url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-district-columbia-chief-financial-officer-salary-home-rule,Norton Introduces the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act,2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to allow D.C. to set the pay for its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The salary of the CFO is paid by D.C.’s own local funds. In the 117th Congress, the bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress established a maximum rate of pay of the CFO, and the D.C. Council has no authority to increase that rate. Congress does not cap, or otherwise establish, the pay of any other D.C. employee. Under this bill, the CFO would be paid at the greater of a rate equal to the current maximum rate of pay or a rate established in law by D.C. “Like every other municipality in the nation, D.C. should have the authority to set the pay for their local officials. They are paid by the people they serve through their tax dollars,” Norton said. “Giving the District the ability to raise the pay for its CFO will make the position more lucrative and incentivize high quality candidates to apply when a vacancy arises.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-allow-penalty-free-withdrawals-thrift-savings-plan,Norton Introduces Bill to Allow for Penalty-Free Withdrawals from Thrift Savings Plan Accounts in Certain Emergencies,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to expand the circumstances in which a recently separated federal employee can withdraw from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account without being penalized. The Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025 helps former federal employees pay their bills after leaving the federal workforce by allowing them to make penalty-free withdrawals from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account to make up the gap between the interim payments a retiree receives during the period the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is calculating the retiree’s final annuity and the estimated final annuity, which is usually 20% to 40% less than the finalized net payment. The bill also allows penalty-free withdrawals if the individual is involuntarily separated from the federal government. “During these troubling times for federal employees, this bill will help those who are separated from the federal government and in need of financial assistance,” Norton said. “This bill will allow former federal employees avoid financial hardship by allowing them to make penalty-free withdrawals from their TSP account while OPM is calculating their final annuity, or if they are involuntarily separated from federal service.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025 December 23, 2025 Today, I introduce the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025, which would expand the circumstances in which a federal employee recently separated from the federal government can take a penalty-free withdrawal from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account. This bill would help former federal employees pay their bills after separation. First, this bill would allow a penalty-free withdrawal to make up the gap between the interim payments a retiree receives during the period the Office of Personnel Management is calculating the retiree’s final annuity and the estimated final annuity. A retiree’s interim payment is generally only 60% to 80% of the finalized net payment. Second, this bill would allow a penalty-free withdrawal if an individual is involuntarily separated from the federal government. In both cases, the maximum withdrawal would be $100,000. Individuals would be able to make a withdrawal for up to a year after separation and to repay the withdrawn amount within three years to avoid the existing early withdrawal penalty, which is a 10% additional tax. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-committee-natural-resources-passage-make-district,Norton Statement on House Committee on Natural Resources Passage of the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after the House Committee on Natural Resources passed the anti-D.C. bill, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act (H.R. 5103), which would undermine D.C.’s autonomy by codifying parts of President Trump’s executive order of the same name into law, including creating a so-called “District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission.” The commission would, amongst other things, drastically increase the enforcement of Federal immigration law in the District and review D.C. laws and policies. “In a time where agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement are terrorizing communities across the nation with their extreme tactics, this bill would further enhance these tactics in D.C. by redirecting law enforcement resources on all levels to deport individuals and separate families,” Norton said. “This bill and the executive order that preceded it were born out of flawed data that states that D.C.’s crime rate is at an all-time high, when in reality, violent crime was down 35% in 2024 and overall violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low, according to statistics released by the Department of Justice. “One of the more insulting aspects of this paternalistic bill is that the proposed ‘District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission’ would not even be required to have D.C. officials on it. Let me be clear: Republican members of Congress, who are not accountable to D.C., have no business dictating the local laws of a city where 700,000 people live, work, and have chosen their own leaders through the democratic process. If Republicans truly cared about making D.C. safe and beautiful, then they would fully fund the National Park Service, which maintains over 90% of D.C.’s park land, and has lost a quarter of their staff.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-booker-reintroduce-legislation-safeguard-marijuana-rights-federally,"Norton, Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Safeguard Marijuana Rights in Federally Assisted Housing",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act today to permit the use of marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and Section 8 housing, in compliance with the marijuana laws of the state (including the District of Columbia) where the property is located. Under current federal law, users of drugs that are illegal, including marijuana, are prohibited from being admitted into federally assisted housing. Federal law also allows landlords to evict residents of federally assisted housing for illegal drug use. Adult-use marijuana, medical marijuana or both are currently legal in D.C., New Jersey and 39 other states, and over 90 percent of Americans support legalized medical marijuana. “Individuals living in federally funded housing should not fear eviction simply for treating their medical conditions or for seeking a substance legal in their state,” Congresswoman Norton said. “Increasingly, Americans are changing their views on marijuana, and it is time that Congress caught up with its own constituents. With so many states improving their laws, this issue should have broad bipartisan appeal because it protects states’ rights.” “Tenants should not be discriminated against, evicted, or denied federally assisted housing for legally using marijuana or treating a medical condition in states where it is permitted,” said Senator Booker. “The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act would end these discriminatory practices and ensure tenants are not punished for personal choices made in accordance with state law.” For the last several years, Congress has prohibited the Department of Justice from using federal funds to prevent jurisdictions from implementing their medical marijuana laws. This bill would similarly allow individuals to use marijuana in federally assisted housing in compliance with the state’s marijuana laws and would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop regulations that restrict smoking marijuana in federally assisted housing in the same manner and to the same locations as HUD restricts smoking tobacco in federally assisted housing. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-designate-dc-neighborhoods-need-investment-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Designate D.C. Neighborhoods in Need of Investment as Empowerment Zones,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reintroduced a bill that would add the District of Columbia to the national empowerment zone program to provide federal tax incentives for businesses to invest in low-income areas in the District. This bill would effectively restore many of the federal tax incentives for investment in low-income D.C. neighborhoods that a Norton bill created in 1997, but that Congress refused to extend in 2011. Norton's previous tax incentives bill produced significant investment in the District of Columbia. Norton said that since Congress continues to extend the national empowerment zone program, D.C. neighborhoods that need the incentives should be able to participate in it. In her introductory statement, Norton said “With the Trump administration’s mass firings of federal employees, budget cuts and proposed relocation of federal agencies, as well as the continued prevalence of remote and hybrid work, this bill is especially important.” Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of a Bill to Designate the District of Columbia as an Empowerment Zone December 9, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill that would designate certain areas of the District of Columbia as an empowerment zone. This bill effectively would reauthorize many of the unique federal tax incentives for business investment in D.C. that expired in 2011. With the Trump administration’s mass firings of federal employees, budget cuts and proposed relocation of federal agencies, as well as the continued prevalence of remote and hybrid work, this bill is especially important. In 1993, Congress created the national empowerment zone program to encourage investment in low-income communities and delegated to federal agencies the authority to designate communities as empowerment zones. D.C. was not so designated. However, in 1997, working primarily with Republicans in Congress, I created federal tax incentives for investment in D.C. by businesses and individuals. The business tax incentives were similar to, but more generous than, those available under the national empowerment zone program. I got the D.C. tax incentives continuously reauthorized until 2011, when Congress refused to extend these tax incentives. At the same time, Congress extended the national empowerment zone program, and the program was last extended through 2025. Under this bill, low-income neighborhoods in D.C. would be treated as an empowerment zone as long as the national empowerment zone program remains in effect. Congress has long recognized that the benefits of tax incentives for investment in low-income communities outweigh the costs, as it has continuously extended the national empowerment zone program. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-highlights-technology-reduce-aircraft-noise-transportation-subcommittee,Norton Highlights Technology to Reduce Aircraft Noise in Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Hearing on Advanced Air Mobility,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks and question line after speaking at today’s Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation hearing on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), a term that refers to electric aircraft or unmanned aircraft. Norton used the hearing as an opportunity to highlight how AAM produces less aviation noise than a conventional aircraft, particularly through the ability of some electric models to take-off and land virtually. Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Hearing on “America Builds: The State of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Industry” December 3, 2025 As a co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus and the member who represents the District of Columbia, which is plagued by airplane and helicopter noise, I support advanced air mobility technology that can reduce aviation noise. I am pleased we were able to get advanced aviation mobility provisions included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Advanced aviation mobility that allows for electric vertical takeoff and landing would be especially beneficial to airport-adjacent communities like DC, since takeoffs and landings are a source of aviation noise. Q: Mr. Clark, in your testimony, you mentioned the noise benefits of electric airplanes and helicopters. Could this technology be incorporated into the federal government helicopters that frequently fly over the District of Columbia? Q: What else can Congress do to facilitate the development of low noise advanced aviation mobility? ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-disappointed-after-oversight-committee-passage-paternalistic-anti-home,"Norton Disappointed After Oversight Committee Passage of ‘Paternalistic, Anti-Home Rule, and Antidemocratic’ Bill",2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after the House Oversight Committee marked up and passed an anti-home rule bill and pulled Norton’s bill to rename a post office in D.C. after Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go,” from the agenda less than an hour before the markup began. The bill introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) would prohibit D.C. from requiring courts and administrative proceedings to defer to the mayor's interpretation of statutes and regulations. Norton’s bill, which the Committee planned to mark up but pulled from consideration, would rename the post office at 3401 12th Street NE after musician and singer Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go.” The Committee chose not to mark up the bill at the last minute because Chuck Brown served time in prison. “I’m disappointed Rep. Hageman’s paternalistic, anti-home rule, and antidemocratic bill was marked up and passed by the Oversight Committee today. If enacted, the bill would radically change how local D.C. laws and regulations are interpreted,” Norton said. “The local D.C. courts have deferred to the D.C. executive branch’s reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes and regulations for decades without incident. The D.C. Council, which was elected by D.C. residents, took the extra step of codifying this deference. That’s the democratic process at work, and it should not be overturned by Republicans in Congress who represent far-away districts. ""The Committee unceremoniously removed my bill to rename a post office for Chuck Brown from today's agenda because he served time in prison. Chuck Brown was a Washingtonian for most of his life. He created Go-Go, the official music of D.C., and shaped the District's cultural identity,"" Norton said. ""Chuck Brown is a legend. D.C. loved him and he loved D.C. His impact on our history, our culture, and American music is undeniable, and it is unfortunate that some on the Committee would object to honoring him."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-statement-ahead-todays-markup-two-dc-bills,Norton Releases Statement Ahead of Today’s Markup of Two D.C. Bills,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her markup statement on a bill introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), as prepared for delivery, ahead of today’s House Oversight Committee markup of two D.C.-related bills. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Hageman, would prohibit D.C. from requiring courts and administrative proceedings to defer to the mayor's interpretation of statutes and regulations. The second is Norton’s bill to rename the post office at 3401 12th Street NE after musician and singer Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go.” “Rep. Hageman’s antidemocratic and paternalistic bill could radically change how local D.C. laws and regulations are interpreted,” Norton said. “For decades, the local D.C. courts have deferred to the D.C. executive branch’s reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes and regulations. The D.C. Council, which was elected by D.C. residents, took the extra step of codifying this deference, which should stand.” ""I am pleased, however, that the Committee is marking up my bill to rename the post office at 3401 12th Street NE after Chuck Brown. As the ‘Godfather of Go-Go,’ he gave D.C. a unique hometown sound that was distinctly our own and brought enjoyment to all who heard him here and throughout the nation. Chuck Brown loved the District, and naming post office after him is a way D.C. can honor him in return.” Norton’s markup statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Markup of H.R. 3766 December 2, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic and paternalistic bill. This bill would repeal the District of Columbia’s Review of Agency Action Clarification Amendment Act of 2025 and prohibit D.C. from enacting such a law in the future. This bill would further restrict D.C.’s authority to enact and carry out local laws and policies. D.C. local self-government is under unprecedented attack by Republicans in Congress and President Trump. This Congress, Republicans have introduced nearly 90 bills, amendments and riders to repeal, block or amend local D.C. laws and policies. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. If residents do not like how the members of the D.C. Council vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is democracy. If D.C. residents do not like how the members of Congress vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office. That is the antithesis of democracy. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a joint letter opposing this bill from the D.C. Mayor, the D.C. Council Chairman and the D.C. Attorney General, all of whom were elected by D.C. residents. The substance of this bill should be irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters, but I will discuss it. This bill could radically change how local D.C. laws and regulations are interpreted. For decades, the local D.C. courts have deferred to the D.C. executive branch’s reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutes and regulations. However, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision last year, which overruled Chevron, a question arose about whether the local D.C. courts would overrule their own longstanding deference precedent, which was similar to Chevron deference. In response, the D.C. Council enacted the Review of Agency Action Clarification Amendment Act, which codified that longstanding local precedent. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. The D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, grants D.C. residents full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. H.R. 51 reduces the size of the federal district from 68 square miles to two square miles, consisting of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the National Mall. The residential and commercial areas of D.C. would be a new state. I urge members to vote NO on H.R. 3766. Free D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-authority-over-dates-special-elections-local-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority Over Dates of Special Elections for Local Offices,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act, which would give the District complete authority to set the date of special elections for local offices, as other jurisdictions already have. The bill would remove a limitation on the District that is not only inconsistent with the self-government authority granted by the Home Rule Act, but is also counterproductive. This bill would strengthen the District's home-rule authority and does not require statehood. ""Originally, the Home Rule Act required the Board of Elections to hold special elections on the first Tuesday more than 114 days from when the vacancy occurred,"" Norton said. ""This inflexibility led to special elections being held on religious holidays and forced the District to hold a special election separate from an upcoming general election, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary extra costs. A 2012 law I got enacted requires the Board of Elections to hold a special election on a Tuesday occurring between 70 and 174 days after the vacancy. This bill would provide even greater flexibility for the District."" Pending passage and enactment of her D.C. statehood bill, Norton introduces legislation to reduce the federal government’s control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-secures-victories-senate-dc-appropriations-bill,Norton Secures Victories in Senate D.C. Appropriations Bill,2025-11-26,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced the victories she secured in the Senate’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 District of Columbia Appropriations bill, which was released yesterday. In addition to other victories for D.C., the bill would secure $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) and increase the DCTAG annual and lifetime awards. Notably, the bill does not contain 18 of the anti-home rule riders included in the House version of the bill. Norton secured the following victories: The 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. The bill has only the two existing legacy riders, prohibiting D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women and prohibiting D.C. from spending its own local funds to commercialize adult-use marijuana, whereas the House version of the bill contained 20 anti-home rule riders. The bill would provide $50 million for emergency planning and security costs related to the federal presence in D.C. The bill exempts D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2027. The bill provides $6 million for D.C. Water for ongoing work to control flooding in D.C. and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek Park. The bill provides $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. The bill provides $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. Norton expressed disappointment that the bill would continue to prohibit the District from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women and on recreational marijuana commercialization. “Although I am disappointed that the marijuana and abortion riders are included yet again in the D.C. appropriation bill, I am pleased that the 18 other riders that were included in the House version were not,” Norton said. “D.C. has a larger population than two states, and its residents are equally worthy of deciding their own local affairs. The 700,000 people who live in the nation’s capital are no less worthy of the benefits of democracy than any other American, and I will use every tool at my disposal to see that they receive as many of those benefits as possible.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-place-dc-seal-library-congress-alongside-state-seals-1,Norton Introduces Bill to Place D.C. Seal in Library of Congress Alongside State Seals,2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to install the official seal of the District of Columbia alongside seals of the states in the Library of Congress. Currently, the stained-glass windows in the historic building portray 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. The bill is part of Norton’s “Free and Equal D.C.” series of bills. “D.C. and its residents deserve equal representation in all aspects, including in the Library of Congress’ stained-glass windows that portray the history of the United States,” Norton said. “D.C. residents have always had all the obligations of American citizenship, including serving in the military during all our country’s wars since the American Revolution. D.C. residents served in the War of 1812, when the Capitol building, which then housed the Library of Congress, was burned. They should receive the same credit for fulfilling those costly obligations that residents of the states receive, including symbolic representation in the Library of Congress.” Congress often includes the District, or has corrected the omission of the District of Columbia, 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 D.C.’s current representation in ceremonies and symbols established to honor the states directly result from Norton’s efforts. In 2013, after a nearly 13-year legislative fight led by Norton, the District’s first statue, depicting Frederick Douglass, was unveiled in the Capitol. In February of 2022, D.C.’s second statue, depicting Pierre L’Enfant, 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.’s 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-ahead-speaking-house-floor-two-anti-dc-home-rule-0,Norton Releases Remarks Ahead of Speaking on House Floor on Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, ahead of speaking on the House floor during debate on two anti-D.C. home rule bills. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. ""Violent crime in D.C. was down 35% last year, reaching an over 30-year low. This year, violent crime in D.C. is down 28% compared to the same period last year. Yet Republicans are hysterical, behaving as if current crime levels justify extraordinary federal overreach. The facts don't support their case,” Norton said. ""Rep. Stefanik's bill would repeal D.C.'s longstanding pretrial release and detention law – a law that, inconveniently for her argument, is substantially similar to federal law. Mandatory pretrial detention without an adversary hearing amounts to taking away someone’s freedom based solely on a charge. Her bill isn’t just unconstitutional; it runs directly against one of the bedrock principles of our justice system: The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ""Rep. Clyde's bill would repeal D.C.'s police accountability and transparency law passed in the wake of George Floyd's death. Among other things, the law gave the police chief more authority to discipline officers for serious misconduct and crimes, strengthened civilian oversight of the police department, improved public access to body-worn camera video, and imposed limitations on the purchase of military weapons and the use of force. ""The D.C. Council was elected by D.C. residents. D.C. Council members are the appropriate elected officials to make D.C. laws, not Republican members of Congress representing the interests of far-away districts. ""More than 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves. Republicans need to keep their hands off D.C."" Congresswoman Norton’s statements follow: Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act (H.R. 5214) November 19, 2025 I strongly oppose this bill, which amends the District of Columbia’s pretrial release and detention law. Last year, violent crime in D.C. was down 35 percent, reaching an over 30-year low. This year, violent crime in D.C. is down 28 percent compared to the same period last year. I suspect most of my Republican colleagues do not know that D.C.’s longstanding pretrial release and detention law is substantially the same as the longstanding federal pretrial release and detention law, or that the same well-respected federal agency provides pretrial services for both the local and federal trial courts in D.C. This bill requires, in the case of certain crimes, pretrial detention based solely on a charge and financial conditions for pretrial release. However, mandatory pretrial detention based solely on a charge is unconstitutional and financial conditions for pretrial release criminalize poverty. Neither D.C. nor federal law requires pretrial detention or financial conditions for pretrial release, but both laws permit each. Under both D.C. and federal law, pretrial release and detention are based on a judge’s assessment of a defendant’s risk of not appearing in court and danger to the community. In contrast, 18 states, the majority of which are red states, have a constitutional right to bail, meaning, except in capital cases, a defendant cannot be detained pretrial based solely on flight risk or dangerousness. Pretrial detention is a severe restriction on the liberty of an individual who is presumed innocent. This bill requires detention for the period before trial based solely on a charge, with no adversary hearing. That is unconstitutional. The Due Process Clause of the Constitution requires an adversary hearing to detain a defendant for the period before trial. In 1987, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the federal pretrial release and detention law. In its ruling, the court stressed the law’s procedural protections for defendants. Chief Justice Rehnquist said: “In our society liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial or without trial is the carefully limited exception. We hold that the provisions for pretrial detention in the Bail Reform Act of 1984 fall within that carefully limited exception. The Act authorizes the detention prior to trial of arrestees charged with serious felonies who are found after an adversary hearing to pose a threat to the safety of individuals or to the community which no condition of release can dispel. The numerous procedural safeguards detailed above must attend this adversary hearing.” Studies show that whether a jurisdiction requires financial conditions for pretrial release has no effect on the crime rates of that jurisdiction. Instead, even small financial conditions for pretrial release often force poor defendants to remain in jail, which can cost them their jobs and housing and leads to more convictions and longer sentences. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. If residents do not like how the members of D.C.’s local legislature vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. If D.C. residents do not like how the members of Congress vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office. That is the antithesis of democracy. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from the D.C. Mayor, the entire D.C. Council and the D.C. Attorney General, all of whom were elected by D.C. residents. I urge members to vote NO on this undemocratic and paternalistic bill. It is long past time for Congress to pass the D.C. statehood bill. Free D.C. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act (H.R. 5107) November 19, 2025 I strongly oppose this bill, which repeals the police accountability and transparency law that the District of Columbia enacted in 2023. Last year, violent crime in D.C. was down 35 percent, reaching an over 30-year low. This year, violent crime in D.C. is down 28 percent compared to the same period last year. D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, among other things, gave the police chief more authority to discipline officers for serious misconduct and crimes; strengthened civilian oversight of the police department; improved public access to body-worn camera video; and imposed limitations on the purchase of military weapons and the use of force. D.C. police chiefs had requested more authority to discipline officers for at least 25 years before enactment of this law. This bill would take away this authority from the police chief. The difficulty D.C. has had recruiting and retaining police officers is not unique. It is a nationwide issue that predates the police accountability and transparency laws enacted across the country after the murder of George Floyd. In 2019, before the murder of George Floyd, the International Association of Chiefs of Police conducted a survey that found “the challenge of recruiting law enforcement is widespread and affects agencies of all types, sizes, and locations across the United States.” “The difficulty in recruiting law enforcement officers and employees is not due to one particular cause. Rather, multiple social, political, and economic forces are all simultaneously at play.” In 1973, Congress passed the D.C. Home Rule Act, which established a locally elected chief executive officer and legislature. The purpose of the Home Rule Act is to “grant to the inhabitants of the District of Columbia powers of local self-government” and “relieve Congress of the burden of legislating upon essentially local District matters.” Yet, the House today is denying D.C. residents local self-government and spending its time on local D.C. matters. I remind my Republican colleagues what Republican President Richard Nixon said when he signed the Home Rule Act: “One of the major goals of this Administration is to place responsibility for local functions under local control and to provide local governments with the authority and resources they need to serve their communities effectively. The measure I sign today represents a significant step in achieving this goal in the city of Washington. It will give the people of the District of Columbia the right to elect their own city officials and to govern themselves in local affairs. As the Nation approaches the 200th anniversary of its founding, it is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our Capital City rights and privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of their countrymen.” The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from the D.C. Mayor, the entire D.C. Council and the D.C. Attorney General, all of whom were elected by D.C. residents. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from leading constitutional scholars explaining why the D.C. statehood bill is constitutional. I urge my colleagues to vote NO on H.R. 5107, an undemocratic and paternalistic bill. Free D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-after-house-passage-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills,Norton Statement After House Passage of Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– After the House passed two anti-D.C. home rule bills tonight, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was disappointed but unsurprised. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. ""Tonight's votes are yet another example demonstrating that House Republicans, elected to represent far-away districts, are more interested in forcing their will on D.C. residents than in representing the interests of their own constituents,"" Norton said. ""Rep. Stefanik's bill forces mandatory detention without due process protections that the Constitution requires and Americans rightly expect, and Rep. Clyde's bill would overturn a carefully negotiated, locally supported police reform law. ""The bills passed by the House tonight don't make D.C. safer. They simply substitute the judgment of politicians from New York and Georgia for the judgment of the 700,000 people who actually live here. I will continue to fight these outrageous intrusions into D.C.'s right to self-government and working towards the only permanent solution: D.C. statehood."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-establish-grant-program-mitigate-harmful-effects-0,"Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Grant Program to Mitigate Harmful Effects of Train Noise, Vibrations and Derailments on Homes",2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, introduced a bill today to establish a grant program for the design and construction of barriers to mitigate rail activity that may harm homes and their occupants, including derailments, noise and vibrations. ""Constituents routinely contact me concerning the negative impact trains, including train noise and vibrations, have on their health, quality of life, and the structural integrity of their homes,"" Norton said. ""While trains are a critical mode of transportation, the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine demonstrated the need for increased safety measures to protect the residents who live near train tracks. Physical barriers, like the kind my bill would provide for, have proven effective in mitigating the harmful effects of both train noise, vibrations and derailments.” Norton has also introduced a bill to require the Department of Transportation to submit recommendations, including cost estimates, to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Protecting Homes from Trains Act of 2025 November 17, 2025 Today, I introduce the Protecting Homes from Trains Act of 2025, which would establish a grant program for the design and construction of barriers to mitigate rail activity that can harm homes and their occupants, including derailments, noise and vibrations. District of Columbia residents frequently tell me about the negative impact of train noise and vibrations on their lives. Train noise and vibrations can harm health and quality of life and can even harm the structural integrity of homes. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I have been working to reduce train noise and vibrations. I have convened community meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. I established the Congressional Quiet Rails Caucus. I introduced a bill directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes. I separately requested GAO conduct that study, which it has agreed to do. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-ahead-weeks-house-votes-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills,Norton Statement Ahead of This Week’s House Votes on Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement ahead of expected House votes on two anti-D.C. home rule bills this week. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. The Rules Committee will consider the legislation today at 3:00 p.m. and will live stream its hearing. ""D.C.'s local legislature, the D.C. Council, was elected by D.C. residents. Its members are accountable to D.C. and they are the appropriate elected officials to dictate D.C. laws, not Republican members of Congress representing the interests of far-away districts,"" Norton said. ""It is paternalistic and condescending for Republican members of Congress to substitute their own judgment for that of D.C.'s local legislature. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. They deserve full control of their own local affairs."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-dc-veterans-who-served-their-nation-1,Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied Full Voting Representation in Congress,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Ahead of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution honoring D.C.’s veterans and current service members and their families, all who served their country and continue to serve without voting representation in Congress or complete home rule. The resolution condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families and calls for statehood for the District. “D.C. residents have fought and died for their country in every American war, including the Revolutionary War, yet they’re still denied full voting representation in Congress and control over their own local affairs,” Norton said. “This resolution honors their sacrifices and calls for statehood so more than 700,000 Americans can finally have equality under the law with residents of the states.” Norton’s resolution follows. H. RES. __ Recognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________ RESOLUTION Recognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war. Whereas, on November 11, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served in the military; Whereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized; Whereas the service of the approximately 30,000 veterans who are District of Columbia residents is unparalleled because they served without voting representation in Congress and full local self-government; Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of “no taxation without representation”, and have served in every war fought by the United States since; Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that of 3 different States during that war; Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that of 4 different States during that war; Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that of 8 different States during that war; Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that of 10 different States during that war; Whereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I; Whereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied voting representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as full local self-government; Whereas the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51) would grant full and equal voting rights in Congress as well as unimpeded democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State; and Whereas, on June 26, 2020, and April 22, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, the only two times in history the D.C. statehood bill has been passed by either chamber of Congress: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-kaine-introduce-bill-give-dc-equal-number-service-academy-nominations-0,"Norton, Kaine Introduce Bill to Give D.C. Equal Number of Service Academy Nominations and Appointments as States",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced their bill to give the District of Columbia the same number of U.S. service academy nominations and appointments as states. Currently, each member of the House and Senate is allocated five appointments to each of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is allowed to nominate 15 people for each appointment. However, because D.C. has no senators, the District is deprived of 10 appointments to each of these service academies. “This bill would bring equality to the residents of the District who choose to serve their country by applying to a service academy,” said Norton. “It is remarkable that D.C. residents volunteer to serve a country that denies them statehood, congressional voting rights and full home rule. Yet, District residents have fought in every American war, and our residents, who pay all federal taxes, including paying more federal taxes per capita than the residents of any state, deserve to have the same access to our prestigious service academies as residents of the states.” “Every young person, regardless of their zip code, should have the opportunity to compete for a nomination to be considered for admittance to one of our nation’s service academies,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join Congresswoman Norton to introduce this bill that will ensure all residents of D.C. who hope to pursue military service through attending a military academy have the same access to do so.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-make-dc-eligible-coastal-zone-management-federal,Norton Introduces Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Coastal Zone Management Federal Funding,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill that would make D.C. eligible for federal funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters. ""D.C. urgently needs the protections of the CZMA — a federal law that provides planning and technical services to help states protect, restore and develop their coastal communities and resources. Scientists predict that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise 2-4 feet by the year 2100, causing as much as $7 billion in D.C. property to be threatened by floodwaters,"" Norton said. ""This includes private homes, businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases. ""Additionally, it appears that D.C.'s initial omission from the bill was a mistake. It's past time to correct this error."" The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116th Congress. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025 November 4, 2025 Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025. This bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to make the District of Columbia an eligible entity. The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116th Congress. This bill would make D.C. eligible for federal funding for coastal zone management and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters. D.C. urgently needs the protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that affect federal assets, residents and businesses in D.C., including the National Mall and federal buildings in the Federal Triangle area. The CZMA provides planning and technical services to assist states in protecting, restoring and developing coastal communities and resources. Once the federal government approves a state’s coastal management plan, the state becomes eligible for federal funding and federal agency actions must be consistent with the state plan. Even though D.C. is located on two rivers and has suffered substantial coastal floods, it was omitted from the list of eligible entities in the CZMA. It is notable that under the CZMA, the term ‘‘coastal state’’ includes the states and territories. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and therefore D.C. is usually treated as a state for federal programs. It appears D.C.’s omission was a mistake. This oversight likely occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972, which was before D.C. achieved home rule. Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise two to four feet by 2100, causing property worth as much as $7 billion in D.C. to be routinely under threat by floodwaters. This includes private homes and businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases. The Anacostia and Potomac rivers, which surround D.C., are tidally influenced. In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland’s zone ending at the D.C. line. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-dc-government-title-equality-act-highlight-dc-prepared,Norton Introduces D.C. Government Title Equality Act to Highlight that D.C. is Prepared to Transition from District to State,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to redesignate the D.C. Mayor as Governor, the D.C. Council as the Legislative Assembly, the D.C. Councilmembers as Representatives and the Chair of the D.C. Council as Speaker. These are the titles used in the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth constitution, which the District adopted in 2016 in anticipation of passage of a bill to make D.C. the 51st state. Norton introduced the bill to highlight that D.C. is prepared to make the transition from district to state. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and D.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a state, providing state-, county- and city-level services, despite being denied voting representation in the House and Senate and full local self-government. ""While members of Congress from distant states have always tried to interfere in D.C.'s local laws and regulations, this bill is particularly important at a time when attacks on D.C. home rule are more happening more frequently than at any time since the 1990s,” Norton said. ""Changing the titles of key governmental figures highlights the fact that D.C. already operates as the functional equivalent of a state, despite being denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government."" This bill would not change any legal authorities. In addition to introducing her bill to grant D.C. statehood, Norton has introduced bills to reduce the federal government's control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-return-statue-confederate-general-albert-pike-judiciary,Norton Statement on Return of Statue of Confederate General Albert Pike to Judiciary Square,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after learning that the National Park Service (NPS) returned the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike to its place near Judiciary Square over the weekend. It had been in storage for five years after being pulled down by protesters in 2020. ""Over the weekend, the Trump Administration followed through on its decision to restore and reinstall the Albert Pike statue to its place near Judiciary Square. The morally objectionable move is an affront to the mostly Black and Brown residents of the District of Columbia and offensive to members of the military who serve honorably,” Norton said. “Pike himself served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor. Pike represents the worst of the Confederacy and has no claim to be memorialized in the Nation’s capital.” Norton introduced a bill in August to permanently remove the statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity. Norton’s bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources in the 116th Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-requiring-federal-agencies-report-advertising-spent,Norton Introduces Bill Requiring Federal Agencies to Report on Advertising Spent with Small Disadvantaged Businesses and Those Owned by Women and Minorities,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to require federal agencies to include the amount they spent on advertising contracts with small disadvantaged businesses(SDBs) and businesses owned by women and minorities in the previous fiscal year, as well as projections of their spending for the upcoming fiscal year, in their annual budget justifications. ""As one of the largest advertisers in the United States, the federal government has an obligation to ensure fair access for minority and women-owned media companies,"" Norton said. ""My bill would ensure that federal agencies are striving to reach minorities and women, who often receive the news from smaller media outlets that serve more specific communities."" In 2016, Norton led Members of Congress in requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on their advertising contracts. The GAO report, released in July 2024, revealed that only 15% of federal advertising contract obligations went to SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act October 21, 2025 Today, I introduce the Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act, which would require all federal agencies to include in their annual budget requests to Congress the amount they spend on advertising contracts with small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) and businesses owned by minorities and women. Federal agencies would be required to provide prior and projected total expenditures for such contracts. At my request, the Committee on Appropriations has required many federal agencies to provide such information each of the last several years, but this bill would codify this requirement and apply it to all federal agencies. In 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined spending on advertising contracts with minority-owned businesses by five federal agencies—the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration—and found that only five percent of the $4.3 billion available for advertising contracts went to minority-owned businesses. In light of these concerning findings, I, along with several other Members of Congress, sent letters to GAO in 2016 and 2022 requesting updated information on the amount of federal advertising dollars spent with SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. In 2018 and 2024, GAO issued reports on the amount of federal advertising dollars spent with SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. The 2024 report revealed that only 15 percent of federal advertising contract obligations went to SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. The federal government is one of the largest advertisers in the United States, and it has an obligation to ensure equitable access to its contracts for SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women. GAO’s findings demonstrate that there is still much progress to be made. The regular collection of information on federal advertising contracts with SDBs and businesses owned by women and minorities is essential to bridging the gap between what current statistics show and a more inclusive advertising landscape. This bill would help achieve this goal while also promoting transparency and encouraging federal agencies to strive to reach minorities, who often receive the news from smaller media outlets that serve communities of color. The requirement that agencies submit prior and projected information on the amount of advertising dollars spent with SDBs and businesses owned by minorities and women would allow federal agencies to evaluate their progress. The regular collection of this information would also demonstrate that the promotion of equity in advertising and in all areas of government is a continuous effort and is important to the mission of every federal agency. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-legislation-repeal-government-accountability-offices-0,Norton Introduces Legislation to Repeal Government Accountability Office’s Authority Over D.C.,2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to repeal the authority of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the District of Columbia. GAO, a federal agency that conducts investigations and audits for Congress, has the same authority over D.C. that it has over federal agencies. GAO's authorizing statute defines D.C. as a federal agency. In addition, GAO's authorizing statute and the D.C. Home Rule Act require GAO to engage in specific types of oversight of D.C. ""D.C. is not a federal agency, and it should never be treated as such,"" Norton said. ""The District already has a locally appointed auditor and inspector general, so GAO's authority over D.C. is both redundant and offensive. GAO does not have general authority over states and cities, and it shouldn’t have authority over D.C."" Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Government Accountability Office District of Columbia Home Rule Act October 14, 2025 Today, I introduce the Government Accountability Office District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would repeal the authority of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the District of Columbia. GAO, a federal agency that conducts investigations and audits for Congress, has the same authority over D.C. that it has over federal agencies. GAO’s authorizing statute defines D.C. as a federal agency. In addition, GAO’s authorizing statute and the D.C. Home Rule Act require GAO to engage in specific types of oversight of D.C. D.C. is not a federal agency, and it should never be treated as such. D.C. already has a locally appointed auditor and inspector general, so GAO’s authority over D.C. is both redundant and offensive. GAO does not have general authority over states and cities, and therefore it should not have such authority over D.C. This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-reopen-and-exempt-national-capital-planning-commission,Norton Introduces Bill to Reopen and Exempt the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts from Federal Government Shutdowns,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over local D.C. land-use decisions, the agencies’ jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted. ""Many of D.C.’s local land use decisions are dictated by federal agencies when they should be under purely local control, but it adds insult to injury that these consequential decisions are delayed and interrupted during federal government shutdowns,” Norton said. ""Congress should pass my National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act and my Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act to give D.C. greater autonomy over its land use policies. In the meantime, these agencies should be exempt from federal government shutdowns to avoid unfairly penalizing local D.C. for Congress’ disfunction.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the introduction of a bill to provide for interim appropriations for the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts with respect to any fiscal year for which appropriations are not otherwise provided for the commissions October 8, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill that would exempt from federal government shutdowns the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). This bill is modeled on a provision I have gotten enacted each year since the 2013 federal government shutdown to exempt the District of Columbia government from federal government shutdowns. NCPC and CFA are both closed during the current federal government shutdown. Although NCPC and CFA are both federal agencies, they have a significant role in local D.C. land-use decisions. This bill would allow these agencies to reopen during the current shutdown and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions during federal government shutdowns. I have separately introduced bills to remove the authority NCPC and CFA have over local D.C. land-use decisions. Until Congress passes those bills, the agencies should be exempt from federal government shutdowns. Under federal law, NCPC has approval authority for the development of D.C.-owned buildings located in the “central area,” including the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of such buildings. D.C. is required to consult with NCPC on the development of D.C.-owned buildings outside the central area, but NCPC has only advisory authority in those areas. The central area is defined by the concurrent action of NCPC and the D.C. Council and currently consists of the Downtown and Shaw Urban Renewal Areas. Under presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, CFA has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as for certain private land in D.C. Under EOs, CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in D.C. “adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,” such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as “Old Georgetown” in the act. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduce-bill-reopen-and-exempt-national-capital-planning-commission,Norton to Introduce Bill to Reopen and Exempt the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts from Federal Government Shutdowns,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the federal government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), federal agencies which play a significant role in D.C. land-use decisions, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she plans to introduce a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over these decisions, their jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted. ""While it is unfair that many of D.C.’s local land use issues are dictated by federal agencies, it adds insult to injury that these strictly local decisions are delayed and interrupted during federal government shutdowns,” Norton said. ""Congress should also pass my National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act and my Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act to give D.C. greater autonomy over its land use policies."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-reintroduces-her-bill-give-dc-authority-grant-clemency-offenders-0,Norton Reintroduces Her Bill to Give D.C. Authority to Grant Clemency to Offenders Convicted Under Local D.C. Laws,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency, under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president’s consideration. The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act in the 117th Congress. “States and territories have full control over their criminal justice systems, including clemency. D.C. also should have full control over its criminal justice system,” Norton said. “Since the D.C. Council has authority to enact local D.C. laws, D.C. officials are in the best position to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-exempt-dc-courts-csosa-pds-federal-government-0,"Norton Introduces Bill to Exempt D.C. Courts, CSOSA, PDS from Federal Government Shutdowns",2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her bill to exempt from federal government shutdowns agencies that have jurisdiction only over District of Columbia matters but are exclusively or primarily funded by the federal government and not under the District's control. Norton emphasized that these agencies are essentially D.C. agencies that have nothing to do with federal issues or congressional shutdown matters. They provide critical criminal and civil justice services to the District and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown to protect the safety and well-being of D.C. residents. This bill includes agencies that are exclusively funded by the federal government and are not under the District's control: the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C., the D.C. Courts, the D.C. Public Defender Service, the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, and the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. The bill also includes the D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which is a D.C. agency but is primarily funded by the federal government. ""These are criminal and civil justice agencies whose focus is exclusively on District of Columbia matters but are funded by the federal government,"" Norton said. "" These agencies provide critical local services to D.C., including law enforcement, and should continue to function as usual during a federal government shutdown. Congress should pass this bill to prevent irreparable damage from being done to the District’s justice system as soon as possible, before the specter of yet another inevitable shutdown looms."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-mary-church-terrell-day-resolution-honoring-life-civil-0,"Norton Introduces ‘Mary Church Terrell Day’ Resolution, Honoring the Life of Civil Rights and Women's Rights Activist",2025-09-23,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 23, 2025, 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. Terrell'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. ""Mary Church Terrell is well known for the battles she fought in the District of Columbia to demand a more equal America, particularly for Black women,"" Norton said. ""Her education empowered her to speak against the flaws of segregation and voter suppression. Our history books are filled with the accomplishment of men, but not enough of women who, like Mary Church Terrell, worked to change the world."" The text of the resolution follows. RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2025, as “Mary Church Terrell Day”, and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements. Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2025, as “Mary Church Terrell Day”, and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements. Whereas Mary Church Terrell was born on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee, to former enslaved persons; Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s father, Robert Reed Church, was a successful businessman and one of the South’s first African-American millionaires; Whereas Mary Church Terrell attended the Antioch College laboratory school and Oberlin College; Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to attend college; Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s belief in the importance of education led her to the District of Columbia in 1887; Whereas Mary Church Terrell taught at M Street Colored High School, now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School; Whereas Mary Church Terrell was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a school board; Whereas Mary Church Terrell believed that the end to racial discrimination could be achieved through education, work, and community activism; Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s activism was sparked by the lynching of an old friend, Thomas Moss, in 1892; Whereas Mary Church Terrell used her position to fight racial and gender discrimination; Whereas Mary Church Terrell participated in antilynching campaigns alongside Ida B. Wells-Barnett; Whereas Mary Church Terrell led the fight to desegregate eating places in the District of Columbia; Whereas District of Columbia laws of 1872 and 1873 required all restaurants “to serve any respectable, well-behaved person regardless of color”; Whereas Mary Church Terrell was age 86 at the time she launched the campaign to enforce these civil rights laws; Whereas Mary Church Terrell and several colleagues entered Thompson Restaurant in the District of Columbia on February 28, 1950; Whereas the group was refused service on the basis of their race; Whereas John R. Thompson Co., Inc., was prosecuted for violating these laws; Whereas Mary Church Terrell continued her fight through boycotts, picketing, and sit-ins at restaurants around the District of Columbia; Whereas, on June 8, 1953, three years after the information charging the restaurant was filed, the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co., Inc., held these laws were enforceable; Whereas Mary Church Terrell also actively fought for women’s suffrage; Whereas Mary Church Terrell was president of the National Association of Colored Women; Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the founders and charter members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Whereas Mary Church Terrell persuaded the National Association of University Women to admit Black members; Whereas the Mary Church Terrell House is a National Historic Landmark located at 326 T Street, NW, in the District of Columbia, and is open to the public; and Whereas September 23 would be an appropriate day to designate as Mary Church Terrell Day: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— supports the designation of “Mary Church Terrell Day”; and (2) calls on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designate-september-national-campus-sexual-1,Norton Introduces Resolution to Designate September as ‘National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month’,2025-09-23,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — As students return to campus for the fall semester, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution to designate September as “National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” “In recent years, sexual assaults on college campuses have been increasing. Designating September, a month when most students return to campus, as ‘National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month’ would provide a timely opportunity for colleges and universities to give specific attention to eliminating campus sexual assault. Nowhere in our society is sexual assault as prevalent as it is on college campuses, and nowhere should such conduct be least expected.” Norton has introduced this resolution 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 and the #MeToo movement, and especially the increase of sexual assaults in campus settings, Norton said her determination to continue to speak out has only grown, and that we must change behavior at the earliest stages of the lives of young men and women. The resolution follows. RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Whereas freshmen and sophomores in college are at a greater risk of being sexually assaulted than juniors or seniors; Whereas college students are at a higher risk of sexual assault during the first few months of school, with more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occurring in either August, September, October, or November; Whereas many college students are survivors of ‘‘incapacitated assault’’, in which they are sexually assaulted while drugged, drunk, passed out, or otherwise incapacitated; Whereas these survivors often know their attackers; Whereas less than 12 percent of rapes and attempted rapes of college students are reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement; Whereas college sexual assault survivors are likely to tell someone they know, most often a friend, about their experience; Whereas 20 percent of college sexual assault survivors fear reprisal by the perpetrator; Whereas many college sexual assault survivors fear poor treatment by campus or law enforcement authorities, or even lack knowledge of the reporting process; Whereas 10 percent of colleges still do not allow confidential reporting of sexual assaults to campus authorities; Whereas 22 percent of colleges provide no sexual assault response training for members of their faculty and staff; Whereas 41 percent of colleges have not conducted a single sexual assault investigation in the last 5 years; Whereas most colleges fail to provide access to a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; Whereas law enforcement officials at 30 percent of colleges receive no training on how to respond to reports of sexual violence; Whereas more than 70 percent of colleges do not have protocols regarding how the institution and local law enforcement should work together to respond to sexual violence; Whereas 33 percent of colleges fail to provide training to dispel ‘‘rape myths’’ to persons adjudicating sexual assault claims; Whereas 43 percent of the Nation’s largest colleges have students assisting in adjudicating sexual assault cases, which creates privacy and conflict-of-interest concerns; Whereas 22 percent of colleges allow athletic department oversight of sexual violence cases involving student athletes; Whereas many college sexual assault survivors experience confusion over how to report a sexual assault, are unsure of acceptable standards of sexual conduct and definitions of rape and sexual assault, and fear punishment for activities preceding some sexual assaults, such as underage drinking; Whereas 21 percent of the Nation’s largest private colleges report not independently investigating all claims of sexual assault that they conveyed to the Department of Education; Whereas only 10 to 25 percent of the perpetrators of college sexual assaults are permanently expelled; Whereas less than 7 percent of reported college rape cases result in criminal charges against the perpetrator; Whereas survivors of campus sexual assaults are more likely to have their lives disrupted, such as by changing a college major, changing campus housing, and dropping a class, than the average student; Whereas 7 States require colleges to adopt affirmative consent policies; and Whereas September 2025, when many students begin or return to college, is an appropriate month to designate as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it 1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 2 the designation of National Campus Sexual Assault 3 Awareness Month. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-september-peace-month-inspired-dc-1,"Norton Introduces Resolution Designating September as ‘Peace Month,’ Inspired by D.C. Second Graders",2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, ahead of International Day of Peace on September 21, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 2025 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. Seven years ago, 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 introduced an annual resolution supporting the designation of September as Peace Month since then. “It brings joy to my heart to reintroduce this resolution ahead of the International Day of Peace, a day that urges nations around the world to lay down their arms and focus on peacemaking and diplomacy,” Norton said. “Some of the best ideas for bills come directly from constituents, which is why I am grateful to the second graders who wrote to me in 2018, stressing the importance of a more peaceful America and world. Congress should take note that even our youngest constituents are watching, adding to our responsibility to encourage action to help achieve peace around the world.” Norton's resolution follows. RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “Peace Month” and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace. Whereas the United Nations designated September 21 “International Day of Peace”, otherwise known as Peace Day; Whereas 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”; Whereas all United Nations member states, organizations, regional and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and recognize global peace efforts on Peace Day; Whereas Peace Day represents shared hopes of an end to conflict in all forms; Whereas the United Nations calls for a 24-hour global cease fire on Peace Day; Whereas this year’s Peace Day theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World”; Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone development in contemporary human history promoting peace and well-being worldwide; Whereas global peace promotion efforts improve the lives of Americans and all peoples; Whereas the United States has a long history of promoting peace and human rights at home and abroad; and Whereas September would be an appropriate month to designate as Peace Month: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of “Peace Month”; and (2) calls on Congress to promote peace, both at home and abroad. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-use-oversight-dc-hearing-make-case-statehood-700000-dc-residents-0,"Norton to Use Oversight D.C. Hearing to Make the Case for Statehood for 700,000+ D.C. Residents",2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, in advance of today’s House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb will testify. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and can be viewed on the Oversight Committee’s website. “This hearing shouldn’t be happening. More than 700,000 D.C. residents should never have been denied the full rights and protections that residents of the states enjoy, including the ability to enact their own local laws and policies without interference from members of Congress who are not accountable to the District,” Norton said. “However, since Republicans are determined to use the committee’s valuable time to question and disparage D.C.’s democratically enacted policy choices, I’ll use today’s hearing as a platform to highlight this injustice and make the case for ending the centuries-long denial of statehood for the residents of the District."" Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing on “Oversight of the District of Columbia” September 18, 2025 District of Columbia residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from leading constitutional scholars explaining why the D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, is constitutional. The Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress authority to admit new states. All 37 new states were admitted by Congress. The District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress authority to reduce the size of the federal district, which Congress did by 30% in 1846. H.R. 51 reduces the size of the federal district from 68 square miles to 2 square miles, consisting of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the National Mall and remaining under the control of Congress. The new state consists of the residential and commercial areas of D.C. The Admissions Clause does not establish any prerequisites for the admission of new states, but Congress generally has considered three factors: support for statehood, commitment to democracy, and resources and population. 86% of D.C. residents voted for statehood in twenty sixteen. D.C. residents have demanded democratic rights for more than 220 years. D.C. has a larger gross domestic product than 16 states and a higher per capita gross domestic product than any state. D.C. has a higher per capita personal income than any state. D.C. has a larger population than 2 states. Republicans do not like that D.C. votes for Democrats, so they deny it statehood. Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson and Attorney General Schwalb, my question for each of you is: Why should D.C. be a state? ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-passage-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills-norton-says-house-republican-cycle,"After Passage of Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills, Norton Says House Republican Cycle of “Disingenuous Partisanship” Towards D.C. Must End",2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the House passed two anti-D.C. home rule bills to change D.C.’s criminal laws today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the cycle of disingenuous partisanship, in which Republicans in Congress claim to be concerned about D.C. while decreasing D.C.’s ability to make its own decisions, must end. The first bill, the D.C. CRIMES Act, was introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and would amend D.C.’s Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act, changing the age at which a court is allowed discretion to impose alternative sentences on a person, other than for certain offenses, and to seal the individual’s records, from 24 to 18. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), would lower the age minors can be tried as adults in D.C. to 14 years old. “Today’s vote is yet another shameful assault on the democratic rights of more than 700,000 taxpaying D.C. residents. House Republicans, none of whom represent D.C. or are accountable to its people, are once again engaging in disingenuous partisanship to impose their preferred policies on D.C. This cycle is counterproductive, and it must end,” Norton said. “This cycle of interference is not about good governance, since D.C. officials, not Republicans in Congress, are best positioned to decide what policies are beneficial for the District. It is about denying D.C. residents the basic right of self-government that every American deserves and treating the nation’s capital as Republicans’ own fiefdom, democracy be damned. Until D.C. achieves full autonomy and statehood, I will not stop fighting these undemocratic attacks.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-passage-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills-norton-vows-fight-advancement-senate,"After Passage of Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills, Norton Vows to Fight Advancement in the Senate",2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the House passed the second set of two anti-D.C. home rule bills it voted on this week to change D.C. laws today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) vowed to fight their advancement in the Senate. The first bill, the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act, was introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and would eliminate the Judicial Nomination Commission, a panel of seven D.C. residents who screen, select and recommend candidates to be judges in local D.C. courts. The president must make a nomination from a list of candidates recommended by the Commission. Every other U.S. state and territory appoints its own judges with no role for the federal government. The second bill, the D.C. Policing Protection Act, was introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) and would significantly weaken D.C.’s limitations on vehicular pursuits by police officers. “These outrageous anti-D.C. home rule bills are being introduced and passed by members of Congress who do not represent D.C., who are not accountable to D.C. residents, and have no mandate to substitute their own policy judgments for laws that were democratically enacted by the District,” Norton said. “Rep. Sessions’ alarming bill would eliminate the already small role D.C. is allowed to play in the selection of its own local judges and hand that power entirely to President Trump. Most crimes in D.C. are already prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney, who is nominated by the president. This bill would mean President Trump, who has extensive experience as a criminal defendant, would take an even larger portion of D.C.’s justice system from the people of D.C. It’s an offensive and unacceptable proposition. “Rep. Higgins’ bill would impose his personal views about vehicular pursuits, presumably formed during his time as a law enforcement officer in Lafayette, Louisiana, on D.C. Vehicular pursuits by police officers are inherently dangerous for officers, suspects, and bystanders, and alternatives often exist to capture a suspect. D.C. law allows vehicular pursuits in some circumstances, unlike 2% of local police departments which prohibit them altogether. Rep. Higgins thinks he knows better than D.C. how to strike the proper balance in D.C., but the nation’s capital is a very different place than Lafayette. “Regardless of the substantive problems with these specific bills, D.C. residents are capable of governing themselves on all local matters without assistance from House Republicans. I will fight advancement of these bills in the Senate. D.C. residents need home rule, and we deserve statehood.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-announces-continuing-resolution-includes-longstanding-provision-allow,Norton Announces Continuing Resolution Includes Longstanding Provision to Allow D.C. to Spend its Own Local Funds at Locally Enacted Levels,2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after the text of the House Republican's proposed continuing resolution (CR) included language allowing D.C. to spend under its current (fiscal year 2026) local budget for the duration of the CR. The text of the CR was released yesterday. “While I will not weigh in on the merits of the proposed CR itself, I am pleased it includes the longstanding provision allowing D.C. to spend its own local funds at current fiscal year 2026 levels,” Norton said. “This is a significant improvement over the previous CR, which, in a radical departure from decades of congressional practice, blocked D.C. from using $1 billion of its locally approved budget and forced the District to revert to 2024 spending levels midway through the year. ""This harmful cut underscored, yet again, why D.C. needs statehood.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-ahead-house-debate-bills-eliminate-dcs-role-selecting,Norton Releases Remarks Ahead of House Debate on Bills to Eliminate D.C.’s Role in Selecting D.C. Judges and Weaken Limitations on Vehicular Pursuits,2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, in advance of speaking on the House floor later today against the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), which would eliminate the already limited role D.C. has in the selection of its local judges, and the D.C. Policing Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), which would significantly weaken D.C.’s limitations on vehicular pursuits by police officers. Debate on the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act, followed immediately by debate on the D.C. Policing Protection Act, will begin at 12:15 p.m. today. Votes on both bills are expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. The general public can watch the proceedings on C-SPAN or live.house.gov. Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025 September 17, 2025 I strongly oppose this bill, which eliminates the District of Columbia’s already small role in the selection of its local judges. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the entire D.C. Council, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and the D.C. Bar. I also ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter on this bill from the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a chamber in which D.C. has no representation, appoints judges to the local D.C. courts. The president must make a nomination from a list of candidates recommended by the Judicial Nomination Commission. The establishment of the Judicial Nomination Commission provided D.C. with three, albeit limited, roles in the nomination of its local judges. First, members of the commission must be D.C. residents. Second, D.C. appoints three of the seven members of the commission. Third, the commission holds a public comment period on applicants for a vacancy on the local D.C. courts, allowing D.C. residents to express their views on applicants. Republicans claim the Judicial Nomination Commission is unconstitutional because it limits the president’s authority to make nominations. They are wrong. The commission has been in existence for 50 years. Congress, not the president, has plenary authority over D.C. Congress also has plenary authority over the territories, and Congress has given them authority to select their local judges without any role whatsoever for the president or Congress. I refer my Republican colleagues to the Supreme Court’s decision in 2020 regarding appointments to the Puerto Rico financial control board, which Congress established pursuant to its plenary authority over Puerto Rico. The court held the Appointments Clause of the Constitution does not “restrict the appointment of local officers that Congress vests with primarily local duties” pursuant to the Territorial or District Clauses of the Constitution. Local D.C. judges are local officers that Congress vests with primarily local duties pursuant to the District Clause. The longstanding judicial vacancy crisis on the local D.C. courts is not due to any failure of the Judicial Nomination Commission. The commission always meets its 60-day statutory deadline to submit a list of names for a vacancy to the president. The crisis exists because the president and, to a larger extent, the Senate, regardless of the party in power, do not prioritize local D.C. judges. For example, there has been a vacancy on D.C.’s highest local court since 2013. Congress should give authority to the over 700,000 D.C. residents to select their local judges in any manner they choose. D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. Since Republicans do not trust D.C. residents with self-government, they should at least address the longstanding vacancy crisis in the local D.C. courts, which is harming public safety and access to justice. A simple solution is to make an appointment to the local D.C. courts effective 30 days after the president makes a nomination, unless Congress enacts a disapproval resolution during that period. That is essentially the same process used for congressional review of legislation enacted by D.C. I urge my colleagues to vote NO on the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act and to grant D.C. statehood instead. Free D.C. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton The District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025 September 17, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic and paternalistic bill, which amends D.C. law. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the entire D.C. Council and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. D.C.’s local legislature, the Council, has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is the antithesis of democracy. The substance of this bill is irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. Nevertheless, I will discuss it. Vehicular pursuits by police officers are inherently dangerous, not just for officers and suspects, but for bystanders, too, and often there are other options to detain a suspect. D.C. permits vehicular pursuits, but it imposes limitations on them. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, vehicular pursuit policies must “balance the risks, take all of the factors into consideration, and reach a decision that is best suited to their jurisdictions.” Unlike D.C., two percent of local police departments prohibit vehicular pursuits altogether. The sponsor of this bill, who is from Louisiana, thinks he knows better than D.C. how to strike the proper balance in D.C. I will read for my Republican colleagues part of the signing statement your fellow Republican, President Richard Nixon, issued on the D.C. Home Rule Act: One of the major goals of this Administration is to place responsibility for local functions under local control and to provide local governments with the authority and resources they need to serve their communities effectively. The measure I sign today represents a significant step in achieving this goal in the city of Washington. It will give the people of the District of Columbia the right to elect their own city officials and to govern themselves in local affairs. As the Nation approaches the 200th anniversary of its founding, it is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our Capital City rights and privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of their countrymen. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter explaining why the D.C. statehood bill is constitutional from leading constitutional scholars, including Larry Tribe. The D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, grants D.C. residents full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. H.R. 51 reduces the size of the federal district from 68 square miles to two square miles, consisting of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the National Mall and remaining under the control of Congress. The new state consists of the residential and commercial areas of D.C. The new state has a larger population than two states, pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and pays more total federal taxes than 21 states. I urge members to vote NO on the D.C. Policing Protection Act, keep their hands off D.C. and free D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-ahead-speaking-house-floor-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills,Norton Releases Remarks Ahead of Speaking on House Floor on Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills,2025-09-16,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, in advance of speaking on the House floor this afternoon against the D.C. CRIMES Act, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), and a bill introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) to lower the age minors can be tried as adults in D.C. to 14 years old. Debate will begin at 2:15 p.m. ahead of votes at 4:30 p.m., and the general public can view the proceedings on C-SPAN or live.house.gov. ""Republicans claim D.C.’s Youth Rehabilitation Act treats adults as juveniles. They are wrong. They either do not understand the Act or are misleading the public about it intentionally,"" Norton said. ""But even after clearing up their confusion, I would note that D.C. is not the only jurisdiction with a so-called 'young adult offender' law. Florida, where Rep. Donalds' district lies, also has one. Regardless, Republican members of Congress have no business substituting their own judgment for that of D.C.'s local legislature."" ""Rep. Gill's bill would lower the minimum age to charge a minor as an adult to 14 years old. The obvious cruelty of this proposal should alarm parents everywhere. Even if it were not cruel, the bill would be counterproductive. Evidence shows that minors charged as adults are more likely to reoffend and commit violence after release than minors charged as juveniles. ""Regardless of their bills’ substantive deficiencies, it is paternalistic and condescending for Republican members of Congress to substitute their own judgment for that of D.C.'s local legislature. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. They deserve full control of their own local affairs. They deserve statehood.” Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton D.C. CRIMES Act of 2025 September 16, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic and paternalistic bill, which amends D.C. law. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the entire D.C. Council and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The local D.C. legislature, the Council, has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is the antithesis of democracy. The substance of this bill should be irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. Nevertheless, I will discuss it. Republicans claim D.C.’s Youth Rehabilitation Act treats adults as juveniles. They are wrong. They either do not understand the Act or are misleading the public about it intentionally. The Act’s sentencing and set aside provisions apply only in adult court, not juvenile court. Let me repeat: The provisions apply in adult court, not juvenile court. A judge may, but is not required to, sentence a person under the Act, and certain crimes are ineligible under the Act. D.C. is not the only jurisdiction with a so-called young adult offender law. Alabama, Florida, Michigan, New York, South Carolina and Vermont have such laws. The sponsor of this bill is from one of those states. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter explaining why the D.C. statehood bill is constitutional from leading constitutional scholars, including Larry Tribe. The D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, grants D.C. residents full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. H.R. 51 reduces the size of the federal district from 68 square miles to two square miles, consisting of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the National Mall and remaining under the control of Congress. The new state consists of the residential and commercial areas of D.C. The new state has a larger population than two states, pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and pays more total federal taxes than 21 states. I urge members to vote NO on the D.C. CRIMES Act, keep their hands off D.C. and free D.C. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Bill to Reduce Minimum Age to Charge Minor as Adult September 16, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic and paternalistic bill, which amends D.C. law. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters opposing this bill from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the entire D.C. Council and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. While Congress has authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, it does not have a duty to do so. It is a choice. In Federalist 43, James Madison said of D.C. residents: “a municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.” Since 1802, Congress has established various types of local government for D.C. In 1953, the Supreme Court held “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.” The local D.C. legislature, the Council, has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is the antithesis of democracy. The substance of this bill is irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. Nevertheless, I will discuss it. I strongly oppose charging 14-year-olds as adults. However, whether to amend D.C. law to reduce or increase the minimum age a minor can be charged as an adult should be a decision for D.C. alone. In a series of cases since 2005, the Supreme Court has recognized that children are “constitutionally different from adults for purposes of sentencing.” In these cases, the court noted that childhood is marked by “rashness, proclivity for risk, and inability to assess consequences.” The court said its decisions “rested not only on common sense—on what ‘any parent knows’—but on science and social science as well.” This bill is not only cruel, but counterproductive, too. Most incarcerated people return home. The evidence shows that a minor charged as an adult is more likely to reoffend and be violent after release than a minor charged as a juvenile. D.C. residents have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on juries and registering with the Selective Service, yet Congress denies them full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. The only solution to this undemocratic treatment is to grant D.C. statehood. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter explaining why the D.C. statehood bill is constitutional from leading constitutional scholars, including Larry Tribe. The D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, grants D.C. residents full local self-government and voting representation in Congress. H.R. 51 reduces the size of the federal district from 68 square miles to two square miles, consisting of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the National Mall and remaining under the control of Congress. The new state consists of the residential and commercial areas of D.C. The new state has a larger population than two states, pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and pays more total federal taxes than 21 states. I urge members to vote NO on H.R. 5140, keep their hands off D.C. and free D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-speak-house-floor-against-dc-bills-announces-timing-debate-and-votes,"Norton To Speak on House Floor Against D.C. Bills, Announces Timing of Debate and Votes",2025-09-15,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced she will speak during debate on the House floor against all four anti-D.C. home rule bills the House is expected to vote on this week. The general public can view the debates and votes on C-SPAN or live.house.gov. The House will debate and vote on the D.C. CRIMES Act, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), which would amend D.C.’s Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act, changing the age at which a court is allowed discretion to impose alternative sentences on a person, other than for certain offenses, and to seal the individual’s records, from 24 to 18, and a bill introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) to lower the age minors can be tried as adults in D.C. to 14 years old tomorrow, Tuesday September 16. Debate will begin at 2:15 p.m. Votes on both bills are expected to begin at 4:30 p.m. Debate on the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), which would eliminate the already limited role D.C. has in the selection of its local judges, and the D.C. Policing Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), which would significantly weaken D.C.’s limitations on vehicular pursuits by police officers, will begin at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17. Votes on both bills are expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. ""These anti-D.C. home rule bills were introduced by members of Congress from Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. These members do not represent D.C., are not accountable to its residents, and do not understand how the District operates. They have no business writing our laws,” Norton said. ""The more than 700,000 people who call D.C. home are fully capable of governing themselves, just as residents of Florida, Texas, and Louisiana do. I will continue to defend that right—tomorrow, Wednesday, and always."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T15:07:37Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-markup-her-bill-allow-electronic-transmission-dc-legislation,Norton Statement on Markup of Her Bill to Allow Electronic Transmission of D.C. Legislation to Congress and 13 Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills,2025-09-11,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement on committee passage of her bill to allow the chair of the D.C. Council to transmit legislation to Congress in the form of the chair’s choosing, including in electronic form, and 13 bills introduced by Republican members of Congress targeting D.C. laws and policies. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform marked up the bills yesterday. ""There shouldn't be a congressional review process for local D.C. legislation, period. However, since there is one, we must bring the process into the electronic age,"" Norton said. ""I'm pleased the Committee marked up and passed my bill to allow the chair of the D.C. Council to send D.C. legislation electronically, which would allow both D.C. and Congress to avoid the costs imposed by the current multi-step process to physically bring the legislation to Congress."" The Committee also marked up and passed 13 bills introduced by Republican members of Congress to make it more difficult for D.C. actions to become law, or to repeal or change local D.C. laws and policies. “D.C. is enduring an unparalleled wave of attacks on its autonomy and home rule from the federal government, most starkly shown when the president federalized MPD and sent thousands of National Guard troops into our streets. Yesterday’s markup is yet another assault in that barrage,” Norton said. “Republicans, emboldened by President Trump’s unacceptable and unjustified actions, are exploiting their majority to pile on by marking up over a dozen anti-home rule bills. “Let me be clear: Republican members of Congress, who are not accountable to D.C., have no business dictating the local laws of a city where 700,000 people live, work, and have chosen their own leaders through the democratic process. The people of D.C. are as deserving, as capable, and as prepared to govern themselves as any other Americans. I will fight with every tool I have to stop these attacks in their tracks – and to keep D.C. on its path toward full equality and statehood.” A list of those bills and a description of each follows, and more information can be found in the Committee’s markup memo. H.R. 5183, District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), would change the congressional review process for bills enacted by D.C. and subject more official actions of D.C. to the congressional review process. H.R. 5103, Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act, introduced by Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), would implement the March 28th executive order from President Trump titled “Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful.” H.R. 5214, District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would amend D.C. law to require detention pretrial and post-conviction before sentencing for a crime of violence or a dangerous crime. H.R. 5172, District of Columbia Criminal Mandatory Minimums Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), would change the mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines in D.C. Code. H.R. 5163, A bill to impose criminal penalties for camping on public property in the District of Columbia, introduced by Rep. William Timmons (R-SC), would make it a crime to live or sleep in public spaces in the District, punishable by a fine of $500, imprisonment for more than 30 days, or both. H.R. 4922, D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (D.C. CRIMES) Act, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), would make several changes to D.C.’s criminal code relating to youth, and require D.C. to publicly disclose youth crime data. H.R.5140, District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), would lower the age of eligibility for juveniles to be tried as adults in D.C. from 16 years to 14 years of age for certain criminal offenses including murder, first degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, and robbery while armed. H.R. 5181, SOAR Act Improvements Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), would change D.C.’s SOAR Act formula on funding to public, private and charter schools in the District. H.R. 5107, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. H.R. 5143, District of Columbia Policing Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), would allow vehicular pursuit of a suspect fleeing in a motor vehicle, if the officer or supervisor deems it necessary, the most effective means of apprehension, and without unreasonable risk to innocents and bystanders. H.R. 5125, District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), would eliminate the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission (JNC) and give the President the sole power to make nominations for the D.C. Courts. H.R. 5179, District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), would grant the President with the power to appoint the Attorney General for D.C., instead of being elected by D.C. voters. H.R. 5242, introduced by Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), would repeal D.C.'s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016 and the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-markup-norton-releases-remarks-her-bill-permit-electronic-transmission,"Ahead of Markup, Norton Releases Remarks on Her Bill to Permit Electronic Transmission of D.C. Legislation to Congress",2025-09-10,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks in advance of today’s House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform markup of her bill to allow the chair of the D.C. Council to transmit legislation to Congress in the form of the chair’s choosing, including electronic form. This bill seeks to modernize the method D.C. legislation is transmitted to Congress for the congressional review period. “While I do not believe there should be a congressional review process for bills enacted by D.C., we can at least bring the congressional review process into the electronic age,” Norton said. “Electronic records are recognized as valid under federal and state law, and the federal government and state and local governments conduct official business electronically. Congress also conducts official business electronically. Physical transmittal of D.C. legislation is a complex, tedious process which imposes unnecessary costs on both Congress and the D.C. Council, which ran into difficulties complying during the pandemic and when increased security measures were implemented in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Thank you to Chairman Comer for cosponsoring and marking up this bill.” Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act I thank Chairman Comer for cosponsoring and marking up this bill. This bill would bring the congressional review process for legislation adopted by D.C. into the electronic age. I want to be very clear: While I do not believe there should be a congressional review process for bills enacted by D.C., my bill does not change the review process, other than the way D.C. bills are transmitted to Congress. The D.C. Home Rule Act requires the Chair of the D.C. Council to transmit bills to Congress for a review period before the legislation takes effect. The legislation takes effect after the review period, unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period. The Home Rule Act is silent on the form of transmittal, but Congress has always required bills to be physically transmitted. Electronic records are recognized as valid under federal and state law, and the federal government and state and local governments conduct official business electronically. For example, under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, which was enacted into law more than twenty years ago, with respect to any interstate transaction in which the parties consent, quote, “a signature, contract, or other record relating to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.” Federal agencies transmit regulations and other documents to the Federal Register electronically. Congress is also capable of conducting official business electronically. In fact, the House already does so. For example, the House permits Members, including acting through their staff, to introduce legislation and submit statements into the Congressional Record electronically. The requirement that D.C. physically transmit legislation imposes costs on the Council. The Council engages in a twelve-step process to physically transmit legislation, including printing two copies of each bill and committee report, arranging a time for delivery of these documents to the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate, and having two staffers drive to the Capitol to deliver the documents—two are required because of parking restrictions. The physical transmittal process also imposes costs on Congress. The following congressional offices and committees are involved in the physical transmittal process: the offices of the Speaker and the President of the Senate, the House and Senate Parliamentarians, the House Clerk, the Senate Secretary, this committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The difficulty the Council had physically transmitting its bills during the pandemic and after January sixth reinforces the need for electronic transmittal. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-speak-all-14-dc-focused-bills-oversight-committee-markup-wednesday,Norton to Speak on All 14 D.C.-Focused Bills in Oversight Committee Markup Wednesday,2025-09-08,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she will speak on all 14 bills that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (COGR) will mark up on Wednesday. Every bill at the markup will focus on D.C. Thirteen of the bills would repeal or alter local D.C. laws, while the 14th piece of legislation is Norton’s bill to allow D.C. to comply with the Home Rule Act's requirement that local legislation be transmitted to Congress by sending it electronically. Currently the legislation must be printed and physically brought to Congress. D.C. has had difficulties physically transmitting the legislation in recent years, both during the coronavirus pandemic when the Capitol was closed to visitors and while security restrictions were in place after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. “Despite the progress I’m making on the bill being marked up that I introduced, I fully understand that the last month has brought great difficulties to the District, and this markup does not help,” Norton said. “The president took advantage of D.C.’s unique status by federalizing our police force for the first time in history, flooded our streets with National Guard troops who are largely from far-away states and wholly unaccountable to D.C. residents, and surged federal law enforcement officers to conduct masked arrests in our neighborhoods. None of these actions are acceptable, warranted or deserved. “The Oversight Committee is now set to mark up 13 bills to repeal or alter D.C. laws on Wednesday. Republicans in Congress may have the ability to impose their will on D.C., but I will not make it easy for them. I’ll speak in Wednesday’s markup about every single D.C. bill the Committee marks up. These bills are yet further evidence of why we need D.C. statehood. “I am pleased to have gotten the Oversight Committee to agree to mark up my bill to allow D.C. to transmit legislation to Congress electronically for the congressional review period. The current requirement that D.C. physically transmit its legislation imposes unacceptable costs on both the Council and Congress. The D.C. Council engages in a burdensome 12-step process to physically transmit legislation, including printing two copies of each bill and committee report, arranging a time for delivery of these documents to the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate and having two staffers drive to the Capitol to deliver the documents—two are necessary because of parking restrictions. There should not be a review period, but so long as D.C. must continue to transmit bills, it is at least time to bring this onerous process up to date.” The Committee will stream the hearing live. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-introduce-bills-grant-dc-full-control-over-dc-national-guard,"Norton, Van Hollen Introduce Bills to Grant D.C. Full Control Over D.C. National Guard and Police",2025-09-05,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced their bills to grant the District of Columbia full control over the D.C. National Guard and the Metropolitan Police Department, as the Trump Administration has asserted federal control over the D.C. police department and kept its National Guard deployed in the District’s streets for weeks. The formal introduction of these bills comes after the lawmakers announced in August their intention to do so in response to President Trump’s unprecedented federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard. The urgency of these measures has only grown as the Administration has reportedly extended the D.C. National Guard’s deployment through November 30 and Congressional Republicans plan more attacks on the District of Columbia’s self-governance. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is expected to mark up several such bills, which would alter or repeal local D.C. laws, next week. Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) is co-lead in the House of the National Guard bill. “D.C. residents are Americans, fully capable of governing themselves, including having full control of their police force and National Guard like residents of the states,” Norton said. “President Trump's unprecedented federalization of the D.C. Police and his activation of the D.C. National Guard without D.C.'s consent underscore the necessity of D.C. statehood. Until we get the full protections that statehood would provide, our bills repealing the president's authority to federalize the local D.C. police department and to give D.C.'s mayor control over the D.C. National Guard, like governors of states have over their National Guards, would place D.C. closer to having control over some of its most vital affairs and equality with the states, as we deserve. Senator Van Hollen, thank you for being D.C.'s determined partner in the Senate and a vigorous advocate for D.C. home rule.” “In a raw power grab, Donald Trump has overtaken D.C.’s police and brought in the National Guard to satisfy his desire to play dictator in our nation’s capital. As he looks to extend his authoritarian control over D.C., it is urgent that we act now to ensure the District’s leaders have the same authority over its National Guard and police force as other states and territories – while we continue to fight for D.C. statehood. If Trump and Republicans actually cared about the people of D.C. and their safety, they’d get out of the way of D.C.’s leaders and residents and allow them to manage the District and their own funds. Trump and Republicans’ continued withholding of over $1 billion of those funds is unacceptable,” said Senator Van Hollen. The Senator introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to unlock the over $1 billion of D.C.’s own funds that Republicans unnecessarily froze through their funding bill in March. Their bill passed the Senate unanimously, but House Republicans have still not brought it up for a vote – preventing D.C. from investing further in strengthening policing and other vital public services. The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act would repeal the provision in the Home Rule Act that gives the President the authority to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. The Home Rule Act provides that, “whenever the President of the United States determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes, he may direct the mayor to provide him, and the mayor shall provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the President may deem necessary and appropriate.” The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act would name the mayor of Washington, D.C. as Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard, giving the mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards. Under current law, the president is commander-in-chief of the D.C. National Guard. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-calls-anti-home-rule-riders-committee-passed-dc-appropriations-bill,Norton Calls Anti-Home Rule Riders on Committee-Passed D.C. Appropriations Bill “Irresponsible” and “Condescending”,2025-09-04,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The full House Committee on Appropriations marked up and passed the fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Financial Services and General Government (FSSG) Appropriations bill, which Norton said includes an outrageous and irresponsible number of anti-home rule riders. Republicans try to attach the riders to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as federal officials who do not represent D.C. residents. Significantly, the bill would halve funding for DCTAG, a program established by a 1999 Norton bill. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 at public institutions of higher education in the U.S. “Now, when there are more frequent Republican attacks on D.C. home rule than any time since the 1990s, it is unsurprising that the D.C. appropriations bill reported out of the Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee contains numerous and extensive riders that would condescendingly overrule the expressed will of D.C. residents, who the Republicans on the committee hypocritically regard as less worthy of having a voice in their own local affairs than their own constituents,” Norton said. “I am particularly appalled by the irresponsible 50% cut in funding for DCTAG, a program created in 1999 by a bill I authored that simply helps pay for students who are D.C. residents to attend college. Republicans in Congress have recently focused on crimes in D.C. committed by young people, yet denying opportunities for educational advancement to D.C. students only contributes to the problem. “To my fellow lawmakers across the aisle: I commit to reminding you at every opportunity that D.C. residents are equally worthy of deciding their own local affairs as your own constituents. The 700,000 people who live in the nation’s capital are no less worthy of the benefits of democracy than any other American, and I will use every tool at my disposal to see that they receive as many of those benefits as possible.” As reported out of committee, the bill would: Provide $20 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a 50% decrease from the current funding level. Permit anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA. Prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women. Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014. Repeal D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act and prohibit enacting any similar act. Require D.C. to submit a report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds to enforce its vehicle emission standards. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law. Prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to enact or carry out any law which prohibits motorists from making right turns on red. Repeal the provision of D.C.’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law, or Anti-SLAPP law, that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government. Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections or on activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections. Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Repeal parts of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018 that allows courts to use sentencing alternatives for a person who was sentenced as an adult but was under the age of 24 at the time the person committed a crime, changing that age back to 22. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID–19 mask or vaccine mandate. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds to commercialize recreational marijuana. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds to implement the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, which relates to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds to implement or enforce provisions of the Consumer Protection Act against oil and gas companies for environmental claims. Changes D.C.’s SOAR Act formula on funding to public, private and charter schools in the District. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds for D.C. to enter into sister activities between D.C. and any city within China. Prohibit the use of D.C. funds to carry out parts of its Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act, D.C.’s shield law. Despite Republican control of the House, Norton secured several key victories for D.C., including the first increase in the annual and lifetime award caps for DCTAG recipients since the program was created in 1999. ""The bill that passed out of the Appropriations Committee maintains several wins I secured for D.C., including increasing the DCTAG yearly cap from $10,000 to $15,000 and lifetime award cap from $50,000 to $75,000, a change I have requested for many years. Even in the face of funding for the overall program being cut by half, these increases are a positive for DCTAG recipients. I will continue to work to secure full funding for DCTAG.” The bill also maintains the provision to exempt the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2026, a provision Norton has gotten enacted every year since FY 2015. It also approves D.C. to spend under its FY 26 local budget. Norton secured the following victories in the bill: Increasing the yearly cap on DCTAG to $15,000 from $10,000 and increasing the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. Requiring ratably reducing the amount of tuition and fee payment of each eligible DCTAG student who receives more than $10,000 for the award year if there are insufficient funds. Exempting D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2026. Providing $5.7 million for D.C. Water Clean Rivers Project. Providing $70 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. The fund pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital, and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact. Providing $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. Providing $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-files-amendment-fixing-emergency-management-americans-act-requiring,Norton Files Amendment to the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act Requiring FEMA to Submit a Plan to Supply Emergency Drinking Water for D.C.,2025-09-03,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed an amendment to the FEMA Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669), which is being marked up today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. Norton’s amendment would direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit a plan to Congress to supply emergency drinking water to the National Capital Region (NCR) in the event the Potomac River becomes unusable as a source of drinking water. “The Potomac River is the only source of drinking water for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which supplies the drinking water for D.C., says it has only one day of backup water supply to use in the event of an emergency,” Norton said. “This is an existential threat to not only the District, but to some of our friends and neighbors in Northern Virginia. Most major metropolitan areas have a second source of drinking water, ours does not. It is imperative that FEMA develops a strategic plan to provide drinking water to the NCR should our single source be compromised.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T15:07:37Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-no-troops-our-streets-press-conference,Norton Releases Remarks from “No Troops on Our Streets” Press Conference,2025-09-03,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s “No Troops on Our Streets” press conference on President Trump’s federal surge in D.C., unlawful attempted federalization of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and his authoritarian ambitions for other American cities. Norton’s remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton “No Troops on Our Streets” Press Conference September 3, 2025 Three weeks ago, despite historically low crime and for purposes opposed by eight out of ten D.C. residents, President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in D.C. as a pretext for federalizing D.C.’s locally funded police department. He deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops, put guns in their hands, and sent masked ICE officers to forcibly take community members from our streets. President Trump has used D.C. residents as props in a political play to showcase his own power. While the president claims that federal control of D.C. is necessary to combat crime, his own actions severely jeopardize public safety in the District. Earlier this year, the president and Republicans in Congress intentionally limited D.C.’s ability to spend its own local funds, forcing D.C. to cut roughly one billion dollars halfway through its fiscal year from its own budget, which could have further funded D.C. police, fire and emergency response services, and other public safety efforts. He pardoned nearly 1,600 individuals who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, including hundreds convicted of assaulting police officers. He fired and demoted dozens of D.C.'s most experienced career prosecutors, contributing to a larger backlog of criminal cases in court and denying victims of crime timely access to justice. No emergency exists in D.C. that the president did not create himself. As D.C.’s sole member of Congress, I have led the federal legislative response to President Trump’s unlawful, unwarranted, and unprecedented actions. I introduced a termination resolution to end the federalization of MPD with Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, a longstanding ally of the District who is here with us today. I introduced a bill to require National Guard troops deployed in D.C. to address crime to wear body cameras, which would provide much-needed transparency and accountability. Yesterday I introduced two bills to give D.C. full control over its own National Guard and police, and last week I wrote the Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau demanding answers about the scope, legal parameters, mission and cost of the National Guard deployment. More than 700,000 people count ourselves as D.C. residents. We are Americans, worthy and capable of the same autonomy granted to residents of the states. Our local police force should not be subject to federalization, an action that wouldn't be possible for any other police department in the country. The only permanent remedy that would give D.C. the same rights and protections enjoyed by other American jurisdictions is making my D.C. statehood bill law. To be content with less than statehood is to concede the equality of citizenship that is the birthright of D.C. residents as American citizens. Although D.C.’s lack of statehood makes it more vulnerable to the president’s abuses of power, he has frequently made it known that his authoritarian ambitions do not end with D.C. Thank you to Congresswoman Ramirez for inviting me to speak today. Your constituents in Chicago are also Americans who are worthy of governing their own local affairs, and I’m proud to be here with you today defending Chicago’s right to the same protections I’ve argued D.C. deserves for decades. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T15:07:37Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/media-advisory-norton-speak-no-troops-our-streets-press-conference,MEDIA ADVISORY: Norton to Speak at “No Troops in Our Streets” Press Conference,2025-09-02,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Wednesday, September 3 at 9:30 a.m., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will speak at a press conference opposing President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to the streets of American cities. WHEN: Wednesday, September 3 at 9:30 a.m. WHO: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (D-IL) Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD) Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD) Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (NY) Where: House Triangle, U.S. Capitol East Front *Closest Metro: Capitol South* *Closest Bikeshare: 3rd & Pennsylvania Avenue SE* Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to Jowen.OrtizCintron@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T15:07:37Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-files-pro-dc-amendments-national-defense-authorization-act,Norton Files Pro-D.C. Amendments to National Defense Authorization Act,2025-08-28,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed several D.C.-related amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) at the Rules Committee, including amendments to: Give the Mayor of the District of Columbia the same authority over the D.C. National Guard that the governors of states and territories have over their National Guards. Repeal the president’s authority to federalize D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Require the armed forces, including the National Guard, deployed in D.C. to follow the same body camera requirements that MPD does. Require the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard to reside in D.C. Give the District of Columbia the same number of appointments and nominations to the U.S. service academies as states. Prohibit the Department of Defense (DoD) from recouping pay from federal civilian or District of Columbia employees who took encampment leave when mobilized by the D.C. National Guard. “During these current unprecedented, unwarranted, and unlawful attacks on D.C. home rule, the importance of these amendments can’t be overstated,” Norton said. “These amendments would increase equality for D.C. in relation to the states and would be important steps to increasing home rule for D.C. "" Norton also filed amendments to allow members of the Foreign Service to use Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) when an agency is undergoing a reduction in force or other restructuring. While most other federal employees are eligible for VERA if their agencies are undergoing a RIF or other restructuring, the members of the Foreign Service are not. She also filed an amendment to require the United States to dismantle its nuclear weapons and redirect resources that are being used for nuclear weapons programs to be used for addressing the climate crisis and human and infrastructure needs, such as housing, health care and restoring the environment. “I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to file federal employees and to dismantle the federal government, and I will continue to fight those efforts using every tool at my disposal,” Norton said. “However, it is important to mitigate the harm where we can, which my Foreign Service VERA amendment would do. “As the only nation that has used nuclear weapons in war, and that still possesses one of the largest nuclear weapons arsenals, my nuclear weapons amendment would help the United States reestablish its moral leadership in the world by redirecting resources from nuclear weapons to solving human needs and addressing the climate crisis.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-thanks-dc-vote-other-organizations-their-opposition-trumps-actions-dc,"Norton Thanks DC Vote, Other Organizations For Their Opposition to Trump’s Actions in D.C., Call for D.C. Statehood",2025-08-28,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a statement thanking DC Vote for their outspoken support for the District of Columbia during President Donald Trump’s attempted federal takeover of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). ""I want to thank these organizations, including DC Vote, for their efforts to preserve D.C. home rule and further the goal of D.C. statehood,” Norton said. “Their recent letter opposing President Trump’s efforts to federalize MPD, which included 76 local and national organizations as signatories, proves that there is national widespread support for D.C. statehood and D.C. home rule.” The full letter and list of signatories follows: Oppose Takeover of D.C. Responsibilities, Support Statehood Instead August 21, 2025 Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of DC Vote and the 76 other undersigned local and national organizations, we write to express our strong opposition to President Trump’s takeover of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, his deployment of the National Guard in D.C., and his request for more power over the lives of Americans living in our nation’s capital. President Trump’s actions are unwarranted. Under the Home Rule Act, the President may nationalize the D.C. Metropolitan Police when an emergency exists that requires such action “for federal purposes.” No such emergency exists. Violent crime is down by 26 percent in D.C. compared to last year. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. The high-profile crimes cited by the President, while unacceptable, served as a pretext to launch a takeover of D.C. We urge you to reject his and other people’s efforts to continue federal control over D.C.’s local police and/or to change the Home Rule Act. Taking any of those steps would be a violation of the American principle of self-government and send a single to your constituents that their local government may be next. Instead, we urge you to cosponsor and pass the D.C. Admissions Act, S.51 and H.R. 51. The President’s actions make clear once again that Americans in D.C. are second class citizens in their own country. We must right this historic wrong by providing Washingtonians with full voting representation in both chambers of Congress. We look forward to working with you to fulfill the promise of American democracy by making D.C. the 51st state. Sincerely, DC Vote A. Philip Randolph Institute ACLU-D.C. Action Together NEPA Advancement Project American Federation of Teachers American Humanist Association Anacostia Coordinating Council Asbury United Methodist Church Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Black Voters Matter Fund Brand Yourself Ministries LLC Campaign Legal Center for Common Ground Choose Democracy Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Clean Elections Texas Clearinghouse on Women's Issues Common Defense D.C. Chapter of National Organization for Women DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice DC Democratic State Committee DC Jobs with Justice Declaration for American Democracy DemCast USA Democracy Defenders Action Equal Ground Action Fund Faith in Action National Network Feminist Majority FREE DC Free Speech For People Friends Committee on National Legislation Generation Vote GOODProjects Howard University Indivisible Indivisible Santa Fe League of Conservation Voters League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia League of Women Voters of the United States Long Live GoGo Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO National Action Network National Association of Social Workers National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund National Organization for Women National Women's Law Center Action Fund Neighbors United for DC Statehood NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Peace Action People For the American Way People Power United Public Citizen Reframe Health and Justice Rev. Dr. Dollie Howell Pankey Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ Scott United Methodist Church Secure Elections Network Stand Up America Task Force for Democracy The Hustlers Guild The Voter Participation Center The Workers Circle Transformative Justice Coalition Voto Latino Ward 3 Democratic Committee Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Womxn From The Mountain ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-armed-forces-including-national-guard-deployed,"Norton Introduces Bill to Require Armed Forces, Including National Guard, Deployed in D.C. to Participate in Body Camera Program",2025-08-26,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require members of the armed forces, including the National Guard, deployed in D.C. in response to an order of the president to address crime or civil disturbances to participate in a body camera program similar to the one in use by D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). MPD stores videos for defined periods of time based on the type of activity captured and provides access to the video for the public and the press. “The Trump administration has deployed more than 2,000 troops to D.C. who are wholly unaccountable to D.C. residents. Even the D.C. National Guard troops are under the president’s control and do not report to the D.C. government,” Norton said. “This unwarranted deployment politicizes the military and does a disservice to members of the National Guard, who are being taken from their own families and jobs, and to D.C. residents, who neither requested nor consented to it. Body cameras would promote transparency and protect both the National Guard troops and D.C. residents from allegations of inappropriate or unlawful behavior.” Statement of CongresswomanEleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Require Members of the Armed Forces Performing Active Service in the District of Columbia in Response to an Order of the President Which Relates to Crime or Civil Disturbance in the District of Columbia to Participate in a Program Substantially Similar to the Body-Worn Camera Program of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia August 26, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill that would require members of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, deployed in the District of Columbia in response to an order of the President relating to crime or civil disturbance in D.C. to participate in a program substantially similar to the body-worn camera program of D.C.’s police department, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This bill would apply to the current deployment of troops and any future deployment. The use of body cameras by troops during deployments related to crime or civil disturbance in D.C. would promote transparency in the troops’ interactions with the public and protect the public and the troops. MPD has a well-established program for the use of body cameras, as well as for the preservation and disclosure of body camera footage. The Trump administration has deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops in D.C. This deployment is a raw assertion of power over the more than 700,000 disenfranchised D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown; a politicization of the military; a disservice to the members of the National Guard and their families; unwarranted; and possibly unlawful with respect to both the D.C. National Guard and the state National Guards. I have urged the administration to remove these troops immediately. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-information-scope-legal-parameters-mission-and-cost-national,"Norton Requests Information on Scope, Legal Parameters, Mission and Cost of National Guard Deployment in D.C.",2025-08-25,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today wrote Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Steven Nordhaus opposing the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C., questioning its underlying legal basis, and requesting details about the scope, mission, legal parameters and cost of the deployment. Norton requested answers in writing by this Friday, August 29th. “D.C. did not request or consent to the mass deployment of National Guard troops, who were recently authorized to carry weapons in the District despite D.C.’s crime rate being at a 30-year low,” Norton said. “A tenet of our democracy is that the military does not engage in civilian law enforcement, and it is not trained to do so in any case, which puts servicemembers and the public at risk. I urge you to end this gross abuse of power and withdraw the troops immediately.” Norton’s letter follows. August 25, 2025 The Honorable Pete Hegseth General Steven S. Nordhaus Secretary Chief Department of Defense National Guard Bureau 1300 Defense Pentagon 111 S. George Mason Dr. Washington, DC 20301 Arlington, VA 22204 Dear Secretary Hegseth and General Nordhaus: I strongly oppose the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in the District of Columbia, which did not request or consent to this deployment. This deployment is a raw assertion of power over the more than 700,000 disenfranchised D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown; a politicization of the military; a disservice to the members of the National Guard and their families; unwarranted; and possibly unlawful with respect to both the D.C. National Guard and the state National Guards. I request written answers to the following questions regarding this deployment no later than August 29, 2025. (1) Do the troops have authority to enforce the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia? If so, which statute authorizes them to do so? (2) Have the troops been deputized by a law enforcement agency? If so, which agency has deputized them? (3) Do the troops have authority to stop, detain or arrest people? If so, which statute authorizes them to do so? (4) What is the use of force policy for the troops? (5) What training have the troops received? (6) What is the mission of the troops? (7) Are the troops subject to the laws of the District of Columbia? (8) As of the date of your response, how much has this deployment cost? A tenet of our democracy is that the military does not engage in civilian law enforcement, and it is not trained to do so in any case, which puts servicemembers and the public at risk. I urge you to end this gross abuse of power and withdraw the troops immediately. Cc: Brig. General Leland D. Blanchard II, Acting Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designating-august-22nd-chuck-brown-day-0,Norton Introduces Resolution Designating August 22nd as ‘Chuck Brown Day’,2025-08-22,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Chuck Brown's birthday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution designating August 22, as ""Chuck Brown Day"" in the District of Columbia and across the nation in honor of his contributions as the ""Godfather of Go-Go."" ""Chuck Brown is ubiquitous with D.C., and helped make Go-Go music what it is today,"" Norton said. ""Like Louis Armstrong with New Orleans and Chuck Berry with St. Louis, Chuck Brown is an artist who helped define his city by making Go-go music the heartbeat of D.C. I will always look back fondly at the free concert he performed 15 years ago in front of the Capitol for statehood and voting rights for D.C. residents. His contributions to D.C. and the nation should be celebrated with a day in his honor."" The full text of the resolution follows. H. RES.___ Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2025, as ‘‘Chuck Brown Day’’, and honoring Chuck Brown’s contributions to music and to the District of Columbia. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on____ RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2025, as ‘‘Chuck Brown Day’’, and honoring Chuck Brown’s contributions to music and to the District of Columbia. Whereas 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; Whereas 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; Whereas Chuck Brown, who taught himself to play guitar, became a virtuoso singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader; Whereas 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; Whereas Chuck Brown’s musical catalog spans 22 studio al- bums over 3 decades; Whereas 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; Whereas 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; Whereas Chuck Brown’s go-go has been passed from generation to generation with undiminished popularity; Whereas 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.’’); Whereas Chuck Brown was so committed to securing state- hood 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; Whereas the District of Columbia has named a street located near the historic Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown; Whereas the District of Columbia has named a park located at 2901 20th Street NE, for Chuck Brown; Whereas go-go is the official music of the District of Columbia; Whereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and overcoming time in prison to be- come a devoted father and family man; Whereas Chuck Brown was a great, multitalented musician who brought joy through his music, never stopping until his death; and Whereas August 22, 2025, is Chuck Brown’s birthday: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-beyer-introduce-bill-require-federal-police-officers-use-body-and,"Norton, Beyer to Introduce Bill to Require Federal Police Officers Use Body and Dashboard Cameras When Congress Returns in September",2025-08-20,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After videos circulated online of federal police officers using excessive force to make arrests as part of President Trump’s unnecessary and inflammatory surge of law enforcement in D.C., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) announced that they’ll reintroduce their bill to require all federal police officers, including those from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Park Police, to wear body cameras and use dashboard cameras in marked vehicles when Congress returns in September. Norton and Beyer first introduced their bill after U.S. Park Police officers shot and killed 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar, who was unarmed, in November of 2017. The bill passed the House in 2021. ""With a president in the White House abusing his power over federal law enforcement to compel local governments to enforce his cruel and inhumane policies, our country needs this bill. For D.C., that need could not be more urgent,” Norton said. “President Trump’s unjustified and inflammatory surge of federal law enforcement officers in the District has resulted in violent arrests using excessive force, but without body cameras, we’re left to rely on videos filmed by onlookers and public reporting to learn what happened. Federal officers in D.C. have recently been filmed using excessive force during arrests, refusing to identify the agency they belong to, and obscuring their own faces. Body and dashboard camera requirements would provide much-needed transparency and a chance at accountability for victims during this unprecedented timein the nation’s capital.” “Every day Washingtonians are confronted with new outrages from Trump’s unwanted and unjustified occupation of D.C., including arrests using excessive force that put people in unnecessary danger,” Beyer said. “Many of these encounters have been captured on video taken by bystanders or journalists, and I cannot help but wonder what we are not seeing because it is not caught on video. I have the same concern with ICE raids in Northern Virginia, which like the federal escalation in DC, are carried out by masked agents in unmarked vehicles who give no justification for their actions. The Administration’s use of such draconian tactics is designed to stoke fear and intimidate law-abiding people who have done nothing wrong. These abuses of power cry out for transparency and accountability, and our bill would answer that need. Every one of these officers should be wearing a body camera.” Ghaisar was fatally shot in his car by Park Police officers in Fairfax County, Virginia, after he fled a car crash and was pursued by officers down George Washington Parkway. Footage of the shooting was released by the Fairfax County Police Department, which captured it on a cruiser’s dashboard camera. Without that footage, Ghaisar’s family and the public would have had no access to the circumstances surrounding Ghaisar’s death. The District of Columbia and Fairfax County both require officers to wear body cameras and have dashboard cameras in marked vehicles. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-equal-treatment-district-columbia-under-rural-health,Norton Introduces Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025,2025-08-19,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill which would make D.C. eligible for funding under the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (Program) established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Senate Republicans, who created the program, made only the 50 states eligible, likely depriving the District of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. Although the Program’s title references rural health, the law permits use of funding from the Program for health care services, providers and technology outside of rural areas. “D.C. deserves to receive the same benefits from federal government programs as the states receive. Not only do D.C. residents pay federal taxes, they pay more federal taxes per capita than any state.” Norton said. “D.C. is treated as a state for most federal programs, and there is no nonpartisan argument to treat D.C. differently for the purposes of this Program.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of the Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025 August 19, 2025 Today, I introduce the Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025, which would make the District of Columbia eligible for funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program (Program). The $50 billion Program was established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). While the Program’s title refers to rural health, H.R. 1 permits the Program’s funds to be used for health care services, providers and technology outside rural areas. Senate Republicans, who created the Program, made only the 50 states eligible for funding, likely depriving D.C. of hundreds of millions of dollars. D.C. is treated as a state for most federal programs because D.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of states, and there is no reason D.C. should not be eligible for the Program’s funds. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-applauds-dc-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-highlights-dc,"Norton Applauds D.C. Lawsuit Against Trump Administration, Highlights D.C. Leadership’s United Resistance Against Unprecedented Attacks on Home Rule",2025-08-15,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After D.C. sued the Trump Administration over its unlawful federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) applauded the District’s assertion of its own rights in the court system and highlighted the united resistance D.C. is mounting against the Trump Administration’s unlawful and unprecedented attacks on home rule. “I applaud D.C. Attorney General Schwalb for taking legal action to end the president’s unlawful attempt to take control of MPD,” Norton said. “The Home Rule Act permits the president to direct D.C.'s mayor to provide the 'services' of MPD for 'federal purposes' when ‘an emergency nature exists,’ not to replace D.C.'s police chief with a federal political appointee and certainly not to supplant D.C.'s decisions on how to enforce its own local laws with the Administration's directives. I’ve said repeatedly that the president’s actions are unlawful. I can attest the District has an excellent case against the unprecedented actions taken by the president, and I fully support D.C.’s defense of its own rights under the law. “On the same day D.C. is asserting its rights in court, I introduced legislation with my colleagues in Congress to end the unlawful federalization of MPD. D.C. has both the moral and the legal right to govern its own local affairs, including controlling the police force that it pays for out of its own local tax dollars. District leaders are united in our cause and using every tool at our disposal to end the egregious, unprecedented, and unlawful attempt to take over MPD.” In their resolution, Norton and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) cited President Trump’s failure to identify any special conditions of an emergency nature that require the federalization of the MPD even for a specific purpose. Violent crime in D.C. is at a more than 30-year low, having decreased 26% compared to the same time period last year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-ranking-member-raskin-ranking-member-garcia-sen-van-hollen-announce,"Norton, Ranking Member Raskin, Ranking Member Garcia, Sen. Van Hollen Announce Introduction of Legislation Terminating Trump’s Unprecedented Federalization of MPD",2025-08-15,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced introduction of a joint resolution terminating President Donald Trump’s unprecedented federalization of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C., pursuant to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973. The legislation would terminate the President’s unlawful federalization of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. In an effort to justify his outrageous move to federalize local police and militarize the streets of D.C., the President has concocted a false narrative around the city’s crime rates, which have been in decline for two years and just reached a 30-year low. While the President claims there is some sort of crime emergency in D.C., he seems to be more preoccupied with the state of grass in D.C. parks and medians and selecting honorees for the Kennedy Center. And while Trump claims that federal control of D.C. is necessary to combat crime, the President's own actions are what is jeopardizing public safety in the District. He and his allies in Congress refuse to allow the District to access the $1 billion in locally-raised revenue that would have funded D.C. police, fire and emergency response services, and other public safety efforts. He fired and demoted dozens of D.C.'s most experienced career prosecutors, contributing to a larger backlog of criminal cases being held up in court and longer wait times for crime victims to obtain justice. He pardoned nearly 1,600 individuals who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, including hundreds convicted of assaulting police officers. ""President Trump’s incursions against D.C. are among the most egregious attacks on D.C. home rule in decades. D.C. residents are Americans, worthy of the same autonomy granted to residents of the states. Our local police force, paid for by D.C. residents, should not be subject to federalization, an action that wouldn't be possible for any other police department in the country. No emergency exists in D.C. that the president did not create himself, and he is not using the D.C. Police for federal purposes, as required by law,” Norton said. “I appreciate Ranking Member Raskin’s enduring support for D.C. and for working with me to end this unprecedented, dangerous, and disgraceful violation of D.C.'s right to govern its own local affairs."" “The only emergency here is a lawless president experiencing a growing public relations emergency because of his close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and his stubborn refusal to release the Epstein file despite his promise to do so,” said Ranking Member Raskin. “Trump has made clear that his efforts in D.C., where 700,000 taxpaying American citizens lack the protections of statehood, are part of a broader plan to militarize and federalize the streets of cities around America whose citizens voted against him. The legislation we are introducing today would stop this campaign by ending Trump’s hostile takeover of D.C.’s police force. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress has given the president the power only to direct the Mayor to make the Metropolitan Police Department available for a specific federal purpose but has given him no power simply to take over the Department. In any event, there is no federal emergency justifying such a takeover even if Congress sought to use its lawmaking power to effectuate it.” ""Once again, President Trump is making every effort to distract America from Epstein. Republicans aren't serious about public safety in D.C. If they were, they would not be blocking the city from using $1 billion of its own money, including funding meant to support the city's law enforcement efforts,” said Ranking Member Garcia. “Today's bill would end President Trump's so-called 'crime emergency' and allow the 700,000 residents of D.C. to set their home's public safety priorities.” “Trump was AWOL when the District of Columbia actually needed support from the National Guard to protect it from an insurrectionist mob on January 6th. His current takeover is an abuse of power and nothing more than a raw power grab. It is a direct attack on the ability of the people of the District of Columbia to govern their own affairs. The District of Columbia has made important progress on public safety in recent years, and can do more if Trump and House Republicans get the hell out of their way and stop blocking D.C. from accessing $1 billion of its own funds to strengthen policing and provide other public services,” said Senator Van Hollen. On Monday, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia,” to federalize the city’s police department. Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, Congress can terminate the President’s emergency control of MPD with a joint resolution. In their resolution, the Members cited that President Trump has failed to identify any special conditions of an emergency nature that require the federalization of the MPD even for a specific purpose. Indeed, violent crime in D.C. has been decreasing for the past two years, reaching a 30-year low. Read the text of the resolution here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-after-rep-ogles-announces-bill-allow-president-extend,Norton Statement After Rep. Ogles Announces Bill to Allow President to Extend Federalization of D.C. Police Indefinitely,2025-08-14,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) announced that he would introduce a bill to amend the Home Rule Act to allow the president to extend the federalization of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) indefinitely, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said, “Rep. Ogles’ bill is another in a series of extreme attacks on D.C. home rule. His strange and unseemly fixation on bullying D.C., a District of more than 700,000 Americans who must tolerate daily intrusions because of their geographic proximity to the federal government, is unacceptable and disgraceful to D.C. and to the Congress where he and I are both members. His bill would allow indefinite federal seizure of D.C.’s local police, which is funded by local D.C. tax dollars. “D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more federal taxes overall than 19 states, while being denied the same voting representation in Congress or full local self-government accorded to residents of the 50 states. I will do everything in my power to block this bill’s progress and passage and prevent D.C. from suffering additional indignities at the hands of the federal government.” President Trump federalized the D.C. Police for the first time in history this week and deployed the D.C. National Guard under the auspices of a crime emergency, despite data showing violent crime in D.C. reached a more than 30-year low in 2024 and is down 26 percent this year compared to the same period last year. Republicans have introduced bills in both chambers of Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act, which aim to abolish the D.C. Council and Mayor’s office, and would leave D.C. to depend on members of Congress elected by other jurisdictions to control the District. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-after-president-trump-federalizes-dc-police-and-activates-dc,Norton Statement After President Trump Federalizes D.C. Police and Activates D.C. National Guard,2025-08-11,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After President Trump announced that he is federalizing D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), for the first time in history, and activating the D.C. National Guard (DCNG) to address crime in the District, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the decision is counterproductive, potentially dangerous, and an egregious assault on D.C. home rule. “President Trump’s decision to federalize MPD and activate the D.C. National Guard to address crime is an historic assault on D.C. home rule, is a counterproductive, escalatory seizure of D.C.’s resources to use for purposes not supported by D.C. residents, and is more evidence of the urgent need to pass my D.C. statehood bill,” Norton said. “Crime in D.C. reached a 30-year low in 2024 and is down 26% this year compared to the same time period last year. The administration is justifying the decision by misleadingly citing years-old statistics. “If the federal government wanted to be helpful, it could confirm judges to the D.C. Courts, which face a perpetual vacancy crisis due to inaction in the Senate. We should pass my D.C. Courts Home Rule Act to give the D.C. Council authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. Congress should also pass my bill to expedite the appointment of local D.C. judges. Currently, 20 percent of the D.C. Superior Court is vacant, significantly impeding D.C.’s ability to try criminal cases in court, harming public safety and access to justice. “It does not escape me that the president is calling in the DCNG on the pretext of a surge in crime that the numbers do not support, while he was nowhere to be found for hours on January 6, 2021, as D.C. officials tried to get him to mobilize the DCNG as the U.S. Capitol was under siege. The DCNG should be under control of D.C.’s chief executive, the same way governors control their Guard units. “There are more than 700,000 D.C. residents, and they are worthy and capable of governing themselves. The ultimate solution to ensure D.C. has control of its own resources is passage of my D.C. statehood bill, which would provide D.C. the same protections the states enjoy.” The president controls the DCNG, unlike state National Guard units which are controlled by governors. As the U.S. Capitol was under attack on January 6, 2021, D.C.'s mayor was unable to mobilize the DCNG, wasting hours trying to get a response from the White House and potentially costing lives. Norton and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have previously introduced bills to give the D.C. Mayor control of the D.C. National Guard and to repeal the president’s authority to federalize MPD. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-van-hollen-will-reintroduce-bills-grant-dc-full-control-over-its,"Norton, Van Hollen Will Reintroduce Bills to Grant D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard, Police as Trump Calls in D.C. National Guard and Federalizes D.C. Police",2025-08-11,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced that they will reintroduce their legislation to grant the District of Columbia full control over the D.C. National Guard and the Metropolitan Police Department when Congress reconvenes in September. These measures are needed more urgently than ever as President Donald Trump today assumed control of D.C.’s police department and announced plans to deploy the National Guard in the District. The Administration took these actions without consulting D.C. government officials and despite crime being at a 30-year low in 2024 and a decrease of 26% this year compared to the same time period last year. “President Trump's unprecedented federalization of the D.C. Police today and his activation of the D.C. National Guard without D.C.'s consent underscore the necessity of D.C. statehood,” Norton said. “Until we get the full protections that statehood would provide, our bills repealing the president's authority to federalize the local D.C. police department and to give D.C.'s mayor control over the D.C. National Guard, like governors of states have over their National Guards, places D.C. closer to having control over some of its most vital affairs. Thank you to Senator Van Hollen for being my determined partner on these bills in the Senate and a vigorous advocate for D.C. home rule.” “Trump’s raw authoritarian power grab in D.C. is part of a growing national crisis. He’s playing dictator in our nation’s capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink. While we continue to fight for statehood for D.C., Trump’s assault on D.C.’s autonomy makes it all the more critical that we give the District full control over its own National Guard and police department. This is not just about self-governance for D.C. – it’s also about preventing authoritarian overreach by a lawless president like we are witnessing today,” said Senator Van Hollen. “While the District of Columbia has seen violent crime decline over the past two years, there is still more progress to be made on making it safer for all. But if Trump actually cared about the people of D.C. and their safety, he wouldn’t have blocked the local government from spending over $1 billion of its own money to fund its own police department, schools, and more. Instead of commandeering the local police and deploying the military to the City’s streets, Donald Trump should give D.C. back its money and get the hell out of the District’s way,” Senator Van Hollen continued. The Senator introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to unlock the over $1 billion of D.C.’s own funds that Republicans unnecessarily froze through their funding bill in March. Their bill passed the Senate unanimously, but House Republicans have still not brought it up for a vote. The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act would repeal the provision in the Home Rule Act that gives the President the authority to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. The Home Rule Act provides that, “whenever the President of the United States determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes, he may direct the mayor to provide him, and the mayor shall provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the President may deem necessary and appropriate.” The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act would name the Mayor of Washington, D.C. as Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard, giving the Mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards. Under current law, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-reintroduces-bill-permanently-remove-confederate-statue-albert-pike,Norton Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Remove Confederate Statue of Albert Pike,2025-08-08,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reintroduced her bill to permanently remove the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike near Judiciary Square and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity. Norton said that Pike, a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace, represents the worst of the Confederacy and has no claim to be memorialized in the nation's capital. Norton’s bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources in the 116th Congress. ""This Administration’s decision to restore and reinstall the Albert Pike statue is morally objectionable and an affront to the mostly black and brown residents of the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “Pike served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. I've long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of the Albert Pike Statue Removal Act August 8, 2025 Today, I introduce the Albert Pike Statue Removal Act, which would require the removal of the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike from federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia. This week, the National Park Service announced that the statue, which was illegally torn down in 2020, is scheduled to be reinstalled this year. This bill would also authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate the statue to a museum or similar entity. In the 116th Congress, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed this bill by voice vote. Pike, a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace, represents the worst of the Confederacy. Soldiers under his command were found to have mutilated the bodies of Union soldiers and he was ultimately imprisoned after his fellow Confederate officers reported that he had been misappropriating funds. Adding to the dishonor of taking up arms against the United States, Pike dishonored even his Confederate military service. He has absolutely no claim to be memorialized on federal land in the nation’s capital. Even those who do not want Confederate statues removed will have to justify affording Pike any honor considering his dishonorable history. However, I oppose destroying Confederate statues because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-make-blue-envelope-programs-eligible-federal,Norton Introduces Bill to Make “Blue Envelope” Programs Eligible for Federal Transportation Safety Funding,2025-08-07,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to make “blue envelope” programs, which improve interactions between police officers and drivers with difficulty communicating through speech during traffic stops, eligible for federal transportation safety funding. The programs, which allow drivers to receive a blue envelope that explains the driver’s limitations on the front and hold documents that an officer might request during a traffic stop inside, exist in many parts of the country but currently aren’t eligible for federal transportation funding. The first blue envelope program, instituted by Connecticut in 2020, was designed to aid drivers on the autism spectrum. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has endorsed the bill. ""Blue envelope programs are an effective way to smooth interactions between police officers and drivers with disabilities and help prevent miscommunications that may escalate tensions and discourage able drivers from exercising a skill necessary for independence in many parts of the country,"" Norton said. ""Police officers in jurisdictions with the programs praise them for giving the officers a tool to quickly identify what's going on, leading to fewer negative outcomes for both police and drivers. These programs have typically passed on the state level with bipartisan support. This simple, low-cost and compassionate solution should be eligible for transportation safety funding on the federal level."" ""For far too many disabled Americans, traffic stops and encounters with law enforcement can be deadly,"" said AAPD President and CEO Maria Town. ""This is especially true for people who may have language and communication barriers. The Blue Envelope Act would help mitigate the harm people with communication disabilities face during traffic stops and educate the officials who interact with them, working across language and information barriers. AAPD calls on all Members of Congress to support this bill and protect disabled drivers from danger and even death."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-after-trump-threatens-federalize-dc-police-and-call-dc,Norton Statement After Trump Threatens to Federalize D.C. Police and Call in D.C. National Guard,2025-08-07,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –After President Trump suggested that Congress should repeal the D.C. Home Rule Act, threatened to federalize the D.C. Metropolitan Police and call in the D.C. National Guard to address crime, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement condemning the comments and defending the right of D.C. residents to govern themselves. “Even if crime in D.C. weren’t at a historic low point, President Trump’s comments would be misguided and offensive to the more than 700,000 people who live permanently in the nation’s capital,” Norton said. “D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves without interference from federal officials who are unaccountable to D.C. “Although I won’t allow them to succeed, the Republicans pushing to repeal the Home Rule Act have no plan to run the District should they abolish the mayor’s office and D.C. Council. Congress, whose voting members are elected to serve districts that are not D.C., would have no incentive to effectively address issues of concern to D.C. residents because D.C. residents would have no power to vote them out of office. This year alone, congressional Republicans needlessly removed a provision in the continuing resolution that resulted in preventing D.C. from spending its own locally raised funds at its own locally enacted levels. Federal interference is the problem, not the solution. “The only permanent remedy that will protect D.C.’s ability to govern itself is enactment of my D.C. statehood bill into law.” Violent crime in D.C. reached a more than 30-year low in 2024 and is down 26 percent this year compared to the same period last year. Republicans have introduced bills in both chambers of Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act, which aim to abolish the D.C. Council and Mayor’s office, leaving D.C. to depend on members of Congress elected by other jurisdictions to run the District. The House of Representatives passed the D.C. statehood bill in 2020, the first time in history either chamber of Congress had passed the bill. The House passed it again in 2021. When Norton reintroduced the statehood bill on the first day of this Congress, she did so with 159 original cosponsors, the most original cosponsors of any bill introduced that first day. The bill now has 196 cosponsors. The Senate version, introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), was introduced this Congress with 40 original cosponsors, and now has 43 cosponsors. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-nps-decision-reinstall-confederate-statue-albert-pike-norton-announces,"After NPS Decision to Reinstall Confederate Statue of Albert Pike, Norton Announces She’ll Reintroduce Bill to Remove It",2025-08-04,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– After the National Park Service announced today that it will restore and reinstall the bronze statue of Confederate General Albert Pike on federal land near Judiciary Square, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she will reintroduce her bill to permanently remove the statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity. Although the statue was taken down by a crowd during a demonstration in June of 2020, Norton’s bill was later passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources. ""I've long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor,"" Norton said. ""The decision to honor Albert Pike by reinstalling the Pike statue is as odd and indefensible as it is morally objectionable. Pike served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. Even those who want Confederate statues to remain standing would have to justify awarding Pike any honor, considering his history. ""Given the NPS announcement that it will reinstall the statue, I plan to reintroduce my bill to remove the Pike statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate the statue to a museum or a similar entity. A statue honoring a racist and a traitor has no place on the streets of D.C."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-requiring-dc-national-guard-commanding-general-live-dc,Norton Introduces Bill Requiring D.C. National Guard Commanding General to Live in D.C.,2025-07-29,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to require the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard to reside in D.C. It was marked up and passed by the Committee on Oversight and Reform in 2022. ""As we work to resolve all the ways D.C. is treated differently than the states, the lack of residency requirements for federal officials responsible for public safety and law enforcement in the District, as required for other jurisdictions, is surely an important one,"" Norton said. ""The primary reason residency requirements exist is so that government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and knowledge of the unique challenges faced by residents. Adding a residency requirement for the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard will help ensure the Commanding General has in-depth knowledge of the issues that D.C. residents face and bring the D.C. National Guard in line with those of the states."" Governors of the states and territories control their respective National Guards. The bill, the District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act, is similar to other bills Norton has introduced requiring certain federal officials to live in D.C., including U.S. District Court and Circuit Court judges for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C., and the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C. Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of CongresswomanEleanor Holmes Norton on the District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act July 29, 2025 Today, I introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act, which would require the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard to reside in D.C. Two Congresses ago, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill. The president controls the D.C. National Guard. In contrast, governors of the states and the three territories that have National Guards each control their National Guards. The Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard is the top official in the D.C. National Guard, is appointed by the president and is a federal employee. There are residency requirements for government officials in federal law, D.C. law and the laws of jurisdictions throughout the country. In fact, several states have laws that require the top official in their National Guard to reside in the state, and it is highly likely that every state and territory only appoints residents as the top official in their National Guard. The primary reason residency requirements exist is so that government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by residents. Congress has justifiably required certain federal officials to reside in the jurisdiction to which they are appointed, including U.S. district court judges, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys. Similarly, Congress, which controls the local D.C. court system, has justifiably required local D.C. judges and members of the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure to reside in D.C. There is no reason that the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, a federal entity that serves D.C. residents and that has both a military and law enforcement role, should not be required to reside in D.C. A D.C. residency requirement for the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard will lead to a better relationship between the D.C. National Guard and D.C. residents and is a matter of fairness for D.C. residents. The D.C. mayor should control the D.C. National Guard. Until then, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-raskin-van-hollen-introduce-bill-remove-name-segregationist-chevy-chase,"Norton, Raskin, Van Hollen Introduce Bill to Remove Name of Segregationist from Chevy Chase Circle",2025-07-22,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced a bill which would remove the plaque and inscriptions bearing Francis Newlands' name from Chevy Chase Circle a federal park located in both the District of Columbia and in Maryland's 8th Congressional District, which Raskin represents. Newlands was a U.S. senator from Nevada, a conservationist and the founder of the Chevy Chase Land Company, which developed the Chevy Chase neighborhood. Newlands was also a segregationist and held racist views. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on the bill in 2022, where Norton testified that “Newlands does not deserve to be honored on federal land.” ""I’ve long called for statues dedicated to Confederates and segregationists to be placed in museums, where they can be better contextualized, instead of being showcased in locations that connote honor,"" CongresswomanNorton said. ""However, there is no redeeming value in preserving an honorific to an avowed and unrepentant racist. The plaque and fountain in Chevy Chase Circle tell no story. They are meant only to honor Newlands, a segregationist who argued that voting rights won for African Americans as a result of the Civil War should be repealed. Newlands belongs in the dust bins of history, not preserved on a traffic circle that symbolizes the unity between the nation's capital and the state of Maryland."" “Associating an avowed segregationist and white supremacist with Chevy Chase Circle is an affront to the people of Maryland and D.C.,” said Rep. Raskin. “I’m partnering with Congresswoman Norton and Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks on legislation to remove Francis Newlands’ name from the Circle’s fountain and reclaim this beautiful space at the intersection of the Free State and the Capital City—two proudly diverse and welcoming places—for the recreation and enjoyment of all our neighbors.” “Francis Newlands was a white supremacist who worked to make his developments, including Chevy Chase, inaccessible to Black, Jewish, and working class families. We should not be memorializing him and the bigoted policies he stood for – the legacies of which are still harmful to this day. Instead of glorifying those who promoted exclusion and division, we should be working together to build communities that support growth and economic inclusion for all,” said Senator Van Hollen. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-control-over-operations-local-dc-courts-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Control Over Operations of Local D.C. Courts,2025-07-21,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.–– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act today, which would give the D.C. Council authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The D.C. Home Rule Act expressly prohibits D.C. from enacting any law with respect to any provision of the D.C. Code that relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. Congress can give D.C. this authority even before the District becomes the 51st state. ""The District has never had authority over its local courts, even before 1997 when it was responsible for paying for the courts’ operations,"" Norton said. ""As the duly elected and accountable local legislature for the District, it is irresponsible for the D.C. Council to be left on the sidelines while Congress, which could not care less about the local D.C. courts, remains in charge of improving their operations. My bill would correct this wrong and increase democratic autonomy and self-government for the District."" Under the Home Rule Act, the D.C. Council has no authority to ""enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts)."" In 1997, under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act, the federal government assumed the costs for several state-level functions from D.C., including the local D.C. courts. This bill would not affect the authority of the President to nominate, or the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges, which has been within their purview since the creation of the District's modern local court system in 1970. Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act July 21, 2025 Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act. This bill would give the Council of the District of Columbia authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The D.C. Home Rule Act (HRA) prohibits the Council from enacting any law with respect to title 11 of the D.C. Code, which relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. More than 50 years after passage of the HRA and notwithstanding the importance of the local D.C. courts to D.C., the Council, which is the legislative body accountable to D.C. residents, is left on the sidelines while Congress, which could not care less about the local D.C. courts, remains the only legislative body that can amend title 11 of the D.C. Code. Under the HRA, the Council has no authority to “enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts).” Title 11 of the D.C. Code primarily relates to the rules of criminal and civil procedure, court administration, the branches of the courts, jury service and admission to the bar. D.C. has never had authority over its local courts, even when it was responsible for paying for them. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, the federal government assumed from D.C. the costs for several state-level functions, including the courts. This bill would not change the federal government’s responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts or the authority of the President to nominate, and the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges. This bill is an important step to increase self-government for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support it. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-anti-home-rule-riders-subcommittee-passed-dc-appropriations-bill,Norton Says Anti-Home Rule Riders on Subcommittee-Passed D.C. Appropriations Bill are “Appalling” and “Unsurprising”,2025-07-21,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Committee on Appropriations marked up and passed the fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Financial Services and General Government (FSSG) Appropriations bill tonight, which Norton said includes an outrageous and irresponsible number of anti-home rule riders. Republicans try to attach the riders to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as federal officials who do not represent D.C. residents. Significantly, the bill would halve funding for DCTAG, a program established by a 1999 Norton bill. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 at public institutions of higher education in the U.S. “It is unsurprising that at a time when there are more frequent Republican attacks on D.C. home rule than any time since the 1990s, the D.C. appropriations bill reported out of a Republican-controlled subcommittee contains numerous and extensive riders that would overrule the expressed will of D.C. residents,” Norton said. “I am particularly appalled by the 50% cut in funding for DCTAG, a program created in 1999 by a bill I authored that simply helps pay for students who are D.C. residents to attend college. “I will use every tool at my disposal to stop these riders from becoming law, and I commit to reminding my fellow lawmakers across the aisle that D.C. residents deserve consideration equal to that given to as their own constituents.” As reported out of the subcommittee today, the bill: Would provide $20 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a 50% decrease from the current funding level. Would permit anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA. Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014. Would repeal D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act and prohibit enacting any similar act. Would require D.C. to submit a report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds to enforce its vehicle emission standards. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law. Would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to enact or carry out any law which prohibits motorists from making right turns on red. Would repeal the provision of D.C.’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law, or Anti-SLAPP law, that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections or on activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Would repeal parts of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018 that allows courts to use sentencing alternatives for a person who was sentenced as an adult but was under the age of 24 at the time the person committed a crime, changing that age back to 22. Would prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID–19 mask or vaccine mandate. Would prohibit the use of funds to commercialize recreational marijuana. Would prohibit the use of funds to implement the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, which relates to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Would prohibit funds to implement or enforce provisions of the Consumer Protection Act against oil and gas companies for environmental claims. Despite Republican control of the House, Norton secured several key victories for D.C., including the first increase in the annual and lifetime award caps for DCTAG recipients since the program was created in 1999. ""I was pleased the bill that passed out of subcommittee tonight maintained several wins I secured for D.C., including increasing the DCTAG yearly cap from $10,000 to $15,000 and lifetime award cap from $50,000 to $75,000, a change I have requested for many years. Even in the face of funding for the overall program being cut by half, these increases are a positive for DCTAG recipients. I will continue to work to secure full funding for DCTAG.” The bill also maintains the provision to exempt the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2027, a provision Norton has gotten enacted every year since FY 2015. It also approves D.C. to spend under its FY 26 local budget. Norton secured the following victories in the bill: Increasing the yearly cap on DCTAG to $15,000 from $10,000 and increasing the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. Requiring ratably reducing the amount of tuition and fee payment of each eligible DCTAG student who receives more than $10,000 for the award year if there are insufficient funds. Exempting D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2027. Providing $5.7 million for D.C. Water Clean Rivers Project. Providing $70 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. The fund pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital, and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact. Providing $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. Providing $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-calls-dc-appropriations-bill-text-unreasonable-and-patronizing-700000,"Norton Calls D.C. Appropriations Bill Text “Unreasonable” and “Patronizing” to 700,000+ D.C. Residents",2025-07-20,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Committee on Appropriations today released the text of its fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Financial Services and General Government (FSSG) Appropriations bill, which Norton said includes an outrageous number of anti-home rule riders. Republicans try to attach the riders to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as federal officials who do not represent D.C. residents. Significantly, the bill would halve funding for DCTAG, a program established by a 1999 Norton bill. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 at public institutions of higher education in the U.S. “I am outraged at the number and scope of anti-D.C. home rule riders in the bill released today,” Norton said. “In my long career representing D.C. residents in Congress, I have rarely seen a bill as unreasonable and patronizing to the more than 700,000 people who live in the nation’s capital as this one. I will use every tool at my disposal to stop these riders from becoming law, and I commit to reminding my fellow lawmakers across the aisle that D.C. residents deserve the same consideration as their own constituents at every opportunity.” The text released today: Would permit anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA. Would provide $20 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a 50% decrease from the current funding level. Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014. Would repeal D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act, and prohibits enacting any similar act. Would require D.C. to submit a report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds to enforce its vehicle emission standards. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law. Would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to enact or carry out any law which prohibits motorists from making right turns on red. Would repeal the provision of D.C.’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law, or Anti-SLAPP law, that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections or on activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections. Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Would repeal parts of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018 that allows courts to use sentencing alternatives for a person who was sentenced as an adult but was under the age of 24 at the time the person committed a crime, changing that age back to 22. Would prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID–19 mask or vaccine mandate. Would prohibit the use of funds to commercialize recreational marijuana. Would prohibit the use of funds to implement the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, which relates to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Would prohibit funds to implement or enforce provisions of the Consumer Protection Act against oil and gas companies for environmental claims. Among the anti-home rule riders are several victories secured by Norton, despite Republican control of the House. ""Even among the long list of anti-home rule riders in the bill text released today, there are a number of victories for residents of the nation's capital,"" Norton said. ""I was pleased to secure these wins for the District, including increasing the DCTAG yearly cap from $10,000 to $15,000 and lifetime award cap from $50,000 to $75,000, a change I have requested for years. Even in the face of funding for the overall program being cut by half, these increases are a positive for D.C. residents who are recipients of the program. I will continue to work to secure full funding for DCTAG.” The bill also maintains the provision to exempt the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2026, a provision she has gotten enacted every year since FY 2015. It also approves D.C. to spend under its FY 26 local budget. Norton also secured the following victories in the bill: Increasing the yearly cap on DCTAG to $15,000 from $10,000 and increasing the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. Requiring ratably reducing the amount of tuition and fee payment of each eligible DCTAG student who receives more than $10,000 for the award year if there are insufficient funds. Exempting D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2026. Providing $5.7 million for D.C. Water Clean Rivers Project. Providing $70 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. The fund pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital, and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact. Providing $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. Providing $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-give-dc-authority-appoint-all-members-board-deals,Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority to Appoint All Members of Board that Deals Exclusively with Local D.C. Zoning,2025-07-14,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to give the District of Columbia the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment (Board), except when the Board is performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with respect to a chancery. Under current law, in general, the Board consists of a representative of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the D.C. Zoning Commission, each of whom may be a federal official, and three mayoral appointees, subject to D.C. Council approval. The Board has no authority over federal property and Norton’s bill would not alter the Board’s authority. ""The District of Columbia should be free to set its own local land-use policies like every other jurisdiction in the United States,"" Norton said. ""We face local issues, such as a growing population and economic development, that require local solutions. Land use is a quintessentially local issue. The Board of Zoning Adjustment should be accountable to District residents and local elected officials."" When the Board is performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with respect to the location, expansion, or replacement of a chancery, the Board consists of the Executive Director of NCPC, the Director of the National Park Service (or, if the President so designates, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of General Services), and the three mayoral appointees. Norton’s bill would not change this composition. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-remove-authority-us-commission-fine-arts-over-local-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Authority of U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Over Local D.C. Land Use,2025-07-07,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to remove the authority of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), a federal agency, over District of Columbia-owned property and private property in D.C. The bill would expand home rule for the District. This Congress, Norton has introduced two other land-use home-rule bills, one to give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission and another to remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission over D.C.-owned real property. ""Land-use policies are among the most important priorities for state and local jurisdictions. Whether it is the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the D.C. Zoning Commission, or the National Capital Planning Commission, federal authorities should play no role in D.C.'s local decisions about how to use its own land,"" Norton said. ""Not only is this interference a violation of home rule, it delays and increases costs for public and private development in the District."" Under presidential executive orders and federal law, the CFA has review authority over D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as certain private land in D.C. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, the CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the District ""adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance."" Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority over the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as ""Old Georgetown."" The Members of the CFA are appointed by the President. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act July 7, 2025 Today, I introduce the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would remove the authority of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) over non-federal real property in the District of Columbia. Under presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, the CFA has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as for certain private land in D.C. Under EOs, the CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in D.C. “adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,” such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as “Old Georgetown” in the act. The federal government, including the CFA, whose members are appointed by the President, should not have any authority over D.C. land-use policies and decisions unrelated to the federal presence. Not only is the federal government’s authority over D.C. buildings and private property a violation of home rule, it also delays and increases the cost of public and private development in D.C. This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support it. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/america-gets-closer-its-semiquincentennial-norton-says-dc-statehood-long,"As America Gets Closer to its Semiquincentennial, Norton Says D.C. Statehood is Long Overdue",2025-07-03,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that, as the nation approaches its 249th anniversary of declaring independence from Great Britain in part because of taxation without representation, the Senate must take the nation's founding slogan to heart and pass the District of Columbia statehood bill. ""The treatment of D.C. is akin to the treatment of the colonies by the British. The continuation of taxation without representation in the nation's capital not only violates a main pillar of the revolution that sent our Founders to war,"" Norton said. ""Allowing the nearly 700,000 Americans who live in the nation's capital to continue to live as second-class citizens betrays the spirit of Independence Day. On no U.S. holiday is D.C.'s inequality more deeply felt or more at war with the nation's democratic values than on July 4th. District residents not only pay federal taxes without voting representation in Congress, they pay more federal taxes per capita than any other state. July 4th summons our moral outrage to continue our fight for statehood and full equality for D.C. residents."" The House has passed the D.C. statehood bill twice since 2020, most recently on April 22, 2021. D.C. pays more federal taxes than 23 states and more federal taxes per capita than any state. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-remove-authority-federal-national-capital-planning-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Authority of Federal National Capital Planning Commission to Review D.C.-Owned Property,2025-06-30,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to remove the authority of the federal National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to review or approve the development of D.C.-owned real property. ""The federal government has no business in local D.C.’s land-use policies and decisions. Not only is the federal government's authority over D.C property anti-home rule, it delays and increases the cost of development in the District,” Norton said. “Additionally, NCPC’s authority over D.C.-owned real property is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the virtual absence of its use to disapprove sales or development. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act June 30, 2025 Today, I introduce the National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), a federal agency, to review or approve the development of District of Columbia-owned real property. This bill would also remove the requirement that the D.C. Mayor get NCPC’s approval before selling D.C.-owned real property and allow D.C. agencies to transfer jurisdiction over D.C.-owned real property among themselves without NCPC’s approval. Under federal law, NCPC has approval authority for the development of D.C.-owned buildings located in the “central area,” including the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of such buildings. D.C. is required to consult with NCPC on the development of D.C.-owned buildings outside the central area, but NCPC has only advisory authority in those areas. The central area is defined by the concurrent action of NCPC and the D.C. Council and currently consists of the Downtown and Shaw Urban Renewal Areas. NCPC’s authority over D.C.-owned real property violates D.C. home rule and is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the virtual absence of its use to disapprove sales or development. The federal government should not be able to slow, block or add to the cost of the development of D.C.-owned real property. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-rename-post-office-godfather-go-go-chuck-brown,Norton Introduces Bill to Rename Post Office for “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown,2025-06-25,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to name the post office located at 3401 12th Street NE after musician and singer Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go,” who holds particular significance to D.C. residents for creating and popularizing go-go music and for his support of D.C. statehood. ""As the ‘Godfather of Go-Go,’ Chuck Brown gave D.C. a unique hometown sound that was distinctly our own and brought enjoyment to all who heard him here and throughout the nation,"" Norton said. ""Go-go is the beat of D.C., giving D.C. its own musical identity and reminding the nation that D.C. has always been the hometown of talented artists. We’ll never forget the free concert in 2010 Chuck Brown played in front of the Capitol for D.C. statehood and voting rights. He loved the District, and naming post office after him is a way D.C. can honor him in return.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3401 12th Street Northeast in Washington, District of Columbia, as the ‘‘Chuck Brown Post Office’’ June 23, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill to name the post office at 3401 12th Street NE in the District of Columbia for go-go legend Chuck Brown. Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go,” is beloved by D.C. for his innovative and unique sound, which gave us go-go music. Go-go is the beat of D.C., giving D.C. its own musical identity and reminding the nation that D.C. has always been the hometown of talented artists. Chuck Brown was a strong supporter of D.C. statehood, including playing a concert on a hot and humid day on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in 2010 in support of statehood. Chuck Brown was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away on May 16, 2012. He was a D.C. resident most of his life. He taught himself to play guitar, becoming a virtuoso singer, songwriter, guitarist and band leader. His musical catalogue spanned 22 studio albums over three decades. He earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song “Love” from his album “We Got This,” and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005. D.C. named a park located at 2901 20th Street, NE, for Chuck Brown, and named a street near the historic Howard Theater for him. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-dc-zoning-commission-home-rule-act-0,Norton Introduces D.C. Zoning Commission Home Rule Act,2025-06-23,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act today, which would give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission (Commission). Even though the Commission has no authority over federal property, it currently consists of two federal officials (the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service), in addition to three members appointed by D.C.’s mayor with the D.C. Council’s approval. Despite the D.C. Home Rule Act, which gave D.C. authority over local matters, 40 percent of the members of the Commission are federal officials who are unaccountable to nearly 700,000 D.C. residents. ""This bill is an essential step to increase home rule in the District of Columbia,"" Norton said. ""Land use is a local matter in every situation, no matter the context. The federal government loses nothing because the interests of the federal government in land use in the nation's capital are protected by federal law. If anything, this will allow the federal government more resources to pursue issues within their jurisdiction."" The Commission creates zoning maps and regulations, which must ""not be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan for the national capital."" The mayor is responsible for the local elements of the comprehensive plan, subject to Council approval. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which is the central federal planning agency for the federal government in D.C. and approves federal projects here, is responsible for the federal elements of the comprehensive plan. This bill would not alter the comprehensive plan process nor the authority of NCPC and the Commission. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-dc-zoning-commission-home-rule-act-1,Norton Introduces D.C. Zoning Commission Home Rule Act,2025-06-23,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act today, which would give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission (Commission). Even though the Commission has no authority over federal property, it currently consists of two federal officials (the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service), in addition to three members appointed by D.C.’s mayor with the D.C. Council’s approval. Despite the D.C. Home Rule Act, which gave D.C. authority over local matters, 40 percent of the members of the Commission are federal officials who are unaccountable to nearly 700,000 D.C. residents. ""This bill is an essential step to increase home rule in the District of Columbia,"" Norton said. ""Land use is a local matter in every situation, no matter the context. The federal government loses nothing because the interests of the federal government in land use in the nation's capital are protected by federal law. If anything, this will allow the federal government more resources to pursue issues within their jurisdiction."" The Commission creates zoning maps and regulations, which must ""not be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan for the national capital."" The mayor is responsible for the local elements of the comprehensive plan, subject to Council approval. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which is the central federal planning agency for the federal government in D.C. and approves federal projects here, is responsible for the federal elements of the comprehensive plan. This bill would not alter the comprehensive plan process nor the authority of NCPC and the Commission. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-comprehensive-gao-study-railway-noise-pollution,Norton Requests Comprehensive GAO Study on Railway Noise Pollution,2025-06-23,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — As ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today wrote the Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that it conduct a comprehensive study on the causes and effects of railway noise pollution. Additionally, Norton asked GAO to propose ways that the federal government can reduce the negative effects of railway noise pollution. The request is similar to a bill Norton reintroduced in April to require the GAO to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes. ""D.C. residents contact me regularly about the negative impacts train noise and vibrations have on their health, quality of life and even the structural integrity of their homes,"" Norton said. ""Although trains provide an essential mode of transportation, we can’t simply ignore the harms suffered by those who live near them, which can include structural damage, reduced property values and negative health effects. We must examine whether there are viable, cost-effective ways to mitigate the harms caused by long-term exposure to train noise and vibrations."" Norton’s letter follows, with personal contact information redacted. June 23, 2025 The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro Comptroller General U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street NW Washington, DC 20548 Dear Comptroller General Dodaro: Passenger and freight railway traffic is a top contributor of unwanted and excessive sounds and vibrations (i.e., noise pollution). Noise pollution is emitted from train movements on tracks, horns and warnings, braking and engine idling and accelerating. Noise pollution can reduce property values and labor productivity and have adverse health effects. The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for regulating railway noise pollution. For example, the Federal Railroad Administration enforces regulations that set maximum sound levels from railroad equipment and locomotive horns. The Federal Transit Administration develops guidance for assessing noise pollution from transit projects that receive federal funding, including conventional rail lines. I am requesting that the U.S. Government Accountability Office conduct a comprehensive review of railway noise pollution. The review should address the following questions: What factors contribute to railway noise pollution, and how much noise pollution can such factors emit? What actions can railway manufacturers and operators take to reduce railway noise pollution, and what are the costs and benefits of such actions? How can the federal government reduce negative effects associated with railway noise pollution? Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely, Eleanor Holmes Norton Ranking Member Subcommittee on Highways and Transit ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-pride-month-norton-introduces-bill-ban-discrimination-against-lgbtq-0,"During Pride Month, Norton Introduces Bill to Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Jurors in D.C. Superior Court",2025-06-20,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today, during Pride Month, reintroduced her District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act. The bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in D.C. Superior Court on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, the bill would clarify that ""sex,"" which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The District has one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, the District cannot make its anti-discrimination law applicable to jurors in D.C. Superior Court. Under the Home Rule Act, only Congress has the authority to regulate local jury service. ""During Pride month we are reminded of the many contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Nobody, including D.C. jurors, should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and D.C. juries should not be deprived of the service of LGBTQ residents,"" Norton said. ""Until the District is given control over its local courts, it is up to Congress to pass this important bill."" Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2025 June 20, 2025 Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2025. This bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in the local D.C. trial court, the D.C. Superior Court, based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, this bill would clarify that the term “sex,” which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The term “sex” would also include a sex stereotype; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; and sex characteristics, including intersex traits. In the 117th Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed a version of this bill. D.C. has one of the strongest non-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, the D.C. Council does not have the authority to amend title 11 of the D.C. Code, which contains the non-discrimination provisions that apply to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court. Therefore, until D.C. is given authority to amend title 11 of the D.C. Code, which one of my bills would do, an act of Congress is required to clarify that LGBTQ+ jurors in the D.C. Superior Court are protected from discrimination. As the Supreme Court said in Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Company, “discrimination within the courtroom raises serious questions as to the fairness of the proceedings conducted there…. [B]ias mars the integrity of the judicial system and prevents the idea of democratic government from becoming a reality.” Similarly, the Court, in Batson v. Kentucky, which was a juror discrimination case based on race, said, “The harm from discriminatory jury selection extends beyond that inflicted on the defendant and the excluded juror to touch the entire community. Selection procedures that purposefully exclude black persons from juries undermine public confidence in the fairness of our system of justice.” I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-flag-day-norton-introduces-bill-allow-president-order-nations-flag-half,"Ahead of Flag Day, Norton Introduces Bill to Allow President to Order Nation’s Flag at Half-Staff Upon Death of D.C. Mayor, Like Governors",2025-06-13,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of Flag Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to add the Mayor of the District of Columbia to the list of principals for whom the president shall order the nation’s flag be flown at half-staff. Current law states that the president shall order the flag to be flown at half-staff “upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.” Norton said D.C. mayors, who perform many of the same functions as state and territorial governors, clearly qualify as principals and should receive equal recognition. “Even though the District is not yet the 51st state it strives to be, we should treat a deceased mayor in the same respect as comparable figures of states, territories, or possessions, which are named in the statute,” Norton said. “I can only assume that the omission of the District of Columbia was an oversight and not meant to disrespect a deceased D.C. mayor or the residents of the District of Columbia. Adding D.C.’s mayor to the list of officials who can be honored with flags flown at half-staff is a small but, to D.C. residents, significant way to ensure residents receive the equal treatment they deserve.” Norton has successfully gotten other congressional recognition of the District of Columbia in situations where the District was overlooked while honoring the states. As a result of her work, the District of Columbia War Memorial honors only District residents who served in World War I; D.C.’s Frederick Douglass and Pierre L’Enfant statues sits in the Capitol alongside statues from the 50 states; the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 requires the armed services to display the District flag whenever the flags of the states are displayed; D.C. has a coin after it was omitted from legislation creating coins for the 50 states; the U.S. Postal Service created a D.C. stamp, like the stamps for the 50 states; and the National Park Service added the D.C. flag alongside the state flags across from Union Station. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Permit the Flag of the United States to be Flown at Half-Staff in the Event of the Death of a Mayor of the District of Columbia June 13, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill that would make a small but respectful change to federal law by adding the Mayor of the District of Columbia to the list of named principals for whom the President shall order the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff. Current law states that the President shall make this order “upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.” Surely the D.C. Mayor, who has the same responsibilities as governors of states and territories, should qualify as such a principal. This bill is part of our series of bills to ensure equal treatment for the over 700,000 D.C. residents. In the 116th Congress, the House Committee on the Judiciary passed this bill. Congress has already acknowledged that D.C. is entitled to a place among the states for certain honors. For example, legislation we got enacted gave D.C. a coin after D.C. was omitted from legislation creating coins for the states and required the armed services to display the D.C. flag whenever the flags of the states are displayed. We got D.C.’s Frederick Douglass and Pierre L’Enfant statues placed in the Capitol, alongside two statues from each state. We also successfully worked with the U.S. Postal Service to create a D.C. stamp, like the stamps for the states, and with the National Park Service to add the D.C. flag alongside the state flags near Union Station. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-trump-parade-will-shut-down-nations-capital-and-waste-taxpayer,Norton Says Trump Parade Will Shut Down the Nation’s Capital and Waste Taxpayer Dollars to Feed the President’s Ego,2025-06-13,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a statement regarding President Trump's military parade in the District of Columbia, scheduled for tomorrow. Each year, Norton secures a federal payment to the District to cover emergency planning and security costs of large-scale events and demonstrations, including the presidential inauguration. ""President Trump's longstanding wish to waste millions of taxpayer dollars for a performative military parade in the style of authoritarian leaders is finally coming true on his birthday,"" Norton said. ""Granting his wish comes at D.C.’s expense, which will be forced to shoulder the cost of repairing the damage that dozens of military vehicles will do to local D.C. roads with an uncertain timeline for reimbursement from the federal government, if any. D.C. will also have to cope with their roads being shut down for up to four days, creating obstacles for D.C. residents seeking to go about their daily lives. “Although this parade will feed President Trump’s ego and perhaps his base, it will not serve any legitimate purpose. It’s all the more objectionable for its timing, coming after President Trump authorized the firing, buyout, or early retirement of roughly 260,000 federal workers in the name of cutting waste. “The world knows that the American military is the most powerful in the world. Unlike less powerful nations, the United States has no need to show off by strutting our soldiers and equipment to prove our strength and leadership. Instead of wasting precious taxpayer resources, we should celebrate the military by using the estimated tens of millions of dollars devoted to the parade to rehire the federal workers who performed valuable services for American taxpayers, including service members and veterans.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-passage-anti-dc-home-rule-immigration-bill,Norton Statement on House Passage of Anti-D.C. Home Rule Immigration Bill,2025-06-12,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after the House passed its third anti-D.C. home rule bill this week. The bill, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), would nullify locally-enacted D.C. laws, policies and practices regarding D.C. exchanging information about the citizenship and immigration status of individuals. It would require D.C. to comply with requests by the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration detainers. “The substance of Rep. Higgins’ bill is irrelevant, since there is never justification for members of Congress representing other districts to legislate on local D.C. matters. However, I’ll briefly address it. “Consistent with federal law and D.C.’s values, D.C. limits cooperation with federal immigration agencies. The District concluded that cooperation would make D.C. less safe for all residents by diverting police resources and discouraging immigrants from interacting with the police department and other government agencies. D.C. is not the first or the only jurisdiction to come to this conclusion; many states, cities and counties agree. ""If Republicans cared about D.C. residents or democracy, they would take up H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill. H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state, giving D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. “I will use all the tools at my disposal to prevent any further advancement of this bill.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-opposes-anti-dc-home-rule-bill-house-floor,Norton Opposes Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bill on the House Floor,2025-06-11,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from the House floor where she spoke today in opposition to the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025, an anti-home rule bill the House will vote on tomorrow. The bill would nullify locally enacted D.C. laws, policies and practices regarding D.C. exchanging information about the citizenship and immigration status of individuals and would require D.C. to comply with requests by the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration detainers. “This bill is just another entry in the long list of attacks on D.C. home rule by Republicans this Congress,” Norton said. “I look forward to turning this bill into another footnote of failed attempts to undermine D.C.’s autonomy. “This bill does not promote public safety. Instead, it undermines it because it will make individuals wary of calling the proper authorities for help. In turn, this reluctance to call for help could make groups of people easy targets for criminals. ""Jurisdictions across the country have passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status, and D.C. is no exception, as D.C. has a tradition of upholding the values of kindness, compassion, and fairness. ""If Republicans cared about the safety and well-being of D.C. residents or democracy, they would take up H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill. H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state, giving D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government.” Norton’s full remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Floor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025 June 11, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic, anti-immigrant bill, which would nullify laws, policies and practices enacted by the locally elected District of Columbia government. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of local self-government. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from every member of D.C.’s locally elected legislature, the Council, opposing this bill. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from D.C.’s locally elected Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, opposing this bill. D.C. residents are treated as second-class citizens by Congress. They are required to pay federal taxes, serve on federal juries and register with Selective Service in the same manner as residents of states. They have served in the military since the Revolutionary War, which was fought to end taxation without representation and to give consent to the governed. Yet, Congress has denied them voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for over 200 years. Last Congress, over 100 bills and amendments were introduced to repeal or block local D.C. laws and policies. This Congress, 28 such bills and amendments already have been introduced, including bills to abolish the locally elected D.C. government. Three months ago, Congress passed a bill that cut over $1 billion from the local D.C. budget, which consists entirely of locally raised revenue. While Congress has the authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, it does not have a duty to do so. In Federalist 43, James Madison said of D.C. residents, “[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.” In 1953, the Supreme Court held that, “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.” The Council has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is the antithesis of democracy. Congress has the authority to grant D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. It simply needs to pass H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill, which would make the residential and commercial areas of D.C. a state. The Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new states. All 37 new states were admitted by an act of Congress. The District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to reduce the size of the federal district, which it has previously done. The substance of H.R. 2056 is irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters, but I will briefly discuss it. Consistent with federal law, the position of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and D.C.’s values, D.C. limits cooperation with federal immigration agencies. D.C. concluded that cooperating with federal immigration agencies would make D.C. less safe for all residents by diverting police department resources and discouraging immigrants from interacting with the police department and other government agencies. Many states, cities and counties have reached the same conclusion. I urge members to respect the will of D.C. residents by voting NO on this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-opposes-two-anti-dc-home-rule-bills-house-floor,Norton Opposes Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills on the House Floor,2025-06-10,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from the House floor where she spoke twice today in fierce opposition to two anti-home rule bills the House will vote on this week to repeal local D.C. laws. The first bill, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), would prohibit D.C. residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections. The second, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), would repeal parts of D.C.’s 2022 local police accountability and transparency law. “Last Congress, Republicans introduced 26 bills or amendments to change local D.C. election laws, including 14 to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of the local D.C. law that allows noncitizens to vote in local elections,” Norton said. Yet, Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. has requested, which is to make D.C. a state so that it can hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate. “D.C. allows noncitizens to vote in local elections because it believes that all adult residents deserve a say in their local government. While local D.C. law allows noncitizens to vote only in local elections, 40 states and the federal government allowed noncitizens to vote in local, state, territorial and federal elections at various points, including at the founding. The federal government first prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections only 29 years ago. Today, nearly 20 cities allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.” The second bill Norton addressed on the House floor would repeal parts of D.C.'s 2022 local police transparency law. ""Republicans regularly introduce legislation to repeal local D.C. laws. What is different about this bill is it also overrides the longstanding wishes of the D.C. police department,"" Norton said. ""For at least a quarter century, the D.C. police department had requested increased authority to discipline officers for misconduct. The local D.C. legislature gave the department this authority after the murder of George Floyd. This bill would take away this authority. “This bill says it is necessary to combat rising violent crime in D.C. and to improve the retention and recruitment of D.C. police officers. This bill has its facts wrong. Last year, violent crime in D.C. reached a more than 30-year low. This year, violent crime in D.C. is down 22% compared to the same period last year. Police departments throughout the country, in both red and blue states, are struggling to retain and recruit officers, and they have been for many years. ""If Republicans cared about D.C. residents or democracy, they would take up H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill. H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state, giving D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. Norton’s full remarks follow, as prepared for delivery. Floor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton H.R. 884, to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 June 10, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic, paternalistic bill, which would repeal a law enacted by the locally elected District of Columbia government and impose a new law in D.C. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from every member of D.C.’s locally elected legislature, the Council, opposing this bill. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from D.C.’s locally elected Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, opposing this bill. Last Congress, Republicans introduced 26 bills or amendments to change local D.C. election laws, including 14 to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of the local D.C. law that allows noncitizens to vote in local elections. Yet, Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. has requested, which is to make D.C. a state so that it can hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate. While Congress has the authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, it is not required to do so. In Federalist #43, James Madison said of D.C. residents: “[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.” In 1953, the Supreme Court held that “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.” I want to discuss democracy, or lack thereof in D.C. There are over 700,000 D.C. residents. D.C. residents are required to pay federal taxes, register with Selective Service and serve on federal juries in the same manner as residents of states. Yet, D.C. residents have no voting representation in Congress, and Congress has the ultimate say on local D.C. matters. The Council has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, residents can vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out of office or pass a ballot measure. That is the antithesis of democracy. The substance of this bill is irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. However, I will briefly discuss it. D.C. allows noncitizens to vote in local elections because it believes that all adult residents deserve a say in their local government. While local D.C. law allows noncitizens to vote only in local elections, 40 states and the federal government allowed noncitizens to vote in local, state, territorial and federal elections at various points, including at the founding. The federal government first prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections only 29 years ago. Today, nearly 20 cities allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. As the House has considered this bill, Republicans have repeatedly said the franchise is a right of citizenship. If that is what Republicans believe, I hope they will finally grant the American citizens who live in D.C. the right to vote for voting representation in Congress. I have introduced H.R. 51 to do so. Pursuant to the Admissions and District clauses of the Constitution, H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a new state. Statehood would not only give D.C. voting representation in Congress, it would also give D.C. full local self-government. I urge members to respect the will of D.C. residents by voting NO on H.R. 884. Floor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton H.R. 2096, the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act June 10, 2025 I strongly oppose this antidemocratic bill, which would repeal provisions of a law enacted by the locally elected District of Columbia government. The over 700,000 D.C. residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of local self-government. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from D.C.’s locally elected chief executive, Mayor Muriel Bowser, opposing this bill. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from every member of D.C.’s locally elected legislature, the Council, opposing this bill. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from D.C.’s locally elected Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, opposing this bill. Republicans regularly introduce legislation to repeal local D.C. laws. What is different about this bill is it also overrides the longstanding wishes of the D.C. police department. For at least a quarter century, the D.C. police department had requested increased authority to discipline officers for misconduct. The Council gave the department this authority after the murder of George Floyd. This bill would take away this authority. I will discuss the justification and timing of this bill, though it is always wrong and never the right time for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. This bill says it is necessary to combat rising violent crime in D.C. and to improve the retention and recruitment of D.C. police officers. This bill has its facts wrong. Last year, violent crime in D.C. reached a more than 30-year low. This year, violent crime in D.C. is down 22% compared to the same period last year. Police departments throughout the country, in both red and blue states, are struggling to retain and recruit officers, and they have been for many years. The timing of the introduction and consideration of this bill is stunning. It was introduced the same day Congress cut the local D.C. budget by more than $1 billion. This fiscal sabotage did not save the federal government any money, since the local D.C. budget consists entirely of locally raised revenue. The Senate immediately passed the D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse this cut. Although President Trump and the National Fraternal Order of Police called for the House to immediately pass the D.C. Local Funds Act, the D.C. Local Funds Act has been sitting in the House for three months. I will close by discussing democracy, or lack thereof in D.C. The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on local D.C. or federal matters, and they pay full federal taxes while being denied voting representation in Congress. If Republicans cared about D.C. residents or democracy, they would take up H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill. H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state, giving D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. Congress has the authority to admit this new state. The Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new states. All 37 new states were admitted by an act of Congress. The District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to reduce the size of the federal district, which it has previously done. I urge the House to vote NO on H.R. 2096 and to pass the D.C. statehood bill and the D.C. Local Funds Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-house-passage-two-anti-dc-bills,Norton Statement on House Passage of Two Anti-D.C. Bills,2025-06-10,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the two anti-D.C. home rule bills passed by the House today demonstrate the Republican view of D.C. as property they can exert control over to score political points instead of working on behalf of their own constituents. The first bill, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), would prohibit D.C. residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections. The second, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), would repeal parts of D.C.’s 2022 local police accountability and transparency law. “Once again, House Republicans have used countless hours of their offices’ time that rightly belongs to their own constituents to try to repeal local D.C. laws and policies, and they’ll waste even more tomorrow,” Norton said. “These bills, introduced by members elected to serve other districts, seek to bully and micromanage the affairs of local D.C. Yesterday, Chair of the House Rules Committee, Rep. Virginia Foxx, inadvertently revealed how Republicans think of D.C. when she referred to D.C. as ‘a special piece of property,’ ignoring the more than 700,000 Americans who reside in the nation’s capital. “Noncitizen voting has been allowed in the United States since its founding, with nearly 20 cities allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Republicans introduced 26 bills or amendments to change local D.C. voting laws, including 14 to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of the local D.C. law that allows residents who are not citizens to vote in local elections last Congress. Yet Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. has requested: making D.C. a state so that it can hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate. ""Like with voting, Republicans regularly introduce legislation to repeal other types of local D.C. laws. What is different about Rep. Garbarino’s bill is it also overrides the longstanding wishes of the D.C. police department. For at least a quarter century, the D.C. police department had requested increased authority to discipline officers for misconduct. The local D.C. legislature gave the department this authority after the murder of George Floyd, which Rep. Garbarino’s bill would remove. The bill says it is necessary to combat rising violent crime and to improve the retention and recruitment of police officers but this bill has its facts wrong. Last year, violent crime in D.C. reached a more than 30-year low and is down 22 percent this year compared to the same period last year.” ""If Republicans cared about D.C. residents or democracy, they would take up H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill. H.R. 51 would admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state, giving D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. “I will continue to fiercely fight any further advancement of these bills.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-pride-month-norton-introduces-bill-protect-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-dc,"During Pride Month, Norton Introduces Bill to Protect LGBTQ+, Reproductive Rights in D.C.",2025-06-09,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – During Pride Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act to end the unique applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to the District of Columbia. RFRA, which provides more protection for religious exercise than the First Amendment requires, applies to the federal government, the D.C. government and the territorial governments, but not to state governments. Norton's bill would ensure the District is treated the same as states, while defending LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights in D.C. ""RFRA was designed to be a shield to protect religious freedom, but the Supreme Court's 2014 Hobby Lobby decision demonstrates it’s now being used as a sword to discriminate against the LGBTQ community and women,"" Norton said. ""Additionally, members of Congress have used RFRA as a justification for trying – but failing – to overturn D.C. antidiscrimination laws. My bill is an important step in ensuring home rule for the District."" Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act of 2025 June 9, 2025 Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act of 2025, which would end the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to the District of Columbia government. This bill would treat the D.C. government in the same manner as state governments under RFRA, and allow D.C. to protect LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights. RFRA, which provides more protection for religious exercise than the First Amendment requires, applies to the federal government and the D.C. government, but not to state governments. While RFRA was designed to be a shield to protect religious freedom, it is being used, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s 2014 Hobby Lobby decision, as a sword to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and women. Republicans in Congress have cited RFRA as a justification for trying to overturn D.C. non-discrimination laws. For example, since 2015, Republicans have repeatedly tried to nullify or block D.C.’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and their families based on reproductive health decisions, claiming, in part, that it violates RFRA. This bill would help ensure that D.C. is able to enact and carry out non-discrimination laws. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-condemns-three-anti-dc-bills-ahead-rules-committee-consideration,Norton Condemns Three Anti-D.C. Bills Ahead of Rules Committee Consideration,2025-06-09,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of today’s Rules Committee consideration of three anti-D.C. home rule bills, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the bills’ advancement is another example of paternalistic, undemocratic incursions by Congress on the democratically expressed will of more than 700,000 D.C. residents. The Committee will consider a bill introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) to prohibit D.C. residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections, a bill introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) that would repeal parts of D.C.’s 2022 local police accountability and transparency law, and a bill introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) to nullify locally-enacted D.C. laws, policies and practices regarding D.C. exchanging information about the citizenship and immigration status of individuals. Higgins’ bill would require D.C. to comply with requests by the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration detainers. “Republicans introduced 14 bills or amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote last Congress,” Norton said. “Despite being fixated on the subject of D.C. elections, Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. residents have asked Congress to make, which is the right to hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate by passing my D.C. statehood bill. “It is always wrong and never the right time for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters, but I’ll address Rep. Garbarino’s bill to repeal parts of D.C.’s police transparency law. This bill was introduced three days after House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that cut D.C.’s local budget by one billion dollars. That was an act of fiscal sabotage, which did not save the federal government any money. It’s been almost three months since the Senate passed the D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse the cut and over two months since President Trump called for an immediate House vote on it. The D.C. Local Funds Act is still just sitting in the House. Like President Trump and the National Fraternal Order of Police, I call on the House immediately to pass the D.C. Local Funds Act. “Like states, cities and counties across the country, D.C. has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status. In passing those laws, D.C. followed its values, the evidence on the benefits of such laws for the entire city, and the democratic process to enact policy consistent with its goals. Congress has no business overturning D.C.’s democratically enacted local laws and should keep its hands off D.C.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-chatbots-are-no-replacement-federal-workers,Norton Says Chatbots Are No Replacement for Federal Workers,2025-06-05,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said in today’s Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (COGR) hearing on artificial intelligence that chatbots are no replacement for federal workers, as demonstrated by the current state of the Social Security Administration, where senior citizens now face 98-minute wait times to speak with customer service. “AI is a tool that can empower our public servants, but it is not a substitute for passionate and committed federal workers,” Norton said. “As a direct result of the interference with the Social Security Administration, senior citizens now face 98-minute wait times to speak with customer service, crowded lobbies at field offices, and being turned away from scheduled appointments because the agency simply does not have the employees to perform its mission. Poor customer service is not efficiency; it is failing to uphold the government’s responsibility to our constituents. “As we discuss the use of artificial intelligence in government, we must have people at the center of the conversation, including the people we represent and the federal workers who serve our country.” Norton’s remarks follow. Federal Workers Cannot Be Replaced By Chatbots Government must leverage the best technology possible to meet the ever-changing needs of the people it serves. From the creation of a national postal service to the discoveries that led to the internet, the federal government has a long history of embracing new technology to better deliver for our constituents. But our north star must always be service to the American people—not tax breaks for billionaires or backroom deals to benefit the richest man in the world at the public’s expense. As we discuss the use of artificial intelligence in government, we must have people at the center of the conversation, including the people we represent and the federal workers who serve our country. AI is a tool that can empower our public servants, but it is not a substitute for passionate and committed federal workers. Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have gutted so much of the federal workforce, firing tens of thousands of people under the guise of greater efficiency. But Americans know better: They see the negative impacts every day. As a direct result of the interference with the Social Security Administration, senior citizens now face 98-minute wait times to speak with customer service, crowded lobbies at field offices, and being turned away from scheduled appointments because the agency simply does not have the employees to perform its mission. Poor customer service is not efficiency; it is failing to uphold the government’s responsibility to our constituents. Now, the Social Security Administration wants to cut an additional seven thousand employees and somehow use AI to handle calls from seniors. That does not work, because I know that when my constituents have a problem with their Social Security, they would rather talk to a person than a computer program. The Department of Government Efficiency cuts are wreaking havoc in our communities, and it will take years to clean up the mess Elon Musk left behind. Thank you. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:38Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-says-president-trumps-proposed-dc-budget-affront-district,Norton Says President Trump’s Proposed D.C. Budget is An Affront to the District,2025-06-03,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that President Donald Trump's fiscal year (FY) 2026 District of Columbia budget is an affront to D.C. and that she will work to defeat its most harmful provisions, as she has in the past. The FY 26 budget would zero out funding for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) and impose anti-home-rule riders, including prohibiting D.C. from spending its local funds on abortion and recreational marijuana commercialization. It also proposes reduced spending on certain federal programs that benefit the District. ""As with President Trump’s budget during his first administration, I will fight to ensure that these harmful proposals never see the light of day,"" Norton said. ""I particularly want to assure D.C. parents and students, thousands of whom are away at college now, that I will continue to fight for this important funding and that I do not believe they are in danger of losing their DCTAG funds. DCTAG has been funded every year by Republican and Democratic Congresses alike since the program was created in 1999."" DCTAG has been funded at $40 million for over a decade. DCTAG makes up the difference, up to $10,000, for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in the United States. Norton has consistently been able to secure DCTAG funding since she got the program created in 1999, despite previous threats to zero out the program. Like his proposed budgets during his first term, the President’s FY 26 budget request does not provide funding to the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for ongoing work to control flooding in the District and to clean up the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek. Norton secured $8 million for DC Water in last year’s enacted continuing resolution, and she is confident she will be able to get at least that much again because appropriators recognize that DC Water serves the Capitol and federal buildings as well. However, the President’s budget request also includes Norton's annual provision exempting D.C. from a shutdown during the fiscal year. It contains $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C. Norton has secured HIV/AIDS funding every year to help make up for the 10 years when a rider kept D.C. from spending its local funds on needle exchange programs. The budget also provides funding ($600,000) for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program for tuition for the D.C. National Guard. This program helps boost enlistment and retention in the D.C. National Guard by providing financial assistance to D.C. guardsmen to attend undergraduate, vocational, or technical courses. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-frost-introduce-bill-remove-gender-designation-requirement-real-id-0,"Norton, Frost Introduce Bill to Remove Gender Designation Requirement from REAL ID Act During Pride Month",2025-06-02,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, at the start of Pride Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to remove the requirement from the REAL ID Act that compliant licenses include a gender designation. The bill instead would leave the decision to the states, and, if a state chooses to require a gender designation, a person would be able to change the designation by self-attestation. It would also require states that include gender on their REAL ID-compliant licenses to have a neutral or other designation gender field, in addition to male or female. “This is an important bill for equality, especially for transgender Americans living under the Trump Administration,” Norton said. “Under the REAL ID Act, gender must be included on a license. This can be problematic for transgender or nonbinary individuals. I recognize that some LGBTQ individuals do not want gender designations on licenses at all, while others do want gender designations so they can express their identity. This bill strikes the middle ground, while showing Congress’ support for LGBTQ people. Thank you to Rep. Frost for joining me in leading this important bill.” ""As the LGBTQ+ community faces daily attacks on their identity and very existence from the Trump Administration and conservative led states, I am proud to stand with Congresswoman Norton to ensure that transgender and nonbinary folks can have licenses that reflect their true selves,"" said Frost. ""This bill is about showing support and solidarity with a community that has already overcome so much to live openly. Making it law that an ID will not become another barrier for our LGBTQ+ neighbors is the very least we can do."" Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the REAL ID Gender Requirement Reform Act June 2, 2025 Today, I introduce the REAL ID Gender Requirement Reform Act, which would repeal the requirement in the REAL ID Act that REAL ID-compliant licenses include gender. Instead, states would decide whether to include gender on their respective REAL-ID compliant licenses. I am pleased Representative Maxwell Frost is co-leading this bill. Under this bill, if a state includes gender on its REAL ID-compliant licenses, the state must allow individuals to change the gender designation on their license through self-attestation. It would also require states that include gender on their REAL ID-compliant licenses to have a neutral or other designation gender field, in addition to male or female. Under the REAL ID Act, gender must be included on a license. This can be problematic for transgender and nonbinary individuals. I recognize that some LGBTQ+ individuals do not want gender designations on licenses at all, while others do want gender designation so as to express their identity. I believe this bill strikes the middle ground, while showing Congress’ support for LGBTQ+ individuals. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-allow-state-and-local-governments-charge-sales-tax-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Allow State and Local Governments to Charge Sales Tax at Gift Shops on Federal Property,2025-05-29,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her Federal Gift Shop Tax Act today to allow state and local governments to impose a sales tax on purchases at gift shops located on federal property. “When the federal government engages in activity that is not inherently governmental, such as operating a gift shop, there is no reason to exempt customer purchases from a sales tax. The items sold at federal gift shops, such as jewelry, games and books, are subject to a sales tax if sold on private property. “State and local governments often provide uncompensated services to federal property, such as EMS and fire service, and allowing them to impose a sales tax on gift shops would allow them to recoup some of those costs,” Norton said. “This bill is of particular importance to the District of Columbia, as it is home to a number of gift shops on federal property, such as at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.” Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of the Federal Gift Shop Tax Act May 29, 2025 Today, I introduce the Federal Gift Shop Tax Act, which would allow state and local governments to impose a sales tax at gift shops on federal property. This authority would allow these governments to generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue. When the federal government engages in activity that is not inherently governmental, such as operating a gift shop, there is no reason to exempt customer purchases from a sales tax. The items sold at federal gift shops, such as jewelry, games and books, are subject to a sales tax if sold on private property. Customers are often unaware of the sales tax exemption at gift shops on federal property, so the introduction of a sales tax is unlikely to have a significant impact on sales. It would, however, create a new revenue source for state and local governments. In addition, state and local governments often provide uncompensated services on federal property, such as fire and emergency medical services, so allowing these governments to impose a sales tax at gift shops on federal property would allow them to recoup some of these costs. This bill is of particular importance to the District of Columbia, which is home to a number of gift shops on federal property, such as at the Smithsonian Institution and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-duckworth-announce-senate-committee-passage-bill-strengthen-consumer,"Norton, Duckworth Announce Senate Committee Passage of Bill to Strengthen Consumer Protections Against Fraud Involving Residential Moving Companies",2025-05-27,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation passed their Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act last week without amendments. The bill is co-lead by Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE). This bipartisan bill would equip the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with the necessary tools to protect consumers from fraud perpetrated by scammers in the interstate transportation of household goods. The bill was written to address a growing type of fraud involving entities that charge an up-front fee, pack and hold consumers’ household goods, then demand more funds to deliver or release the items. The companies involved have launched websites with fake 5-star reviews, and when negative reviews become prevalent, the scammers simply close the existing companies and open new ones, repeating the original scheme under a new FMCSA license. Norton and Ezell introduced the House companion bill in January. “Senate committee passage of this bill is a significant step in the right direction for consumer rights,” Norton said. “Combating illegitimate shipping companies is like a game of whack-a-mole. As soon as one business is shut down, another pops up. This bill would protect consumers by clarifying FMCSA’s authority to assess civil penalties for violations of commercial regulations, and crucially, withholding registration from applicants who fail to provide verification details demonstrating they intend to operate legitimate businesses. I thank my colleagues, Senators Duckworth and Fischer, for leading this important bipartisan bill in the Senate.” “Bad actors are constantly developing new ways to defraud hardworking Americans, so it’s critical we keep our laws up to speed in order to protect our constituents from the latest scamming techniques,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud my bipartisan bill with Senator Fischer has passed through committee in the Senate and is now that much closer to helping ensure FMCSA has the tools it needs to shield American consumers from theft. Moving is stressful enough as is—you shouldn’t also have to worry about whether your movers are trying to steal your money and belongings.” The bill has been endorsed by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), American Trucking Associations’ Moving & Storage Conference (ATA-MSC), Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA), the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC), Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), Institute for Safer Trucking (IST) and Road Safe America. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-recognizing-dc-servicemembers-and-veterans-1,Norton Introduces Resolution Recognizing D.C. Servicemembers and Veterans in Advance of Memorial Day,2025-05-23,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution in advance of Memorial Day recognizing District of Columbia servicemembers and veterans. The resolution calls for statehood for D.C. to ensure these servicemembers and veterans – and all District residents – enjoy the full rights of American democracy. D.C. residents have served in every war since the Revolutionary War, all without the full and equal rights that can come only with statehood. ""Each year we take Memorial Day to recognize servicemembers who have died in service to our nation,"" Norton said. ""District of Columbia servicemembers and veterans have fought and died in every war since the Revolution without the equal protections of American democracy – including voting representation in Congress – that residents of the states receive. “Now, when the will of more than 700,000 D.C. residents as expressed by their democratically elected officials is more frequently under attack by Congress than any time since the 1990s, it strikes me as particularly important to reinforce that D.C. residents have fought, risked their lives, and paid the ultimate price to defend a union that continues to deny them the same rights afforded to residents of other jurisdictions. The only remedy that will ensure permanent equality is statehood for D.C.” The House has passed Norton's D.C. statehood bill twice. When it first passed in 2020, it was the first time in history either the House or the Senate had passed the D.C. statehood bill. The text of the resolution follows. Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government through statehood for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RESOLUTION Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government through statehood for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia. Whereas, on the last Monday of May, the Nation observes Memorial Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the members of the Armed Forces who died in the service of their country; Whereas the service and sacrifice of active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families are unparalleled; Whereas active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans have risked life and limb to protect the American people and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States; Whereas, approximately 30,000 veterans are residents of the District of Columbia and do not have voting representation in Congress or full local self-government in the District of Columbia; Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought in the Revolutionary War, which resulted in the creation of the United States and was fought under the slogan of “no taxation without representation”, and have served in every war since; Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during that war; Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 4 different States during that war; Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during that war; Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during that war; Whereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I; and Whereas the District of Columbia statehood bill (H.R. 51 and S. 51), the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, has 190 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 43 cosponsors in the Senate: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That— District of Columbia residents have earned voting representation in the House of Representatives and Senate and full local self-government; and (2) on Memorial Day, the House of Representatives recognizes that active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia deserve passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-calls-committee-markup-two-anti-home-rule-bills-overturn-dc-laws,"Norton Calls Committee Markup of Two Anti-Home Rule Bills to Overturn D.C. Laws Paternalistic, Undemocratic",2025-05-21,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the two bills marked up and passed by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability today represent the continuation of paternalistic, undemocratic incursions by Congress on the democratically expressed will of more than 700,000 D.C. residents. A bill introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) would prohibit D.C. residents who are not citizens from voting in local D.C. elections, and a bill introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) would repeal parts of D.C.’s 2022 local police accountability and transparency law. “Last Congress, Republicans introduced 14 bills or amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote,” Norton said. “Yet Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. residents have asked Congress to make, which is the right to hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate by passing the D.C. statehood bill. “Let’s discuss the stunning timing of Rep. Garbarino’s bill to repeal parts of D.C.’s police transparency law, though it is always wrong and never the right time for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. This bill was introduced three days after House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that cut D.C.’s local budget by one billion dollars. That act of fiscal sabotage, which did not save the federal government any money, has led to a freeze on overtime, hiring and pay raises, and furloughs or layoffs may be next. Nine weeks ago today, the Senate passed the D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse the cut. The D.C. Local Funds Act is just sitting in the House. Like President Trump and the National Fraternal Order of Police, I call on the House immediately to pass the D.C. Local Funds Act. ""By voting to report out these bills today, I can only conclude that the Republican committee members believe that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable or unworthy of governing themselves. I will continue fighting to defeat these paternalistic, undemocratic, and anti-home rule bills and any actions seeking to override the will of D.C. residents expressed through the District’s own local government."" The D.C. Council passed the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act in 2022, which allows noncitizens to vote in local D.C. elections. More than a dozen cities in the U.S. allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, and there is a long history of the U.S. allowing noncitizens to vote in local, state, territorial and federal elections, including prior to the country's formal founding. In 2023 President Biden vetoed a disapproval resolution that would have repealed all of the D.C. policing reform law, the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 (CPJRAA). The House failed to override the presidential veto. The bill the committee reported out today would (1) repeal the CPJRAA’s provisions that removed police officer disciplinary matters from collective bargaining; (2) reinstitute a 90-day limit on the police department to commence corrective or adverse action against a police officer or civilian employee; and (3) repeal the CPJRAA’s provision requiring the police department to publish on a public website a schedule of adverse hearings in which the proposed discipline for an officer is termination, including the date, time, and location of the hearing, the name and badge number of the officer, and a summary of the alleged misconduct or charges. Norton’s markup statements for each bill follow. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Markup of H.R. 884 May 21, 2025 I strongly oppose this undemocratic, paternalistic bill. Today, this committee is considering its second and third bills this year to repeal, nullify or establish local District of Columbia laws, policies or practices. Last Congress, Republicans introduced 14 bills or amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote. Yet, Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. residents have asked Congress to make, which is the right to hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate. I want to discuss democracy, or lack thereof in D.C. D.C. has no voting representation in Congress, and Congress has the ultimate say on local D.C. matters. While Congress has the authority to legislate on local D.C. matters, it is not required to do so. In Federalist 43, James Madison said of D.C. residents: “[A] municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them.” The Supreme Court held in 1953 that “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.” D.C.’s local legislature has 13 members. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, residents can vote them out or pass a ballot measure. That is called democracy. Congress has 535 voting members. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote on local D.C. matters, residents cannot vote them out. That is the antithesis of democracy. The substance of H.R. 884 is irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. However, I will briefly discuss it. While D.C.’s Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act allows noncitizens to vote only in local D.C. elections, noncitizen voting at every level of government has been part of the history of the U.S. since its founding. Forty states have allowed noncitizens to vote, nearly 20 cities today allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, and Congress only first prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections 29 ago. I will close with a plea to Republicans: pass the bipartisan D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse the $1 billion cut the continuing resolution made to the local D.C. budget. That bill has been held at the desk of the House since the Senate passed it nine weeks ago. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Markup of the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act of 2025 (H.R. 2096) May 21, 2025 I strongly oppose this bill. The more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents are capable and worthy of self-government. This bill would repeal police discipline provisions in D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act. Last Congress, Republicans introduced seven bills or amendments to nullify or prohibit D.C. from carrying out that law, or police discipline provisions thereof. Let’s discuss the justification and timing of this bill, though it is always wrong and never the right time for Congress to legislate on local D.C. matters. The text of this bill says repealing the police discipline provisions is necessary to combat rising violent crime in D.C. and to improve the retention and recruitment of police officers. This committee may not be aware that violent crime reached a more than 30-year low in D.C. last year and is down 22 percent this year. This committee also may not be aware that police departments of all sizes, in both red and blue states throughout the country, are struggling to retain and recruit officers, and they have been for many years. The timing of the introduction and markup of this bill is stunning. This bill was introduced three days after House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that cut D.C.’s local budget by one billion dollars. That act of fiscal sabotage, which did not save the federal government any money, has led to a freeze on overtime, hiring and pay raises, and furloughs or layoffs may be next. Nine weeks ago today, the Senate passed the D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse the cut. The D.C. Local Funds Act is just sitting in the House. Like President Trump and the National Fraternal Order of Police, I call on the House to pass immediately the D.C. Local Funds Act. This committee also may not be aware that the D.C. police department supported removing discipline from collective bargaining, eliminating the 99-day statute of limitations on discipline and allowing the police chief to increase proposed discipline. I will close by discussing democracy, or lack thereof in D.C. The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. Yet, D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on local D.C. or federal matters, and they pay full federal taxes while being denied voting representation in Congress. If Republicans cared about D.C. or democracy, instead of playing city council, this committee today would be marking up the D.C. statehood bill, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. Congress has the authority to admit the residential and commercial areas of D.C. as a state. It simply lacks the will. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-statement-passing-rep-gerry-connolly-friend-and-ally-dc,"Norton Statement on the Passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly, Friend and Ally to D.C.",2025-05-21,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement upon learning of the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). As a member of Congress serving the National Capital Region and a member or ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where Norton also serves, during his entire congressional career, Connolly and Norton worked closely on issues that affected both their districts and the region. “Rep. Connolly was an ally to D.C. who I worked closely with on issues relating to the National Capital Region and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability over many years,” Norton said. “This Congress he stood out for boldly fighting on behalf of federal workers even as he waged a personal war against cancer. Rep. Connolly should be seen as a role model for those aspiring to a career in public service. Although he represented Virginia’s 11th congressional district, D.C. will not soon forget his support for D.C. statehood and home rule. I send my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-urges-department-transportation-prohibit-use-helicopters-transporting,Norton Urges Department of Transportation to Prohibit Use of Helicopters for Transporting Government Officials in National Capital Region,2025-05-19,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After receiving conflicting information from officials regarding the use of ADS-B transponders, a type of transponder used to communicate GPS data and project aircraft trajectory, in helicopter flights in the National Capital Region (NCR), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday urging DoT to prohibit the use of helicopters for these flights in the NCR, except for the president, vice president, and in certain emergencies. A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter from the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and a passenger plane collided in D.C. airspace on January 29, killing 67 people. The helicopter was not using its ADS-B transponder when the collision occurred. “I am deeply concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is granting too many exceptions to the requirement that helicopters operating near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport use ADS-B transponders,” Norton said. “These transponders are critical to flight safety, particularly in crowded D.C. airspace. They broadcast several types of data to other aircraft and air traffic control, including, importantly, the state of an aircraft’s navigation systems, and will automatically alert other aircraft and air traffic control towers if the aircraft is experiencing problems with its navigational systems. “Given the tragic midair collision near DCA involving a helicopter that was not using its ADS-B transponder and many near misses, I urge you to require all helicopters operating near DCA to use ADS-B transponders, except in the case of a national security emergency or the transport of the president and vice president.” In 2023, DoD responded to an inquiry from Norton with a letter stating that the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir executes 100% of its missions with the ADS-B transponders disabled. However, in February of this year Norton received specific reports that the Department of Defense (DoD) asserted that ADS-B transponders were enabled in DoD helicopter flights in the NCR. Adding to the confusion, the FAA indicated in an April meeting with Norton’s office that use of the transponders would now be required for the majority of helicopter flights near DCA, with few exceptions. Finally, during a May 15 Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing, an FAA official responded to a question from Norton about the transponders by stating that the same categories of exceptions to the requirement before the January 29 crash still applied, indicating there had been no change in policy. The letter follows. May 16, 2025 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Duffy: I am deeply concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is granting too many exceptions to the requirement that helicopters operating near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) use Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders. Yesterday, during a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing, I asked FAA officials to clarify the agency’s policy on helicopter use of ADS-B transponders near DCA. FAA Deputy Chief Operating Officer Franklin McIntosh said helicopter flights related to law enforcement, national security or the transport of government officials are not required to use ADS-B transponders near DCA. These overly broad exceptions jeopardize the safety of the airspace near DCA. Given the tragic midair collision near DCA involving a helicopter that was not using its ADS-B transponder and many near misses, I urge you to require all helicopters operating near DCA to use ADS-B transponders, except in the case of a national security emergency or the transport of the president and vice president. In addition, I agree with your May 2, 2025, statement on X that “Safety must ALWAYS come first. We just lost 67 souls! No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians. Take a taxi or Uber – besides most VIPs have black car service.” I urge you to prohibit the use of helicopters for transporting government officials in the National Capital Region, except in the case of a national security emergency or the transport of the president and vice president. I request a written response to this letter by May 23, 2025. Sincerely, Eleanor Holmes Norton ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/two-month-anniversary-senate-passage-bill-fix-dc-budget-issue-norton-urges,"On Two-Month Anniversary of Senate Passage of Bill to fix D.C. Budget Issue, Norton Urges House Vote",2025-05-14,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the two-month anniversary of Senate passage of a bill to correct an issue caused by the recent continuing resolution (CR) to cause a projected $1 billion shortfall to D.C.’s local budget through the end of the fiscal year, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) again urged the House to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Even after the District invoked a 2009 law that would allow it to increase its approved budget by up to 6%, D.C. is facing a projected $400 million shortfall by the end of the fiscal year because of the CR – despite having the funds, which are raised from its own local revenue and include zero federal dollars. The CR passed in March omitted a longstanding provision to allow D.C. to continue spending under its local fiscal year 2025 budget, forcing the District to revert to spending at fiscal year 2024 levels for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Senate passed a bill, introduced by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on March 14 to correct the issue, immediately after passing the CR, but the House has yet to vote on it. President Trump called for immediate House passage of Collins’ bill on March 28. “It has now been two months since the Senate passed Senator Collins’ bill to correct the problem caused by the CR, while the House has yet to vote on the bill, despite President Trump himself calling for it,” Norton said. “I am grateful the Senate worked swiftly to correct this grave and intentional omission that has devastating consequences for the District. It’s time for the House to do its part and bring the bill to the floor for a vote. “This ordeal only helps to highlight the need for D.C. statehood so that D.C. can finally govern itself to the same extent afforded to the states, including making decisions about how to use its own local funds.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-establish-inspector-general-thrift-savings-plan-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Inspector General for Thrift Savings Plan,2025-05-13,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today 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. ""I frequently heard from constituents about many problems with the TSP system after it changed platforms in 2022, including discrepancies in account balances, difficulties accessing accounts, lost beneficiary information, and hours-long wait times for customer service,” Norton said. “While I am pleased that the widespread problems with the TSP’s online system have been addressed since then, the FRTIB should be held to the same standards of accountability as any other federal agency. Accountability mechanisms at FRTIB, including establishing an independent inspector general, are necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar widespread failures and ensure any future issues are promptly and effectively addressed.” After a request headed by Norton and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), the Government Accountability Office conducted a comprehensive review of the planning, contract award and implementation of the new TSP system, as well as oversight by FRTIB. Norton’s introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Inspector General Act of 2025 May 13, 2025 Today, I introduce the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Inspector General Act of 2025, which would create an independent Inspector General (IG) for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). The FRTIB administers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees. In 2022, the FRTIB launched a new recordkeeping system with the goal of modernizing TSP’s recordkeeping, improving customer service and bolstering cybersecurity. There were widespread problems with the new system, including account access, account balances, missing or incomplete information in accounts and hours-long wait times to reach customer service. I, along with several colleagues, asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the implementation of the new system. GAO found that FRTIB “did not fully implement key acquisition management practices…[which] significantly increased the risk of a problematic rollout of the new system.” TSP has approximately 7.2 million participants and $937 billion in assets, making it the world’s largest defined contribution plan. Federal employees dedicate their careers to serving our country, and they deserve a retirement savings and investment plan that provides top-tier customer support and security. While the Employee Benefits Security Administration has oversight responsibility for TSP, as it does for private sector 401(k) plans, there is no IG for the FRTIB. The problems with the rollout of the recordkeeping system are evidence enough that the FRTIB needs an independent IG. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-provide-access-restrooms-retail-establishments-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Access to Restrooms in Retail Establishments for Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions,2025-05-08,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to require retail establishments to provide individuals who have medical conditions requiring immediate access to restrooms, such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis, access to employee-only bathrooms when such establishments do not have public facilities. The individual would need to present documentation of their medical condition and the bill will include provisions to protect the safety of employees. ""Individuals living with chronic illnesses such as Crohn's disease, IBS and ulcerative colitis often need immediate access to restrooms,"" Norton said. ""When public restrooms are not available, these individuals should be able to use facilities that are reserved for employees."" Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar legislation. Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Restroom Access Act of 2025 May 8, 2025 Today, I introduce the Restroom Access Act of 2025, which would require a retail establishment to provide an individual who has a medical condition requiring immediate use of a restroom, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, access to an employee-only restroom when such an establishment does not have a public restroom. Individuals would be required to present a Department of Labor-issued identification card certifying that they have an eligible medical condition. Individuals who have certain medical conditions need immediate access to a restroom. When public restrooms are not available, these individuals may experience uncomfortable or embarrassing situations. As long as there are no safety concerns, which this bill addresses, these individuals should be able to use an employee-only restroom. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-releases-remarks-press-conference-proposed-cut-district-columbias,Norton Releases Remarks From Press Conference on the Proposed Cut to the District of Columbia’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage,2025-05-02,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s press conference with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and city officials about the proposed cut to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) in the fiscal year (FY 25) 2025 budget resolution, which she said will catastrophically harm District residents. “Cutting D.C.’s FMAP would not only harm our residents, but also federal employees, officials and visitors from across the country. It would jeopardize care for children and families from all fifty states who come to our region’s renowned hospitals for treatment,” Norton said. “A reduction in D.C.’s FMAP would destabilize our healthcare system and adversely impact the hundreds of thousands of constituents who live, work, and receive care in D.C. each day,” Norton said. Norton’s full remarks follow. Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) Press Event on Proposed Cut to District of Columbia’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, May 2, 2025 Throughout my years in Congress, I have been a staunch supporter of Medicaid, consistently advocating for legislation to enhance its benefits for D.C. residents. I strongly oppose the proposed Medicaid cuts in the FY 25 budget resolution, especially those targeting the federal match rate for D.C., known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP. Reducing D.C.'s FMAP from seventy percent to the proposed fifty percent would be devastating for the nation's capital. It would create a $1.1 billion gap in D.C.’s local budget, an impact that would be catastrophic. A reduction in D.C.’s FMAP would destabilize our healthcare system and adversely impact the hundreds of thousands of constituents who live, work, and receive care in D.C. each day. The proposal to reduce D.C.’s FMAP is the latest in a series of attacks on D.C. The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have consistently undermined D.C. from anti-home rule executive orders targeting the District to House Republicans' efforts to force D.C. to revert to FY 24 spending levels by omitting a longstanding provision in the continuing resolution. In 1997, Congress passed the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act to help rescue D.C. from insolvency. The Revitalization Act transferred certain functions and costs from the D.C. government to the federal government, including pensions, courts, prisons and community supervision of offenders. It also established the current 70 percent D.C. FMAP to reflect these obligations. Congress also imposes several revenue limitations on D.C. For example, D.C. cannot tax income earned in D.C. by non-residents, depriving D.C. of more than three billion dollars in annual revenue. Nor can D.C. permit buildings to exceed certain height limitations or tax its sizable federal property. These constraints are why our FMAP is set higher than many states—to ensure D.C. can continue to provide vital services despite its restricted tax base. Cutting D.C.’s FMAP would not only harm our residents, but also federal employees, officials and visitors from across the country. It would jeopardize care for children and families from all fifty states who come to our region’s renowned hospitals for treatment. To even consider these cuts is misguided and irresponsible. I urge my colleagues, particularly those on the Energy and Commerce Committee, to reject all Medicaid cuts during budget reconciliation, especially any reduction to D.C.’s FMAP. The stakes are too high and our providers, our patients and our region cannot afford this. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-designate-may-1-2025-dc-statehood-day,"Norton Introduces Resolution to Designate May 1, 2025, as “D.C. Statehood Day”",2025-05-01,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2025, as “D.C. Statehood Day” and calling for statehood for the District through enactment of her Washington, D.C. Admission Act. ""Taxation without representation is alive and well in D.C.,"" Norton said. ""D.C. residents pay the highest federal taxes per capita and more federal taxes than 19 states. D.C. residents have fought and died in every war since the Revolution, and they deserve voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. “Highlighting the District’s need for statehood as often as possible only serves to help us reach statehood sooner, and I introduced this resolution to name May 1st, or 5/1, ‘Statehood Day’ for this very reason.” The text of the resolution follows. H. RES. __ Recognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2025, as “D.C. Statehood Day”. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2025, as “D.C. Statehood Day”. Whereas the United States was founded on the principles of consent of the governed and no taxation without representation; Whereas District of Columbia residents are denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government; Whereas the District of Columbia pays more per capita Federal taxes than any State and pays more Federal taxes than 19 States; Whereas statehood would give District of Columbia residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government; Whereas Congress has the constitutional authority to pass the District of Columbia statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), which would admit the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and reduce the size of the Federal district; Whereas the Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new States, and all 37 new States were admitted by Congress; Whereas no State would have to consent to the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth; Whereas the District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress plenary authority over the Federal district and establishes a maximum size of the Federal district, but not a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district; Whereas the 23d Amendment to the Constitution allows the Federal district to participate in the electoral college, while not establishing a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district; Whereas the Constitution does not establish any prerequisites for new States, but Congress has generally considered 3 factors— (1) population and resources; (2) support for statehood; and (3) commitment to democracy; Whereas the District of Columbia has a larger population than 2 States; Whereas the District of Columbia has a larger gross domestic product than 15 States and a higher per capita gross domestic product than any State; Whereas the District of Columbia has a higher per capita personal income than any State; Whereas 86 percent of District of Columbia residents voted for statehood in 2016; and Whereas District of Columbia residents have been fighting for voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for more than 200 years: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of “D.C. Statehood Day”; and (2) calls on Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:29Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-highlights-federal-employees-remarks-during-oversight-committee,Norton Highlights Federal Employees in Remarks During Oversight Committee Reconciliation Markup,2025-04-30,2025,2025-04,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s Committee on Oversight and Accountability (COA) markup of its portion of the reconciliation bill, where she highlighted the valuable contributions America’s federal employees continue to make in the face of unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration. The reconciliation bill advances several proposals to reduce the pay, benefits, and protections for federal employees. “The administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to dismantle much of the federal government, gut the federal workforce and fill federal jobs with political loyalists, in violation of the Constitution, statutes and regulations,” Norton said. “Most recently, the administration stripped federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. Federal employees, who provide invaluable services to the American people, deserve praise—not derision, cruelty, fear, chaos and illegal firings. These actions would – and have – deprived the federal government of expertise and experience. This harms the services the federal government provides to all Americans.” Norton’s remarks follow. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Oversight Committee Reconciliation Markup Statement April 30, 2025 I strongly oppose the reconciliation bill, including this committee’s portion. Republicans are taking away Medicaid, food assistance, pay, benefits and protections for federal employees and other critical federal funding and programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. The Trump administration and Congress have launched unprecedented attacks on federal employees, federal contract workers, federal agencies, federal programs, the rule of law and the Constitution, among other things. Most recently, the administration stripped federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. The administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to dismantle much of the federal government, gut the federal workforce and fill federal jobs with political loyalists, in violation of the Constitution, statutes and regulations. Federal employees, who provide invaluable services to the American people, deserve praise—not derision, cruelty, fear, chaos and illegal firings. These actions would – and have – deprived the federal government of expertise and experience. This harms the services the federal government provides to all Americans. Instead of attacking federal employees, this committee should be considering bills to support the federal workforce, such as my bill to combat federal pay compression. I yield back. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:06:22Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-require-federal-officials-charge-dc-supervision-0,Norton Introduces Bill to Require Federal Officials in Charge of D.C. Supervision Agencies to Reside in D.C.,2025-04-28,2025,2025-04,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the Director of the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) to be D.C. residents during their tenure. CSOSA is a federal agency, and PSA is an independent entity within CSOSA. “There are residency requirements for government positions in federal law, D.C. law and the laws of jurisdictions throughout the United States. The primary reason such laws exist is to ensure that certain government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges these residents face,” Norton said. Norton has also introduced the District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act to require federal district court judges, federal circuit court judges, the U.S. Attorney, the two U.S. Marshals, and the federal court clerk who serve in D.C. to reside in D.C., just as such officials are required to do in other jurisdictions. Norton's introductory statement follows. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of A Bill to Require the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and the Director of the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency to Reside in the District of Columbia April 28, 2025 Today, I introduce a bill that would require the Directors of two federal agencies, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), to reside in the District of Columbia during their terms. There are residency requirements for government positions in federal law, D.C. law and the laws of jurisdictions throughout the United States. The primary reason such laws exist is to ensure that certain government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges these residents face. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill in the 117th Congress. CSOSA and PSA are federal agencies that focus exclusively on D.C. CSOSA supervises individuals on probation, parole or supervised release for violations of D.C. law. PSA makes recommendations regarding pretrial release and supervises defendants for the D.C. Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for D.C. The Directors of CSOSA and PSA should be required to be D.C. residents since these agencies serve only D.C. Congress has justifiably required that certain federal officials live in the jurisdictions to which they are appointed, including U.S. district court judges, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys. Similarly, Congress, which controls the local D.C. court system, has justifiably required local D.C. judges and members of the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure to reside in D.C. There is no reason that the Directors of CSOSA and PSA should not be required to live in D.C. These federal officials need to be part of the community they serve. A D.C. residency requirement for these federal officials will lead to better outcomes in the criminal justice system and is a matter of fairness for D.C. residents. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:33:40Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-requiring-bop-place-dc-residents-serving-sentences-dc-0,Norton Introduces Bill Requiring BOP to Place D.C. Residents Serving Sentences for D.C. Code Felonies Within 250 Miles of D.C.,2025-04-24,2025,2025-04,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her bill to require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to place D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, individuals serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies are in BOP custody. “More than 2,000 D.C. residents are currently serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities across the country. Many are thousands of miles from their support systems,"" Norton said. ""My bill would help D.C. residents in BOP custody maintain relationships with their families and support networks, increasing the likelihood of successfully reentering society once they've completed their sentences."" 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. Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Improving Reentry for District of Columbia Residents in the Bureau of Prisons Act of 2025 April 24, 2025 Today, I introduce the Improving Reentry for District of Columbia Residents in the Bureau of Prisons Act of 2025. This bill would require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to place D.C. residents serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies in BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, individuals serving sentences for D.C. Code felonies are in BOP custody. Currently, 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. While Congress will not provide funding to BOP to build a new facility for these D.C. residents, there are more than enough existing BOP facilities within 250 miles of D.C. to house all these D.C. residents. Under this bill, BOP could place a D.C. resident outside 250 miles upon the request or consent of a resident, and BOP could place a D.C. resident outside 250 miles without consent in extraordinary circumstances. This bill would help D.C. residents in BOP maintain relationships with family and support networks and reenter the community after prison. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:33:40Z https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-commemorating-historic-escape-attempt-slaves-dc,Norton Introduces Resolution Commemorating Historic Escape Attempt by Slaves in D.C. on Ship,2025-04-17,2025,2025-04,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Holmes Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,norton,https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution commemorating the 1848 slave escape that occurred in D.C. on the ship the Pearl. “When it comes, statehood will free District residents of every race and background from constraints that deny them the freedom and equality enjoyed by other Americans,” Norton said. “But I see it as no accident that the single largest known slave escape in American history occurred in the District. The courage of the escapees, men and women determined to be free, reminds me of the spirit D.C. residents have always had in the fight for statehood. Remembering the story of the Pearl must inspire us to achieve the freedom that only statehood can give. “The escapees’ courage against the odds should inspire D.C. residents to continue believing that statehood is within reach and that D.C. is worthy and capable of self-government, even during this time when the people in the nation’s capital are under political attack from Republicans who hold both the majority in Congress and the White House.” The text of the resolution follows. Recognizing the historic abolitionist events surrounding the Pearl, and honoring its legacy in American history. RESOLUTION Recognizing the historic abolitionist events surrounding the Pearl, and honoring its legacy in American history. Whereas, on April 16, 1848, 77 enslaved people attempted to flee slavery in the District of Columbia and Alexandria, Virginia, on the Pearl, a schooner waiting for them in the Potomac River; Whereas, on April 14, 1848, three White men brought the ship to the District of Columbia, and Daniel Drayton, the captain and owner of the Pearl, chartered the schooner for $100 and arranged for the enslaved peoples’ travel; Whereas the escape was initiated by free Blacks Paul Jennings, who had been enslaved by President James Madison, and Paul Edmonson; Whereas William Chaplin, a White abolitionist, assisted in connecting the enslaved people with Drayton; Whereas abolitionist Gerrit Smith of New York financed the escape; Whereas 77 enslaved people, including men, women, and children, sailed on the Pearl down the Potomac River and then into the Chesapeake Bay in pursuit of freedom; Whereas, on April 17, 1848, numerous enslavers in the District of Columbia, realizing the people they enslaved had fled, sent a posse of 35 men to seek the Pearl; Whereas the posse met the Pearl near Point Lookout, Maryland, and took the enslaved people and the ship back to the District of Columbia; Whereas slavery supporters formed a mob and lashed out at both the White abolitionists involved in the escape as well as free Blacks in the District of Columbia in the Washington Riot of 1848; Whereas the enslavers sold the enslaved people who had escaped to traders who took them to New Orleans, Louisiana; Whereas two of the enslaved people who had escaped were purchased and freed in an effort led by Henry Ward Beecher’s Plymouth Congregational Church of Brooklyn, New York; Whereas Drayton and two of the other ship workers were arrested for helping in the escape and were represented in court by Congressman Horace Mann; Whereas two of the men, including Drayton, after serving four years in prison, were released after being granted a pardon from President Millard Fillmore, based on a recommendation from Senator Charles Sumner; and Whereas the escape is said to be the single largest known escape by enslaved persons in American history and to have inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe in her writing the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the legacy of all those who furthered freedom from slavery and all of those who were involved in the historic abolitionist events surrounding the Pearl, and recognizes their importance to the history of the District of Columbia and to American history itself. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:33:40Z