-worked-home-front-world-war-ii-memorial-act-passes-senate", "Norton\u2019s Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act Passes Senate", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that her Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act, which would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the contributions of the women who kept the home front running during World War II, passed the Senate as part of the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. The House is expected to pass the omnibus, and the president is expected to sign it into law, this week. The idea for the memorial came from Norton\u2019s constituent Raya Kenney, who has been advocating tirelessly for it for more than a decade. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).\n\n\u201cWomen have largely been ignored in the memorials on federal land in the nation\u2019s capital,\u201d CongresswomanNorton said. \u201cMy constituent Raya Kenney, the founder of the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation, came up with the idea to honor these brave women who supported the World War II effort. I am pleased the Senate passed this bill. Thank you to Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, for leading this effort in the Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s long past time we recognize the contributions hardworking women made during World War II\u2014they rolled up their sleeves and took whatever job was necessary to keep the country they loved moving forward,\u201d said Senator Duckworth. \u201cI\u2019m proud this bipartisan legislation that will honor their efforts and help ensure better representation for women in the cherished, world-renowned memorials in our nation\u2019s capital is now heading to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-lack-statehood-cost-dc-tens-hundreds-millions-dollars-earmarks", "Norton Says Lack of Statehood Cost D.C. Tens to Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Earmarks in Final Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Bills", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said the District of Columbia was shortchanged tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the final fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills because D.C. has no senators. An earmark is funding requested by members of the House and Senate for local governments and nonprofits to carry out specific projects in members\u2019 respective districts and states.\n\n\u201cEarmarks are yet another way in which D.C.\u2019s lack of statehood has caused financial harm to D.C.,\u201d Norton said. \u201cWithout senators to request earmarks, D.C. lost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the final fiscal year 2023 appropriations bills. This unequal treatment is particularly egregious because D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more federal taxes than 23 states.\u201d\n\nSenators received a wide range of earmarks, with some receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks, in the final FY 2023 appropriations bills. Norton received approximately $21 million in earmarks in the final FY 2023 appropriations bills, which was the typical amount received by House members.\n\nNorton noted another recent example of D.C. being shortchanged. Last Congress, the CARES Act, which was drafted by the Republican-led Senate, treated D.C. as a territory instead of a state for coronavirus fiscal relief, depriving D.C. of $755 million. This Congress, Norton was able to get that $755 million for D.C. restored in the American Rescue Plan.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-secures-funding-new-howard-university-hospital-and-other-victories", "Norton Secures Funding for New Howard University Hospital and Other Victories in Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced she secured numerous victories for the District of Columbia in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, which was released Monday evening, including:\n\n$100 million for the construction of a new Howard University Hospital (HUH project).\n\n$296 million for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consolidation project at the St. Elizabeths West Campus (St. Elizabeths project).\n\nAuthorizing sledding at the Capitol complex.\n\nDirecting the Capitol Police to enforce the prohibition on engines idling at the Capitol complex for more than three minutes.\n\nDirecting the Federal Railroad Administration to continue working with the D.C. government on the Union Station expansion project and to consider the feedback of all stakeholders, including residents of affected neighborhoods, in its planning process.\n\nDirecting the Agricultural Research Service to improve public access to the National Arboretum, including reducing car traffic in the surrounding residential neighborhood.\n\n\u201cI am pleased with the victories in this bill,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe additional funding for a new Howard University Hospital can expand access to care, help address the severe shortage of minority physicians across the country, and create new jobs. The DHS consolidation project at St. Elizabeths is immensely important to the federal government and D.C. The DHS funding will improve DHS operations, enhance our country\u2019s security, and spur economic development.\u201d\n\nNorton secured $7 million for the HUH project in FY 2021 and $100 million for the HUH project in FY 2022. Norton has secured more than $2 billon for the St. Elizabeths project.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-secures-victories-final-fiscal-year-2023-dc-appropriations-bill", "Norton Secures Victories in Final Fiscal Year 2023 D.C. Appropriations Bill, Disappointed D.C. Abortion and Marijuana Riders Remain and DCTAG Awards Not Increased", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 21, 2022\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the final fiscal year (FY) 2023 District of Columbia Appropriations bill, which was released Monday evening, contains many victories for D.C., but also significant disappointments.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased the D.C. Appropriations bill provides funding for critical D.C. priorities, but I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans, whose votes are necessary to pass the bill, were able to keep the D.C. abortion and marijuana riders in the bill and to block improvements to the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program,\u201d Norton said.\n\nNorton secured the following victories:\n\nThe bill provides $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG).\n\nThe bill exempts the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns in FY 2024.\n\nThe bill provides $8 million for DC Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek.\n\nThe bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C.\n\nThe bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.\n\nAuthorizes the local D.C. courts to increase the pay of court-appointed lawyers and investigators.\n\nNorton is disappointed the bill:\n\nProhibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions and commercializing recreational marijuana. The original House and Senate FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bills would have removed these riders. The president\u2019s FY 2023 budget proposed removing the abortion rider but maintaining the marijuana rider.\n\nDoes not increase the annual or lifetime DCTAG awards or maximum family income eligibility for DCTAG. The original House FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bills would have increased the annual and lifetime awards and maximum family income eligibility. The original Senate FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill would have increased the annual and lifetime awards, but not the maximum family income eligibility. The president\u2019s FY 2023 budget proposed increasing the annual and lifetime awards, but not the maximum family income eligibility.\n\nThe bill appropriates D.C.\u2019s local funds, meaning that it effectively preempts the Local Budget Autonomy Act. The original House and Senate FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bills would not have appropriated D.C.\u2019s local funds.\n\nDoes not prohibit the president from federalizing the D.C. police department. The original House FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill would have prohibited the president from doing so.\n\nNorton is disappointed the bill does not require schools participating in the D.C. private school voucher program, which Congress created, to comply with federal civil rights laws. The original House and Senate FY 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill would have required participating schools to do so.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-secures-over-21-million-dc-organizations-final-fiscal-year-2023", "Norton Secures Over $21 Million for D.C. Organizations in Final Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Bills", "2022-12-20", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today she secured over $21 million in Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, for District of Columbia organizations in the final fiscal year 2023 appropriations bills, which were released last night.\n\n\u201cFighting for D.C. in Congress is my highest honor,\u201d Norton said. \u201cI am proud to have secured this much-needed funding for organizations in the District of Columbia.\u201d\n\nThe Community Project Funding recipients are:\n\nRecipient: Bread for the City\n\nAmount: $3 million\n\nPurpose: Start-up costs for medical clinic\n\nRecipient: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop\n\nAmount: $250,000\n\nPurpose: Training in technical theater jobs for youth and young adults\n\nRecipient: Covenant House Washington\n\nAmount: $329,750\n\nPurpose: Job training for young adults\n\nRecipient: Dance Institute of Washington, Inc.\n\nAmount: $1 million\n\nPurpose: Dance training and access to dance performances\n\nRecipient: The George Washington University\n\nAmount: $1,190,000\n\nPurpose: Build and outfit a new cancer prevention and wellness center\n\nRecipient: Healthy Babies Project, Inc.\n\nAmount: $340,000\n\nPurpose: Expand and rehabilitate transitional housing for homeless youth who are pregnant or parents\n\nRecipient: Horton's Kids\n\nAmount: $500,000\n\nPurpose: Transform a building into a community center\n\nRecipient: House of Ruth\n\nAmount: $7,160,828\n\nPurpose: Renovate and rehabilitate an apartment building for vulnerable individuals\n\nRecipient: The L'Enfant Trust\n\nAmount: $2 million\n\nPurpose: Rehabilitate a house for multi-unit affordable homeownership\n\nRecipient: My Sister's Place\n\nAmount: $500,000\n\nPurpose: Rehabilitate and maintain a domestic violence shelter and transitional housing\n\nRecipient: National Children's Museum\n\nAmount: $1 million\n\nPurpose: Educational exhibits and staff\n\nRecipient: University of the District of Columbia\n\nAmount: $1 million\n\nPurpose: Establish a math teacher training institute\n\nRecipient: Washington Area Community Investment Fund\n\nAmount: $3 million\n\nPurpose: Create an entrepreneurship center\n\nRecipient: Wendt Center for Loss and Healing\n\nAmount: $94,444\n\nPurpose: Crisis response mental health services\n\nRecipient: Whitman-Walker Health\n\nAmount: $250,000\n\nPurpose: Purchase a mobile health unit\n\nMembers were allowed to submit up to 15 Community Project Funding requests. Norton received a total of 39 requests and submitted 15.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-federal-law-enforcement-nominating-commission-accepting-applications", "Norton Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission Accepting Applications for Upcoming Vacancy on the U.S. District Court for D.C.", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton\u2019s Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission (Commission) is accepting applications for an upcoming vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Judge Amy Berman Jackson, whom Norton recommended to President Obama, is taking senior status as of May 1, 2023. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023. The application is available on Norton's website and must be submitted to DCFLENC@afslaw.com.\n\nPresident Biden, like Presidents Clinton and Obama, granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other important federal law enforcement officials D.C. The Commission will screen and recommend candidates to Norton, who will make recommendations to Biden. The Commission is comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from across D.C. The members of the Commission are: Chair Jon Bouker, Shelley Broderick, Frank Carter, Emilio Cividanes, Emma Coleman Jordan, Shirley Ann Higuchi, Ellen Huvelle, Marie Johns, Philip Pannell, Maria E. Holleran Rivera, Joslyn (Josh) Williams, and Judith Winston.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-senate-passage-her-provisions-authorizing-studies-secondary", "Norton Announces Senate Passage of Her Provisions Authorizing Studies on Secondary Drinking Water Source for D.C., Swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and Flooding in Federal Triangle", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Senate passed her provisions authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies on a secondary drinking water source and additional drinking water storage capability for the District of Columbia, swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in D.C., and flooding in the Federal Triangle area of D.C. The provisions are included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, which now heads to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cMy provisions in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 address issues D.C. has long confronted,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThese provisions will help protect the drinking water and other infrastructure of the nation\u2019s capital from serious vulnerabilities, and I look forward to them being signed into law.\u201d\n\nD.C. is wholly dependent on the Potomac River for its drinking water, but natural or man-made events could render the river unusable for drinking water. The federally owned and operated Washington Aqueduct produces drinking water from the river for D.C. and parts of Northern Virginia. However, the aqueduct maintains only a single day of backup water supply. Many other highly populated metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have a second source of drinking water, and many are in the planning stages for a third source.\n\nCongress passed Norton\u2019s bills to redevelop the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts, which have reinvigorated community engagement on the water and have generated considerable tax revenue for D.C. Studying the feasibility of swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers is the next logical step to maximize the benefits of D.C.\u2019s beautiful waterways.\n\nWith heavy rain projected to become more frequent due to climate change, the Federal Triangle area is increasingly susceptible to flooding. In June 2006, an intense storm produced flooding in the area, which caused power outages and major disruptions to federal and D.C. operations, forcing closures of local businesses, public transportation hubs and federal buildings. Smaller but still significant storms in the area in 2018, 2019, and 2020 resulted in closures of Constitution Avenue, power and transportation disruptions, and flooding of buildings.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-applauds-senate-confirmation-judicial-nominees-local-dc-courts-calls", "Norton Applauds Senate Confirmation of Judicial Nominees to the Local D.C. Courts, Calls for Passage of Her Bill to End Perpetual Vacancy Crisis", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today applauded the Senate for confirming seven judicial nominees to the local District of Columbia courts last night. Prior to these confirmations, there were 14 vacancies out of 62 authorized judges on D.C.\u2019s trial court, the Superior Court, and two vacancies out of nine authorized judges on D.C.\u2019s appeals court, the Court of Appeals. She also reiterated her call for Congress to pass her bill that would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for judges on the local D.C. courts.\n\n\u201cI thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Gary Peters for getting seven judicial nominees to the local D.C. courts confirmed last night,\u201d Norton said. \u201cHowever, the length of time it took to get them confirmed only reinforces the need for Congress to pass my bill that would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. The perpetual judicial vacancy crisis in the local D.C. courts harms public safety and access to justice. It is untenable.\u201d\n\nUnder the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, local D.C. judges are appointed by the president, subject to Senate confirmation. The president appoints a nominee from one of three candidates submitted by the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. If the president does not appoint one of the candidates within 60 days, the commission is required to appoint one of the candidates, subject to Senate confirmation.\n\nThe local D.C. courts face a perpetual judicial vacancy crisis, regardless of which party controls the Senate, because both parties prioritize federal judicial and executive branch nominees over judicial nominees to the local D.C. courts, but Republicans have exacerbated the crisis this Congress by filibustering judicial nominees to the local D.C. courts.\n\nNorton\u2019s District of Columbia Courts Vacancy Reduction Act would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. The bill would allow judicial appointments to the local D.C. courts to take effect after a 30-day congressional review period, unless a joint resolution disapproving an appointment is enacted into law during that period. The bill would make the congressional process for appointments the same as the one used for legislation passed by the D.C. Council. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed the bill last year.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-provision-will-keep-dc-government-open-if-federal-government-shuts-down", "Norton Provision Will Keep D.C. Government Open if Federal Government Shuts Down Friday Night", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 With the possibility of a federal government shutdown on Friday night, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reminded District of Columbia residents that a provision she got included in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 District of Columbia Appropriations bill exempts the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2023. Norton has gotten a provision exempting the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns each year since FY 2015.\n\n\u201cThe D.C. shutdown exemption, which I have gotten included in the D.C. Appropriations bill since 2014, will prevent the D.C. government from shutting down if the federal government shuts down on Friday night,\u201d Norton said. \u201cCongress could learn something about fiscal responsibility by taking a look at D.C., which has both a balanced budget and a surplus.\u201d\n\nIf Congress does not pass the regular FY 2023 appropriations bills or another continuing resolution by Friday night, the federal government will shut down. However, the D.C. government will not shut down because Norton got a provision included in the FY 2022 D.C. Appropriations bill that allows D.C. to remain open and spend under the D.C. Council-passed FY 2023 local budget for the duration of a federal government shutdown in FY 2023. Before Norton first got the shutdown exemption, the District government had to prepare shutdown contingency plans every time there was the threat of a federal government shutdown and would shut down if the federal government shut down. Consistent shutdown threats harmed D.C.\u2019s credit rating. Credit rating agencies have favorably cited Norton\u2019s shutdown exemption provision.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-urges-postal-service-expand-use-security-cameras-postal-facilities-dc", "Norton Urges Postal Service to Expand Use of Security Cameras at Postal Facilities in D.C. and Across the Country", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter urging |the United States Postal Service (USPS) to expand the use of security cameras at postal facilities in the District of Columbia and across the country. Norton sent the letter after learning a D.C. resident was recently robbed in the parking lot of the 12th Street NE post office in D.C., a facility whose parking lot is not monitored by security cameras.\n\n\u201cUSPS should have security cameras monitoring its facilities\u2014both inside and outside\u2014to protect employees, customers and property,\u201d Norton wrote. \u201cSecurity cameras can deter crime and assist in the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.\u201d\n\nNorton has taken several steps this Congress to address mail-related crime, including introducing a bill that would clarify the authority of Postal Police Officers to protect mail, postal property, and postal employees, and meeting with the USPS Chief Postal Inspector.\n\nThe letter follows.\n\nDecember 13, 2022\n\nLouis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General and CEO\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n475 L\u2019Enfant Plaza SW\n\nWashington, DC 20260\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nI write to urge the United States Postal Service (USPS) to expand the use of security cameras at postal facilities in the District of Columbia and across the country. USPS should have security cameras monitoring its facilities\u2014both inside and outside\u2014to protect employees, customers and property. Security cameras can deter crime and assist in the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. I understand that a D.C. resident was recently robbed in the parking lot of the post office at 3401 12th Street NE in D.C., and that there are no security cameras monitoring that parking lot.\n\nI ask for a written response addressing the concerns about this D.C. post office and postal facilities nationally by December 27, 2022.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-provide-tuition-assistance-dc-national-guard-members", "Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Tuition Assistance to D.C. National Guard Members", "2022-12-13", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to permanently authorize funding for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which provides tuition and other financial assistance for higher education to members of the District of Columbia National Guard. The program was recommended by Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., the former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard who was killed in the 2009 Metrorail crash, and his successor to stem the loss of D.C. National Guard members to National Guard units in surrounding states that offer higher education assistance to their members. The D.C. National Guard is a federal entity.\n\n\u201cWhile I am grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this important program, most recently $600,000 in fiscal year 2022, my bill would permanently authorize funding for this program,\u201d Norton said. \u201cPermanent authorization would help ensure members of the D.C. National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the\n\nIntroduction of the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr.,\n\nDistrict of Columbia National Guard Retention\n\nand College Access Program Act\n\nDecember 8, 2022\n\nToday, I introduce the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program Act. This bill would permanently authorize funding for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which provides tuition and other financial assistance for higher education to members of the D.C. National Guard, which is an exclusively federal entity.\n\nThis program and bill are named for Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along with his wife, Ann, and seven others were tragically killed when Metro trains collided on the Red Line on June 22, 2009. I renamed this bill after Major General Wherley because he worked tirelessly with me for many years to get funding for this program, and because of his devotion to D.C. youth and to the D.C. National Guard.\n\nThis program was recommended by Major General Wherley and his successor at the D.C. National Guard, Major General Errol Schwartz, to stem the troublesome loss of D.C. National Guard members to other units, including National Guards in surrounding states that offer assistance for higher education to their members. I am grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this program, most recently $600,000 in fiscal year 2022. Permanently authorizing this program will help ensure that members of the D.C. National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.\n\nThis program not only benefits D.C. National Guard members, the great majority of whom live in Maryland or Virginia, but also helps the D.C. National Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal presence in D.C.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-bill-name-dc-post-office-dc-servicemembers-and-veterans-house-floor", "Norton Bill to Name D.C. Post Office for D.C. Servicemembers and Veterans on House Floor Today", "2022-12-12", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill that would designate the post office at 400 Southern Avenue SE in the District of Columbia as the \u201cDistrict of Columbia Servicemembers and Veterans Post Office\u201d will be on the House floor today for debate and a vote. The bill passed out of the Committee on Oversight and Reform in November.\n\n\u201cWe must recognize the special debt of gratitude our country owes to D.C. servicemembers and veterans, who serve or have served their country without voting representation in Congress or full local self-government,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt is remarkable that they serve a country that denies them basic democratic rights\u2014rights they have often been sent overseas to defend. There are approximately 30,000 veterans who live in D.C., and almost 200,000 D.C. residents have served in the military since World War I. This bill is one way to recognize their service and sacrifice.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-bill-name-dc-post-office-dc-servicemembers-and-veterans-passes-house", "Norton Bill to Name D.C. Post Office for D.C. Servicemembers and Veterans Passes House", "2022-12-12", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill to designate the post office at 400 Southern Avenue SE in the District of Columbia as the \u201cDistrict of Columbia Servicemembers and Veterans Post Office\u201d passed the House today.\n\n\u201cDistrict of Columbia residents have served, and continue to serve, their country in the armed forces despite being denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government,\u201d Norton said. \u201cIt is remarkable that they serve a country that denies them basic democratic rights\u2014rights they have often been sent overseas to defend. Currently, there are approximately 30,000 veterans who live in D.C., and almost 200,000 D.C. residents have served in the military since World War I. Today\u2019s House passage of my bill honors their service and sacrifice.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-final-wrda-authorizes-studies-secondary-drinking-water-source", "Norton Announces Final WRDA Authorizes Studies on Secondary Drinking Water Source for D.C., Swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and Flooding in Federal Triangle", "2022-12-07", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the final version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA), released last night, contains her provisions authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies on a secondary drinking water source and additional drinking water storage capability for the District of Columbia, swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in D.C., and flooding in the Federal Triangle area of D.C.\n\n\u201cThere is an urgent need for Congress to act to protect the drinking water and other infrastructure of the nation\u2019s capital from serious vulnerabilities, and I am pleased WRDA contains three provisions to address issues D.C. has long confronted,\u201d Norton said.\n\nD.C. is wholly dependent on the Potomac River for its drinking water, but natural or man-made events could render the river unusable for drinking water. The federally owned and operated Washington Aqueduct produces drinking water from the river for D.C. and parts of Virginia. However, the aqueduct maintains only a single day of backup water supply. Many other highly populated metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have a second source of drinking water, and many are in the planning stages for a third source.\n\nCongress passed Norton\u2019s bills to redevelop the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts, which have reinvigorated community engagement on the water and have generated considerable tax revenue for D.C. Studying the feasibility of swimming in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers is the next logical step to maximize the benefits of D.C.\u2019s beautiful waterways.\n\nWith heavy rain projected to become more frequent due to climate change, the Federal Triangle area is increasingly susceptible to flooding. In June 2006, an intense storm produced flooding in the area, which caused power outages and major disruptions to federal and D.C. operations, forcing closures of local businesses, public transportation hubs and federal buildings. Smaller but still significant storms in the area in 2018, 2019, and 2020 resulted in closures of Constitution Avenue, power and transportation disruptions, and flooding of buildings.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-carper-maloney-brown-express-disappointment-final-ndaa-does", "Norton, Van Hollen, Carper, Maloney, Brown Express Disappointment that Final NDAA Does Not Give D.C. Mayor Control Over D.C. National Guard", "2022-12-07", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The members vowed to keep fighting to give the mayor this authority\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD) expressed disappointment that the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) does not give the District of Columbia mayor control over the D.C. National Guard and vowed to keep fighting to give the mayor this important authority.\n\nThe members said: \u201cJust like state and territorial governors have control over their National Guard units, the D.C. mayor \u2013 the District\u2019s chief executive \u2013 must have this authority over the D.C. National Guard in order to protect the safety of the residents and institutions of our nation\u2019s capital. The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020, are prime examples of why it is vital that the D.C. mayor have this authority. On January 6th, the Trump administration endangered lives and prolonged the insurrection by refusing to deploy the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol for several hours, while at Lafayette Square, the Trump administration weaponized the D.C. National Guard and federal law enforcement agencies to attack largely peaceful protestors. Both incidents make all the more clear the need to give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard.\u201d\n\nThe House-passed version of the NDAA gave the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. The Senate version of the NDAA did not give the mayor this authority, but Van Hollen and Carper filed an amendment to do so. The members have also introduced the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act, which would give the mayor this authority.\n\nThe governors of states and territories control their National Guards, while the president controls the D.C. National Guard.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-carper-maloney-brown-call-dc-mayor-be-given-control-over-dc", "Norton, Van Hollen, Carper, Maloney, Brown Call for D.C. Mayor to be Given Control Over D.C. National Guard in Final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The Honorable Adam Smith The Honorable Jack Reed\n\nChairman Chairman\n\nHouse Committee on Armed Services Senate Committee on Armed Services\n\nThe Honorable Mike Rogers The Honorable James Inhofe\n\nRanking Member Ranking Member\n\nHouse Committee on Armed Services Senate Committee on Armed Services\n\nDear Chairmen Smith and Reed and Ranking Members Rogers and Inhofe:\n\nAs the sponsors and lead cosponsors of the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act (H.R. 657/S. 130), we respectfully request that you include in the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) the provision in the House-passed NDAA that would give the D.C. Mayor control over the D.C. National Guard.\n\nThe provision would give the D.C. Mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors of the states and territories have over their National Guards. It would also give the President the same authority to federalize the D.C. National Guard that the President has to federalize all other National Guards.\n\nWhile the National Guards of the states and territories operate under dual federal and state/territorial jurisdiction, the D.C. National Guard operates solely under federal jurisdiction. The Governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have control over their National Guards, but the President has the authority to federalize them. The D.C. Mayor and the President should have the same respective control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors and the President have over the National Guards of the states and territories.\n\nThe attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020, are prime examples of why the D.C. Mayor should control the D.C. National Guard. During January 6th, the Trump administration refused to deploy the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol for several hours, likely costing lives and prolonging the attack. At Lafayette Square, the Trump administration used the D.C. National Guard and federal law enforcement officers to forcibly remove peaceful protestors for a presidential photo op. This year, the D.C. government had to rely on the President to deploy the D.C. National Guard in preparation for trucker convoys in D.C.\n\nThe D.C. Mayor, who knows D.C. better than any federal official and who works closely with federal security officials, should be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard in response to natural disasters and civil disturbances. In the event of a large-scale attack on a federal facility like the January 6th attack on the Capitol, a D.C. Mayor who controlled the D.C. National Guard would almost certainly immediately deploy the D.C. National Guard to protect the facility. However, in the unlikely event that a D.C. Mayor did not deploy the D.C. National Guard, the President would have the authority to federalize and deploy the D.C. National Guard to do so. This is no different than the division of authority between a Governor and President in the event of a large-scale attack on a federal facility in a state or territory today.\n\nMoreover, Presidential control over the D.C. National Guard creates a loophole by which a President can evade the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military\u2019s involvement in civilian law enforcement. The Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel has opined that when the D.C. National Guard is operating in \u201cmilitia status (i.e., not in federal service),\u201d even though it is an exclusively federal entity, the D.C. National Guard may be used for civilian law enforcement purposes without violating the Posse Comitatus Act.\n\nFinally, the provision would be a historic transfer of self-government powers to D.C., which Congress began with the passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, when it delegated most of its authority over D.C. matters to an elected Mayor and Council. D.C. should have the same control over its local affairs as the states and territories.\n\nWe appreciate your consideration of this important request.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-booker-announce-senate-hearing-their-enslaved-voyages-memorial-act", "Norton, Booker Announce Senate Hearing on Their Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced today that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing on their Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved persons, on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Media and the general public will be able to view the hearing here. The bill passed the House in September. The memorial, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor enslaved persons\u2019 presence, celebrate their contributions to history, and recognize their resilience and fortitude.\n\n\u201cThe memorial our bill authorizes will be a powerful marker of truth-telling and remembrance, and I am proud to have gotten it passed in the House,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThank you to Senator Booker for introducing the companion bill in the Senate and to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for holding this important hearing. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn a dark chapter of our nation\u2019s history, millions of enslaved people were brought to this land against their will. We must ensure that their stories and immense contributions are lifted up and never forgotten,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI applaud the House for passing my Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act and commend the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for taking up this important legislation in their next hearing.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-vote-dc-house-floor-committee-whole-118th-congress", "Norton Requests Vote for D.C. on House Floor in Committee of the Whole in 118th Congress", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) requesting that the House rules for the 118th Congress permit the District of Columbia\u2019s delegate to vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole.\n\n\"[T]he delegate vote has had no adverse impact on the operations of the House or on the majority, but its importance to the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents cannot be overstated,\" Norton wrote. \"D.C. residents, who have fought in every American war, beginning with the Revolutionary War, have always had all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying full federal taxes and serving on federal juries. ... I ask that the House grant D.C. residents the modicum of respect the vote in the Committee of the Whole would afford.\"\n\nNorton first won the vote for D.C. on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole in the 103rd Congress. Norton, then in the majority, submitted a legal memorandum to her own leadership arguing that D.C. had a vote in standing committees under House rules and should have a vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole, which is also established by House rules. Republicans challenged the rule in federal court, but it was found constitutional under Article I of the U.S. Constitution by both a federal district court and a federal appeals court. Since then, D.C. has been permitted to vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole when Democrats have controlled the House, but the vote has been taken away when Republicans have controlled the House. The rule permitting D.C.\u2019s delegate to vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole has allowed Norton to vote on amendments.\n\nNorton\u2019s letter follows.\n\nNovember 29, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Kevin McCarthy\n\nRepublican Leader\n\nHouse of Representatives\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Leader McCarthy:\n\nI write to request that the House rules for the 118th Congress permit the District of Columbia\u2019s delegate to vote in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, subject to an automatic revote if such vote is decisive. When permitted, the delegate vote has had no adverse impact on the operations of the House or on the majority, but its importance to the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents cannot be overstated.\n\nThe delegate vote in the Committee of the Whole is constitutional. Both the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit have held that the delegate vote in the Committee of the Whole is constitutional under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. In Michel v. Anderson, the appeals court noted that the longstanding practice of the House is to allow delegates to vote in standing committees and found that the Committee of the Whole vote was not constitutionally distinct from that practice. The court said, \u201cSuffice it to say that we think that insofar as the rule change bestowed additional authority on the delegates, that additional authority is largely symbolic and is not significantly greater than that which they enjoyed serving and voting on the standing committees.\u201d The appeals court specifically considered whether only representatives of the states can constitutionally vote in the Committee of the Whole and concluded that this vote is simply a \u201cminor addition to the office of delegates [that] has [no] constitutional significance.\u201d\n\nHouse rules have permitted the delegate vote in the Committee of the Whole in five Congresses. The automatic revote provision has rarely been triggered. While the delegate vote in the Committee of the Whole has no significance to the work of the House, D.C. residents, as you can imagine, value the vote, however insignificant or symbolic it may seem to others.\n\nD.C. residents, who have fought in every American war, beginning with the Revolutionary War, have always had all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying full federal taxes and serving on federal juries. Indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states. However, they have been denied voting representation in Congress and full home rule.\n\nI ask that the House grant D.C. residents the modicum of respect the vote in the Committee of the Whole would afford.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-bill-name-post-office-dc-servicemembers-and-veterans-passes-committee", "Norton Bill to Name Post Office for D.C. Servicemembers and Veterans Passes Committee", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Committee on Oversight and Reform today passed her bill that would designate the post office at 400 Southern Avenue SE in the District of Columbia as the \u201cDistrict of Columbia Servicemembers and Veterans Post Office.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney for holding a vote on this important bill,\u201d Norton said. \u201cWe must recognize the special debt of gratitude our country owes to D.C. servicemembers and veterans, who serve or have served their country without voting representation in Congress or full local self-government. It is remarkable that they serve a country that denies them basic democratic rights\u2014rights they have often been sent overseas to defend. There are approximately 30,000 veterans who live in D.C., and almost 200,000 D.C. residents have served in the military since World War I. This bill is one way to recognize their service and sacrifice.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-lee-amendment-attacking-dcs-lgbtq-residents", "Norton Condemns Lee Amendment Attacking D.C.\u2019s LGBTQ+ Residents", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned an amendment filed by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to the Respect for Marriage Act that would prohibit the District of Columbia from enforcing D.C. laws that protect same-sex couples from discrimination. Specifically, the amendment would prohibit D.C. from taking certain adverse actions, such as denying grants or contracts, against individuals and entities that otherwise unlawfully discriminate against same-sex couples if such individuals and entities have a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is a union of individuals of the opposite sex. While the amendment is framed as prohibiting the federal government from taking adverse action for violations of federal law, it defines the term federal government and federal law to include the D.C. government and D.C. law, respectively.\n\n\u201cThis amendment is an attack on all LGBTQ+ Americans, but it also uniquely attacks D.C.\u2019s LGBTQ+ residents,\u201d Norton said. \u201cSenator Mike Lee, who professes to support local control of local affairs, regularly tries to use Congress\u2019 undemocratic power over D.C. to interfere in D.C.\u2019s local affairs. I have defeated all his prior attempts to interfere in D.C.\u2019s local affairs, and I will defeat this one, too.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-appropriations-provision-directing-zoo-extend-zoo-loop-trails", "Norton Requests Appropriations Provision Directing Zoo to Extend Zoo Loop Trail\u2019s Hours, Meets with Zoo Accreditation Body", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the final fiscal year 2023 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill direct the National Zoo to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in a manner that allows the National Zoo to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Norton met this week with the AZA. The AZA said the National Zoo has two options to extend the trail\u2019s hours and maintain accreditation: extend the National Zoo\u2019s hours of operations or build new fencing around the trail. The National Zoo has rejected both options.\n\nThe trail, which runs through the Nation Zoo\u2019s grounds in Rock Creek Park and recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The National Zoo has tied the trail\u2019s hours to the National Zoo\u2019s hours of operations.\n\nNorton has met with the National Zoo, the National Park Service (NPS), and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) to discuss options for extending the trail\u2019s hours, but the National Zoo rejected her request to extend the trail\u2019s hours. Norton has announced she will invite the National Zoo, NPS, and DDOT to participate in a town hall meeting to discuss the issue with D.C. residents. The AZA said it would be willing to participate in the event, which is currently being planned.\n\n\u201cAs chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,\u201d said Norton. \u201cThe Zoo Loop Trail is an important part of the Rock Creek Park trail system and is used for commuting and recreation. I will continue to work to extend the trail\u2019s hours.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s letter follows.\n\nNovember 16, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Chellie Pingree The Honorable David Joyce\n\nChair Ranking Member\n\nSubcommittee on the Interior, Environment Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment\n\nand Related Agencies and Related Agencies\n\nHouse Committee on Appropriations House Committee on Appropriations\n\nWashington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515\n\nDear Chair Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce:\n\nAs you begin drafting the final fiscal year 2023 Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, I urge you to include a provision directing the National Zoo to extend the Zoo Loop Trail\u2019s hours in a manner that allows it to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). I recognize that this provision is not in either the House or Senate versions of the bill, but the Zoo Loop Trail issue arose after the bills were drafted.\n\nThe Zoo Loop Trail is an important part of the Rock Creek Park trail system, which is used for commuting and recreation. However, the Zoo Loop Trail, which is controlled by the zoo, runs through the zoo\u2019s grounds and reopened to the public last month after renovations, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., which prevents its use for evening commuting and recreation. Those hours are tied to the zoo\u2019s hours of operations. I have asked the zoo to extend the trail\u2019s hours, but it has refused to do so.\n\nAccording to the AZA, the zoo has two options to extend the Zoo Loop Trail\u2019s hours and maintain its accreditation: extend the zoo\u2019s hours of operations or build new fencing around the trail. The zoo has rejected both options.\n\nAgain, I urge you to include a provision in the bill directing the zoo to extend the Zoo Loop Trail\u2019s hours in a manner that allows it to maintain accreditation.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-hoyer-not-seeking-democratic-leadership-position-next", "Norton Statement on Hoyer Not Seeking a Democratic Leadership Position Next Congress", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) issued a statement following the announcement today by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) that he will not seek a Democratic Leadership position next Congress.\n\n\u201cSteny Hoyer is my friend, regional colleague, and a great Majority Leader,\u201d Norton said. \u201cNo Majority Leader in the history of either chamber of Congress has fought harder to secure voting representation in Congress for District of Columbia residents than Leader Hoyer. I am grateful for his personal devotion to D.C. voting rights. He and I spent countless hours working together on my D.C. House Voting Rights Act, which the House passed in 2007. Since last Congress, he has championed my D.C. statehood bill. He is the first Majority Leader in history to get the D.C. statehood bill passed in either chamber, and he got it passed twice. I will miss his leadership, but I look forward to continuing to work with him on D.C. statehood and regional matters.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-thanks-pelosi-championing-dc-statehood-home-rule-and-equality", "Norton Thanks Pelosi for Championing D.C. Statehood, Home Rule, and Equality", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for championing District of Columbia statehood, home rule, and equality, after Pelosi announced she would not seek election for Democratic Leader next Congress.\n\n\u201cSpeaker Pelosi is the most important and effective member of the House in history,\u201d Norton said. \u201cWhat I will always remember her for, though, is that no Speaker or Minority Leader has ever fought harder to give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress or full home rule or to ensure D.C. is treated like a state in all respects. As she has said publicly many times, these issues are in her blood, given her father\u2019s work in Congress, and she has fought both publicly and behind the scenes on behalf of D.C. residents.\u201d\n\nDuring Pelosi\u2019s tenure as Speaker, the House twice passed Norton\u2019s D.C. statehood bill, which are the only times either chamber of Congress has ever passed the D.C. statehood bill, the House passed Norton\u2019s D.C. House Voting Rights Act, which would have given D.C. voting representation in the House, and the House passed several Norton bills to expand D.C. home rule, including twice this Congress to give D.C. control over the D.C. National Guard. Pelosi also fought countless Republican attempts to repeal, block, or impose D.C. laws, brought D.C.\u2019s second statue to the Capitol this year, giving D.C. two statues in the Capitol like each state, and ensured D.C. was made whole in the American Rescue Plan for the $755 million D.C. was shortchanged in the Republican-drafted CARES Act, which treated D.C. as a territory instead of a state for coronavirus fiscal relief, even though D.C. pays the same taxes as states.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-place-dc-seal-library-congress-alongside-state-seals", "Norton Introduces Bill to Place D.C. Seal in Library of Congress Alongside State Seals", "2022-11-15", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to place the official seal of the District of Columbia in the Library of Congress alongside seals of the states. Currently, the stained-glass windows in the historic building contain the seals of all states and territories that existed when the building was constructed, except for the D.C. seal, even though it was readily available at the time and should have been depicted. The bill is part of Norton\u2019s \u201cFree and Equal D.C.\u201d series of bills.\n\n\u201cPending D.C. statehood, we will continue to work to make D.C. equal in all respects with the states,\u201d Norton said. \u201cWhile the placement of the D.C. seal may seem trivial to some, it would be an important symbolic step toward equality with the states for the nearly 700,000 residents of the nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\nCongress often already includes the District, or has corrected the omission of the District, when honoring the states. For example, the World War II Memorial includes a column representing the District, and D.C. has two statues in the Capitol alongside two statues from each state. Many examples of the District\u2019s current representation in ceremonies and symbols established to honor the states directly result from Norton\u2019s efforts.\n\nIn 2013, after a nearly 13-year legislative fight led by Norton, the District\u2019s first statue, depicting Frederick Douglass, was unveiled in the Capitol. In February of this year, D.C.\u2019s second statue, depicting Pierre L\u2019Enfant, was unveiled in the Capitol. The enacted National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 contained a Norton provision requiring the armed services to display the D.C. flag whenever the flags of the states are displayed. In addition, Norton succeeded in getting legislation enacted to give D.C. a coin after it was omitted from legislation creating coins for the states. D.C.\u2019s Duke Ellington coin is in circulation today. Norton also successfully worked with the U.S. Postal Service to create a D.C. stamp, like the stamps for the states. She also got the National Park Service to fly the D.C. flag alongside the state flags at Union Station.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-calls-senate-address-judicial-vacancy-crisis-local-dc-courts", "Norton Calls on Senate to Address Judicial Vacancy Crisis in Local D.C. Courts", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 With the Senate returning from recess today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called on the Senate to confirm the eight pending judicial nominees for the local District of Columbia courts. Currently, there are 14 vacancies out of 62 authorized judges on D.C.\u2019s trial court, the Superior Court, and two vacancies out of nine authorized judges on D.C.\u2019s appeals court, the Court of Appeals.\n\n\u201cThe judicial vacancy crisis in the local District of Columbia courts is harming public safety and access to justice in D.C.,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThe local D.C. courts regularly face a judicial vacancy crisis, regardless of which party controls the Senate, because both parties prioritize federal judicial and executive branch nominees over local D.C. court nominees, but Republicans have exacerbated the problem this Congress by filibustering nominees to the local D.C. courts. The Senate needs to devote floor time to confirming these nominees.\u201d\n\nNorton\u2019s District of Columbia Courts Vacancy Reduction Act would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. Instead, the bill would allow judicial appointments to the local D.C. courts to take effect after a 30-day congressional review period, unless a joint resolution disapproving an appointment is enacted into law during that period. The bill would make the congressional review process for appointments the same as the one used for legislation passed by the D.C. Council. The bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, on which Norton serves, last year.\n\nUnder the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, local D.C. judges are appointed by the president, subject to Senate confirmation. The president appoints a nominee from one of three candidates submitted by the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. If the president does not appoint one of the candidates within 60 days, the commission is required to appoint one of the candidates, subject to Senate confirmation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduce-todd-edelman-her-recommendation-us-district-court-dc-senate", "Norton to Introduce Todd Edelman, Her Recommendation for U.S. District Court for D.C., at Senate Confirmation Hearing, Tomorrow", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will introduce Todd Edelman, whom Norton recommended to President Biden to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, at his Senate confirmation hearing tomorrow, Tuesday November 15, 2022. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed.\n\n\u201cTodd Edelman has the intelligence, temperament, and integrity to be an excellent federal judge,\u201d Norton said.\n\nBecause D.C. lacks senators, Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, and the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Norton has established a nominating commission, comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from all eight wards in D.C., to screen applicants and to make recommendations to her for the senatorial courtesy positions. Norton\u2019s first two recommendations to Biden for the U.S. District Court for D.C., Jia Cobb and Florence Pan, were confirmed by the Senate, and her third recommendation, Ana Reyes, is pending on the Senate floor.\n\nEdelman is a cum laude graduate of both Yale University and New York University School of Law, where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar. He clerked for Judge William B. Bryant of the U.S. District Court for D.C. and was a Fellow in the Criminal Justice Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center through the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellowship Program. Following his clerkship and fellowship, Edelman joined the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia. Edelman then became Of Counsel at Bredhoff & Kaiser, P.L.L.C., where he represented labor unions and pension funds in complex civil litigation. Since 2010, he has been an Associate Judge on the D.C. Superior Court.\n\nNorton\u2019s introductory remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nSenate Committee on the Judiciary\n\nHearing on Todd Edelman\n\nNovember 15, 2022\n\nChairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley, I appreciate the opportunity to introduce Judge Todd Edelman and to speak in strong support of his nomination for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. I am especially pleased that President Biden has given me senatorial courtesy for judges on the U.S. District Court for D.C., among other federal positions in D.C. I recommended Judge Edelman to President Biden for this vacancy.\n\nJudge Edelman is a cum laude graduate of both Yale University and New York University School of Law, where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar. He clerked for Judge William B. Bryant of the U.S. District Court for D.C. and was a Fellow in the Criminal Justice Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center through the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellowship Program.\n\nFollowing his clerkship and fellowship, Judge Edelman joined the D.C. Public Defender Service, where he served as a trial attorney for over eight years. During that time, he was also a supervising attorney, Chief of the Serious Felony Section and a Training Director. Judge Edelman then became Of Counsel at Bredhoff & Kaiser, P.L.L.C., where he represented labor unions and pension funds in complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts nationwide.\n\nIn 2010, Judge Edelman became an Associate Judge on the D.C. Superior Court. He has presided over cases in the Felony Branch of the Criminal Division, the Domestic Violence Division and the Civil Division.\n\nJudge Edelman has clearly demonstrated that he possesses all the necessary qualities to be a federal district court judge. He has the intelligence, temperament and integrity for this position.\n\nAgain, thank you for allowing me to introduce Judge Edelman.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-invite-national-zoo-nps-and-ddot-participate-town-hall-meeting-dc", "Norton to Invite National Zoo, NPS, and DDOT to Participate in Town Hall Meeting with D.C. Residents to Discuss Zoo Loop Trail Hours", "2022-11-08", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced she will invite the National Zoo, the National Park Service, and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation to participate in a virtual town hall meeting to hear from D.C. residents about the importance of extending the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail. The date of the town hall meeting has not yet been determined. Norton met with the three agencies last week to discuss options for extending the trail\u2019s hours, but was disappointed the zoo refused to extend the hours. Norton is exploring legislative options to require the zoo to extend the hours.\n\nThe trail, which runs through the zoo\u2019s grounds in Rock Creek Park and recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The zoo says that the trail\u2019s hours must be tied to the zoo\u2019s hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo\u2019s secondary containment perimeter.\n\nDuring last week\u2019s meeting, Norton presented the zoo with several ways to extend the hours, including moving the secondary fencing, hiring a security guard or installing cameras to monitor the gate after the zoo closes, extending the zoo\u2019s hours, or reconfiguring the gate to close automatically after each person passes through, but the zoo rejected all of them.\n\nAccording to the zoo, it must have a critical mass of staff, including animal keepers, on site when the gate is open in case an animal escapes from its enclosure. The zoo also said moving the fence to separate the trail from the zoo grounds was neither feasible nor cost-effective in the near term.\n\n\u201cAs chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,\u201d said Norton. \u201cI am exploring legislative options to extend the trail\u2019s hours and will continue to have discussions, including the town hall meeting announced today, with the agencies and with the community on options to extend the hours.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-hold-quarterly-town-hall-meeting-with-national-park-service-0", "Norton to Hold Quarterly Town Hall Meeting with National Park Service, D.C. Residents", "2022-11-07", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a virtual town hall meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS) on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Norton's quarterly town hall meetings with NPS have been popular with D.C. residents. Most neighborhood parks in D.C. are under NPS's jurisdiction.\n\n\"My quarterly town hall meetings have become one of the most effective ways for me to hear from constituents about, and to work to resolve, issues related to parks in D.C. that are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service,\" Norton said. \"We are fortunate to have so many parks in nearly all our neighborhoods. I look forward to hearing from my constituents.\"\n\nTo attend, register here. The event will be open to the public and to the media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-disappointed-national-zoo-refuses-to-extend-zoo-loop-trail-hours", "Norton Disappointed National Zoo Refuses to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours, Will Explore Legislative Options to Extend Hours", "2022-11-03", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who yesterday met with the National Zoo, the National Park Service (NPS), and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) to discuss the Zoo Loop Trail's limited hours, today said she was disappointed the zoo rejected her request to extend the hours. Norton said she will explore legislative options to extend the hours and continue to have discussions with the zoo, NPS, DDOT, and the community on options for extending the hours.\n\nThe trail, which runs through the zoo's grounds in Rock Creek Park and recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The zoo says that the trail hours are tied to the zoo's hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo's secondary containment perimeter.\n\nNorton presented the zoo with several ways to extend the hours, including moving the secondary fencing, hiring a security guard or installing cameras to monitor the gate after the zoo closes, extending the zoo's hours, and reconfiguring the gate to close automatically after each person passes through, but the zoo rejected all of them.\n\nAccording to the zoo, it must have a critical mass of staff, including animal keepers, on site when the gate is open in case an animal escapes from its enclosure. The zoo also said moving the fence to separate the trail from the zoo grounds was neither feasible nor cost-effective in the near term.\n\n\"As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,\" said Norton. \"I will explore legislative options to extend the Zoo Loop Trail hours and continue to have discussions with the agencies and the community on options to extend the hours.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-raskin-van-hollen-and-cardin-urge-national-park-service-to-remove", "Norton, Raskin, Van Hollen and Cardin Urge National Park Service to Remove Name of Segregationist Newlands from Chevy Chase Circle", "2022-10-28", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) wrote the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) requesting permanent removal of the name Francis Griffith Newlands in Chevy Chase Circle, a federal park located both in D.C. and Maryland. The lawmakers have introduced legislation in the House and Senate, respectively, to remove the name.\n\n\"We urge you to permanently remove or conceal the name of Francis Griffith Newlands at Chevy Chase Circle, a federal park located both in the District of Columbia and Maryland, during the ongoing construction in the park,\" the members wrote. \"Newlands does not deserve to be honored on federal land. In 1912, he called for the repeal of the 15th Amendment, which gave African American men the right to vote. As a founder of the Chevy Chase Land Company, Newlands included covenants to homes on Connecticut Avenue to explicitly prohibit the land from being owned by African American or Jewish homeowners and priced the properties to keep low-income people out of the neighborhood.\"\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nOctober 27, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Charles Sams III\n\nDirector\n\nNational Park Service\n\n1849 C St., NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20240\n\nDear Director Sams:\n\nWe urge you to permanently remove or conceal the name of Francis Griffith Newlands at Chevy Chase Circle, a federal park located both in the District of Columbia and Maryland, during the ongoing construction in the park. We believe the National Park Service (NPS) has the administrative authority to do so, given that the memorial fountain's authorizing statute (47 Stat. 78) does not name Senator Newlands nor dedicate the memorial to him.\n\nWe understand that the coping stones and tablet that bear Newlands' name have been temporarily removed as part of a rehabilitation project and will be returned to the fountain in four to five weeks. It appears that the name can be physically removed or otherwise concealed efficiently, without further impairment to the structure.\n\nNewlands does not deserve to be honored on federal land. In 1912, he called for the repeal of the 15th Amendment, which gave African American men the right to vote. As a founder of the Chevy Chase Land Company, Newlands included covenants to homes on Connecticut Avenue to explicitly prohibit the land from being owned by African American or Jewish homeowners and priced the properties to keep low-income people out of the neighborhood. He sought to use Rock Creek Park to keep white communities separate from emerging Black communities on what he called the \"wrong side of the park.\"\n\nWe introduced bills in the House and Senate directing NPS to remove Newlands' name. However, given the limited time remaining in this Congress, and the existing administrative authority for NPS to act on removing Newlands' name from the memorial, we urge NPS to swiftly coordinate the rehabilitation of the park with permanent removal or concealment of his name. This is the perfect time to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nCongressman Jamie Raskin\n\nSenator Chris Van Hollen\n\nSenator Benjamin L. Cardin\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-lynch-quigley-and-suozzi-lead-quiet-skies-caucus-request-that", "Norton, Lynch, Quigley, and Suozzi Lead Quiet Skies Caucus Request that Community Members Be Eligible to Serve on NextGen Advisory Committee", "2022-10-26", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Quiet Skies Caucus (QSC) Co-Chairs Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Vice Chairs Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Congressman Thomas Suozzi (D-NY) led QSC members in sending a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg expressing disappointment that candidates from groups that represent communities living under NextGen corridors appeared to be ineligible to apply to fill current and future vacancies on the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). The members requested that, if correct, the solicitation for nomination be reopened and that such individuals be made eligible.\n\n\"As members of the QSC, we are deeply concerned about the impact of aviation noise on the health and quality of life of our constituents,\" the letter said. \"We believe candidates from groups representing communities that live under NextGen corridors should have been eligible for current and future NAC vacancies.\"\n\nThe letter follows.\n\nOctober 21, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Pete Buttigieg\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\n\nWashington, DC 20590\n\nDear Secretary Buttigieg:\n\nAs members of the Quiet Skies Caucus (QSC), we write to express our disappointment that candidates from groups representing communities that live under NextGen corridors appear to have been ineligible to apply to fill current and future vacancies on the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). If our understanding is correct, we request that you reopen the solicitation for nomination and make such individuals eligible.\n\nAccording to the solicitation for nomination for appointment to the NAC published in the Federal Register (2022-17680), eligible candidates had to, among other things, \"currently serve as a senior executive and corporate officer in an aviation organization with equities in air traffic management and aircraft equipment modernization to provide advice on the integration and operationalization of NextGen programs and associate technologies.\" This would appear to exclude candidates from groups representing communities that live under NextGen corridors.\n\nIn an April 20, 2022, letter many of us sent to you, we requested that the NAC be expanded to include five seats designated for representatives of communities that live under NextGen corridors. On June 6, 2022, Federal Aviation Administration Acting Assistant Administrator for NextGen Paul Fontaine rejected that request.\n\nAs members of the QSC, we are deeply concerned about the impact of aviation noise on the health and quality of life of our constituents. We believe candidates from groups representing communities that live under NextGen corridors should have been eligible for current and future NAC vacancies. We request a response to this letter by November 3, 2022.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton Stephen F. Lynch\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nQuiet Skies Caucus Co-Chair Quiet Skies Caucus Co-Chair\n\nThomas R. Suozzi Mike Quigley\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nQuiet Skies Caucus Vice Chair Quiet Skies Caucus Vice Chair\n\nKaren Bass Donald S. Beyer, Jr.\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nSean Casten Judy Chu\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nTed W. Lieu Barbara Lee\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nSeth Moulton Jerrold Nadler\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nJimmy Panetta Jamie Raskin\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\nBrad Sherman Adam Smith\n\nMember of Congress Member of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-explanation-from-zoo-and-nps-on-limited-hours-for-zoo-loop", "Norton Gets Explanation from Zoo and NPS on Limited Hours for Zoo Loop Trail", "2022-10-17", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a statement on the explanation she received from the National Zoo and the National Park Service (NPS) on the limited hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia. The Zoo Loop Trail, which reopened to the public two weekends ago, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These limited hours prompted Norton to contact the zoo and NPS for an explanation. The zoo explained that the trail hours are tied to the zoo's hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo's secondary animal containment perimeter. NPS stated that all other trails in Rock Creek Park remain open from sunrise to sunset.\n\n\"As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bike and pedestrian infrastructure,\" said Norton. \"I am pleased to receive this prompt explanation from the National Zoo and the National Park Service on why the Zoo Loop Trail has such limited hours, so I can share it with my constituents. I am also glad that NPS affirmed that the other Rock Creek Park trails remain open from sunrise to sunset.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-lawrence-castor-delauro-and-schakowsky-receive-response-from", "Norton, Lawrence, Castor, DeLauro, and Schakowsky Receive Response from NHTSA on Female Crash Test Dummies", "2022-10-17", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) received a response from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to their letter expressing concerns about the gender-based disparities in traffic injuries and fatalities that are in part attributable to the absence of accurate female crash test dummies in the motor vehicle crash test system. NHTSA informed the Members that they have accelerated the development of new, more advanced female crash test dummies for use in the New Car Assessment Program and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, with the goal of issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking in 2023.\n\n\"Gender inequity in crash testing has fatal consequences,\" the Members said. \"We are pleased that NHTSA is taking steps to prioritize women's safety on the road.\"\n\nThe female crash test dummies most commonly used by NHTSA are simply scaled-down versions of the male crash test dummies, even though female drivers are significantly more vulnerable to certain injuries in crashes, such as those to the neck and abdomen.\n\nThe text of NHTSA's response letter, with personal contact information redacted, is below:\n\nOctober 7, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Representative Norton:\n\nThank you for your letter regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). We share your concern about the unacceptable gender disparities in vehicle injuries and fatalities and the tragic loss of life on our nation's roadways. We face a crisis on our roadways that we must address together, and that is why we announced the National Roadway Safety Strategy last year with the aspirational goal of ultimately eliminating roadway deaths.\n\nWe have enclosed the Interim Report to Congress on Crash Test Dummies and appreciate this opportunity to update you on this administration's commitment to accelerate the update of crash dummies used in the NCAP and FMVSS to the most technologically advanced models available.\n\nNHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis recently released important research examining gender disparities in crash fatalities involving like crashes. The new study contains encouraging findings on reductions in disparities in newer model year (MY) vehicles. The overall difference in fatality risk between male and female occupants dropped from 18.3 percent for MY 1960-2009 vehicles to 2.9 percent for MY 2015-2020 vehicles. While this reduction is noteworthy, any remaining disparities are unacceptable.\n\nCurrently, NHTSA uses two adult female crash dummies: the Hybrid III 5th Percentile Adult Female Frontal Crash Test Dummy (HIII-05F) and the Side Impact Dummy (SID)-IIs 5th Percentile Adult Female Side Crash Test Dummy (SID-IIs). NHTSA also uses two adult male crash test dummies: The Hybrid III 50th Percentile Adult Male Frontal Crash Test Dummy (HIII-50M) and the EuroSID-2 with Rib Extensions 50th Percentile Adult Male Side Crash Test Dummy (ES2re). Additionally, there are seven child crash test dummies that are detailed in full, along with those mentioned here, in the enclosed Interim Report to Congress on Crash Test Dummies. The dummies used in crash tests are selected to address safety concerns identified in field and test data accounting for occupant demographics, occupant seating positions, and crash direction and speed.\n\nAs you note in your letter, there are new, more advanced, female dummies that are currently under development and that hold great promise for improving safety. They include the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 5th Percentile Adult Female Frontal Crash Test Dummy (THOR-05F) and the World Side Impact Dummy (WorldSID) 5th Percentile Adult Female Side Crash Test Dummy (WorldSID-05F). The THOR-05F features improved measurement capabilities over the current model, including face loads, clavicle loads, thorax displacement, abdominal pressure, acetabulum loads, and ankle displacements and loads. Under this administration, NHTSA has accelerated the development of these dummies for use in the FMVSS and NCAP. However, through testing of the prototypes, NHTSA has identified issues with bio-fidelity and replicable results that must be rectified prior to issuing final specifications. NHTSA is working with the dummy developer to address these design issues with the goal of issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking in 2023.\n\nWith the accelerated efforts to use the most technologically advanced dummies available in the NCAP and FMVSS, I am confident we will continue our progress toward closing any remaining gender gaps in new MY vehicles, including differences in injury outcomes in new vehicles. Though we lack the ability to affect the design of older vehicles, many of which lack the safety features of newer vehicles, we will continue to address traffic crashes using every tool we have, including through the Department's Safe Streets for All program, through the implementation of our Highway Safety Grants, and by targeting communications to reduce behaviors that contribute to crashes like impaired, distracted, and unbelted driving and speeding. These efforts can and will make our roadways safer for all drivers.\n\nIf I can provide further information or assistance, please reach out to me or contact Ron Thaniel, Director of Governmental and External Affairs at [ ]. A similar response has been sent to each cosigner of your letter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nAnn Carlson\n\nEnclosure\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-national-zoo-and-nps-to-explore-options-to-extend", "Norton to Meet with National Zoo and NPS to Explore Options to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours", "2022-10-17", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she will meet with the National Zoo and the National Park Service (NPS) to explore options to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia. The trail, which recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These limited hours prompted Norton to contact the zoo and NPS for an explanation. The zoo explained that the trail hours are tied to the zoo's hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo's secondary animal containment perimeter.\n\n\"As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bike and pedestrian infrastructure,\" said Norton. \"I understand the zoo's explanation, but I will be meeting with the zoo and the National Park Service to explore options to extend the trail hours.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-marijuana-pardons-norton-calls-on-biden-administration-to-reverse", "After Marijuana Pardons, Norton Calls on Biden Administration to Reverse Position on D.C. Marijuana Rider and to Support Giving D.C. Clemency Authority", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) praised President Biden for issuing pardons today for federal and District of Columbia offenses for simple possession of marijuana, but called on the Biden administration to end its support for the rider that prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on commercializing recreational marijuana and to endorse giving D.C. the authority to grant clemency for crimes under D.C. laws. Currently, the president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, though, until today, it had almost never been used in at least decades.\n\n\"I applaud the president's pardons, but his administration has actively worked to block the District of Columbia from spending its local funds on commercializing recreational marijuana, which is a shocking violation of D.C. home rule by a Democratic administration,\" Norton said. \"Today's pardons for D.C. marijuana offenses also show that D.C. should not have to rely on the president to exercise mercy and mitigate the harms of unjust policies. D.C. should have the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, like the states and territories have for crimes under their laws. The Biden administration should publicly endorse giving D.C. this authority.\"\n\nThe Biden administration's two budgets have proposed maintaining the rider that prohibits D.C. from commercializing recreational marijuana, even though the administration supports D.C. statehood. Last month, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed Norton's District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act, which would, among other things, give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-bill-prohibiting-noncitizens-from-voting-in-local-dc", "Norton Condemns Bill Prohibiting Noncitizens from Voting in Local D.C. Elections", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned a bill introduced by Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) that would prohibit District of Columbia residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections. Last week, the D.C. Council passed a bill that would allow D.C. residents who are not citizens to vote in local elections by a vote of 12-1. The Council must vote on the bill a second time.\n\n\"D.C. laws are matters for the duly elected D.C. Council and mayor, not unaccountable members of Congress,\" Norton said. \"I will defeat this anti-home-rule bill, like I have defeated every other anti-home-rule bill introduced this Congress.\"\n\nThe Pfluger bill is the second bill introduced this Congress that would interfere in D.C.'s local election laws. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Integrity and Voter Confidence Act, which would, among other things, require photo identification or Social Security number to vote, require photos in poll books, prohibit same-day registration, prohibit automatically mailing ballots to voters, require ballot drop boxes to be located within a D.C. government building and monitored through 24-hour remote or electronic surveillance, require the removal of names from voting rolls, prohibit, with limited exceptions, a person from collecting a mail ballot completed by another person, require mail ballots to be received by the close of the polls, require election results to be announced by 10 a.m. the day after the election, prohibit non-citizens from voting, give partisan poll watchers virtually unfettered access to polling sites and permit them to challenge ballots and tabulations, and allow the public to observe the testing of election equipment.\n\nNorton noted that the full text of the Pfluger bill has not yet been posted online, but that he described the bill in a press release.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-the-wharf-phase-ii-opening-celebration-tomorrow", "Norton to Speak at The Wharf Phase II Opening Celebration, Tomorrow", "2022-10-11", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak tomorrow, October 12, 2022, at the celebration marking the completion of The Wharf, the neighborhood Norton's 2012 legislation enabled to be developed on the Southwest Waterfront in the District of Columbia. One of Norton's key priorities for decades has been the transfer of unused or underutilized federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and generate tax revenue for D.C. Among other such transfers, Norton legislation enabled the development of The Yards, a neighborhood on the Southeast Waterfront.\n\n\"Getting federal land for the District and ensuring public access to our waterfront have been among my top priorities during my service in Congress,\" Norton said. \"With Phase 2 of The Wharf complete, we can celebrate the neighborhood's revitalization. These types of projects bring hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for D.C.\"\n\nNorton's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.\n\nRemarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nCompletion of The Wharf Phase 2\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nI am pleased to join you today, on the fifth anniversary of the Grand Opening of The Wharf Phase 1, to celebrate the completion of The Wharf Phase 2. Phase 2 will continue to revitalize the Southwest Waterfront with the addition of 1.15 million square feet of mixed-use development, including a marina, offices and retail, 351 new housing units and parks and public spaces.\n\nI was honored the Waterfront Park here was dedicated to me in recognition of my years-long work to pass legislation to allow The Wharf to be developed. The passage of my legislation enabled the redevelopment of The Wharf into this thriving, tax-revenue generating mixed-use development and community hub for live music, visual arts and culture. I am particularly pleased that The Wharf and The Yards, which also resulted from separate legislation of mine, have reactivated both the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts.\n\nI have also worked hard to defeat efforts by the federal government to restrict public access to the Washington Channel, which the Army Corps proposed to do recently on behalf of Fort McNair but is no longer pursuing. My Washington Channel Public Access Act would prohibit the Army Corps from finalizing, implementing or enforcing any proposed rule restricting public access to the Channel. I am pleased that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed this bill last year.\n\nTransferring unused and underutilized federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or private sector and improving public access to our waterways have been among my top priorities during my service in Congress. With Phase 2 of The Wharf complete, we can celebrate the neighborhood's revitalization. These transfers bring new neighborhoods and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to D.C.\n\nI congratulate Monty Hoffman, Amer Hammour, the team from Hoffman-Madison Waterfront and all the community partners for their dedication and work on this visionary project.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-emergency-supplemental-appropriations-bill-to", "Norton to Introduce Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Migrants Bused to D.C. and Other Cities", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will introduce a bill to amend the recently enacted fiscal year 2023 continuing resolution (CR) to provide $50 million in emergency supplemental appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants. Norton and colleagues sent a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations requesting that the CR provide this $50 million, but it was not included in the introduced version of the CR. Norton and colleagues then filed an amendment to the CR at the Committee on Rules to provide this $50 million, but the amendment was not made in order. The CR only provides funding for the EFSP at the fiscal year 2022 rate of operations.\n\n\"In a cynical political stunt, the governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of migrants to D.C. and other cities in the last several months,\" Norton said. \"We need to ensure that D.C. and other cities, as well as non-profit groups and volunteers, have the resources they need to assist the migrants.\"\n\nEFSP funds can be used for food and shelter, among other necessities. Norton is also working to provide significantly more funding for the EFSP in any final fiscal year 2023 appropriations package.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-applauds-department-of-the-interior-for-requiring-body-cameras", "Norton Applauds Department of the Interior for Requiring Body Cameras for Law Enforcement Officers, Disappointed Dashboard Cameras Optional", "2022-10-05", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today applauded the Department of the Interior (DOI) for requiring its law enforcement officers to use body cameras and for updating its use-of-force policy, but expressed disappointment that DOI made dashboard cameras optional. Norton, along with Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), has led the effort in Congress to require federal law enforcement officers to use body and dashboard cameras. Norton noted that the new DOI policies are particularly important for the District of Columbia because U.S. Park Police officers have both federal and D.C. police powers.\n\n\"I am pleased the Department of the Interior has mandated its law enforcement officers use body cameras, which protect both officers and the public, and updated its use-of-force policies,\" Norton said. \"However, I am disappointed DOI made dashboard cameras optional.\n\nThese new policies are particularly important for the District of Columbia, where U.S. Park Police officers have both federal and D.C. police powers, and regularly interact with D.C. residents, both on and off federal land.\"\n\nNorton and Beyer have introduced the Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act, which would require all uniformed federal police officers to use body and dashboard cameras. The bill passed the House last Congress and this Congress as part of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Norton and Beyer also called on President Biden to require all executive branch law enforcement officers to use body and dashboard cameras, and called on Congress and the Supreme Court to require their officers to use body and dashboard cameras.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-meets-with-new-federal-bureau-of-prisons-director-to-discuss", "Norton Meets with New Federal Bureau of Prisons Director to Discuss Treatment of D.C. Residents", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today met with the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Colette Peters, to discuss BOP's treatment of District of Columbia residents in BOP custody, including the bill Norton will introduce to require BOP to place D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, individuals serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies are in BOP custody.\n\n\"Director Peters and I had a fruitful discussion today, covering a range of issues,\" Norton said. \"I am pleased BOP committed to reviewing my bill to require placement of D.C. residents within 250 miles of D.C. and to explore ways BOP can share information with the D.C. government on D.C. residents in BOP custody to improve reentry. I am also pleased that BOP is transferring some D.C. residents from Pollock, a BOP facility in Louisiana, after two D.C. residents were killed and others attacked there. However, I was disappointed to hear that BOP is not transferring all D.C. residents from Pollock, as I requested in my September 9th letter.\"\n\nCurrently, more than 2,000 D.C. residents are serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, and they are in BOP facilities across the United States. Norton said that while Congress will not provide funding to BOP to build a new facility for D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, there are more than enough existing BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. to house all such D.C. residents. Under Norton's bill, a D.C. resident who is already in a BOP facility at the time of enactment would be allowed to decline a transfer from the individual's current facility, and BOP would have authority to place a D.C. resident more than 250 miles outside of D.C. if it were in the best interest of the individual or BOP.\n\nIn May, the Committee on Oversight and Reform passed Norton's bill that would require BOP to share information with the D.C. government on D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-expresses-disappointment-senate-adjourned-until-november-14th", "Norton Expresses Disappointment Senate Adjourned Until November 14th Without Addressing Judicial Vacancy Crisis in Local D.C. Courts", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today expressed disappointment that the Senate last week effectively adjourned until November 14, 2022, without addressing the judicial vacancy crisis in the local District of Columbia courts. Currently, there are 14 vacancies out of 62 authorized judges on D.C.'s trial court, the Superior Court. There are two vacancies out of nine authorized judges on D.C.'s appeals court, the Court of Appeals.\n\n\"The judicial vacancy crisis in the local District of Columbia courts is harming public safety and access to justice in D.C.,\" Norton said. \"The local D.C. courts regularly face a judicial vacancy crisis, regardless of which party controls the Senate, because both parties prioritize federal judicial and executive branch nominees over local D.C. court nominees, but Republicans have exacerbated the problem this Congress by filibustering nominees to the local D.C. courts. The Senate must devote more time to confirming local D.C. judges or Congress must pass my bill to expedite the approval process for local D.C. judges.\"\n\nNorton's District of Columbia Courts Vacancy Reduction Act would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. Instead, the bill would allow judicial appointments to the local D.C. courts to take effect after a 30-day congressional review period, unless a joint resolution disapproving an appointment is enacted into law during that period. The bill would make the congressional review process for appointments the same as the one used for legislation passed by the D.C. Council. The bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last year.\n\nUnder the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, local D.C. judges are appointed by the president, subject to Senate confirmation. The president appoints a nominee from one of three candidates submitted by the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. If the president does not appoint one of the candidates within 60 days, the commission is required to appoint one of the candidates, subject to Senate confirmation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-bill-giving-out-of-state-criminal-defendants-in-dc-right", "Norton Condemns Bill Giving Out-of-State Criminal Defendants in D.C. Right to Transfer Trials Outside D.C.", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned a bill introduced by Louie Gohmert (R-TX) that would give non-District of Columbia residents who are charged with committing a crime in D.C. the right to choose to have their trial in their home state. This right would appear to apply to crimes under both D.C. and federal law, but the bill does not define the term \"criminal offense in the District of Columbia.\"\n\n\"This bill is deeply insulting to the residents of the District of Columbia,\" Norton said. \"It singles out D.C. juries and implies that D.C. juries are incapable of being impartial in cases where the defendant is not a D.C. resident. This bill is consistent with an offensive argument made by some opponents of D.C. statehood and home rule: D.C. residents are unworthy of or incapable of exercising the same democratic rights as other American citizens. D.C. is home to nearly 700,000 Americans from all walks of life who are denied basic democratic rights. D.C residents have all the obligations of citizenship and have fought and died in the armed services for this country. They deserve equal rights and respect. I will defeat this bill.\"\n\nNorton noted that defendants in cases related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection have tried to get their trials moved outside D.C. Their requests have been denied by federal judges.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-garc-a-espaillat-and-pressley-express-disappointment-continuing", "Norton, Garc\u00eda, Espaillat, and Pressley Express Disappointment Continuing Resolution Doesn\u2019t Increase Funding for Emergency Food and Shelter Program to Assist Migrants", "2022-09-28", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (D-IL), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) today expressed disappointment that the fiscal year (FY) 2023 continuing resolution (CR) does not provide increased funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants. The members led colleagues in requesting that the CR provide $50 million above the enacted FY 2022 level for the EFSP for humanitarian assistance to migrants. The members committed to continue fighting for increased funding in the final FY 2023 appropriations bill.\n\n\"In a cynical political stunt that has exploited vulnerable migrants, the governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of migrants to D.C., Chicago and New York City in the last several months,\" Norton said. \"While we are disappointed that the continuing resolution does not provide increased funding for the EFSP for humanitarian assistance to migrants, we will continue to fight to provide this funding in the final fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill.\"\n\n\"While I'm glad that funding from this package has been rightly allocated to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, I'm disappointed that supplemental funding to assist asylum seekers and refugees in the Latin American region has been dismissed,\" said Congressman Garc\u00eda. While conservative governors play political games, we have men, women and children who will not receive the shelter, food, and health care services they need. We are looking forward to robust funding in the December package.\"\n\n\"New York City is proud to be a safe haven for asylum seekers coming to the United States as refuge fleeing violence and persecution,\" said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). \"I share my disappointment with my colleagues to learn that the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (ESFP) received no supplemental funding in the fiscal year 2023 continuing resolution. The ESFP provides federal funding for food, shelter, and other supportive services to individuals and families experiencing hunger and homelessness. As MAGA Governors Abbott, DeSantis, and Ducey continue to play political games with migrant lives, the emergency infrastructure of sanctuary cities is being stretched thin. Those seeking refuge in the United States can rest assured that my Democratic colleagues and I are working tirelessly to secure the funding needed to provide humanitarian relief through EFSP, maintaining lifesaving services that help tens of thousands of people across the country.\"\n\n\"The ongoing exploitation of vulnerable families fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries is inexcusable \u2013 their humanity should never be exploited,\" said Congresswoman Pressley. \"We must respond with compassion and we must move swiftly to provide humanitarian assistance for these families. I remain committed to getting FEMA the funding needed to support those on the ground doing this lifesaving work and won't stop advocating for those necessary resources.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-highlight-unique-risks-to-reproductive-rights-of-dc-residents", "Norton to Highlight Unique Risks to Reproductive Rights of D.C. Residents in Oversight Committee Hearing, Thursday", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 At a Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on abortion on Thursday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will highlight how uniquely vulnerable the reproductive rights of District of Columbia residents are because Congress has control over D.C.'s local affairs. Currently, Congress prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortion, even though 16 states use their own funds for this purpose. At the hearing, Norton will warn that a future Republican Congress could ban abortion in D.C.\n\n\"For nearly 50 years, the Supreme Court upheld the right to abortion,\" Norton said. \"But now that Roe has been overturned and D.C. is not yet a state, Congress' control over D.C. means D.C. residents are particularly vulnerable in a Republican Congress that decides to further limit access to or ban abortion. As I continue to fight for statehood for D.C., I also remain committed to protecting this vital freedom for D.C. residents.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-new-bureau-of-prisons-director-will-introduce-bill", "Norton to Meet with New Bureau of Prisons Director, Will Introduce Bill to Require BOP to House D.C. Residents Closer to D.C.", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will meet next week with the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Colette Peters, and that she will introduce a bill that would require BOP to place District of Columbia residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, individuals serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies are in BOP custody.\n\n\"I look forward to meeting with Director Peters to discuss the unique mandate BOP has to house individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies,\" Norton said. \"As it does for all individuals in its custody, BOP has an obligation to keep D.C. residents safe and to help them prepare to reenter society. My bill would make reentry easier for D.C. residents by requiring BOP to house them closer to their families and support networks.\"\n\nCurrently, more than 2,000 D.C. residents are serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, and they are in BOP facilities across the United States. Norton said that while Congress will not provide funding to BOP to build a new facility for D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies, there are more than enough existing BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. to house all such D.C. residents.\n\nUnder the bill, a D.C. resident who is already in a BOP facility at the time of enactment would be allowed to decline a transfer from the individual's current facility, and BOP would have authority to place a D.C. resident more than 250 miles outside of D.C. if it were in the best interest of the individual or BOP.\n\nEarlier this month, Norton sent a letter to Peters regarding critical issues facing D.C. residents in BOP custody, including targeted violence.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-mary-church-terrell-day-resolution-honoring-the-life", "Norton Introduces \u2018Mary Church Terrell Day\u2019 Resolution, Honoring the Life of Civil Rights and Women's Rights Activist", "2022-09-26", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) last week introduced a resolution that would support the designation of September 23, 2022, as \"Mary Church Terrell Day,\" recognizing Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements. Terrell moved to the District of Columbia in 1887 to become a teacher at M Street Colored High School, now known as Dunbar High School, which is Norton's alma mater.\n\nTerrell's parents encouraged her to pursue education, beginning her journey to become one of the first Black women to graduate from college and later to become the first Black woman appointed to the D.C. board of education. As a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Association of Colored Women, Terrell spent her life working to advance the status of African American women as a civil and women's rights activist.\n\n\"Mary Church Terrell is well known for the battles she fought in the District of Columbia to demand a more equal America for Black women,\" Norton said. \"Her education empowered her to speak against the flaws of segregation and voter suppression. Our history books are littered with the accomplishment of men, but not enough of women who, like Mary Church Terrell, worked to change the world.\"\n\nThe text of the resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of September 23, 2022, as \u2018\u2018Mary Church Terrell Day'', and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements.\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was born on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee, to former enslaved persons;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell's father, Robert Reed Church, was a successful businessman and one of the South's first African-American millionaires;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell attended the Antioch College laboratory school and Oberlin College;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African- American women to attend college;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell's belief in the importance of education led her to the District of Columbia in 1887;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell taught at M Street Colored High School, now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a school board;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell believed that the end to racial discrimination could be achieved through education, work, and community activism;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell's activism was sparked by the lynching of an old friend, Thomas Moss, in 1892;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell used her position to fight racial and gender discrimination;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell participated in antilynching campaigns alongside Ida B. Wells-Barnett;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell led the fight to desegregate eating places in the District of Columbia;\n\nWhereas District of Columbia laws of 1872 and 1873 re- quired all restaurants \u2018\u2018to serve any respectable, well-behaved person regardless of color'';\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was 86 at the time she launched the campaign to enforce these civil rights laws;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell and several colleagues entered Thompson Restaurant in the District of Columbia on February 28, 1950;\n\nWhereas the group was refused service on the basis of their race;\n\nWhereas John R. Thompson Co., Inc., was prosecuted for violating these laws;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell continued her fight through boycotts, picketing, and sit-ins at restaurants around the District of Columbia;\n\nWhereas, on June 8, 1953, three years after the lawsuit was filed, the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. John\n\nR. Thompson Co., Inc., held these laws were enforceable;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell also actively fought for women's suffrage;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was president of the National Association of Colored Women;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the founders and charter members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People;\n\nWhereas Mary Church Terrell persuaded the National Association of University Women to admit Black members;\n\nWhereas the Mary Church Terrell House is a National Historic Landmark located at 326 T Street, N.W., in the District of Columbia, and is open to the public; and\n\nWhereas September 23 would be an appropriate day to designate as Mary Church Terrell Day: Now, therefore, be it\n\n1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n1 (1) supports the designation of \u2018\u2018Mary Church\n\n2 Terrell Day''; and\n\n3 (2) calls on Congress to recognize Mary Church\n\n4 Terrell's legacy of civil rights and women's rights.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-provision-ensures-dc-government-will-stay-open-if-federal-1", "Norton Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open if Federal Government Shuts Down Friday", "2022-09-26", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the possibility of a federal government shutdown on Friday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reminded District of Columbia residents that a provision she got included in the enacted fiscal year (FY) 2022 D.C. Appropriations bill exempts the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2023. Norton has gotten the D.C. government exempted from federal government shutdowns each year since FY 2015.\n\n\"Until my annual provision was enacted, shutdown threats forced the District to invest time and money preparing contingency shutdown plans, even if shutdowns were avoided,\" Norton said. \"If the District government shut down, not only could D.C. services be disrupted, D.C. could default on certain financing agreements and leases. D.C. partners, Wall Street and vendors alike charge a risk premium for the uncertainty created by shutdown threats. Wall Street took special note of the elimination of the D.C. shutdown threat in evaluating the District's finances.\"\n\nCongress has not yet passed any of the regular FY 2023 appropriations bills, including the D.C. Appropriations bill, which appropriates D.C.'s locally raised funds, notwithstanding the Local Budget Autonomy Act. If Congress does not pass a continuing resolution by Friday, the federal government will shut down. However, the D.C. government will not shut down because Norton got a provision included in the FY 2022 D.C. Appropriations bill that allows D.C. to remain open and spend under the D.C. Council-passed FY 2023 local budget for the duration of a federal government shutdown in FY 2023. Before Norton first got the shutdown exemption, the District government had to prepare shutdown contingency plans every time there was a threat of a federal government shutdown. Shutdown threats harmed the credit rating of the District government. Credit rating agencies have favorably cited Norton's shutdown exemption provision. With D.C. statehood, Congress would have no say or control over D.C.'s local budget.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-new-gao-report-demonstrates-dc-s-lack-of-statehood-cost-it", "Norton Says New GAO Report Demonstrates D.C.\u2019s Lack of Statehood Cost it Tens to Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in FY 22 Earmarks", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that the Government Accountability Office's report on the enacted fiscal year (FY) 2022 earmarks demonstrates that the District of Columbia's lack of statehood likely cost D.C. tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in FY 2022 earmarks. While Norton received a similar amount of FY 2022 earmark funding as other House members, D.C. had no senators to request earmarks in the Senate. For example, Vermont, which has a smaller population than D.C., received $193 million more than D.C. in FY 2022 earmark funding, and Alaska, which has only 62,000 more residents than D.C., received $234 million more than D.C. in FY 2022 earmark funding.\n\n\"While D.C. generally is treated as a state for federal funding, since D.C. pays the same federal taxes as states, including more federal taxes than 23 states and more federal taxes per capita than any state, there are instances where D.C.'s lack of statehood, particularly its lack of Senate representation, has cost it substantial funding,\" Norton said. \"This Government Accountability Office report is only the latest example of why it is long past time for the Senate to pass my House-passed D.C. statehood bill.\"\n\nNorton noted another recent example of D.C. being shortchanged. Last Congress, the CARES Act, which was drafted by the Republican-led Senate, treated D.C. as a territory instead of a state for coronavirus fiscal relief, depriving D.C. of $755 million. This Congress, Norton was able to get D.C. that $755 million in the American Rescue Plan.\n\nFY 2022 was the first year Congress allowed earmarks in more than a decade. Small states whose full congressional delegation requested earmarks, especially those with senior members on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, received a disproportionate amount of earmark funding.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-september-as-peace-month", "Norton Introduces Resolution Designating September as \u2018Peace Month\u2019, Inspired by D.C. Second Graders", "2022-09-21", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, on the International Day of Peace, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 2022 as national \"Peace Month\" and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace, at home and abroad. The idea for the resolution came from the Helpful Potato Bugs, a class of second-grade students at Horace Mann Elementary School in the District of Columbia. In 2018, the students sent Norton a handwritten note, adorned with peace signs, expressing their desire to \"help make the world a peaceful place\" and for \"all Americans to be nice, have no conflicts, and be very peaceful.\" Norton has been introducing resolutions supporting the designation of September as Peace Month since then.\n\n\"I am pleased to reintroduce this resolution on the International Peace Day, a day that urges nations around the world to lay down their arms and focus on peacemaking and diplomacy,\" Norton said. \"I am grateful to the wise second graders who wrote to me in 2018, stressing the importance of a more peaceful America and world. Congress should take note that our children are watching, adding to our responsibility to encourage action to help achieve peace around the world. Thank you again to the 2018 Helpful Potato Bugs for keeping Congress on its toes!\"\n\nNorton's resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of September 2022 as \"Peace Month\" and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace.\n\nWhereas the United Nations designated September 21 \"International Day of Peace\"\u2014otherwise known as Peace Day;\n\nWhereas the United Nations General Assembly declared Peace Day as a day devoted to \"commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples\";\n\nWhereas all United Nations member states, organizations, regional and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and recognize global peace efforts on Peace Day;\n\nWhereas Peace Day represents shared hopes of an end to conflict in all forms;\n\nWhereas the United Nations calls for a 24-hour global cease fire on Peace Day;\n\nWhereas this year's Peace Day theme is \"End racism. Build peace.\";\n\nWhereas 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone development in contemporary human history promoting peace and well-being worldwide.\n\nWhereas violent conflicts could cost upwards of $14.4 trillion per year globally;\n\nWhereas conflict prevention measures could save between $5 billion to $70 billion per year on average;\n\nWhereas global peace promotion efforts improve the lives of Americans and all peoples;\n\nWhereas the United States has a long history of promoting peace and human rights at home and abroad; and\n\nWhereas September would be an appropriate month to designate as Peace Month: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\nsupports the designation of \"Peace Month\"; and\n\ncalls on Congress to promote peace, both at home and abroad.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-committee-passage-of-her-dc-home-rule-expansion-act", "Norton Announces Committee Passage of Her D.C. Home Rule Expansion Act", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act, which would be the biggest expansion of D.C. home rule since passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, passed the Committee on Oversight and Reform today. The bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to prosecute D.C. crimes, give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, and eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation.\n\n\"D.C. should\u2014and will\u2014be a state,\" Norton said. \"However, until Congress grants D.C. statehood, which is closer than ever, there is no constitutional or policy reason Congress should not expand D.C.'s authority to govern its local affairs. Today's committee passage of my bill demonstrates progress and momentum toward expanding D.C.'s control over its own local affairs, and I look forward to House passage of the bill.\"\n\nThis Congress, in addition to passing Norton's D.C. statehood bill, the House has twice passed her bill that would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. The House also has, at her request, twice passed bills that would prohibit the use of federal funds to carry out the provision in the Home Rule Act that authorizes the president to federalize the D.C. police department.\n\nThe D.C. Home Rule Expansion Act would give D.C. the same authority states and territories have over certain local governmental functions. Under the Constitution, Congress has plenary authority over both D.C. and the territories. Congress has already used its plenary authority to give the territories the self-governing authorities this bill would give D.C.\n\nFirst, this bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to prosecute D.C. crimes. Currently, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by adults and some by juveniles, while the D.C. Attorney General has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by juveniles and some by adults.\n\nSecond, this bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. Currently, the president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.\n\nFinally, this bill would eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation. D.C. legislation takes effect after a congressional review period, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period. The review process imposes significant costs on both D.C. and Congress, but only three D.C. disapproval resolutions have been enacted since passage of the Home Rule Act, and none since 1991.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-senate-confirmation-of-pan-her-recommendation-for-us", "Norton Announces Senate Confirmation of Pan, Her Recommendation for U.S. District Court for D.C.", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) congratulated Judge Florence Pan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on her confirmation today by the Senate to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Norton recommended Pan to President Biden for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Pan is the second judge recommended by Norton to be approved for a higher court this year. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom Norton recommended to President Obama for the U.S. District Court for D.C., was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.\n\n\"Congratulations to Judge Florence Pan on her Senate confirmation today,\" Norton said. \"Judge Pan has the professional experience and academic credentials to be an outstanding federal circuit court judge. She also brings much-needed diversity to the federal circuit courts. I have full confidence that she will offer excellent service on our federal circuit court.\"\n\nBiden, like Presidents Clinton and Obama, granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, and the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Norton has established a nominating commission, comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from all eight wards in D.C., to screen applicants and to make recommendations to her for the senatorial courtesy positions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-bill-authorizing-establishment-of-memorial-for-enslaved-persons", "Norton Bill Authorizing Establishment of Memorial for Enslaved Persons Passes House", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House today passed her Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved persons. The memorial, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor enslaved persons' presence, celebrate their contributions to history, and recognize their resilience and fortitude. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the bill in the Senate.\n\n\"The memorial my bill authorizes will exist as a powerful marker of truth-telling and remembrance, and I am proud to have gotten it passed in the House,\" Norton said. \"Thank you to Senator Cory Booker for introducing the companion bill. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.\"\n\n\"I commend the House for passing the Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which would authorize a memorial to honor the millions of enslaved Africans who were forcibly transported across the Atlantic and to celebrate their immense contributions to the United States,\" said Senator Booker. \"I urge the Senate to take up the measure so that we can send it to President Biden's desk for his signature.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-releases-statement-ahead-of-markup-on-her-bill-expanding-dc-home", "Norton Releases Statement Ahead of Markup on Her Bill Expanding D.C. Home Rule", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released her statement ahead of tomorrow's Committee on Oversight and Reform markup of her District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act, which would be the biggest expansion of D.C. home rule since passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973. The bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to prosecute D.C. crimes, give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, and eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation. The markup begins at 10 a.m.\n\nThis Congress, in addition to passing Norton's D.C. statehood bill, the House has twice passed her bill that would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. The House also has, at her request, twice passed bills that would prohibit the use of federal funds to carry out the provision in the Home Rule Act that authorizes the president to federalize the D.C. police department.\n\nNorton's markup statement, as prepared for delivery, follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nCommittee on Oversight and Reform\n\nMarkup\n\nH.R. 8861, the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 2022\n\nSeptember 20, 2022\n\nChairwoman Maloney, thank you for marking up my District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 2022, which would expand D.C.'s authority to govern purely local matters. Specifically, this bill would give D.C. the authority to prosecute all D.C. crimes, give D.C. the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes and eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation.\n\nD.C. should\u2014and will\u2014be a state. However, until Congress grants D.C. statehood, there is no constitutional or policy reason Congress should not pass this bill. States are not the only entities that have the three authorities this bill would give D.C. The territories, such as Guam and Puerto Rico, have these authorities, too.\n\nUnder the Constitution, Congress has plenary authority over both D.C. and the territories. Congress has chosen to not require a congressional review period for territorial legislation and has chosen to give the territories the authority to prosecute and grant clemency for all crimes under their respective laws. Congress can choose to give D.C. these authorities, too.\n\nFirst, this bill would give D.C. the authority to prosecute all D.C. crimes. While Congress has given D.C. the authority to enact criminal laws, it has only given D.C. the authority to prosecute some D.C. crimes. Congress should give D.C. the authority to prosecute all D.C. crimes.\n\nCurrently, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by adults and some by juveniles, and the D.C. Attorney General has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by juveniles and some by adults. This bill would not only make the person with the authority to prosecute all D.C. crimes accountable to D.C. residents, it also would save the federal government tens of millions of dollars annually by reducing the number of individuals working in the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C.\n\nSecond, this bill would give D.C. the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, as Congress previously has done. Currently, the president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, though almost never does so. D.C. residents deserve a say in whether their fellow residents deserve mercy.\n\nFinally, this bill would eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation. D.C. legislation takes effect after a congressional review period, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the period. The congressional review process imposes significant costs on both D.C. and Congress, but only three disapproval resolutions have been enacted since passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, and none since 1991, more than 30 years ago. Yet, the D.C. Council has to use a Kafkaesque legislative process to comply with the review process, often having to pass the same bill in three different forms\u2014emergency, temporary and permanent\u2014using different legislative procedures for each form. Even without the review period, Congress would retain its constitutional authority to legislate on any D.C. matter at any time.\n\nI would like to close by noting that there are some Republicans in Congress who have recently called for repealing the Home Rule Act and returning to the days when Congress was D.C.'s sole legislature. That will not happen on my watch.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/today-house-to-vote-on-norton-bill-authorizing-establishment-of-memorial", "Today: House to Vote on Norton Bill Authorizing Establishment of Memorial for Enslaved Persons", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved persons will be on the House floor for a vote on today, September 19, 2022. The memorial, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor enslaved persons' presence, celebrate their contributions to history and recognize their resilience and fortitude. Senator Cory Booker (D-NY) introduced the bill in the Senate.\n\n\"The memorial my bill authorizes will exist as a powerful marker of truth-telling and remembrance, and I am proud to have worked to bring it to a vote,\" Norton said. \"Thank you to Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Senate companion bill. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-markup-of-her-bill-expanding-dc-home-rule", "Norton Announces Markup of Her Bill Expanding D.C. Home Rule", "2022-09-16", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will mark up her District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act, which would be the biggest expansion of D.C. home rule since passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to prosecute D.C. crimes, give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, and eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation.\n\n\"D.C. should\u2014and will\u2014be a state,\" Norton said. \"However, until Congress grants D.C. statehood, which is closer than ever, there is no constitutional or policy reason Congress should not expand D.C.'s authority to govern its local affairs. Thank you to Chairwoman Maloney for marking up this important bill.\"\n\nThe D.C. Home Rule Expansion Act would give D.C. the same authority states and territories have over certain local governmental functions. Under the Constitution, Congress has plenary authority over both D.C. and the territories. Congress has already used its plenary authority to give the territories the self-governing authorities this bill would give D.C.\n\nFirst, the D.C. Home Rule Expansion Act would give D.C. the exclusive authority to prosecute D.C. crimes. Currently, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by adults and some by juveniles, while the D.C. Attorney General has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes committed by juveniles and some by adults.\n\nSecond, this bill would give D.C. the exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. Currently, the president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.\n\nFinally, this bill would eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation. D.C. legislation takes effect after a congressional review period, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period. The review process imposes significant costs on both D.C. and Congress, but only three D.C. disapproval resolutions have been enacted since passage of the Home Rule Act, and none since 1991.\n\nThis Congress, in addition to passing Norton's D.C. statehood bill, the House has twice passed Norton's bill that would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. The House has also, at Norton's request, twice passed bills that would prohibit the use of federal funds to carry out the provision in the Home Rule Act that authorizes the president to federalize the D.C. police department.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/monday-norton-claybrook-and-truck-safety-coalition-announce-deadliest", "MONDAY: Norton, Claybrook, and Truck Safety Coalition Announce Deadliest Truck Crash States", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Monday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. ET, the Truck Safety Coalition will host a live press conference announcing the release of the new \"Deadliest Truck Crash States Report\" and feature powerful crash victim statements with reporters alongside Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Citizens for Reliable Safe Highways Board Chair and former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Joan Claybrook.\n\nAdditional details will be made available the morning of Monday, September 19, with a press release to follow the conference.\n\nWHO:Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)\n\nJoan Claybrook, Board Chair, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways and former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Joan Claybrook\n\nPam Biddle, truck crash victim\n\nDaniel Lagenkamp, truck crash victim\n\nGage Evans, truck crash victim\n\nElise Acosta, truck crash victim\n\nZach Cahalan, Executive Director, Truck Safety Coalition\n\nWHEN: Monday, September 19, 2022\n\n11:00 a.m. ET\n\nWHERE: In-person at the House Triangle, which is outdoors on the southeast side of the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.\n\nPress Conference Livestream Available\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-defazio-announce-house-passage-of-norton-s-bill-to-revoke-sec-s", "Norton, DeFazio Announce House Passage of Norton\u2019s Bill to Revoke SEC\u2019s Leasing Authority", "2022-09-14", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced that Norton's Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act, which would revoke the independent real estate leasing authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and direct the Government Accountability Office to update its 2016 report on independent real estate leasing authority, passed the House today. The bill passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in July.\n\n\"Today's House passage brings us a step closer to eliminating the inefficient, wasteful, and redundant involvement of the Securities and Exchange Commission in real estate decisions when the General Services Administration exists for that very reason,\" Norton said. \"The SEC should focus on its core mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation\u2014not on real estate procurements, which are outside its expertise. Congress created this problem by granting the SEC leasing authority, and now Congress must fix it by revoking that authority. I look forward to Senate passage of this important bill.\"\n\n\"The passage of the Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act returns control of government real estate decisions to where it belongs: the General Services Administration,\" Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. \"Including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in this process was inefficient, financially costly, and directed the SEC away from their mission and outside their area of expertise. I commend Chair Norton on her work facilitating this common-sense legislation and I look forward to this bill becoming law, officially ending the SEC's leasing authority and saving money for the American taxpayer.\"\n\nUnder the bill, the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's civilian real estate arm, would handle SEC real estate procurements. Congress granted the SEC independent leasing authority in 1990, before Norton was in Congress. Since then, the SEC has wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars as it has stumbled through leasing mistake after leasing mistake.\n\nNorton first introduced this bill in 2011, after the SEC engaged in an improper sole-source procurement of nearly one million square feet of leased space. Then-SEC Chairwoman Mary L. Schapiro promised in a congressional hearing that the SEC would allow GSA to handle its real estate procurements to avoid such issues in the future. However, the SEC subsequently vetoed a multi-million-dollar procurement completed on its behalf by GSA. The SEC then refused to document its concerns to Congress, and justified its actions using the leasing authority it had previously promised not to use. In September 2021, GSA entered into a headquarters lease for the SEC, and the SEC said it will use GSA in future real estate procurements, but Norton's bill would ensure the SEC uses GSA in the future.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-11th-attack-on-dc-vaccine-mandates", "Norton Condemns 11th Attack on D.C. Vaccine Mandates", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned a bill introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) that would repeal the District of Columbia's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and prohibit D.C. and schools in D.C. from using D.C. funds to impose or enforce such a mandate. This is Cruz's fourth attack this Congress on D.C.'s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students.\n\n\"Senator Ted Cruz is a regular violator of D.C. home rule,\" Norton said. \"Senator Cruz, like many other Republicans who profess to support local control of local affairs, tries to use the federal government's undemocratic power over D.C. to dictate local D.C. policy. D.C.'s duly elected local government adopted the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students, and Senator Cruz does not have the right to interfere in this policy decision. Until my D.C. statehood bill is enacted, Republicans will continue to try to interfere in D.C.'s local affairs.\n\nThe Cruz bill is the 11th attack this Congress on D.C. vaccine policies, all of which Norton has defeated:\n\nCruz filed a motion to commit the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to block D.C. from using funds to enforce its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students.\n\nSenator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirements that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities and that students receive COVID-19 vaccination.\n\nRepresentative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirement that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities.\n\nCruz introduced a disapproval resolution that would block D.C.'s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students.\n\nRepresentative Pat Fallon (R-TX) introduced a bill that would prohibit D.C. from requiring an individual to present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter any building, facility, or other venue.\n\nCruz filed an amendment to the third fiscal year 2022 continuing resolution that would have blocked D.C. funds from being used at any school that enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.\n\nRepresentative Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a disapproval resolution that would have blocked D.C.'s bill that permits minors to receive a vaccination without parental consent.\n\n49 House and Senate Republicans sent a letter demanding Congress defund the enforcement of D.C. COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the first fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill.\n\n12 House Republicans sent a letter calling for hearings on repealing the D.C. Home Rule Act if D.C. does not repeal its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-13th-annual-national-dance-day-resolution-ahead-of", "Norton Introduces 13th Annual National Dance Day Resolution Ahead of Celebration, Saturday", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution supporting the designation of Saturday, September 17, 2022, as National Dance Day. In 2010, Norton partnered with \"So You Think You Can Dance\" co-creator Nigel Lythgoe to launch the first National Dance Day with inaugural celebrations on the National Mall and in Los Angeles.\n\nThe event, originally held in July, was moved to September to encourage schools and students to participate in expressing themselves through dance.\n\n\"I am pleased to join the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts again this year to celebrate National Dance Day and to enjoy and celebrate our nation's rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and racial diversity,\" Norton said. \"I applaud the dancers and dance groups for keeping dance alive, even during the pandemic. I look forward to being dazzled once again by the D.C. dance troupes.\"\n\nNorton's resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic expression, and for the designation of September 17, 2022, as \"National Dance Day\".\n\nWhereas Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and co-creator of the dance-themed television show \"So You Think You Can Dance\", in association with the American Dance Movement, has encouraged the creation of National Dance Day celebrations across the country, beginning with the first National Dance Day on the National Mall in 2010;\n\nWhereas the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in conjunction with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will celebrate National Dance Day on September 17, 2022, in the District of Columbia, through events hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day has captured the imagination of people throughout the Nation and around the world, and has helped popularize dance as an art form, as a form of exercise, and as a way of having fun;\n\nWhereas States and cities across the country have been encouraged to celebrate National Dance Day with events;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day has spread and will be celebrated this year \u2013\n\nwith 5 events cohosted by the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the District of Columbia;\n\nat the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California;\n\nat the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm beach, Florida;\n\nat the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California; and\n\nat Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, California;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day encourages many forms of dance expression, representing the Nation's rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and racial diversity;\n\nWhereas National Dance Day features the full spectrum of dance, from classical, to popular, to line and partner dances;\n\nWhereas dance helps improve heart health, burn calories, strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility for people of all ages;\n\nWhereas health officials have repeatedly documented an overweight and obesity epidemic in the United States;\n\nWhereas dance, in all its variations, is a popular form of exercise;\n\nWhereas this year at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, organizations and individuals from the District of Columbia will entertain and encourage dance, with interactive classes and performances for the whole family, including \u2013\n\nAshant\u00e9 Green;\n\nCapitol Tap and District Tap;\n\nchitra.MOVES;\n\nCityDance Conservatory;\n\nCompany | E;\n\nDarlingdance;\n\nThe Esperonto Project;\n\nFlamenco Aparicio Dance Company;\n\nhaus of bambi;\n\nKrystal Butler;\n\nLucy Bowen;\n\nMcCauley;\n\nProject ChArma;\n\nSoka Tribe; and\n\nTariq Darell O'Meally, among others;\n\nWhereas in advance of National Dance Day, instructional videos are available on the American Dance Movement YouTube channel featuring the official dance routine, translated for all abilities and skill levels, to be performed by audiences on National Dance Day; and\n\nWhereas National Dance Day has been celebrated annually for the past 12 years: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n(1) supports the designation of \"National Dance Day\" to celebrate and encourage a national commitment to dance and dance education;\n\n(2) acknowledges that dance is making an important contribution to health by encouraging physical fitness and reducing overweight and obesity;\n\n(3) commends Nigel Lythgoe for his leadership in promoting dance and National Dance Day; and\n\n(4) thanks the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and American Dance Movement for their continuing efforts to spread awareness of National Dance Day and the many benefits of dance.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/today-norton-to-manage-several-bills-on-house-floor-including-her-bill", "Today: Norton to Manage Several Bills on House Floor, Including Her Bill to Revoke SEC Leasing Authority", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This afternoon, beginning at approximately 2:45 p.m., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will manage several Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) bills on the House floor for the Democrats, including her bill to revoke the independent real estate leasing authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to direct the Government Accountability Office to update its 2016 report on independent real estate leasing authority. Norton is running for chair or ranking member of T&I in the 118th Congress.\n\nMedia and the general public can watch on CSPAN or live.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-to-vote-on-norton-bill-revoking-sec-s-independent-leasing", "House to Vote on Norton Bill Revoking SEC\u2019s Independent Leasing Authority, Tomorrow", "2022-09-12", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that her Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act, which would revoke the independent real estate leasing authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and direct the Government Accountability Office to update its 2016 report on independent real estate leasing authority, will be on the House floor tomorrow. The bill passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in July.\n\n\"It is inefficient, wasteful, and redundant to have the Securities and Exchange Commission involved in real estate decisions when the General Services Administration exists for that very reason,\" Norton said. \"The SEC should focus on its core mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation\u2014not on real estate procurements, which are outside its expertise. Congress created this problem by granting the SEC leasing authority, and now Congress must fix it by revoking that authority. I look forward to tomorrow's House vote and expected passage of this important bill.\"\n\nUnder the bill, the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's civilian real estate arm, would handle SEC real estate procurements. Congress granted the SEC independent leasing authority in 1990, before Norton was in Congress. Since then, the SEC has wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars as it has stumbled through leasing mistake after leasing mistake.\n\nNorton first introduced this bill in 2011, after the SEC engaged in an improper sole-source procurement of nearly one million square feet of leased space. Then-SEC Chairwoman Mary L. Schapiro promised in a congressional hearing that the SEC would allow GSA to handle its real estate procurements to avoid such issues in the future. However, the SEC subsequently vetoed a multi-million-dollar procurement completed on its behalf by GSA. The SEC then refused to document its concerns to Congress, and justified its actions using the leasing authority it had previously promised not to use. In September 2021, GSA entered into a headquarters lease for the SEC, and the SEC said it will use GSA in future real estate procurements, but Norton's bill would ensure the SEC uses GSA in the future.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ahead-of-21st-anniversary-of-911-terrorist-attacks-norton-releases", "Ahead of 21st Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Norton Releases Statement Honoring D.C. Residents Lost that Day", "2022-09-09", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on District of Columbia residents to remember the children, teachers, and others lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, ahead of the 21st anniversary of the attacks.\n\n\"This Sunday will mark 21 years since our nation and our city incurred a tragedy that shook us to our core,\" Norton said. \"We will never forget the three District of Columbia public school students, Rodney Dickens, Asia Cottom, and Bernard Brown; their three teachers, James Debeuneure, Sarah Clark, and Hilda Taylor; and the two National Geographic chaperones, Ann Judge and Joe Ferguson, who were on board the hijacked plane that struck the Pentagon on 9/11. We honored them all in 2011, especially the children who had just won a National Geographic contest, by planting trees that will forever grow in their memory.\n\n\"We also will never forget the brave, selfless first responders who put their lives in danger to save the lives of others at a moment's notice. Here in the District, what that day taught us is that our region's safety and security are always on the line, and we that must always be vigilant in our resolve. District residents, and the entire nation, will never forget the sacrifices made 21 years ago and the thousands of innocent lives taken from us all.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-garc-a-espaillat-write-appropriations-subcommittee-on-homeland", "Norton, Garc\u00eda, Espaillat Write Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to Request $50 Million in Assistance for Migrants Bused to D.C., New York City and Chicago", "2022-09-09", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (D-IL), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) sent a letter, signed by 20 other members of Congress, today to Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) of the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security Committee on Appropriations requesting that the upcoming fiscal year 2023 (FY23) continuing resolution (CR) provide $50 million above the enacted fiscal year 2022 (FY22) level to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants.\n\n\"In a cynical political stunt which has exploited both vulnerable migrants and D.C., the governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of migrants to D.C., Chicago and New York City in the last several months,\" Norton said. \"I introduced a bill to provide $50 million in assistance for D.C. to aid the migrants in the current fiscal year, and Rep. Garc\u00eda, Rep. Espaillat and I are now requesting an additional $50 million for fiscal year 2023. The funds will be used to provide humanitarian aid through the EFSP program.\"\n\n\"Playing politics with the lives of these immigrants is dehumanizing and cruel, but not unexpected from the xenophobic, fear-mongering politics of Governor Abbot,\" said Garc\u00eda. While Chicago remains committed to welcoming these new arrivals, we must ensure their food, shelter and other basic needs are covered. The arrival of these migrants at the border underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of migration and how U.S. policies have contributed to the problem. In the meantime, we must focus on assisting these women, men and children as they arrive in our cities.\"\n\n\"As Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to play political games with thousands of migrant lives, our response must be swift and robust to ensure that sanctuary cities have adequate resources to provide humanitarian assistance for displaced individuals seeking asylum here in our nation,\" said Espaillat. \"When thousands of migrants began to arrive to New York City, we welcomed them with open arms and connected them to viable resources. Our request for this emergency funding will be put to even greater use in helping bolster programs vital in our efforts in providing aid and assistance for the vulnerable individuals and families seeking our support at this critical moment.\"\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nSeptember 9, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard The Honorable Chuck Fleischmann\n\nChair Ranking Member\n\nHouse Subcommittee on Homeland Security House Subcommittee on Homeland Security\n\nCommittee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations\n\n2006 Rayburn House Office Building 2006 Rayburn House Office Building\n\nWashington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515\n\nDear Chair Roybal-Allard and Ranking Member Fleischmann:\n\nAs negotiations begin on the first fiscal year (FY) 2023 continuing resolution, we write to request that the bill provide $50 million above the enacted FY2022 level to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants.\n\nSince mid-April, the governors of Texas and Arizona have exploited and harmed approximately 10,000 vulnerable people fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain by busing them to D.C., New York City and Chicago.\n\nThe EFSP provides federal funding for food, shelter and other necessities. In FY 2022, Congress provided $150 million to this program for humanitarian assistance for migrants. As of July 21, 2022, approximately $85 million of this funding remained available. However, the busing of migrants to D.C., New York City and Chicago and resettlement in cities like Boston has increased funding requests across the Northeast and the Midwest. Without additional funding, the EFSP may exhaust its funding.\n\nThis funding would ensure that the EFSP can continue to provide humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of all migrants.\n\nSincerely,\n\n/s/\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAdriano Espaillat\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJamaal Bowman, Ed.D.\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAnthony G. Brown\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nTony C\u00e1rdenas\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nVeronica Escobar\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nHakeem Jeffries\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nMondaire Jones\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nCarolyn B. Maloney\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJames P. McGovern\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nGrace Meng\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJerrold Nadler\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nMarie Newman\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nChellie Pingree\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAyanna Pressley\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nMike Quigley\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJamie Raskin\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJan Schakowsky\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAlbio Sires\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJuan Vargas\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nNydia Vel\u00e1zquez\n\nMember of Congress\n\nCustomarily, agencies can only spend the money provided in a continuing resolution at the same rate at which the money was spent in the previous year. However, because the demand for emergency food and shelter funding has significantly increased from last year, the White House requested that FEMA be allowed to spend the money as needed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-a-dozen-house-republicans-call-for-hearings-on-repealing-dc", "Norton Says a Dozen House Republicans Call for Hearings on Repealing D.C. Home Rule Act if D.C. Does Not Repeal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Students", "2022-09-09", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today highlighted a letter a dozen House Republicans sent yesterday that called for hearings on repealing the District of Columbia Home Rule Act if D.C. does not repeal its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. The letter follows statements from Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) that he would introduce legislation to repeal the Home Rule Act, as well as statements from other Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), that they intend to interfere in D.C.'s local affairs if they are in the majority next Congress. House and Senate Republicans have tried eight times this Congress to overturn D.C. vaccine policies. Norton has defeated each attempt.\n\n\"Until D.C. has statehood, which is closer than ever, Congress will have complete, undemocratic legislative authority over D.C. and its nearly 700,000 residents,\" Norton said. \"However, we will never allow D.C.'s limited self-government to be eliminated. We will never return to the days when Congress was D.C.'s sole legislature.\"\n\nThe Home Rule Act, which was signed into law in 1973 by President Richard Nixon, gave D.C. an elected chief executive and legislature and gave D.C. the authority to legislate on local matters, with limited exceptions.\n\nD.C. has a larger population than two states, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and D.C. pays more federal taxes than 23 states.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-participates-in-hearing-on-mail-delivery-and-theft-problems", "Norton Participates in Hearing on Mail Delivery and Theft Problems", "2022-09-07", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) participated in the Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing today on mail theft and delivery problems, issues on which she has been particularly active. Last month, Norton met with the Chief Postal Inspector for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Gary Barksdale, to discuss mail theft in the District of Columbia and across the country.\n\n\"Mail theft, particularly of checks, has been increasing in the District and throughout the country recently,\" Norton said. \"In addition, I am always working to ensure mail is reliably delivered to D.C. residents. I appreciate Chairman Connolly's decision to hold today's important hearing to highlight the ongoing problems. I have introduced a bill that would make it clear that Postal Police Officers have the authority to protect mail, postal property, and postal employees wherever they are located.\"\n\nThis year, Norton has taken several steps to respond to mail theft and delivery problems. For example, she introduced a bill that would clarify the authority of Postal Police Officers to protect mail, postal property, and postal employees. She also sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service about delayed and undelivered mail in D.C.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-create-inspector-general-for-federal", "Norton Introduces Bill to Create Inspector General for Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board", "2022-09-06", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to establish an inspector general for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB), which manages the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement plan available to federal employees and members of the armed services.\n\n\"I am deeply concerned about the widespread problems with the new TSP online system,\" Norton said. \"I hear frequently from constituents about the many problems with the new system, including discrepancies in account balances, difficulties accessing accounts, lost beneficiary information, and hours-long wait times for customer service. I will continue to demand immediate fixes to the problems, but we need to understand how this debacle occurred and to create new accountability mechanisms at FRTIB, which is why I introduced my bill to establish an inspector general.\"\n\nNorton sent a letter to FRTIB on June 13, 2022, raising the initial concerns she heard from constituents about the new TSP system. FRTIB responded on June 17, 2022. On June 30, 2022, Norton spoke with the Executive Director of FRTIB. The Executive Director promised to give Norton weekly updates on the new TSP system.\n\nAt the request of Norton and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), the Government Accountability Office will conduct a comprehensive review of the planning, contract award and implementation of the new TSP system, as well as oversight by FRTIB, which is expected to begin in November.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-meets-with-national-park-service-and-architect-of-the-capitol", "Norton Meets with National Park Service and Architect of the Capitol About Capitol Stones in Rock Creek Park", "2022-09-02", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today met with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) about the Capitol stones in Rock Creek Park. NPS, which controls Rock Creek Park, recently requested the removal of the stones. AOC intends to store them in a facility at Ft. Meade.\n\nIn the meeting, Norton asked why the stones need to be removed from Rock Creek Park and if they could remain. NPS explained that, while there have been no reported accidents on the stones, people climb on the stones and there is no way to impose the same safety rules as those at playgrounds. NPS noted that vegetation has grown over the stones, which makes them harder to preserve or use for future construction. NPS and AOC committed to devising a plan to keep at least two or three of the stones in Rock Creek Park and to install signage there detailing the history and significance of the stones.\n\n\"While I prefer that all the Capitol stones remain in Rock Creek Park, I am pleased that NPS and AOC committed to working to keep some of the stones in Rock Creek Park,\" Norton said. \"The stones have long been an off-the-beaten-path landmark in the District of Columbia, interesting to D.C. residents and tourists. The stones have been in Rock Creek Park for almost 50 years while causing no harm and are well-made to withstand the weather and climbing. Access to historical artifacts can only be beneficial for visitors to Rock Creek Park and the District. I look forward to hearing more about the plan to keep some of the stones in Rock Creek Park and to create signage to educate more D.C. residents and tourists about the rich history of these stones.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-sends-letter-to-new-federal-bureau-of-prisons-director-regarding", "Norton Sends Letter to New Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Regarding Critical Issues Facing D.C. Residents in BOP Custody", "2022-09-02", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Colette Peters, regarding critical issues facing District of Columbia residents in BOP custody. BOP is responsible for housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies.\n\nNorton requested that all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock immediately be moved to a safer facility, citing the recent deaths of two D.C. residents and other targeted violence there. Norton also requested that Peters meet with the D.C. Corrections Information Council (CIC) to discuss the facility and grant its request to immediately visit the facility.\n\nNorton also requested that BOP grant CIC full access to facilities and be allowed to share pertinent information about individuals convicted of D.C Code offenses in BOP custody with other D.C. government agencies, so that these agencies can better assist with reentry services. Norton also reiterated her longstanding request that BOP assign one facility near D.C. to house all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses in BOP custody.\n\n\"Housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies in BOP custody in one facility near D.C. would benefit these individuals by allowing them to be closer to family and support networks and perhaps not be victims of targeted violence,\" Norton said. \"Two D.C. residents were recently killed at USP Pollock and other D.C. residents have been attacked, apparently because they are D.C. residents. I understand that the CIC had planned on doing a site visit at the facility at the end of September, but has requested to do so earlier given this situation. I believe it is vital for CIC to have access to all parts of BOP facilities, so it can conduct comprehensive reviews.\"\n\nNorton's full letter is below.\n\nSeptember 2, 2022\n\nColette Peters\n\nDirector\n\nFederal Bureau of Prisons\n\n320 First Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20534\n\nDear Director Peters:\n\nI write regarding individuals convicted of District of Columbia Code offenses housed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). These individuals are the only individuals not convicted of federal crimes who are required to be housed by BOP. These individuals are often housed thousands of miles from their families and support networks and are apparently victims of targeted violence.\n\nOn August 17, 2022, I sent you a letter regarding the dangerous conditions for individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock. Two D.C. residents were recently killed there and other D.C. residents have been attacked, apparently because they are D.C. residents. I request that all the individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock immediately be moved into a safer facility. I also reiterate my request that you immediately meet with the D.C. Corrections Information Council (CIC) to discuss this situation. I understand that the CIC had planned on doing a site visit at the facility at the end of September, but has requested to do so earlier given this situation. I urge you to grant that request.\n\nI further understand that BOP and CIC are negotiating an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding CIC's access to BOP facilities and information. I have been informed that one of the unresolved issues is CIC's request for access to all parts of the facilities it visits, including the special housing unit. I believe it is vital for CIC to have access to all parts of the facilities, so it can conduct a comprehensive review, and I urge you to include such access in the MOU.\n\nI also reiterate my previous request that the MOU authorize CIC to share pertinent information about individuals convicted of D.C Code offenses in BOP custody with other D.C. government agencies, so that these agencies can better assist with reentry services.\n\nFinally, I reiterate my longstanding request that BOP assign one facility near D.C.to house all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed by BOP. I appreciate that BOP has previously indicated that it attempts to house all inmates within 500 miles of their returning address in compliance with the First Step Act. However, housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses in BOP custody in one facility near D.C. would benefit these individuals by allowing them to be closer to family and support networks and perhaps not be victims of targeted violence.\n\nI ask that you respond in writing by September 16, 2022.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-bill-to-prohibit-permanent-fencing-at-supreme-court", "Norton to Introduce Bill to Prohibit Permanent Fencing at Supreme Court", "2022-09-01", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the Supreme Court removed the temporary anti-climb fencing around its grounds last weekend, which was installed in May, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will introduce a bill to prohibit the installation of permanent fencing around the Supreme Court grounds. Norton had urged the Supreme Court Marshal not to leave the temporary fencing up longer than absolutely necessary.\n\n\"Public property should be open to the public,\" Norton said. \"The distance between government and the people has grown, with trust in government, including the Supreme Court, low. We should not entrench that distance further by placing intimidating barriers between ourselves as public servants and the people we serve. There also more effective, less obtrusive security solutions than archaic fencing. Moreover, the Supreme Court is in a residential neighborhood in the District of Columbia. The Supreme Court grounds are widely used by both D.C. residents and visitors.\n\n\"While I am not aware of any plans to install permanent fencing at the Supreme Court, temporary security measures often become permanent, and this bill will signal congressional opposition to any such effort.\"\n\nLast year, Norton introduced a bill to prohibit the installation of permanent fencing at the U.S. Capitol complex.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-resolution-designating-september-as-national-campus", "Norton to Introduce Resolution Designating September as \u2018National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month\u2019", "2022-08-31", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will introduce her annual resolution supporting the designation of September as \"National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.\"\n\n\"The high rates of sexual assault at colleges point to the continuing importance of my resolution,\" Norton said.\n\nNorton has introduced this resolution for the past several years to highlight the problem of sexual assaults on campuses. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the exposure of Jeffrey Epstein, the #MeToo movement, and especially sexual assaults in campus settings, Norton said that her determination to continue to speak out has only grown, and that we must change behavior and institutions at the earliest stages.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-booker-for-introducing-companion-to-her-bill-establishing", "Norton Thanks Booker for Introducing Companion to Her Bill Establishing Memorial for Enslaved Individuals", "2022-08-30", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) thanked Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) for introducing the Senate companion to her bill that would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved individuals. The commemorative work, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor the enslaved individuals' presence, celebrate their contributions to history, and recognize their resilience and fortitude.\n\n\"Thank you to Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Senate companion to my bill to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in D.C. to honor enslaved individuals' presence, celebrate their contributions to history, and recognize their resilience and fortitude. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.\"\n\nIn January, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed Norton's bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-strengthen-workplace-protections-for-0", "Norton Introduces Bill to Strengthen Workplace Protections for Legislative Branch Employees", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday introduced the Congress Leads by Example Act, which would subject Congress and the rest of the legislative branch to workplace laws that protect employees in the private sector and the executive branch.\n\n\"Especially given ongoing reports of workplace abuses in the legislative branch,\" Norton said, \"Congress must abide by the laws it imposes on the American people and workplaces. Congress already acknowledged the importance of accountability in the legislative branch workplace when it passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and further confirmed it when it passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act in 2018. As a former chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I take these issues very seriously. My bill builds on the protections in previous laws, bringing the protections for legislative branch employees in line with those for other workers.\"\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\nOn the Introduction of the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022\n\nAugust 23, 2022\n\nToday, I introduce the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022, which would subject the legislative branch to many of the laws that protect employees in the private sector and the executive branch. Congress should abide by the laws it imposes on others. In 1995, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA), which applied 13 existing civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws to the legislative branch. In 2018, after reports of sexual harassment in Congress and in light of the #MeToo movement, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Reform Act), which changed the name of the Office of Compliance to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR), revised the process to resolve workplace claims and extended CAA protections to unpaid staff, interns and fellows. It also made Members of Congress personally liable for their own violations of workplace harassment and retaliation laws.\n\nThe CAA and the Reform Act were important steps in making the legislative branch accountable for its employment practices, but they did not finish the job. As noted, the CAA brought the legislative branch under 13 civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws but it omitted important substantive and procedural protections. In its two most recent Section 102(b) biennial reports to Congress, OCWR identified additional federal workplace laws and procedures that should be applicable to the legislative branch. OCWR's recommendations for the 116th Congress included making the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 applicable to the legislative branch. The OCWR's recommendations for this Congress included allowing the OCWR Board of Directors to authorize the OCWR General Counsel to seek appropriate temporary relief after filing an unfair labor practice charge, amending the confidentiality provisions of the CAA to exclude proceedings under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute and the public access provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and requiring mediation upon the request of the claimant. This bill takes into account OCWR's recommendations, and seeks both to apply the standard of fairness to employees of the legislative branch that Congress requires for other employees and provide a safer work environment for the legislative branch and visitors by bringing the legislative obligations in line with the legal requirements of the private sector and the executive branch.\n\nThis bill provides general whistleblower protections and anti-retaliation measures and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) retaliation provisions applicable to the legislative branch. This bill also provides subpoena authority to OCWR to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.\n\nThis bill also furthers the CAA's goal of preventing workplace discrimination in the legislative branch 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.\n\nFinally, this bill bolsters the CAA's recordkeeping requirements. It applies 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.\n\nThis bill would help restore the public's trust in Congress by redoubling our efforts to exercise leadership by example. I urge support for this important measure.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-maloney-for-support-for-dc-statehood-home-rule-and", "Norton Thanks Maloney for Support for D.C. Statehood, Home Rule, and Equality", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked Committee on Oversight and Reform (COR) Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) for her longstanding support for District of Columbia statehood, home rule, and equality, after Maloney lost reelection. As chair of COR, which has jurisdiction over D.C., Maloney oversaw the passage of the D.C. statehood bill in the House in 2020 and 2021, which were the first and second times in history either chamber had passed the bill. Maloney also got several D.C. home rule and equality bills passed in COR. In addition, Maloney ensured that D.C. was made whole in the American Rescue Plan for the $755 million D.C. was shortchanged in the CARES Act, which treated D.C. as a territory instead of a state for coronavirus fiscal relief, even though D.C. pays the same taxes as states.\n\n\"I will miss working with my longtime close friend Carolyn Maloney, especially on D.C. matters and women's rights,\" Norton said. \"She has been a champion for D.C. statehood, home rule, and equality, and we in D.C. owe her a debt of gratitude.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-emergency-appropriations-bill-to-provide-humanitarian", "Norton Introduces Emergency Appropriations Bill to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Migrants Arriving in D.C.", "2022-08-23", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced an emergency appropriations bill for the current fiscal year (2022) to provide an additional $50 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). The funding is designated for humanitarian assistance to migrants, including those being bused into the District of Columbia by Texas and Arizona.\n\n\"The governors of Texas and Arizona are exploiting and harming desperate and vulnerable people fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain,\" Norton said. \"I commend the work organizations in D.C. and the National Capital Region have done to assist these migrants, but more funding is needed to assist these families.\"\n\nEFSP funds can used for food and shelter, among other necessities.\n\nNorton's introductory statement follows.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of Bill to Provide Supplemental Appropriations for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to Provide Humanitarian Relief for Migrants\n\nAugust 16, 2022\n\nMs. Norton. Madam Speaker.\n\nToday, I rise to introduce a fiscal year 2022 supplemental appropriations bill to provide $50 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance for migrants. The funding would remain available until expended.\n\nSince mid-April, the governors of Texas and Arizona have exploited and harmed approximately 4,500 vulnerable people fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain by busing them to the District of Columbia and New York.\n\nIn fiscal year 2022, Congress provided $150 million to the EFSP for humanitarian assistance for migrants. As of July 21, 2022, approximately $85 million of this funding remained available. However, the busing of migrants to D.C. and New York has increased funding requests and the EFSP may exhaust its funding.\n\nSupplemental funding would ensure that the EFSP can continue to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-august-22nd-as-chuck-brown-0", "Norton Introduces Resolution Designating August 22nd as \u2018Chuck Brown Day\u2019", "2022-08-22", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution that would support the designation of Chuck Brown's birthday, August 22nd, as national \"Chuck Brown Day\" to honor his contributions as the \"Godfather of Go-Go\" and his support for District of Columbia statehood. The musical genre of go-go originated in D.C. with Brown as the main progenitor. Norton introduces the resolution each year for Brown's birthday.\n\n\"Chuck Brown was loved by this city and the nation for his innovative and unique sound, which gave us the music of go-go,\" Norton said. \"Not only was he a musical legend, he gave back to his community. His free concert in front of the Capitol in support of D.C. voting rights and statehood will not be forgotten. He will be remembered as one of D.C.'s great voices.\"\n\nThe text of the resolution follows.\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nExpressing support for the designation of August 22, 2022, as national \"Chuck Brown Day\" and honoring his contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown is known as the \"Godfather of Go-Go\" because he was the major architect of the musical genre known as go-go, a unique mix of funk, soul, and Latin party sounds, whose popularity continues today;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown, who was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away at the age of 75 on May 16, 2012, was a resident of the District of Columbia most of his life;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown, who taught himself to play guitar, became a virtuoso singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's go-go beat gave the District of Columbia a musical identity of its own and reminds the Nation that the District of Columbia has always been the hometown of talented artists, among them Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's musical catalogue spans 22 studio albums over 3 decades;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's hit \"Bustin' Loose\", with his group, the Soul Searchers, was the top song on the Billboard Top 100 R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1979;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song \"Love\", from his album entitled \"We Got This\", and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown's go-go has been passed from generation to generation with undiminished popularity;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown influenced jazz, rap, and go-go musicians, such as the bands Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Experience Unlimited (also known as E.U.);\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown was so committed to securing statehood and equal voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia that he played a concert on a very hot, humid day on the United States Capitol Grounds in 2010;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has named a street located near the historic, modernized Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown;\n\nWhereas the District of Columbia has named a park located at 2901 20th Street, NE, for Chuck Brown;\n\nWhereas go-go serves as the soundtrack for the \"Don't Mute D.C.\" movement;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and overcoming time in prison to become a devoted father and family man;\n\nWhereas Chuck Brown was a great, multitalented musician who brought joy through his music, never stopping until his death; and\n\nWhereas August 22, 2021, is Chuck Brown's birthday: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of \"Chuck Brown Day\" and honors Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-meets-with-chief-postal-inspector-to-discuss-mail-theft-in-dc", "Norton Meets with Chief Postal Inspector to Discuss Mail Theft in D.C.", "2022-08-17", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday met with the Chief Postal Inspector for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Gary Barksdale, to discuss mail theft in the District of Columbia and across the country.\n\n\"Mail theft, particularly of checks, has been increasing in the District and throughout the country recently,\" Norton said. \"I appreciate Chief Barksdale's willingness to meet with me today to discuss steps the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is taking to address the problem, which include additional security technology to be rolled out in the D.C. area in the next 60 days, ongoing meetings with federal and local officials to encourage more prosecutions of mail theft cases, and more secure vehicles, which are currently in the design phase. While these efforts are likely to reduce mail theft, one of the most effective ways we can protect mail, postal property, and postal employees is to clarify the authority of U.S. Postal Police Officers (PPOs). I have introduced a bill that would make it clear that PPOs have the authority to protect mail, postal property, and postal employees wherever they are located.\"\n\nThis year, Norton has taken several steps to respond to mail theft. She introduced a bill that would clarify the authority of PPOs to protect mail, postal property, and postal employees. She also sent a letter to USPS about the increase in mail theft, to which USPS responded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-highlights-continuing-judicial-vacancy-crisis-on-local-dc-courts", "Norton Highlights Continuing Judicial Vacancy Crisis on Local D.C. Courts, Reiterates Call to Change Approval Process for D.C. Judges", "2022-08-16", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the Senate on August recess, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today highlighted the continuing judicial vacancy crisis on the local District of Columbia courts and reiterated the need for Congress to pass her bill that would expedite the approval process for local D.C. judges. The local D.C. courts face a persistent judicial vacancy crisis, regardless of which party controls the Senate, because both parties prioritize federal judicial and executive branch nominees over local D.C. nominees, but Republicans have exacerbated the problem this Congress by filibustering nominees to the local D.C. courts.\n\n\"The judicial vacancy crisis in the local District of Columbia courts harms public safety and access to justice in D.C.,\" Norton said. \"Either the Senate must devote significantly more time to confirming local D.C. judges or Congress must pass my bill to expedite the approval process for local D.C. judges.\"\n\nCurrently, there are 13 vacancies out of 62 authorized judges on D.C.'s trial court, the Superior Court, and there will be at least 14 vacancies as of August 31. There are two vacancies out of nine authorized judges on D.C.'s appeals court, the Court of Appeals. In February, the Senate confirmed seven local D.C. court judges.\n\nNorton has introduced a bill that would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. Her District of Columbia Courts Vacancy Reduction Act would allow judicial appointments to the local D.C. courts to take effect after a 30-day congressional review period, unless a joint resolution disapproving an appointment is enacted into law during that period. The bill would make the congressional review process for appointments the same as the one currently used for legislation passed by the D.C. Council. The bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last year.\n\nUnder the D.C. Home Rule Act, D.C. judges are appointed by the president, subject to Senate confirmation. The president appoints a nominee from one of three candidates submitted by the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. If the president does not appoint one of the candidates within 60 days, the commission is required to appoint one of the candidates, subject to Senate confirmation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-lack-of-statehood-cost-dc-tens-to-hundreds-of-millions-of", "Norton Says Lack of Statehood Cost D.C. Tens to Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Senate Earmarks", "2022-08-15", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said the District of Columbia was shortchanged tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the Senate's fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills. D.C. did not receive any earmarks in the Senate bills because D.C. does not have senators to request Senate earmarks. Earmarks, which returned in FY 2022 for the first time in more than a decade, are funding requested by members of Congress for local governments and non-profits for specific projects in their districts or states.\n\n\"The Senate earmarks are only the latest example in which D.C.'s lack of statehood has caused financial harm to the District,\" Norton said. \"D.C.'s lack of Senate representation cost D.C. tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in FY 2022 and will cost it similar amounts in FY 2023. This unequal treatment is particularly egregious because D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more federal taxes than 23 states.\"\n\nSenators received a wide range of funding for earmarks, with two states receiving more than $500 million each. Norton received approximately $21 million in earmarks for D.C. in the House's FY 2023 appropriations bills, which was the typical amount received by House members.\n\nNorton noted another recent example of D.C. being shortchanged. Last Congress, the CARES Act, which was drafted by the Republican-led Senate, treated D.C. as a territory instead of a state for coronavirus fiscal relief, depriving D.C. of $755 million. This Congress, Norton was able to get that $755 million for D.C. restored in the American Rescue Plan.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-vows-to-defeat-anti-home-rule-bill-making-voting-and-election", "Norton Vows to Defeat Anti-Home-Rule Bill Making Voting and Election Administration Harder in D.C.", "2022-08-15", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she would defeat a bill recently introduced by Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL) that would make it more difficult to vote and administer elections in the District of Columbia. The American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Integrity and Voter Confidence Act would, among other things, require photo identification or Social Security number to vote, require photos in poll books, prohibit same-day registration, prohibit automatically mailing ballots to voters, require ballot drop boxes to be located within a D.C. government building and monitored through 24-hour remote or electronic surveillance, require the removal of names from voting rolls, prohibit, with limited exceptions, a person from collecting a mail ballot completed by another person, require mail ballots to be received by the close of the polls, require election results to be announced by 10 a.m. the day after the election, prohibit non-citizens from voting, give partisan poll watchers virtually unfettered access to polling sites and permit them to challenge ballots and tabulations, and allow the public to observe the testing of election equipment.\n\n\"It is ironic that Republicans are abusing their undemocratic power over D.C. to try to make voting harder in a jurisdiction that is denied voting representation in Congress,\" Norton said. \"While I will defeat this bill, this bill is the latest indication of the wide-ranging home-rule attacks D.C. will face if Republicans take over the House next Congress.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-requests-joint-meeting-with-national-park-service-and-architect", "Norton Requests Joint Meeting with National Park Service and Architect of the Capitol to Discuss Capitol Hill Stones", "2022-08-12", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today requested a joint meeting with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to discuss removal of the Capitol Stones, which were part of the original Capitol building, from Rock Creek Park. NPS recently requested the removal of the stones for safety and preservation, and some are currently being stored in an AOC facility in Ft. Meade without public access.\n\n\"The Capitol stones have long been an off-the-beaten-path landmark in the District, interesting to D.C. residents and tourists,\" Norton said. \"The stones should remain in the location they have been for almost 50 years while causing no harm. Being stones, they're well-made to withstand the weather and children climbing on them, and access to historical artifacts can only be beneficial for visitors to Rock Creek Park and the District. I look forward to a fruitful meeting with NPS and AOC.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-leads-letter-on-eliminating-cap-on-travel-reimbursement-to-assist", "Norton Leads Letter on Eliminating Cap on Travel Reimbursement to Assist Migrants Bused to D.C.", "2022-08-11", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) led a letter signed by 18 other members of Congress today to the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) requesting it eliminate the cap on reimbursement for long-distance travel, which has prevented many migrants being bused to D.C. from Texas and Arizona from reaching their final destinations.\n\n\"In a cynical political stunt which has exploited both vulnerable migrants and D.C., the governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of migrants to the District in the last several months,\" Norton said. \"Eighty-five percent of these migrants intend to travel to a final destination other than D.C., but the EFSP's cap on reimbursements for long-distance travel has prevented them from reaching those destinations, where many have family and support systems. Because I anticipate that Texas and Arizona will continue this indefinitely, I am requesting a permanent elimination of the cap.\"\n\nNorton has taken other steps to address the issue, including:\n\nPlanned introduction of an emergency appropriations bill designated for humanitarian assistance to migrants, including those being bused into the District of Columbia by Texas and Arizona.\n\nMet with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to discuss the issue.\n\nOngoing work with groups assisting the migrants, the General Services Administration, and FEMA to find space for the groups.\n\nThe letter follows.\n\nAugust 11, 2022\n\nNational Board\n\nEmergency Food and Shelter Program\n\n701 N. Fairfax St.\n\nAlexandria, VA 22314\n\nDear National Board:\n\nWe write to urge you to eliminate the Emergency Food and Shelter Program's (EFSP) cap on reimbursement for long-distance travel. This cap has prevented many migrants from reaching their final destinations.\n\nIt is our understanding that 85 percent of migrants who have been bused to the District of Columbia from Texas and Arizona intend to travel to a final destination other than D.C. The EFSP requirement that prohibits the use of funds for long-distance travel for more than 30 percent of migrants served has made it difficult for migrants to reach their final destination after their arrival in D.C.\n\nWhile we applaud the National Board's July 22, 2022, decision to increase the travel cap to 50 percent of migrants served for 30 days, we are concerned that the percentage is still too low and the duration is too short. We anticipate that Texas and Arizona will continue to bus migrants to D.C. indefinitely. We ask that you permanently eliminate the cap.\n\nThe governors of Texas and Arizona are exploiting and harming vulnerable people who are fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain.\n\nSincerely,\n\n/s/\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJamaal Bowman, Ed.D.\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nTony C\u00e1rdenas\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAndr\u00e9 Carson\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nVeronica Escobar\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAdriano Espaillat\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nMondaire Jones\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nCarolyn Maloney\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJames P. McGovern\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nGrace Meng\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJerrold Nadler\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJimmy Panetta\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nLinda T. S\u00e1nchez\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nJuan Vargas\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nNydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez\n\nMember of Congress\n\n/s/\n\nBonnie Watson Coleman\n\nMember of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-reintroduces-bill-to-increase-transparency-in-501c4-organizations", "Norton Reintroduces Bill to Increase Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations", "2022-08-09", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2022 this week, which would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Norton says Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC.\n\nTo be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as \"social welfare organizations,\" must be \"devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.\" They can choose to apply for 501(c)(4) status from the IRS, or they can simply self-declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare their 501(c)(4) status were not required even to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act) was enacted into law. Under that law, an organization seeking to self-declare their 501(c)(4) status now must file a notice with the IRS that it is operating under this section. The PATH Act did not make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure. Norton's bill would correct this oversight and mandate that the IRS publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with 501(c)(3) organizations.\n\nNorton's full statement is below.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the\n\nIncreased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2022\n\nAugust 9, 2022\n\nToday, I introduce the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2022. This bill would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC.\n\nTo be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as \"social welfare organizations,\" must be \"devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.\" They can apply for 501(c)(4) status, or they can self-declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare were not required to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), which required an organization seeking to self-declare to file a notice with the IRS, was enacted into law. The PATH Act did not, however, make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure.\n\nThe IRS has opined that Form 8976 cannot be made available under the Freedom of Information Act or other disclosure laws. This opinion creates a discrepancy between those organizations for which the IRS must make publicly available information \u2013 all Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 501(c)(4) organizations that applied for that status \u2013 and self-declared 501(c)(4) organizations. This discrepancy appears to have been inadvertently created by the PATH Act.\n\nMy bill would fix this discrepancy by requiring the IRS to publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with organizations that operate under 501(c)(3). In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited expenditures in political campaigns by these \"social welfare\" organizations, greater transparency is needed.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gao-agrees-to-comprehensive-review-of-new-thrift-savings-plan-online", "GAO Agrees to Comprehensive Review of New Thrift Savings Plan Online System After Norton and Spanberger Letter", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) announced today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to a comprehensive review of the new Thrift Savings Plan online system after Norton and Spanberger co-led a letter requesting it. The members requested the review after hearing from constituents about problems with the system, including difficulties accessing accounts, discrepancies in account balances, missing or incomplete information, and hours-long wait times to reach customer service.\n\nThe GAO review will examine the planning, contract award and implementation, as well as oversight by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board and is expected to begin in November.\n\nGAO's response letter follows, with one sentence containing personal contact information removed.\n\nAugust 3, 2022\n\nCongressional Requesters:\n\nThank you for your letter requesting that the Government Accountability Office review matters relating to the new Thrift Savings Plan online system, including the planning, contract award and implementation, as well as oversight by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.\n\nGAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority. At the current time we anticipate that staff with the required skills will be available to initiate an engagement in about three months. Your request has been assigned to Mr. Nicholas H. Marinos, Managing Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity. Closer to the time GAO can start this engagement, Mr. Marinos or a member of his team will contact the staff points of contact to confirm that this request continues to be your priority for us. As applicable, we will also be in contact with the cognizant Inspector General's office to ensure that we are not duplicating efforts. If an issue arises during this coordination, we will consult with you regarding its resolution.\n\nSincerely yours,\n\nA. Nicole Clowers\n\nManaging Director\n\nCongressional Relations\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-8th-attack-by-republicans-on-dc-vaccine-mandates-motion", "Norton Condemns 8th Attack by Republicans on D.C. Vaccine Mandates; Motion Was Defeated", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned the motion filed by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to commit the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which has jurisdiction over D.C., to block the District of Columbia from using funds to enforce its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. The motion was defeated in the Senate 49-51. Without statehood, D.C. could have its vaccine laws, including its vaccine mandate for D.C. students, overturned by Congress. Norton has defeated all the attacks on D.C. vaccine mandates.\n\n\"Republicans, who profess to support local control of local affairs, are trying to use the federal government's undemocratic power over D.C. to dictate local D.C. policy,\" Norton said. \"D.C.'s duly elected local government adopted the vaccine mandates, and no Member of Congress has the right to interfere in these policy decisions. Until my D.C. statehood bill is enacted, Republicans will continue to interfere in D.C.'s laws and budget.\"\n\nThis is the 8th attack on D.C. vaccine mandates this Congress:\n\n49 House and Senate Republicans sent a letter demanding Congress defund the enforcement of both federal and District of Columbia COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the next fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill or they will vote against the bill.\n\nSenator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirements that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities and that students receive COVID-19 vaccination.\n\nRepresentative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirement that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities.\n\nSenator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a disapproval resolution that would block D.C.'s requirement that students receive COVID-19 vaccination.\n\nRepresentative Pat Fallon (R-TX) introduced a bill that would prohibit D.C. from requiring an individual to present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter any building, facility or other venue.\n\nRepresentative Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a disapproval resolution that would have blocked D.C.'s bill that permits minors to receive a vaccination without parental consent. Norton defeated this resolution, which has since expired, and D.C.'s bill is now law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-bill-to-provide-access-to-bathrooms-in-retail", "Norton to Introduce Bill to Provide Access to Bathrooms in Retail Establishments for Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will introduce a bill that would require retail establishments to provide individuals with medical conditions requiring immediate use of a bathroom, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, access to employee-only bathrooms when such establishments do not have public bathrooms. The individual would need to present documentation of the medical condition, and the bill will include provisions to protect the safety of employees.\n\n\"Individuals living with diseases such like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis need immediate access to a bathroom,\" Norton said. \"When public restrooms are not available, these individuals should be able to use employee-only bathrooms.\"\n\nEighteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-lee-johnson-demings-meng-announce-gao-agrees-to-report-on-federal", "Norton, Lee, Johnson, Demings, Meng Announce GAO Agrees to Report on Federal Advertising Contracts with Small Disadvantaged and Minority-Owned Businesses", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA), Representative Val Demings (D-FL), and Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to issue a report on federal advertising contracts and subcontracts with small, disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses. The members co-led a letter asking for the report in June. This report would update the data published in a report issued by the GAO in 2018.\n\n\"The federal government is the largest advertiser in the United States and simple fairness demands that media companies owned by people of color and serving communities of color should have the same federal advertising opportunities as other media companies,\" the members said. \"Today's announcement that the GAO has agreed to our request for a new report on federal advertising contracts is a victory for transparency in government and will help strengthen communities and minority-owned businesses across the country.\"\n\nResearch for the report is expected to begin in January, 2023.\n\nThe response from GAO follows, with one sentence containing personal contact information removed.\n\nGAO\n\nU.S. Government Accountability Office\n\n441 G St. N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20548\n\nAugust 2, 2022\n\nCongressional Requesters:\n\nThank you for your letter requesting that the Government Accountability Office provide an update to our 2018 report on federal advertising contracts and subcontracts with small disadvantaged businesses and minority-owned businesses.\n\nGAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority. At the current time, we anticipate that staff with the required skills will be available to initiate an engagement in about five months. Your request has been assigned to Ms. Michelle Sager, Managing Director, Strategic Issues. Closer to the time GAO can start this engagement, Ms. Sager or a member of her team will contact the staff points of contact to confirm that this request continues to be your priority for us. As applicable, we will also be in contact with the cognizant Inspector General's office to ensure that we are not duplicating efforts. If an issue arises during this coordination, we will consult with you regarding its resolution.\n\nSincerely yours,\n\nA. Nicole Clowers\n\nManaging Director\n\nCongressional Relations\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-recommendation-ana-reyes-advanced-by-senate-judiciary-committee", "Norton Recommendation Ana Reyes Advanced by Senate Judiciary Committee; Full Senate Confirmation Next", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee today approved Norton recommendation to President Biden Ana Reyes for the U.S. District Court for D.C. The next step will be a confirmation vote by the full Senate. If confirmed, Reyes will be the first Hispanic woman and first openly LGBTQ person to ever serve on that court. Norton's first two recommendations to Biden for the same court, Jia Cobb and Florence Pan, were confirmed by the Senate and are serving on the bench, and President Biden announced his intent to nominate Judge Todd Edelman to the same court at the end of July.\n\n\"Ana Reyes has the intelligence, temperament, and integrity to be an excellent federal judge,\" Norton said. \"She will also bring much-needed diversity to the federal bench. I look forward to her full Senate confirmation and service on the bench.\"\n\nReyes, a D.C. resident, is a partner at Williams & Connolly LLP, where she maintains a substantial pro bono practice. She is a graduate of Transylvania University, summa cum laude, Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, where she served on the Harvard Law Review, and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, with distinction, where she received a Master of International Public Policy. She clerked for Judge Amalya Kearse of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and was selected as the 2017 \"Woman Lawyer of the Year\" by the Women's Bar Association.\n\nBecause D.C. lacks senators to recommend candidates for some positions, Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, and the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Norton has established a nominating commission, comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from all eight wards in D.C., to screen applicants and to make recommendations to her for the senatorial courtesy positions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/biden-nominates-norton-recommendation-edelman-to-the-us-district-court", "Biden Nominates Norton Recommendation Edelman to the U.S. District Court for D.C.", "2022-07-29", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that President Biden today announced his intent to nominate Judge Todd Edelman, an Associate Judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Norton recommended Edelman to Biden. Norton's first two recommendations to Biden for the U.S. District Court for D.C., Jia Cobb and Florence Pan, were confirmed by the Senate, and her third recommendation, Ana Reyes, is pending before the Senate.\n\n\"Judge Edelman has the intelligence, temperament, and integrity to be an excellent federal judge,\" Norton said.\n\nPresidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, and the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Norton has established a nominating commission, comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from all eight wards in D.C., to screen applicants and to make recommendations to her for the senatorial courtesy positions.\n\nEdelman is a cum laude graduate of both Yale University and New York University School of Law, where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar. He clerked for Judge William B. Bryant of the U.S. District Court for D.C. and was a Fellow in the Criminal Justice Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center through the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellowship Program. Following his clerkship and fellowship, Edelman joined the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia. Edelman then became Of Counsel at Bredhoff & Kaiser, P.L.L.C., where he represented labor unions and pension funds in complex civil litigation. Since 2010, he has been an Associate Judge on the D.C. Superior Court.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-secures-historic-home-rule-victory-in-senate-s-dc-0", "Norton Secures Historic Home-Rule Victory in Senate\u2019s D.C. Appropriations Bill", "2022-07-29", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) secured a historic home-rule victory in the Senate Committee on Appropriations' fiscal year 2023 District of Columbia Appropriations bill, released today, which allows D.C. to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act (BAA). This is the first time the Senate's D.C. appropriations bill has recognized the BAA. The bill contains many other victories for D.C., including $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a program a Norton bill created; increased annual and lifetime DCTAG awards; and no anti-home-rule riders.\n\n\"I am very pleased with the Senate's fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill, which contains several victories for the District,\" Norton said. \"I am grateful to Committee Chair Patrick Leahy and Subcommittee Chair Chris Van Hollen for this strong bill and their strong support for D.C. home rule. In addition to respecting D.C.'s budget autonomy law and excluding any riders, I am particularly pleased the bill provides $40 million for DCTAG and increases the annual and lifetime DCTAG awards. DCTAG is critical for D.C. students and families, who do not have choices for the same array of public colleges and universities as students and families in most states, and for the D.C. tax base because DCTAG encourages taxpayers to move to and remain in the District.\n\nNorton secured the following victories:\n\nThe bill provides $40 million for DCTAG, an increase in the annual DCTAG award from $10,000 to $15,000, and an increase in the lifetime DCTAG award from $50,000 to $75,000. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill contains the same provisions.\n\nThe bill has no anti-home-rule riders. In particular, it removes the two enacted fiscal year 2022 riders, which prohibit the District from spending its local funds on abortion and on recreational marijuana commercialization. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill has no anti-home-rule riders.\n\nThe bill allows the District to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act, which means that the local budget adopted by D.C. can take effect after a congressional review period, like all other D.C. bills. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill allows D.C. to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act.\n\nThe bill exempts D.C. from federal government shutdowns in fiscal year 2024. Norton has gotten annual shutdown exemptions enacted every year since the 2013 federal government shutdown. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill exempts D.C. from shutdowns in fiscal year 2024.\n\nThe bill provides $8 million for DC Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides the same funding level.\n\nThe bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides $5 million.\n\nThe bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides the same funding level.\n\nNorton is disappointed the bill allows new students to enroll in the D.C. private school voucher program, instead of only permitting current students to remain in the program. Congress imposed the program on the District, which is the only federally funded or created voucher program, even though Congress has rejected a national voucher program. The program does not deserve federal funding because, among other things, it has failed to meet its own goal of improving academic achievement, as measured by math and reading test scores. However, Norton is pleased the bill requires schools participating in the program to comply with federal civil rights laws. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill contains similar provisions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-lee-johnson-announce-11-house-appropriations-bill-reports-direct", "Norton, Lee, Johnson Announce 11 House Appropriations Bill Reports Direct Federal Agencies to Detail Advertising Contracts with Minorities and Women", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) announced that 11 reports accompanying the House's fiscal year 2023 appropriations bills include their language directing federal agencies to report on advertising contracts with small disadvantaged businesses and businesses owned by minorities and women in their budget justifications. The members recently joined colleagues in sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office on the topic.\n\n\"As the largest advertiser in the United States, the federal government has an obligation to ensure fair access for minority and women-owned media companies,\" Norton said. \"Securing this language in 11 reports will help ensure that federal agencies are striving to reach minorities, who often get their news from outlets that serve more specific communities.\"\n\n\"As the nation's largest advertiser, the U.S. government has an obligation to ensure parity among recipients of advertising contracts,\" said Lee. \"Between 2013 and 2017, just 13% of these federal contracts went to small disadvantaged businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities. I am pleased to announce that 11 our of 12 FY23 House Appropriations Committee bills direct federal agencies to report on advertising contracts with minorities and women, creating greater accountability for the federal government as an employer and promoting equity in federal contracting.\"\n\n\"Study after study shows the federal government has historically failed to spend federal advertising dollars with Black-owned media and advertising firms, which has led to messaging not being effectively disseminated to the Black community,\" said Johnson. \"Life-and-death consequences arise when, for instance, Black communities are not effectively messaged about COVID-19 relief funding, the availability of the Paycheck Protection Program, the need for frequent testing, and the efficacy of vaccines. Moreover, Black-owned media and advertising agencies being excluded from federal contracting is a missed opportunity because of the relationships Black-owned media has with Black communities. It is important to me to make sure the vestiges of Jim Crow racism are ended, and every Black media company is treated equitably. I thank Congresswoman Norton and Congresswoman Barbara Lee for our combined efforts to have this language included.\"\n\nIn 2016, Norton led Members of Congress in requesting a GAO report on federal agencies' advertising contracts. The report, released in July 2018, showed that in fiscal year 2017, only 16 percent of the federal government's advertising contract obligations went to businesses owned by minorities and women.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-secures-historic-home-rule-victory-in-senate-s-dc-appropriations", "Norton Secures Historic Home-Rule Victory in Senate\u2019s D.C. Appropriations Bill", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) secured a historic home-rule victory in the Senate Committee on Appropriations' fiscal year 2023 District of Columbia Appropriations bill, released today, which allows D.C. to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act (BAA). This is the first time the Senate's D.C. appropriations bill has recognized the BAA. The bill contains many other victories for D.C., including $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a program a Norton bill created; increased annual and lifetime DCTAG awards; and no anti-home-rule riders.\n\n\"I am very pleased with the Senate's fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill, which contains several victories for the District,\" Norton said. \"I am grateful to Committee Chair Patrick Leahy and Subcommittee Chair Chris Van Hollen for this strong bill and their strong support for D.C. home rule. In addition to respecting D.C.'s budget autonomy law and excluding any riders, I am particularly pleased the bill provides $40 million for DCTAG and increases the annual and lifetime DCTAG awards. DCTAG is critical for D.C. students and families, who do not have choices for the same array of public colleges and universities as students and families in most states, and for the D.C. tax base because DCTAG encourages taxpayers to move to and remain in the District.\"\n\nNorton secured the following victories:\n\nThe bill provides $40 million for DCTAG, an increase in the annual DCTAG award from $10,000 to $15,000, and an increase in the lifetime DCTAG award from $50,000 to $75,000. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill contains the same provisions.\n\nThe bill has no anti-home-rule riders. In particular, it removes the two enacted fiscal year 2022 riders, which prohibit the District from spending its local funds on abortion and on recreational marijuana commercialization. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill has no anti-home-rule riders.\n\nThe bill allows the District to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act, which means that the local budget adopted by D.C. can take effect after a congressional review period, like all other D.C. bills. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill allows D.C. to spend its local funds under the Local Budget Autonomy Act.\n\nThe bill exempts D.C. from federal government shutdowns in fiscal year 2024. Norton has gotten annual shutdown exemptions enacted every year since the 2013 federal government shutdown. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill exempts D.C. from shutdowns in fiscal year 2024.\n\nThe bill provides $8 million for DC Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides the same funding level.\n\nThe bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides $5 million.\n\nThe bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill provides the same funding level.\n\nNorton is disappointed the bill allows new students to enroll in the D.C. private school voucher program, instead of only permitting current students to remain in the program. Congress imposed the program on the District, which is the only federally funded or created voucher program, even though Congress has rejected a national voucher program. The program does not deserve federal funding because, among other things, it has failed to meet its own goal of improving academic achievement, as measured by math and reading test scores. However, Norton is pleased the bill requires schools participating in the program to comply with federal civil rights laws. The House-passed fiscal year 2023 D.C. Appropriations bill contains similar provisions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 92, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "DC", "p1": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 92, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 92, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "DC", "label": "DC", "count": 92, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=DC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 92, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 77.005451079458, "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"}