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-center/press-releases/norton-says-congressional-budget-process-ironically-allows-dc-homeowners,Norton Says Congressional Budget Process Ironically Allows D.C. Homeowners to Avoid New Property Tax Deduction Cap,2017-12-28,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that in one of the great ironies of the onerous District of Columbia budget process, D.C. residents can prepay their 2018 property taxes by December 31, 2017, to avoid the $10,000 state and local tax deduction cap that takes effect next year. Congress requires the District to submit a complete budget before its fiscal year begins on October 1, which was set by Congress, for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes property assessments and property tax liabilities for the new federal fiscal year. According to the Districts Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey DeWitt, D.C. taxpayers can now prepay property taxes online by going to D.C.s Office of Tax and Revenue website at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com. The official opinion of D.C. Chief Financial Officer comes at a time when many D.C. homeowners will face significantly higher taxes because the new Republican tax bill limits the state and local tax deduction to $10,000.
For the first time, we reap a sardonic advantage from the requirement that D.C. submit its entire budget to Congress for approval, Norton said. Congress has not yet approved the local budget (it only uses D.C. appropriations to try to attach anti-home-rule riders), but D.C. has done its property assessments for fiscal year 2018. I encourage all D.C. homeowners, who already pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the nation, to consider taking advantage of prepaying their property taxes in order to claim a deduction on their 2017 return, but only after consulting with a tax expert.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-condemns-bill-rolling-back-a-major-portion-of-the-dc,"Norton Condemns Bill Rolling Back a Major Portion of the D.C. Revitalization Act, Reimposing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in New State Costs on the District",2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) pledged to defeat a bill introduced last week by Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA), a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, that would roll back a critical component of the District of Columbia Revitalization Act and blow a massive hole in the Districts budget. The bill would reduce the federal governments share of the Districts Medicaid expenditures, known as the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), from the current 70 percent to 54 percent. Compounding the harm to the District, the federal governments share of the Districts expenditures for several other joint federal-state programs, including the Childrens Health Insurance Program, is tied to the FMAP. Griffith is a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where the bill has been referred. Norton noted that Virginias FMAP is 50 percent currently.
This is perhaps the first time we have seen a Member attempt to roll back the Revitalization Act since it was passed in 1997, Norton said. Even with the Revitalization Act Medicaid provision, which helped pull D.C. out of an economic crisis, D.C. pays a higher percentage of Medicaid than any U.S. city. A Republican Congress wrote the Revitalization Act in acknowledgement that D.C. was the only local jurisdiction that paid for state functions, the major reason for the economic crisis.
In response to the Districts financial crisis in the mid-1990s, Congress, with the Districts consent, passed the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, which transferred from the District to the federal government the costs and/or operations of several state functions, including prisons, courts and offender supervision. The Revitalization Act statutorily set D.C.s FMAP at 70 percent. The Districts financial crisis was largely a result of the fact that the District was the only city responsible for paying for state functions, while the federal government imposed unique revenue limitations on the District. All of the revenue limitations remain.
The FMAP formula is based on a state's per capita income relative to the national average, and the higher a states per capita income, the lower the FMAP. The FMAP statutory minimum is 50 percent and the maximum is 83 percent. If the District operated under the FMAP formula, as it did prior to the Revitalization Act, the federal government would pay only 50 percent of D.C.s Medicaid expenditures. Under the bill, beginning in fiscal year 2020, the federal government would pay the higher of the FMAP formula or a FMAP fixed percentage that decreases until it reaches 54 percent in 2027 and thereafter.
Under the bill, the FMAP fixed percentage would be: fiscal year 2020 is 68 percent; fiscal year 2021 is 66 percent; fiscal year 2022 is 64 percent; fiscal year 2023 is 62 percent; fiscal year 2024 is 60 percent; fiscal year 2025 is 58 percent; fiscal year 2026 is 56 percent; and fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year is 54 percent.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-commemorates-44th-anniversary-of-home-rule-act,"Norton Commemorates 44th Anniversary of Home Rule Act, Today",2017-12-24,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) issued the following statement today on the 44th anniversary of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973. Today, Norton published a series of tweets outlining the Republican attacks on D.C. home rule, which can be viewed here.
As we insist on statehood for the District of Columbia, today we remember Christmas Eve, 44 years ago, when the Home Rule Act was signed into law. Going on the House floor in remembrance is one way to commemorate this special anniversary. Another is to call out the continuing attacks on D.C. home rule, notwithstanding the Home Rule Act. Fighting back makes all the difference, and this year we defeated all but two of the 16 attacks on D.C. local laws.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/faced-with-latest-threat-of-a-federal-government-shutdown-norton-s,"Faced with Latest Threat of a Federal Government Shutdown, Nortons Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.As budget negotiations continue and the Republican-controlled House and Senate head toward possibly shutting down the federal government, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today assured District of Columbia residents that a critical provision she got included in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill will keep the D.C. government open if the federal government shuts down on Saturday, when the fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution expires. The Norton provision allows D.C. to spend under its local fiscal year 2018 budget during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus. Norton has gotten the D.C. shutdown exemption included in each spending bill since the last federal government shutdown, in 2013.
Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress still have not figured out how to govern and face the challenges our nation faces without running up against deadlines for funding the government and then doing short-term continuing resolutions to keep the government running, Norton said. D.C. residents can take some solace in that at least their local government will stay open if the federal government shuts down this weekend. D.C. has a balanced budget and a surplus and should not be caught up in congressional dysfunction.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-new-dc-equality-bill-that-could-bring-millions-of,Norton Introduces New D.C. Equality Bill That Could Bring Millions of Dollars to the District,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) this week introduced the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act, which would allow the D.C. Attorney Generals office to enter into contingency fee contracts with private law firms to represent D.C. in litigation, the same authority enjoyed by states, other local governments and most federal agencies. The bill is part of her Free and Equal D.C. series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.
The federal Anti-Deficiency Act, which applies to both the federal and D.C. governments, notwithstanding the Districts Local Budget Autonomy Act, prohibits the federal and D.C. governments from entering into such contingency fee contracts. However, Congress has given most federal agencies the express statutory authority to enter into such contracts, notwithstanding the Anti-Deficiency Act, but has not done so for the District. As of 2012, at least 36 states, both Republican and Democratic, have used contingency fee contracts for a variety of cases.
D.C. should have the same right as state and local governments to enter into contracts with private attorneys to ensure violations of local D.C. laws do not go unpunished, Norton said. We saw the power of these contracts when state attorneys general joined with private law firms to sue the tobacco industry and recovered hundreds of billions of dollars for the states in a landmark settlement. My bill could help bring millions of dollars in settlements to D.C. that otherwise would not be pursued. This is both good policy and fair treatment for the District.
In a contingency fee contract, lawyers pay for the initial costs of the litigation, and then the lawyers are reimbursed only for out-of-pocket expenses and receive a percentage of any amount awarded to the plaintiff.
Nortons full introductory statement for the bill is below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act 
Ms. Norton. Mr. Speaker.
Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Civil Enforcement Equality Act. This bill is necessary to allow the District to enter into contracts with private attorneys to sue on the Districts behalf for violations of D.C. law that may otherwise go unpunished due to a lack of resources. This bill would give D.C. the same authority enjoyed by states, other local governments and most federal agencies.
The federal Anti-Deficiency Act, which applies to both the federal and District governments, prohibits contracting in advance of appropriations, such as contingency fee contracts. However, Congress has provided the authority for most federal agencies to enter into such contracts, notwithstanding the Anti-Deficiency Act, but has not done so for the District. This precludes the District from entering into contracts with attorneys on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency fee contract, lawyers pay for the initial costs of the litigation, and then the lawyers are reimbursed only for out-of-pocket expenses and receive a percentage of any amount awarded to the plaintiff.
There is no federal law that precludes states and other local governments from entering into such contracts. At least 36 states, both red and blue states, have already used contingency fee contracts to enforce state laws, in addition to numerous city and county governments across the country. Contingency fee contracts are especially useful in cases with a large, costly discovery component. Examples of cases that are commonly tried on a contingency fee basis by state and local governments include nuisance, deceptive lending, securities fraud and debt and tax collection.
This is an important step to increase D.C. home rule and generate revenue for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-special-order-time-on-house-floor-to-commemorate-the-44th,"Norton to Host Special Order Time on House Floor to Commemorate the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, Tonight",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the enactment of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act on Christmas Eve by hosting a special order hour on the House floor tonight, Thursday, December 21, 2017. Norton will review the implications of the Districts fight for a local government leading up to the passage of the Home Rule Act and leading to D.C.s 21st century struggle for statehood. She will compare the congressional bipartisanship that resulted in the Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973, with todays repeated attempts by Republican Members to violate their own local control principles by trying to overturn local D.C. laws. Norton has defeated all new attempts this Congress to overturn D.C. laws.
This month, we celebrate 44 years of home rule here in the District of Columbia and the progress our city has made since achieving local democracy here, Norton said. Yet, we still face dozens of attacks from Republican Members of Congress to overturn our local laws. I will go to the House floor to celebrate home rule, but also to lay out the case for why the District of Columbia deserves statehood, the only remedy for the unequal status District residents have struggled to eliminate since 1801, when the District became the nations capital.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-writes-tsa-administrator-about-continued-problems-with-tsa,Norton Writes TSA Administrator About Continued Problems with TSA Recognizing D.C. Licenses,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Nortons letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske regarding the chronic inability of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to recognize District of Columbia licenses, which were changed from Washington, D.C. to District of Columbia in May 2014. A constituent recently contacted Nortons office after being stopped at Newark International Airport when a TSO refused to accept her District license as a valid form of ID. Norton has raised the issue to two previous TSA administrators, who took corrective action to implement additional training for TSOs so that they could more easily recognize District licenses.
In her letter, Norton wrote, As I am sure you can imagine, it can be humiliating for a U.S. citizen to be delayed because a federal government employee does not recognize the name of the District of Columbia. I understand that there is significant turnover of TSOs and that TSA is hiring more TSOs to alleviate overcrowding and long wait times at checkpoints at U.S. airports. I therefore ask that you, like your predecessors, take action to ensure that all D.C. licenses and IDs in circulation continue to be included in the daily TSO briefings and to take any additional steps that can help TSOs recognize District drivers licenses.
Nortons full letter is below.
David Pekoske  
	Administrator     
	Transportation Security Administration  
	East Tower, Floor 11, TSA-5  
	601 South Twelfth Street  
	Arlington, VA 20598-6001
Dear Administrator Pekoske:
I write regarding a chronic problem faced by air travelers from the District of Columbiathe inability of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to recognize D.C.-issued licenses and IDs as valid. My office has been working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ever since the D.C. license was changed from Washington, D.C. to District of Columbia in May 2014 as the license was updated to comply with REAL ID. I am grateful that your predecessors implemented additional training for TSOs so that they could more easily recognize District licenses, but perhaps due to turnover at TSA, the problem persists.
In the most recent incident, a D.C. resident was stopped at the Newark International Airport after the Thanksgiving holiday. The TSO refused to accept her District license as a valid form of ID. It is my understanding that other TSOs came over and discussed whether it was valid before letting her through, although the resident nearly missed her flight as a result.
As I am sure you can imagine, it can be humiliating for a U.S. citizen to be delayed because a federal government employee does not recognize the name of the District of Columbia. I understand that there is significant turnover of TSOs and that TSA is hiring more TSOs to alleviate overcrowding and long wait times at checkpoints at U.S. airports. I therefore ask that you, like your predecessors, take action to ensure that all D.C. licenses and IDs in circulation continue to be included in the daily TSO briefings and to take any additional steps that can help TSOs recognize District drivers licenses.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-wins-in-tax-bill-for-economic-development-in-low-income-dc,Norton Gets Wins in Tax Bill for Economic Development in Low-Income D.C. Neighborhoods and D.C. Utility Ratepayers After Working with Conferees to Ensure Equal Treatment for D.C.,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she secured important wins for the District of Columbia in the Republican tax conference report after working with conferees on equal treatment for the District. Norton said that while she opposes the conference report, she nevertheless fought to ensure that D.C. would benefit from changes to the tax code.
Norton expressed her gratitude to Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), with whom she worked closely to ensure that his provision to create new tax incentives for businesses to invest in low-income communities also applied to the District. Norton has been pressing her own bill to designate certain high-poverty neighborhoods in D.C., including parts of Wards 5, 7 and 8, as federal empowerment zones in which federal tax incentives are available to businesses that locate and invest there. Norton got unique federal tax incentives for investment in D.C. included in a 1997 tax bill, which helped to revitalize D.C. neighborhoods and the Districts economy, but the incentives expired in 2011.
Norton also got language in the conference report to clarify that utilities in D.C. would be treated in the same favorable manner as utilities in states. If D.C. utilities were not treated the same, D.C. residents would have had to pay higher utility rates.
I thank my good friend Senator Tim Scott, with whom I have worked since he was a Member of the House, for working closely with me to ensure that his provision in the tax bill to help low-income communities also applied to D.C., Norton said. Senator Scott has been willing to assist us when I have raised issues with him and has been fair to the District. Although some sections of D.C. have experienced record economic development, that development has not reached some neighborhoods in Wards 5, 7, and 8. It is critical that we provide incentives for businesses to create jobs in D.C. neighborhoods that need them most. The special tax incentives that I won for D.C. in the past, which expired in 2011, had significant effects on many D.C. neighborhoods and on the Districts economy.
In addition, our language makes crystal clear that D.C. public utilities are exempt from the limitation on the deductibility of interest. If they had not been, costs for Washington Gas and Pepco would have risen, meaning higher rates for D.C. residents.
Below is additional background information on the two tax provisions.
Opportunity Zones
The conference report creates new tax incentives for businesses to invest in low-income communities, referred to as Opportunity Zones. The provision is based on a bipartisan bill, the Investing in Opportunity Act, introduced by Senator Scott. Scott got the provision included in the Senate version of the tax bill, but it was not included in the House version. Scott, who was on the conference committee, got it included in the conference report. The original provision allowed governors of states to designate a limited number of zones in their states as Opportunity Zones. D.C. is treated as a state for most purposes of the tax code. While Norton confirmed with Scotts office that the intent of the provision was to include D.C., the language was ambiguous at best, and Norton did not want to risk an interpretation after passage that the D.C. mayor would not be considered a governor for purposes of the provision. The final provision was changed to allow the chief executive officer of a state to designate a zone, and the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report indicates that the change from governor to chief executive officer was made to clarify that the D.C. mayor can designate zones.
Public Utilities
The conference report limits the deductibility of interest expenses for business debt, but exempts certain entities from the limitation, including public utilities. A public utilities provision in existing law expressly referred to utilities in both states and D.C. The deductibility limitation in the House and Senate bills only referred to states. While D.C. is treated as state for most purposes of the tax code, Norton was concerned that the Treasury Department or a court could have made a negative inference that Congress meant to exclude D.C. in the deductibility provision in the conference report. However, Norton got a provision included in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report clarifying that utilities in D.C., like those in states, are exempt from the limitation.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-bill-to-create-national-commission-to-combat-sexual,Norton to Introduce Bill to Create National Commission to Combat Sexual Harassment in All Major Sectors,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton will introduce a bill to create a national commission to find ways to combat sexual harassment nationwide in major industries and workplaces, modeled on legislation Congress has enacted to combat national problems. The committee will report to Congress on recommended changes in law or regulations and best practices for preventing, training, investigating, responding to and punishing sexual harassment in the private and public sectors. Norton, the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws.
Congress has begun to confront sexual harassment here in Congress, but only Congress, which represents every sector, can truly take on the national problem of sexual harassment, which we now know has infected every major sector of the American workplace, Norton said. If 2017 was the year of the silence breakers, we must make 2018 the year of heeding their call for action. The facts are tumbling out almost entirely because of women themselves and the free press that reports their stories. Many of the courageous women who have come forward have been in high-profile workplaces. Congress can take the lead in getting beyond women who work with the Harvey Weinsteins, Members of Congress, and other powerful figures to uncover sexual harassment against women who face greater challenges to exposing it in their industries, such as women in hospitality and retail sectors, where the personnel are disproportionately female and the managers are male. In reality, discrimination and the hierarchy of power in the workplace means that, regardless of the sector, men still hold positions that enable them to take advantage of female subordinates if they choose. A national commission would help reach and reduce sexual harassment where the average woman works. A national commission would not have to wait for women to take the risk of coming forward. It would be charged with identifying and taking affirmative steps to investigate sectors that receive too little attention.
Congress has created similar national commissions on other national areas, such as gambling and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. Nortons bill will model the sexual harassment commission on the prior commissions.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-trump-nominee-to-dc-district-court-withdraws-name-norton-says,"After Trump Nominee to D.C. District Court Withdraws Name, Norton Says White House Should Consult Her and Her Nominating Commission on Candidates",2017-12-18,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after Matthew Petersen, President Trumps nominee to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, today withdrew his name from consideration after he could not answer basic questions about federal legal procedure at his confirmation hearing last week.
Faced with tough, revealing questions from a Republican senator, Petersen ultimately could not get the votes even of Republicans. D.C.s District Court is one of the most important federal courts in the nation and should be filled with judges who have first-rate qualifications and experience. The White House should learn from this embarrassing moment and, at the very least, extend to District of Columbia residents the courtesy of consulting on nominees to our federal bench here. The last three administrations have given me a role in the vetting process of nominees, and last weeks hearing shows what can happen when the White House excludes the local jurisdiction from the nominating process of judges to its federal district court. We have a talented and diverse pool of candidates here in the District, and we already have three prime candidates the White House could nominate right now. Florence Pan, Abid Quereshi and Todd Edelman were nominated by President Obama to the D.C. court last Congress after being fully vetted and recommended by my nominating commission, but were not ultimately confirmed by the Senate. I am ready to work with the White House on their next nomination to our court here.
The Senate has confirmed three Trump nominees to the D.C. District Court, which comprises half of the Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year. Norton said the high volume of D.C. District court confirmations is due to the Districts lack of Senate representation and blue-slip authority.
Presidents Obama and Clinton granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend to the president federal district judges, the U.S. Attorney, and other federal law enforcement officials who serve the District, resulting in the D.C. District Court becoming one of the most high-quality and diverse federal benches in the nation. She chose to form a Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates to her, all of whom were D.C. residents. Norton then made her recommendations to the president, who nominated all of her selections. Unlike President George W. Bush, who extended her at least the courtesy of consultation, Trump has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District. However, after Norton protested, her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to require all D.C. district court nominees to meet with Norton before their committee votes.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-calls-on-usps-to-address-unreliable-mail-delivery-and-poor,Norton Calls on USPS to Address Unreliable Mail Delivery and Poor Service at Several NW D.C. Neighborhood Post Offices,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released her letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Megan Brennan asking her to address several concerns raised by constituents about difficulties receiving their mail consistently and experiencing poor customer service at the Friendship Heights, Cleveland Park and Tenleytown Post Offices in the District of Columbia.
In her letter, Norton wrote, At these post offices, I understand that customers often do not receive their mail at all on certain days. The most common complaints include late-night delivery, failed delivery and damaged mail. One issue I have heard about repeatedly is that there is a lack of responsiveness by station managers to customers. I understand that phones are frequently not answered when my constituents call to make complaints, and, when they go to the post offices themselves, they are not allowed to speak to managers or are told they are unavailable and managers do not return messages. We are considering holding a forum with you and our constituents to help the community understand the best way to quickly get responses and change.
Norton requested a response within 30 days outlining how USPS plans to address her concerns. Her full letter is below.
Megan J. Brennan  
	Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer  
	United States Postal Service  
	475 LEnfant Plaza SW  
	Washington, DC 20260-3500
Dear Postmaster General Brennan:
I am writing because a number of my constituents in the District of Columbia have been experiencing difficulties receiving their mail consistently and properly.
We realize that from time to time there will be mishaps in delivery of mail. However, there appear to be recurrent problems in at least four post offices in Northwest D.C., which may be indicative of a pattern of mail delivery problems in those clustered locations. For example, we have learned from constituents and from a member of the D.C. Council that there is unreliable service at the Friendship Heights, Cleveland Park, and Tenleytown Post Offices in the District, as well as the Bethesda station in nearby Chevy Chase, Maryland. At these post offices, I understand that customers often do not receive their mail at all on certain days. The most common complaints include late-night delivery, failed delivery and damaged mail.
One issue I have heard about repeatedly is that there is a lack of responsiveness by station managers to customers. I understand that phones are frequently not answered when my constituents call to make complaints, and, when they go to the post offices themselves, they are not allowed to speak to managers or are told they are unavailable and managers do not return messages.
We are considering holding a forum with you and our constituents to help the community understand the best way to quickly get responses and change.
I ask that you respond to this letter within 30 days, outlining how the United States Postal Service plans to address these concerns. I look forward to working with you on these important issues.
Sincerely
Eleanor Holmes Norton
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-joins-the-bruce-depuyt-podcast-to-discuss-sexual-harassment-and,"Norton Joins The Bruce DePuyt Podcast to Discuss Sexual Harassment and the #MeToo Movement, Attacks on D.C. Home Rule, and More",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) joined Bruce DePuyt on his podcast for a wide-ranging discussion in a new episode released today. Norton and Bruce discussed her time as the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws; recent allegations of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and the #MeToo movement; the record number of Republican attacks on local District of Columbia laws this Congress; and more.
To listen to the episode, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-sharp-questioning-by-republican-senator-casts-doubt-that,Norton Says Sharp Questioning by Republican Senator Casts Doubt that Unqualified D.C. District Court Nominee Will Get Through,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Trump Has Nominated All White Nominees to Serve on D.C. District Court, Highlighting Larger Trend of Lack of Diversity 
WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that yesterdays confirmation hearing for Matthew Petersen to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where Peterson could not answer basic questions about federal legal procedure, shows the peril of avoiding the vetting process involving District of Columbia residents in nominating D.C. federal judges. Norton said that if she had blue-slip authority, as Senators do, Petersen would never have gotten to the hearing stage.
Presidents Obama and Clinton granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend to the president federal district judges, the U.S. Attorney, and other federal law enforcement officials who serve the District, resulting in the D.C. District Court becoming one of the most high-quality and diverse federal benches in the nation. She chose to form a Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates to her, all of whom were D.C. residents. Norton then made her recommendations to the president, who nominated all of her selections. Unlike President George W. Bush, who extended her at least the courtesy of consultation, Trump has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District. However, after Norton protested, her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to require all D.C. district court nominees to meet with Norton before their committee votes.
Norton also said that all four nominees to the D.C. Court have been white, in stark contrast to the ten nominees (four African Americans, including two African American women, one Hispanic, and the first-ever Asian American) confirmed to the D.C. Court under President Obama, all recommended by Norton after a rigorous vetting process by her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission. Nationwide, as of the end of October, 91.2 percent of Trumps judicial nominees have been white, while President Clintons nominees were 72.4 percent white, President Bushs were 85.5 percent white and President Obamas were 50.0 percent white through the same point of their first terms. Norton, who is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Judicial Nomination Working Group, will host a CBC roundtable to discuss the lack of diversity and, in some cases, lack of qualifications, of President Trumps nominees for the federal bench Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 3:30 p.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.
There is zero chance that a nominee without qualifications and experience, such as Matthew Petersen, could have made it through the process my Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission used to vet candidates for me to recommend to the president, Norton said. This latest nomination highlights the inequality D.C. faces by not having senatorial courtesy. Petersen was nominated not because he has the necessary qualifications, but due to his close ties to White House Counsel Donald McGahn, who served as a Federal Election Commissioner alongside Petersen. The nomination of four white nominees to the D.C. District Court continues the Trump administrations failure to give any attention to the need for diversity on the federal bench. I would be more than happy to convene our nominating commission to gather names of qualified candidates to submit to the White House.
Half of the six Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year were for the D.C. district court. Norton said the high volume of D.C. district court confirmations shows that the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans are fast-tracking D.C. nominees due to the Districts lack of Senate representation.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-reroute-hazmats-away-from-urban-areas-to,Norton Introduces Bill to Reroute Hazmats Away from Urban Areas to Counter Trump Administration Repeal of Requirement for Braking Systems on Rail Cars Carrying Crude Oil,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this week introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia.  Norton said her legislation is particularly needed now after DOT’s recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments.  In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation’s capital and spilled sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol, which is flammable.
“The Trump administration’s senseless repeal of critical safeguards against dangerous train derailments requires my bill to reroute hazardous substances as a critical way to protect communities from the risk created by trains carrying these dangerous materials through densely populated areas like the District,” Norton said.  “There have been high-profile derailments across the United States and Canada, and Members of Congress may not realize that ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol.  While I appreciate freight companies for working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials, Congress should enshrine this provision into federal law.”
Norton’s full introductory statement is below.
Statement of the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton on Introduction of the Save Our Communities from Risky Trains Act 
Ms. Norton. Mr. Speaker,
In light of recent train derailments across the country and ongoing transportation security threats, I rise to introduce the Save Our Community from Risky Trains Act, which directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia.  This legislation is needed now more than ever, especially given DOT’s recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments.
Derailments of rail cars carrying hazardous materials are a serious concern and should be a priority of Congress.  In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation’s capital, disrupting Metrorail, passenger rail, and freight rail service and putting families at risk.  Among the derailed freight train cars, cars carrying sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol—which is flammable and led to a Metrorail shutdown—spilled.  The neighborhood was lucky that there were no injuries, but the continuing threat to the safety and security of urban communities is clear.
In 2007, the House passed the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, which included my amendment to protect the District and similar communities nationwide from dangerous hazardous material shipments by mandating that federal regulations and penalties be developed to increase security and safety for the shipment of these materials through high-threat urban areas.  My amendment was not included in the final bill signed into law.  While freight companies have begun working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials that are toxic or poisonous by inhalation, or explosive from these communities, there is no federal law requiring them to reroute the materials. 
This bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require enhanced security measures for shipments of security-sensitive materials.  The bill also requires railroad carriers to use the most secure route and storage pattern to avoid moving certain hazardous materials by rail through selected high-threat urban areas.  These security sensitive materials include a highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material; more than 25 kilograms of a division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive; more than one liter per package of a material poisonous by inhalation; shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kilograms gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car or freight container is required; and select agents or toxins regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
High-profile derailments in North Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Canada demonstrate the need for this legislation.  Ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol.  This bill will protect our communities from the risk created by trains carrying hazardous materials.
I urge support for this bill.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-perform-in-washington-ballet-production-of-the-nutcracker-0,"Norton to Perform in Washington Ballet Production of The Nutcracker, Tomorrow",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will perform in the Washington Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” tomorrow, Friday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Warner Theatre (513 13th Street NW).  This will be Norton’s fourth appearance in the District of Columbia-based historical adaptation of The Nutcracker, which uses local places, lawmakers, sports figures and other notable D.C. figures in major and minor roles.
“I cannot wait to get back out on the stage for one of Washington’s most celebrated holiday productions,” Norton said.
###a",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-welcome-dc-children-to-annual-upo-holiday-party-at-the,"Norton to Welcome D.C. Children to Annual UPO Holiday Party at the National Building Museum, Today",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United Planning Organization (UPO) Inspire Foundation, in conjunction with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), will host their annual holiday party for underprivileged children in the District of Columbia today, Thursday, December 14, 2017, from, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the National Building Museum (401 F. St. NW).  The annual party provides children with gifts, as well as a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and has been held during Christmas time ever since Norton has served in Congress.  Norton and UPO normally host the children on Capitol Hill, but the largest reception room used in the past is under construction.
“You know we are in the holiday season when UPO and our office get together to host our annual holiday party for D.C. kids,” Norton said.  “Seeing the joy on the faces of these D.C. children as they receive presents that might not otherwise be available is always a highlight of my year.  This event showcases the tremendous generosity of residents and businesses in our city and region.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-appear-on-c-span-s-washington-journal-to-discuss-addressing,"Norton to Appear on C-SPANs Washington Journal to Discuss Addressing Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill and Beyond, Tomorrow",2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss the issue of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and in workplaces across the nation on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” tomorrow, Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 8:00 a.m.  As EEOC chair, Norton issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, which Norton administered, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.
Norton today sent a letter with 58 female Members of Congress to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) urging the committee to investigate numerous sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump.  Norton introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/on-the-44th-anniversary-of-the-home-rule-act-norton-to-go-to-house-floor,"On the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, Norton to Go to House Floor to Recall Its Bipartisan Origin and Call Out Members Who Attack D.C. Home Rule, Tomorrow",2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the enactment of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act this month, beginning with a floor speech tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., and another speech planned for next week.  Norton will not only review the history of the Home Rule Act, which was signed into law by Republican President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1973, she will use the occasion to expose the repeated attempts by Republican Members, who violate their local control principles, to overturn local D.C. laws.  Norton has defeated all new attempts this Congress to overturn D.C. laws.
“My Republicans colleagues should read and respect their own history to understand that it was a Republican president, Richard Nixon, who signed the Home Rule Act,” Norton said.  “After nearly 100 years of struggle by D.C. residents, there was strong bipartisan support for giving D.C. a local government and a Member of Congress.  President Nixon carried out the foremost Republican principle that local residents should always be served by a democratically-elected local government when he signed the Home Rule Act into law, eliminating the prior system of unelected commissioners, who had governed the District.  Yet, 44 years after the Home Rule Act became law, we still must fight annual attempts by Members of Congress to undermine the Home Rule Act by trying to overturn local D.C. laws.  These Members have shown they have no interest in the daily activities of the District, which has had a balanced budget and surplus for years, but only become involved when they disagree with policies residents have asked the D.C. Council and the mayor to enact.  As we celebrate the 44th Anniversary of the Home Rule Act, I also will be reminding my colleagues that D.C. residents rank number one per capita in taxes paid to support the federal government and of the local control intent of the historic legislation, passed with widespread bipartisan support.”
In his signing statement on the Home Rule Act, Nixon wrote, “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.  But the measure I sign today does more than create machinery for the election of local officials. It also broadens and strengthens the structure of the city government to enable it to deal more effectively with its responsibilities.”
Below is a full list of the anti-home-rule attacks so far in the 115th Congress.  Norton expects to be able to defeat most of them.
Guns
 Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Tom Garrett (R-VA) introduced the Second Amendment Enforcement Act (S. 162/H.R. 1537), which would eliminate D.C.’s gun safety laws.  The bill would eliminate the District’s ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines, and its registration requirements, and prohibit D.C. from passing gun laws in the future.
	Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act (H.R. 2909), which would require D.C. to recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits.
 Education
 Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced the Educational Freedom Accounts Act (S. 2163/H.R. 4576), which would require D.C. to use local funds to pay for private schools and other educational expenses for any student.
 Medical Aid in Dying  
 Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced disapproval resolutions (H.J.Res. 27/S.J.Res. 4) on D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA).  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed H.J.Res. 27.
	President Trump’s FY 18 budget prohibits D.C. from using its local funds to carry out the DWDA in FY 18.
	The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) repeals the DWDA and prohibits D.C. from passing similar legislation in FY 18 (Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) offered the provision as an amendment at the markup.)
 Budget Autonomy
 The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) repeals the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 and prohibits D.C. from passing similar legislation in the future.
 Non-Discrimination
 The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL) offered the provision as an amendment on the House floor).
 Wipes Labeling
 Representative Harris offered and withdrew an amendment at the markup of the House’s FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3280) to prohibit D.C. from spending its local funds to carry out the Nonwoven Disposable Products Act in FY 18.
 Marijuana
 The enacted FY 17 omnibus appropriations bill (P.L. 115-31) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 2017.
	President Trump’s budget prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 18.
	The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on marijuana commercialization in FY 18.
 Abortion
 Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017 (H.R. 7/S.184), which would, among other things, permanently prohibit the D.C. government from spending its local funds on abortion services for low-income women, prohibit D.C. government employees from providing abortions, prohibit abortions in D.C. government facilities, and define the D.C. government as part of the federal government for purposes of abortion. The House passed H.R. 7.
	The enacted fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill (P.L. 115-31) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 17.
	President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 18.
	The House-passed FY 18 D.C. Appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) prohibits D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women in FY 18.
 Labor
 Representative Steve King (R-IA) introduced the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2017 (H.R. 4422), which would, among other things, make it a federal crime to commit violence within the District in connection with a legitimate labor dispute.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/at-hearing-on-self-driving-trucks-norton-says-congress-must-take-action,"At Hearing on Self-Driving Trucks, Norton Says Congress Must Take Action to Help Workers Transition Skills to New Jobs",2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, yesterday at a subcommittee roundtable, entitled “Emerging Technologies in the Trucking Industry,” urged congressional action to prepare for possible job losses to self-driving trucks.  According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the jobs of two million truck drivers and half a million bus drivers could be threatened by autonomous commercial vehicles.  Norton asked about the chronic shortage of truck drivers in the United States, and roundtable witnesses testified that innovation in technology could help encourage younger drivers to pursue a trucking career by making a job with long hours and tough working conditions more attractive.  Norton said Congress has a role to play in helping truck drivers, whose jobs require significant skills, transition to new positions.  Experts witnesses said that widespread self-driving trucks were not likely in the foreseeable future.
“Our nation’s experience with technological innovation has been generally positive, but we have already seen the loss of retail jobs to internet shopping, for example,” Norton said.  “Experts testifying at our roundtable said that drivers are still indispensable to the industry.  However, Congress needs to dive in now to think through what it would mean to the economy if two million truck drivers and half a million bus drivers, who have significant skills, are out work, and what Congress can do it about it.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-rename-rock-creek-park-rock-creek-national,Norton Introduces Bill to Rename Rock Creek Park Rock Creek National Park,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill yesterday to rename Rock Creek Park “Rock Creek National Park,” which would highlight the significance of the park for the nation, including visitors to the nation’s capital, in addition to District of Columbia residents.  Norton said adding “National” will help recognize Rock Creek as one of the nation’s great historic parks, along with Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.  Rock Creek is the nation’s oldest urban park and the third oldest federal park.
“Rock Creek Park is one of the nation’s oldest and most historic parks and is a treasure not only to hundreds of thousands of D.C. residents, but to the millions who visit the nation’s capital each year,” Norton said.  “Formally recognizing Rock Creek Park as one of our country’s great national parks also will help encourage the necessary funding to support the park’s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features.”
Norton’s introductory statement is below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Rock Creek National Park Act 
Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill to redesignate the National Park Service-owned Rock Creek Park, in the District of Columbia, as “Rock Creek National Park.”  Renaming this park will highlight its significance to the nation, including visitors to the nation’s capital, and will help get much-needed funding for the park’s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features.
Rock Creek Park is already a national park, established by Congress in 1890 “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States,” and is the oldest urban park and the third federal park ever created, after Yellowstone and Sequoia.  Rock Creek Park was designed to preserve animals, timber, forestry and other interests in the park, and to ensure that its natural state is maintained as much as possible, for all American people, not just for D.C. residents. 
Over time, several structures have been established or donated to further preserve Rock Creek Park.  In 1892, for example, the federal government acquired Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, one of the mills used by local farmers during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.  In 1950, the Old Stone House, located at 3051 M Street NW, with its great pre-Revolutionary War architectural merit, was acquired by the park.  The building was restored, and programs explain the house’s rich history from the colonial period to the present day.  The Fort Circle Parks were also acquired to interpret and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, which created a ring of protection for the nation’s capital during the Civil War. 
Today, Rock Creek Park offers residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as thousands of visitors, an escape from our increasingly urban environment.  Residents and tourists alike also enjoy many activities in the park’s 2,000 acres, including hiking and bike riding on the historical trails, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis and other recreational activities in some of the open fields.  Our residents have expressed their appreciation by volunteering to clean up and maintain the trails and waterways.
Redesignating Rock Creek Park as Rock Creek National Park will help recognize the national status of the park and protect and revitalize this remarkable resource in our nation’s capital. 
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-give-opening-remarks-at-frederick-douglass-bicentennial,"Norton to Give Opening Remarks at Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Community Conference, Tomorrow",2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will give opening remarks at a special Frederick Douglass Community Conference to help plan and raise awareness for the bicentennial celebration of Douglass’ birth tomorrow, Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., at DC Prep’s Anacostia Elementary Campus (1409 V St. SE).  Norton was appointed by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission, which was established by Norton’s bill.  Another Norton bill placed a statue of Douglass in the Capitol representing the District of Columbia, making D.C. the only jurisdiction that is not a state with a statue in the Capitol.  The bicentennial commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  Douglass’ home at Cedar Hill in Southeast is an official National Historic Site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.
“Frederick Douglass called D.C. home for most of his adult life. I am pleased to offer remarks at the Bicentennial Community Conference, which is already helping D.C. residents prepare to organize a fitting celebration for one of the greatest Americans in history,” Norton said.  “I look forward to discussing the many ways in which both the District, its residents and the federal government can honor Douglass during the 200th anniversary of his birth.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-meadows-for-introducing-bill-to-radically-alter-dc-s-0,Norton Blasts Meadows for Introducing Bill to Radically Alter D.C.s Local Education System,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), the chair of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and the leader of the far-right Freedom Caucus, for reintroducing a bill that would radically alter D.C.’s local education system by forcing D.C. to steer its local funds away from D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools to vouchers for any student who chooses to attend private schools.  Norton said Meadows seems to be taking marching orders from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who introduced the same bill last week.  This far-right bill is far worse and intrusive than the existing D.C. private school voucher program, which uses federal funds.  The bill would also force D.C. to use its local funds to pay for other educational expenses such as private online classes.  Last Congress, the Republican-controlled House and Senate roundly rejected all amendments to establish national voucher programs as part of the bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
“My friend Representative Meadows apparently does not have enough going on with a looming government shutdown that he decided to go back to one of his favorite pastimes—abusing congressional authority to attack D.C. home rule and our local laws,” Norton said.  “Representative Meadows, the chair on the most conservative caucus in the Congress, should reread some of his past statements on local control over local affairs and his calls to respect the choices of local jurisdictions.  If Representative Meadows truly believes private vouchers are the best policy, he should introduce a bill to create a national voucher program, well within the appropriate purview of Congress.  Instead, he picks on the District’s educational system, which already boasts robust school choice with our public charter schools, which nearly half of our public school students attend.  We will defeat this radical bill, as we did last Congress.”
Meadows is a frequent offender of D.C. home rule.  He has led the effort in the House to repeal the referendum passed overwhelmingly by D.C. voters in 2013 that granted the District budget autonomy.  Last Congress, he introduced a standalone bill, which passed the House, to repeal the budget autonomy referendum, the text of which has been included in the fiscal years 2017 and 2018 House-passed D.C. appropriations bills.  However, Norton has kept the referendum from being overturned.  Last Congress, Meadows introduced a bill to interfere with and alter D.C.’s local occupational licensing laws and require the District to create a new legislative committee or subcommittee on occupational regulations, which Norton kept from moving forward.  Last Congress, Meadows was one of the most vocal supporters of a House-passed disapproval resolution to nullify a local D.C. anti-discrimination law, the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act, which Norton kept from becoming law.  In the 113th Congress, he introduced a bill to redefine the District government as a federal agency and prohibit it from deducting union dues from employee paychecks.  Norton said that her success in keeping anti-home-rule bills from being enacted seems to not deter Meadows and other anti-democratic Members of Congress from introducing such bills.  “Some Members simply seek to burnish their right-wing credentials at the expense of the District of Columbia,” Norton said.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-provision-ensures-dc-government-will-stay-open-if-federal-0,Norton Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open if Federal Government Shuts Down Saturday,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) assured District of Columbia residents that the D.C. government would remain open if the federal government shuts down on Saturday, when the fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution expires, because of a critical provision she got included in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill.  The provision allows D.C. to spend under its local fiscal year 2018 budget during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus.  Norton has gotten the D.C. shutdown exemption included in each spending bill since the last federal government shutdown, in 2013.
“The 2013 federal government shutdown was uniquely stressful for D.C., which was forced to allocate contingency funds in order to stay open and avoid getting caught in the congressionally-inflicted snafu,” Norton said. “I made Congress understand the needless problem federal shutdowns cause D.C., with no benefit to the federal government or the American people.  Since the 2013 shutdown, I have successfully included a provision in annual spending bills to remove the threat of a D.C. government shutdown, even if the federal government shuts down.  Our city has done its job and created a balanced budget.  The District should not be the victim of a congressional debacle when it has done the right thing.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-open-new-york-city-human-rights-commission-hearing-on-sexual,"Norton to Open New York City Human Rights Commission Hearing on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Today",2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the New York City Commission on Human Rights and the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will give opening remarks at a public hearing on sexual harassment in the workplace today, Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., at the CUNY School of Law’s Dave Fields Auditorium, 2nd Floor (2 Court Square, Long Island City, NY).  Norton served as NYC Human Rights Commissioner from 1970 – 1977 and held the first public hearings in the country on discrimination against women, seen as so significant at the time that the hearings became a commercial paperback book, Women’s Role in Contemporary Society, the Report of the New York Commission on Human Rights.  Norton was appointed EEOC Chair by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld those guidelines.
“It will be a special homecoming to open hearings before the Commission I chaired 40 years ago on the challenges we face today in confronting sexual harassment in the workplace,” Norton said.  “From my work at the EEOC, to my service in Congress, I have seen women themselves take the steps that are creating a more equal workplace, but sexual harassment still pervades nearly every major sector of society, including the halls of Congress.  I look forward to working with the Commission and others who will be testifying at today’s landmark hearing on steps we in Congress can take to eliminate workplace sexual harassment.”
Norton introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the very same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-defend-dc-bill-requiring-health-plans-to-cover-0,Norton to Defend D.C. Bill Requiring Health Plans to Cover Contraceptives and Other Essential Heath Services for Women,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she would vigorously defend from congressional interference a bill passed by the District of Columbia Council today that, among other things, requires health plans to provide coverage for preventive health services for women, including contraceptives.  Twenty-eight states currently have laws requiring insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to cover contraceptives.
“I applaud the District of Columbia for taking the necessary steps to ensure essential health services for women are included at no extra cost in health care plans, just as 28 states already do,” Norton said.  “D.C. women are the only U.S. residents whose local jurisdiction is blocked from spending local dollars on abortion services.  Our residents should not also be forced to pay for contraceptives, which make abortions unnecessary, and other essential services, such as cancer screenings.  I will fight tirelessly to defend this important D.C. bill from being overturned by Republicans in Congress.”
Federal regulations promulgated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during the Obama administration required most health plans to cover contraceptives for women.  The ACA’s contraceptive mandate was challenged in court, and the U.S. Supreme Court held in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which applies to the federal government and the D.C. government, but not state governments, prohibits the contraceptive mandate from being enforced at least against closely held private companies.  However, in October, the Trump Administration issued a rule to allow most employers to decline to provide such coverage if they have religious or moral objections.
Last Congress, Norton defeated multiple Republican attempts to block D.C.’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees, their spouses and dependents based on their reproductive health decisions.  RHNDA is now law.  This year, the House-passed fiscal year 2018 D.C. Appropriations bill blocks D.C. from using its local funds to enforce RHNDA.  The Senate FY18 D.C. Appropriations bill does not block RHNDA, and Norton believes she can again keep RHNDA from being blocked.  The current FY18 continuing resolution blocks D.C. from spending its local funds on abortions for low-income women.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-files-amendment-tying-national-concealed-carry-reciprocity-bill,Norton Files Amendment Tying National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill to Current Ban on Guns in U.S. Capitol Buildings and Grounds,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she filed an amendment today at the House Rules Committee to prohibit the provisions of a bill (H.R. 38) that would require every jurisdiction to recognize out-of-state concealed carry handgun permits, even though states have different requirements for such permits, from taking effect until the federal law prohibiting guns in U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds is repealed.  Norton successfully fought a bill, sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), that would have required only the District of Columbia to recognize out-of-state permits, but the Massie bill has not moved and would be moot if H.R. 38 were enacted.  Norton said the new concealed carry bill is expected on the House floor this week because it is the National Rifle Association’s top priority.
“I obviously strongly oppose both H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, and allowing guns in U.S. buildings and grounds,” Norton said.  “I filed my amendment simply to point out the hypocrisy of overriding local laws enacted throughout the United States after assessing local views of risk, while Congress insulates itself by banning guns from the entire Capitol complex.  If Congress feels it must impose the danger of allowing people from permissive jurisdictions to bring guns of every kind into the nation’s capital, my amendment would highlight how communities across the country would similarly be endangered with this national concealed carry reciprocity bill.  Republicans will claim that guns are unnecessary for self-protection on U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds because the U.S. Capitol Police check people for weapons.  However, that is a red herring.  The Capitol Police only check for weapons at the entrance of buildings.   People are not searched for weapons as they enter the hundreds of acres of grounds, which Members regularly traverse.”
Norton regularly calls out Republicans for their hypocrisy when they introduce bills to repeal District of Columbia gun safety laws, yet refuse to allow guns in Capitol buildings and grounds.  She continues to fight the two D.C.-specific gun bills that are pending in Congress and has succeeded in keeping these bills from becoming law in past Congresses.  She has blocked advancement of the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Thomas Garrett (R-VA), which would eliminate almost all of D.C.’s gun laws, as well as Massie’s D.C. concealed carry bill.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-washington-post-forum-on-combating-hivaids-tuesday,"Norton to Speak at Washington Post Forum on Combating HIV/AIDS, Tuesday",2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will participate in a forum hosted by the Washington Post, entitled “Pathways to Progress: Combating the HIV/AIDS Epidemic,” tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., at the Washington Post headquarters (1301 K St. NW).  Norton will serve on a panel entitled “Crisis Response: Views from the Policy and Advocacy Community,” along with Jesse Milan, Jr., President and CEO, AIDS United, and Phill Wilson, President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute.
Norton has played a unique role in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia.  From 1998 – 2007, Congress used its jurisdiction over the District to ban only D.C. from using its local funds for needle exchange programs, escalating the HIV/AIDS rate in D.C. above comparable jurisdictions and leading to the deaths of thousands of D.C. residents.  In 2007, Norton was successful in removing the deadly needle exchange rider.  Since then, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases attributable to injection drug use has fallen by 95 percent, from 149 cases in 2007 to seven cases in 2016.  To help make up for the years of needle exchange local funds ban, Norton has been able to annually secure a $5 million federal payment to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C., including in the House and Senate fiscal year 2018 D.C. appropriations bills, in addition to funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS, which is available to every jurisdiction.
“The congressionally-imposed needle exchange ban left the District with a uniquely high HIV/AIDS epidemic, from which the city is beginning to show genuine recovery,” Norton said.  “Relieved of this unnecessary burden, progress in preventing new cases and providing enhanced treatment has made the District an example for others to follow.  Congress still needs to do more to help localities provide life-saving preventative care, as well as support the Affordable Care Act’s success in reducing the number of uninsured Americans through Medicaid expansion.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-that-rehab-for-top-infrastructure-priority-the-0,"Norton Announces that Rehab for Top Infrastructure Priority, the Memorial Bridge, is Fully Funded",2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—One of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC) top construction priorities, the Memorial Bridge, which is owned and maintained by the National Park Service (NPS), now has the total funds necessary to complete repairs, Norton said today.  Norton, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, worked to secure $90 million for phase one funding from the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program in fiscal year 2016.  However, the full funding announcement will allow the project to be completed in one phase, and will save the federal government $35 million and 1.5 years in construction time.  NPS said today that it had awarded the contract for $227 million, one of the largest infrastructure projects in NPS history, and that substantial work would begin in fall 2018.  The project is expected to be complete in 2021.
“This is a great day for D.C. and the national capital region,” Norton said.  “The Memorial Bridge, which has fallen into an unacceptable state of disrepair, has been one of my top priorities for years, because of its unique role as the gateway from the South, to Arlington National Cemetery, and to popular monumental tourist sites in the nation’s capital.  The Memorial Bridge is an icon that unites this region, as our work together shows, especially Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser.”
Norton also said she was hopeful that the new funding would free up resources for NPS to finally address its deferred maintenance backlog, which includes NPS-maintained roads in the District, such as Ft. Dupont road, which have suffered through patch jobs and emergency repairs instead of needed comprehensive repairs.
The Memorial Bridge rehabilitation will be funded in part by a $90 million FASTLANE grant, as well as a $30 million contribution from the District of Columbia and Virginia.  The remaining $107 million will come from NPS transportation and construction budgets.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/at-norton-s-request-us-marshal-for-dc-superior-court-to-investigate,"At Nortons Request, U.S. Marshal for D.C. Superior Court to Investigate Eviction Policies, But Norton Wants More Information on Eviction Policies and Training After D.C. Resident Files Complaint",2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the U.S. Marshals Service’s (USMS) response to Norton’s letter requesting that the office of U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court reexamine its eviction policies after an incident in which tax documents were left on a curb in D.C. during the eviction of a local tax company.
In its response to Norton’s letter, the USMS wrote, “The United States Marshals Service (USMS) takes privacy protection seriously and shares your concerns related to the protection of sensitive information.  Therefore, in response to this incident, United States Marshal Michael Hughes has directed a full internal review of our eviction policies and procedures to address this issue.”  Norton said that she appreciated that USMS understands that an investigation is necessary when sensitive, private documents are dumped on the street as if they were mere furniture or other material objects during an eviction.
Norton’s office also released her follow-up letter to the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, Michael Hughes, requesting additional information on his office’s eviction policies, procedures and training practices after she heard from a D.C. resident who has filed a complaint after experiencing an upsetting eviction by Marshals.  In her letter, Norton wrote, “a D.C. family informed me of their disturbing experience during an eviction executed by your office.  Among other things, the family alleged that U.S. Marshals entered their home with their guns drawn and were verbally abusive.…Because your office has local responsibilities for evictions in the District, it is essential that D.C. residents be made aware of your office’s eviction policies and procedures.”
The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court’s eviction orders.  The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the landlord-tenant laws passed by the D.C. Council.
Norton’s full letter is below.
The Honorable Michael A. Hughes  
	U.S. Marshal  
	District of Columbia Superior Court  
	H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse  
	500 Indiana Ave. NW Room C-250  
	Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Marshal Hughes:
On November 3, 2017, I wrote to you regarding your office’s policies and procedures for protecting sensitive personal information during evictions, after media reports that tax documents were left on a curb in the District of Columbia during the eviction of a tax company.  After that letter received media attention, a D.C. family informed me of their disturbing experience during an eviction executed by your office.  Among other things, the family alleged that U.S. Marshals entered their home with their guns drawn and were verbally abusive.  The family has filed a claim with the U.S. Marshals Service for personal injuries and property damage, so I am appropriately precluded from commenting on the merits of the matter, and, in any case, there has been no official response from the Marshals Service to my constituent’s claim.
However, because your office has local responsibilities for evictions in the District, it is essential that D.C. residents be made aware of your office’s eviction policies and procedures.  As you know, the eviction process in the District is emblematic of the unique, hybrid federal-local criminal justice system here.  The D.C. Council, which consists of locally elected officials, passes the landlord-tenant laws.  The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the laws passed by the Council.  The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court’s eviction orders.  In other jurisdictions, all of these steps would be undertaken by local officials.
I would also ask you to respond in writing to the following matters within the next thirty days:
 In general, U.S. Marshals do not execute residential evictions.  However, your office executes them almost daily.  What type of eviction training do your officers receive?
	Does the Marshals Service in general and your office in particular have written eviction policies and procedures? If there are written policies and procedures, are any public and readily available?
	I understand that your office provides written notice to tenants informing them it will execute an eviction in the near future.  Does that notice describe the eviction process and/or the rights and responsibilities of tenants during an eviction?
	It appears that no individual district offices within the Marshals Service have websites.  This lack of transparency and access is particularly problematic for your office, given your office’s unique functions within the Marshals Service.  I urge you to create a website so that D.C. residents and elected officials can easily contact your office, learn about the office’s work, including the eviction process, and file complaints if necessary.
	How does your office investigate complaints from the public of inappropriate conduct during evictions?  Are the results of the investigations made public, or at least to the complainant?
 Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-allow-commercial-filming-on-capitol-grounds,Norton Introduces Bill to Allow Commercial Filming on Capitol Grounds When Congress is Out of Session,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on all U.S. Capitol Grounds, beyond the single area where it is currently permitted, Union Square, when both chambers of Congress are out of session.  Norton said her bill would provide a patriotic and economic boost to our nation and to the District of Columbia by allowing filmmakers to showcase the Capitol in its fullest authenticity to the nation and the rest of the world.  The expanded filming would be subject to the same terms and conditions as filming in Union Square.  Norton said her bill addresses any security concerns by giving Capitol Police full discretion to issue filming permits depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol.  Norton’s bill is part of her effort to expand public access to public space, particularly around the Capitol.
“In our open and free democracy, to the fullest extent possible, we should allow access to film our nation’s most iconic democratic symbol—the Capitol,” Norton said.  “It is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation’s democratic traditions to exclude filming of the Capitol, and, as we have shown, there is no justifiable policy or security reason to limit filming to Union Square.  Encouraging commercial photography and filming at the Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around the world, while providing a boost to both the economies of the nation and the District of Columbia.”
Norton’s introductory statement is below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Permit Commercial Filming and Photography on the Grounds of the U.S. Capitol
Today, I introduce a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, east of Union Square, the only area where such filming is currently authorized.  This bill would permit commercial filming and photography outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit, so long as both the House and Senate are not in session.  In today’s world, where many societies are facing upheavals, our country should be the first to encourage commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, which symbolizes U.S. democracy at work.  Hollywood and other commercial filmmakers should not have to go to other or fake capitol buildings for movies and films about the U.S. Capitol.  The current policy permitting filming near the United States Botanic Garden shows that the Capitol police can handle filmmaking on Capitol grounds, especially when Congress is not in session.  However, filming from that vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol.  At a time when the reputation of Congress is particularly low, filming of the Capitol, a building that represents American democracy, could bolster its image.  Keeping filmmakers from standing in front of the Capitol is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation’s democratic traditions.  Encouraging commercial filming and photography at the Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around the world.  The time is overdue to allow commercial filming and photography of the exterior of the historic 19th century Capitol building. 
There is no good reason why commercial filming and photography should be confined to Union Square.  Specifically, my bill gives the Capitol Police the discretion, depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol, to issue a permit authorizing commercial filming and photography under the same conditions as those in Union Square.  Such areas might include, for example, Independence Avenue on the House side and Constitution Avenue on the Senate side.  No policy or security reason exists to justify limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol complex to only one location, Union Square, particularly considering that permits are necessary.  People are regularly seen on East Capitol Street (east of 2nd Street) taking pictures, where they get a full view of the Capitol building, demonstrating how arbitrary it is to limit commercial filming and photography to Union Square. 
Capitol Police would also have authority to charge a fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol as a result of the issuance of the permit, to be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account.  The Capitol Trust Account was established to accept proceeds from any fees collected for commercial filming and photography permits for Union Square.  Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for such maintenance, improvements, and projects with respect to the Capitol grounds as the Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate.
Views of the U.S. Capitol are among America’s most iconic.  Limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people.  Indeed, most of the world knows our country and reveres our system of government largely through commercial films and photos of the Capitol, which symbolizes our democracy at work.  Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation’s story and showcasing its democratic system of government.  Republicans and Democrats alike revere the image as a symbol of patriotism.  My bill would enable appropriate, permitted commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, and would create economic benefits for the nation, the city, and private business.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-defeat-of-her-amendment-to-exempt-federal-sexual-harassment,Norton Says Defeat of Her Amendment to Exempt Federal Sexual Harassment Rules from Anti-Regulatory Bill Shows Republican Rejection of Needed Changes,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today offered an amendment at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) hearing to prevent federal rules and regulations regarding sexual harassment from being repealed or modified at the expense of enacting new regulations.  Norton’s amendment was to a bill introduced by Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), which would codify President Trump’s executive orders that arbitrarily require offsetting the number and costs of new regulations by amending or repealing existing important regulations that protect the health and security of the American public.  Norton’s amendment garnered immediate support from all OGR Democrats present at the markup, who all asked to be cosponsors of her amendment.
“For weeks, Congress has been on the hot seat on sexual harassment and cannot seem to get off of it,” Norton said.  “Just yesterday, Democrats and Republicans trotted to the House floor to express bipartisan support for mandatory sexual harassment training and posting of worker rights.  That was so easy a change—one I had already implemented in my own office—that the public must wonder why these policies were not law long ago.  It took only one day to retract even that progress with today’s vote.  Instead of moving forward in the congressional promise to eliminate sexual harassment, we have just doubled down on the unacceptable status quo.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-bill-requiring-anti-harassment-and-anti-discrimination-training,"After Bill Requiring Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training Passes House, Norton Still Pressing for Congressional Employees to Receive Same Comprehensive Protections Afforded to Other Federal and Private Sector Workers",2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today spoke on the House floor in support of a resolution requiring House Members and staff to complete anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, but even though it passed and is now in force, congressional staff still lack the same workplace protections afforded to executive branch and private sector employees.  Last month, Norton, an expert in sexual harassment and other anti-discrimination laws, introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the very same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch and private sector employers.  Norton’s bill provides general whistleblower protections and anti-retaliation measures and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions applicable to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to the Office of Compliance, which was established by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.
“The House today has taken an easy, non-controversial step that should have been law long ago,” Norton said.  “The posting of rights and training is certainly needed, with controversies about sexual harassment popping up in the House and Senate.  It is not clear that Members of Congress and others who have power in the workplace even know what actions constitute sexual harassment.  It is time they learned, and training should therefore help. 
“However, even with today’s bill passage, Congress still exempts itself from a number of critical workplace protections that it imposes on the American people, American businesses and others.  Congress must afford a workplace culture where employees feel protected, and the debate should not stop at just sexual harassment.  We need to take a comprehensive look at all ways to protect against unequal treatment in the congressional workplace.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-cruz-for-reintroducing-radical-bill-to-force-dc-to-direct,Norton Blasts Cruz for Reintroducing Radical Bill to Force D.C. to Direct Local Education Funds to Private School Vouchers and Vows to Defeat Again,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for reintroducing a bill she has kept from moving before that would radically alter the District of Columbia’s local education system by forcing D.C. to steer its local funds away from D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools to vouchers for any student who chooses to attend private schools.  Norton said Cruz’s bill is “private school vouchers on steroids,” and goes far beyond the existing D.C. private school voucher program, which uses federal funds.  The bill would also force D.C. to use its local funds to pay for other educational expenses such as private online classes.
Last Congress, Cruz launched multiple attacks on D.C. home rule ahead of announcing his presidential bid, introducing bills to overturn two D.C. anti-discrimination laws.  Last Congress, the Republican-controlled House and Senate roundly rejected all amendments to establish national voucher programs as part of the bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
“Senator Cruz’s attempt to force the District of Columbia to spend its own locally-raised education dollars on private school vouchers ranks among the most extreme attack on home rule we have witnessed,” Norton said.  “Education is one of the most fundamental functions of local government, which Cruz, a champion of local control, knows well.  His abuse of congressional power to undermine our public and charter school system violates every single local control bone in his body.  Cruz’s bill would starve local funding for D.C. public and public charter schools and redirect funds to unaccountable private schools.  While I oppose the existing private school voucher program in D.C., it at least uses federal funds.  We defeated the Cruz bill last Congress by working with Members of the House and Senate and our national and local coalition of allies, and we will do so again.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-raskin-for-amendment-to-protect-nation-s-capital-from,Norton Thanks Raskin for Amendment to Protect Nations Capital from National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) thanked Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, for offering an amendment today that would exempt the District of Columbia from a bill (H.R. 38) that would require every jurisdiction to recognize out-of-state concealed carry handgun permits, even though states have different requirements for such permits.  Norton spoke in support of the amendment this morning at a House Democratic Caucus meeting.  The amendment failed by voice vote.
“I do not serve on the Judiciary Committee, but Representative Raskin, who has been a leading champion of equality for the District of Columbia, has stepped up to try to stop the insanity of allowing virtually unrestricted concealed carry in the nation’s capital,” Norton said.  “This bill is a threat to the heart of the federal government and local D.C.  Considering recent gun massacres from, Sutherland Springs, TX to Las Vegas, NV, it is difficult to believe any national or local legislature would encourage people to carry concealed guns across state lines today.  Republicans are so beholden to the National Rifle Association, which has made national concealed carry reciprocity its top priority, they are willing to endanger the President, cabinet, other federal officials, foreign diplomats and the many controversial figures, who regularly frequent our amenities and travel openly in our public places.  Representative Raskin’s amendment is necessary, with the permission of the District of Columbia, even if D.C. had statehood.”
Under Norton’s D.C. statehood bill, D.C.’s current residential and commercial neighborhoods would become the 51st state, while the federal territory, the nation’s capital, would be reduced in size and consist only of the monumental core of the city, including the White House and Capitol.  Norton would support exempting that new nation’s capital from the bill, as well as the new state because those who visit the nation’s capital frequent public places outside of the confines of the Mall and federal buildings.
Norton continues to fight the two D.C.-specific gun bills that are pending in Congress.  One bill, the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Thomas Garrett (R-VA), would eliminate almost all of D.C.’s gun laws.  The other, the DC Personal Protection Reciprocity Act, sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), would require D.C. to recognize out-of-state permits, regardless of a state’s permitting laws.  The Congresswoman has succeeded in keeping these bills from becoming law in past Congresses.
In light of a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision, concealed carry permit applicants in D.C. no longer need to demonstrate a good reason to carry.  However, other D.C. permit requirements, such as training, are still in force.  If H.R. 38 were to become law, people with out-of-state carry permits could carry in D.C. without complying with D.C.’s requirements.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-republican-senate-confirms-third-dc-district-court-nominee,"Norton Says Republican Senate Confirms Third D.C. District Court Nominee Without Input from Residents, Comprising Half of All Senate-Confirmed District Court Nominees",2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that yesterday’s Senate confirmation of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia means that half of the six Senate-confirmed district court nominees this year were for the D.C. district court.  The other three confirmed nominees were from states with two Republican senators.  Norton said the high volume of D.C. district court confirmations shows that the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans are fast-tracking D.C. nominees due to the District’s lack of Senate representation.  Thus far, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been observing the traditional “blue-slip” process for district court nominees, which requires both home-state senators to sign off before the committee will consider a nominee.
Unlike the last three administrations, the Trump administration has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal district court judges and federal law enforcement officials in the District.  Norton repeatedly protested and her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who then requested that all D.C. district court nominees meet with Norton before their committee votes.
“By excluding D.C. from the nominating process, the Trump administration is treating the D.C. district court like a patronage center without regard to the D.C. residents who these federal officials must serve,” Norton said.  “Although the District lacks Senate representation, we had senatorial courtesy in Democratic administrations and courtesy of consultation from the George W. Bush administration.  I now meet with President Trump’s nominees, thanks to working with Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, who have insisted that at least that courtesy take place.  However, I will continue to insist that the Trump administration fully incorporate D.C. in the nominating process.”
In March, Norton wrote Trump requesting that he extend her the courtesy of consulting on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C.—including federal district court judges, the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Marshals—the same courtesy extended to her by President George W. Bush.  Presidents Clinton and Obama extended Norton “senatorial courtesy” to recommend these federal officials in the same manner as Democratic senators, and all of Norton’s recommendations were D.C. residents or committed to residing in the District during their terms.  Using the senatorial authority granted by Presidents Clinton and Obama, Norton formed her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates.  Norton interviewed commission-vetted candidates and submitted names to the president from a list recommended by the commission.
To date, Trump has nominated five officials for positions in D.C.—four to the federal district court and the U.S. Attorney—but four of the five are not D.C. residents.  Friedrich is not a D.C. resident.  Under federal law, in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, federal district court judges, U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals are required to reside within the jurisdictions where they have been appointed—but no such residency requirement exists for officials serving in the District.  In April, Norton introduced a bill to require these officials serving in D.C. to live in D.C.  The bill is part of her “Free and Equal D.C.” series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-participate-in-ogr-field-hearing-in-baltimore-on-combating-the,"Norton to Participate in OGR Field Hearing in Baltimore on Combating the Opioid Crisis, Today",2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will travel to Baltimore, MD for a special Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) field hearing today, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 12:30 p.m., at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (Chevy Chase Auditorium, 1800 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD).  The hearing was requested by OGR Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to examine the ongoing national opioid crisis and hear recommendations from expert witnesses.
“Every part of our nation, including the nation’s capital, has been affected by the opioid epidemic,” Norton said.  “The governors of Maryland and Virginia and the mayor of the District of Columbia held a regional summit on opioid abuse and are working together to learn from one another.  It makes sense for Members of Congress to do the same.  The opioid crisis runs so deep that it needs all parts of our government to coordinate an overwhelming response with bolstered information and resources.  I look forward to questioning today’s witnesses on the steps Congress can take to help localities confront this crisis.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-blasts-king-for-introducing-anti-union-bill-uniquely-targeting-dc,"Norton Blasts King for Introducing Anti-Union Bill Uniquely Targeting D.C.s Labor Laws, Expects to Defeat Bill for Ninth Straight Time",2017-11-27,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today blasted Representative Steve King (R-IA) for introducing a bill attacking the District of Columbia's local labor laws.  King’s bill, the Freedom from Union Violence Act of 2017, would make it a special federal crime to engage in violence during a labor dispute solely within the District, but not solely within states.  The bill would also cover violence during labor disputes in connection with interstate commerce or solely within the territories.
“Representative King is abusing congressional authority to drag the District of Columbia into his politically-motivated attack on organized labor, uniquely affecting local D.C. union workers,” Norton said.  “I will be fighting with our allies to defeat this anti-labor and anti-home-rule legislation, as I have successfully done the past eight Congresses.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-18th-annual-safeway-feast-of-sharing-at-the,"Norton to Speak at 18th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing at the Convention Center, Today",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak to District of Columbia seniors at the 18th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing today, Wednesday, November 22, 2017, and speak at approximately 11:20 a.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon PL NW).  The event will provide a free turkey dinner to approximately 5,000 residents, as well as health screenings and clothing donations.
“We owe so much to the District’s seniors that they get a Thanksgiving feast before Thanksgiving,” Norton said.  “I thank Safeway and the many partners for providing a special occasion to say thank you to seniors, who built our city giving us the strong foundation that is enabling today’s growth.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-elated-that-republican-senate-dc-appropriations-bill-contains-no,Norton Elated That Republican Senate D.C. Appropriations Bill Contains No Anti-Home-Rule Riders for Third Year in a Row,2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Republican Senate fiscal year 2018 District of Columbia appropriations bill does not contain any anti-home-rule riders, exempts D.C. from a shutdown in fiscal year 2019, and provides funds for many of Norton’s legislative priorities.  Unlike in past years, the bill was released by the Senate Appropriations Committee before being marked up by the committee, likely signaling the committee will not mark up the bill and it instead will be used as the basis for negotiations with the House on any final spending bill.  Norton said that the Senate bill provides $30 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), $10 million below the $40 million fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and equal to the $30 million provided in President Trump’s budget and the House-passed fiscal year 2018 D.C. appropriations bill.  However, Norton said that she will try to restore DCTAG funding to $40 million in the final spending bill, as she has done the past two fiscal years.
“Getting the D.C. Tuition Access Grant funding was necessarily our top priority, with thousands of our young people enrolled in colleges across the country and hundreds slated to go in February and September,” Norton said.  “Yet again, this year getting a Senate appropriations bill free of anti-home rule riders is tangible progress that we intend to build upon.  In a period known for budget cuts, we have successfully used the returns to the federal and District government by federal funds, such as DCTAG and HIV/AIDS progress, to keep these funds from being cut.”
For the third straight year, the Republican Senate D.C. appropriations bill allows the District to spend its local funds as its sees fit.  In contrast, the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill repealed D.C.’s medical aid-in-dying law, the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), and blocks D.C. from spending its local funds on abortion, taxing and regulating marijuana sales, and carrying out a local D.C. anti-discrimination law, the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA).  Nevertheless, Norton saved RHNDA the past two fiscal years and believes she can do so again, along with saving the DWDA.
Norton said that the Senate bill again ignores the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 (BAA), the referendum overwhelmingly passed in 2013 by D.C. voters that granted the District budget autonomy, for fiscal year 2018 by appropriating D.C.’s funds for fiscal year 2018.  However, unlike the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill, the Senate bill does not repeal the budget autonomy referendum.
Norton said that the Senate bill provides $8.5 million for the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for ongoing work to control flooding in the city and clean up the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek, increasingly urgent as the city faces increasing flood risks on the National Mall and in downtown D.C. and city neighborhoods.  The House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill did not provide any funding for DC Water.
The Senate bill provides $5 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C., equal to the amount in the House appropriations bill and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the president’s fiscal year 2017 budget request, a Norton priority that has always been preserved in the final bill.  The Senate bill also provides $435,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program for tuition for D.C. National Guard soldiers, the same level provided by the House-passed fiscal year 2018 bill and a small decrease from the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-appear-on-abc-s-this-week-with-george-stephanopoulos-to,"Norton to Appear on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos to Discuss Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill, Sunday",2017-11-18,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss the topical issue of addressing sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and beyond on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” tomorrow, Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.  As EEOC chair, Norton issued the first federal guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, which Norton administered, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.  Norton has introduced legislation to require that congressional employees receive the same comprehensive workplace protections now required by law in federal agencies and the private sector, including required sexual harassment training.  Norton has taken sexual harassment training by video and has required her staff to do the same.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-discusses-issues-facing-dc-immigrants-with-her-congressional,Norton Discusses Issues Facing D.C. Immigrants with Her Congressional Latino Council,2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday met with her Congressional Latino Council on the economic, legal and humanitarian issues facing District of Columbia DREAMers and the large number of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders in the District.  Norton’s Congressional Latino Council comprises prominent D.C. Latino organizations that work directly with communities affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and TPS.  The following organizations attended yesterday’s meeting: CARECEN, La Clinica del Pueblo, Mary’s Center, Latin American Youth Center, Carlos Rosario Public Charter School, and Latino Economic Development Center.
Norton reported on the official number of D.C. residents who are DACA and TPS recipients—D.C. has nearly 800 DREAMers and 3,470 TPS holders, primarily from El Salvador (3,128) and Honduras (231).  The Council reported that if DACA ends, D.C.’s economy would lose nearly $50 million annually, and the U.S. economy would lose over $460 billion in GDP over the next decade.  In the D.C. area, 20 percent of the construction and hospitality workforce is comprised of TPS recipients.
Norton and the Council discussed the need to pass the DREAM Act (H.R. 3440), which Norton has cosponsored, without any poison pills, such as funding for any border wall or an increase in Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Border Patrol agents.  Norton is a cosponsor of over a dozen other key immigration bills in Congress.  The Council also recommended increased funding for legal defense for undocumented immigrants, who may not know their rights upon arrival, as well as increased local pro bono services.  Such legal services could advise undocumented residents on filing asylum claims, as the conditions on the ground in El Salvador and Honduras have not improved since Congress extended TPS for both nations in 2016.
The Council reported that the constant stream of threats regarding DACA and TPS has put enormous trauma on our immigrant residents, particularly children, many of whom live in mixed-status families where some members are American citizens and others are undocumented.  In addition, the Council reported a shortage of teachers and staff at D.C. schools who can communicate in both English and Spanish to help immigrant children when they first arrive.  However, D.C. is providing wrap-around services to help the children integrate into D.C. schools.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-31st-annual-adoption-day-celebration-saturday,"Norton to Speak at 31st Annual Adoption Day Celebration, Saturday",2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at the 2017 Annual Adoption Day Celebration being held tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. – noon, at the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Ave. NW).  The annual event celebrates the adoptions of children in the District of Columbia.  At the event, a D.C. Superior Court judge will announce the new last names for over twenty children as they are received by their new parents.
“Virtually every year since becoming our city’s representative in Congress, I have taken great joy in celebrating Adoption Day,” Norton said.  “Over the years, our city has significantly reduced the number of children in foster care, which is emblematic of a city with a big heart where children come first.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-appointed-by-pelosi-to-serve-on-frederick-douglass-bicentennial,Norton Appointed by Pelosi to Serve on Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Established by Nortons Bill,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pelosi Also Appoints Douglass’ Great-Great-Great Grandson
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has appointed Norton to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission, which was established by Norton’s bill (Public Law 115-77).  The commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  Douglass’ home at Cedar Hill in Southeast Washington, D.C. is an official National Historic Site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.  Leader Pelosi also appointed Kenneth Morris, Jr., Douglass’ great-great-great grandson, to the commission.  Norton’s bill specified that the House Minority Leader would appoint two members of the commission, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House.
“I thank Leader Pelosi for selecting me to serve on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission,” Norton said.  “I am particularly pleased that she also has appointed Kenneth Morris, Jr., the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass, whose knowledge of Douglass’ legacy is unequaled.  I look forward to the bipartisan work of planning a fitting celebration in honor of one of the greatest Americans in history, including events here in the District of Columbia, which Douglass called home for most of his adult life.”
The commission’s other 14 members will be appointed as follows:
 Two members appointed by the President.
	Four members appointed by the President on the recommendation of each of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
	Three members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
	Three members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.
	Two members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-presses-dhs-inspector-general-on-federal-government-s-shamefully,Norton Presses DHS Inspector General on Federal Governments Shamefully Slow Response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) hearing questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General John Roth regarding the federal government’s slow response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Maria, which made landfall there eight weeks ago.  DHS has jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has responsibility for disaster response.  Norton requested that the committee subpoena documents regarding the Administration’s response to Hurricane Maria because the White House is withholding information from Congress and the public.
Norton first asked Roth what grade, from one to 10, he would give the Administration for its hurricane response.  Roth said his office is currently looking into that very issue and to assess how the situation has been handled.
Norton raised serious concerns about the future of disaster responses after the allegations surrounding a $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy, which had only two employees when Hurricane Maria made landfall.  She asked Roth if there are any measures in place to flag such an inappropriate selection, emphasizing that the contract was ultimately canceled due to press reports and ensuing public outcry, not because of executive or congressional oversight.  Roth said there is an ongoing investigation led by federal auditors into FEMA’s involvement in the contract selection process in Puerto Rico.
Norton said after there was an eight-day delay in appointing a three-star general to lead recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, now, to make matters worse, Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan is already being withdrawn, along with his military equipment, despite his acknowledgement that “people still need help.”  Norton asked Roth how Buchanan’s withdrawal is justified and whether his office is looking into the military’s decision to withdraw.  Roth said he would take Norton’s request into account as he examines the role DHS played in the decision to withdraw Buchanan and military equipment.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-continues-to-build-record-support-for-her-dc-statehood-bill-now,"Norton Continues to Build Record Support for Her D.C. Statehood Bill, Now with 140 Cosponsors",2017-11-14,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that she has garnered 140 cosponsors for her bill to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, up from the last reported high.  Norton has continued to build support for her Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 1291) since she broke the record for cosponsors in July as high school students with DC Vote met with congressional offices and helped Norton get to a new record of 134 cosponsors.  In March, Norton introduced her statehood bill with a record number of House original cosponsors (116), which are Members who introduced the bill with Norton.
“With each Congress, we are growing a strong foundation of support for D.C. statehood with Members understanding the injustice of D.C. being first in federal taxes paid per capita and last in congressional voting rights,” Norton said.  “We now have 72 percent of all House Democrats on our bill, and we will keep working to get every single Member of our caucus to sign on.  Republicans are opposed, but that will change with time and struggle.  While our effort continues in the House, residents keep working to galvanize support among neighbors, family and friends and to use social media to go national and build the pressure in Congress.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-wants-nps-to-reconsider-proposal-to-close-washington-monument,"Norton Wants NPS to Reconsider Proposal to Close Washington Monument Athletic Fields, Spike in Fees for Other Fields on the Mall",2017-11-14,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), joined by Representatives Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), today sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) urging it to reconsider its proposal to permanently close six athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument and to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.
In the letter, the Members wrote, “As you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity—including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.  We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS’s desire to protect it from damage.  But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary—it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.  Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.  Space for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region….We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone.”
The full letter is below.
Michael Reynolds  
	Acting Director  
	National Park Service  
	1849 C Street  
	Washington, DC 20240
Dear Acting Director Reynolds:
We are writing in regard to the National Park Service’s (NPS) proposal to permanently close the athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument, and, in addition, to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.  Our understanding is that this proposal will permanently close six fields and increase rates at the remaining fields from $7 per season to and astronomical $70 for only a two-hour reservation.  We understand that Congress has underfunded NPS over the years, and we are committed to ensuring that NPS’s budget is increased.  Nevertheless, we are dismayed by this proposal, which limits access to the Mall and places enormous financial barriers to recreation.
As you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity—including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.  We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS’s desire to protect it from damage.  But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary—it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.  Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.
Space for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region.  Closing six fields at the Washington Monument will impact local parks and recreation departments that already have long waitlists for neighborhood fields.  We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone. 
We ask that you respond to us within 30 days of receipt of this letter.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton  
	Elijah E. Cummings  
	Gerald E. Connolly  
	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger  
	Donald S. Beyer Jr.  
	John P. Sarbanes  
	Jamie Raskin
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-press-conference-with-mayor-bowser-and-local-leaders-on,Norton to Host Press Conference with  Mayor Bowser and Local Leaders on House Republican Tax Plans Harmful Impact on D.C. and Other Localities,2017-11-13,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a press conference to highlight the House Republican tax reform bill’s (H.R. 1) harmful impact on the District of Columbia today, Monday, November 13, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the House Triangle (SE Corner of U.S. Capitol).  Norton will be joined by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, the African American Mayors Association, and Americans Against Double Taxation (AADT).  Among Norton’s top priorities is preserving State and Local Tax Exemption (SALT) deductions, used by 40 percent of D.C. taxpayers, which would be repealed by the House bill for state and local income and sales taxes.  The House bill would also cap SALT deductions for property taxes at $10,000 per year.
“House Republicans are rushing through a massive tax cut bill that will leave District residents with the highest tax increase in the nation,” Norton said.  “The House bill is a giveaway to corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent at the expense of hardworking, everyday Americans.  It is particularly insulting to D.C. residents, who already pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the United States.  However, the District has many allies in this fight.  If enough of us, like our coalition at tomorrow’s press conference, work together, we can get a better product.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-dc-veterans-who-served-their,"Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans, Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied a Vote and Full Home Rule",2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Because District of Columbia veterans uniquely serve without a vote in Congress, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) took two actions to commemorate Veterans Day, which is on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
Norton introduced a resolution recognizing D.C.’s 30,000 veterans and their families, condemning the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families, and calling for statehood for the District to make D.C. veterans and other residents whole.
Yesterday, she spoke on the House floor in honor of D.C. veterans, and asked Congress to erase taxation without representation.  In her remarks, Norton said, “Do it for District residents.  But on this Veterans Day, I ask you to do it for the 30,000 D.C. veterans who deserve equal rights.”
Norton’s resolution is below.
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the denial of full voting rights in Congress for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents.
Whereas on November 11th, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served and sacrificed for their country;
Whereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized;
Whereas the service of approximately 30,000 residents of the District of Columbia in the armed forces is unparalleled because they served without full voting rights in Congress;
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 observed by 3 different States during the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 service members, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied full voting rights in the House of Representatives and the Senate; and
Whereas H.R. 1291, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, would grant full and equal voting rights as well as democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-provide-employers-with-incentives-to-hire-long,Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Employers with Incentives to Hire Long-Term Unemployed,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill that would help address the ongoing crisis of long-term unemployment by giving employers a $5,000 tax credit against their payroll tax liability for each new net person hired who has been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.  Although the overall unemployment rate has dropped to roughly four percent, the number of long-term unemployed in October 2017 was 1.6 million, which accounted for 24.8 percent of the total unemployed population.
“Too many long-term unemployed Americans face employment discrimination as employers continue to show reluctance to hire these job-seekers because of the length of their unemployment.  Therefore, my bill provides a necessary incentive to hire those who have been unjustifiably left behind,” Norton said.  “These workers often have impressive experience and backgrounds.  They have enviable work records.  The country cannot afford to discard them.  Putting the long-term unemployed back to work will provide a boost to our economy.”
Norton’s introductory statement is below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Reducing Long-Term Unemployment Act
Today, I introduce the Reducing Long-Term Unemployment Act to address one of the lingering workforce tragedies in today’s economy—our long-term unemployed—and to keep the economy growing.  Although the overall unemployment rate has fallen to approximately four percent, Americans who have remained unemployed for longer than 27 weeks have not enjoyed a similar recovery.  In October 2017, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was 1.6 million, which accounted for 24.8 percent of the total unemployed population.
To make matters even worse, the long-term unemployed now face employment discrimination as employers show reluctance to hire these job-seekers because of the length of their unemployment.  Therefore, my bill provides a necessary incentive to hire the long-term unemployed—a $5,000 tax credit for employers against their payroll tax liability for each (net) new long-term unemployed person they hire.  This tax credit is large enough to give employers an incentive to increase the hiring and wages of those who have been unjustifiably left behind, while ensuring that the economy benefits from their participation.  The credit would be available to the broadest base of employers because every employer, including nonprofits, pays payroll taxes, and employers could claim the credit on a quarterly, rather than annual, basis.  According to the independent, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposal would “increase both output and employment” through four mechanisms: (1) with lower employment costs, employers would reduce the costs of their products and services, which, in turn, would first boost sales and then hiring and hours worked; (2) employers would pass on some of the tax savings to employees in the form of higher wages or other compensation, which, in turn, would increase employees’ purchasing power; (3) higher profits would lead to higher stock prices for public companies, increasing shareholders’ wealth and therefore their willingness to spend; and (4) with lower employment costs, employers would increase hiring.  The bill has safeguards to prevent employers from gaming the system, including denying a credit to an employer that fires one employee and hires a replacement in order to take advantage of the incentive.
For some time, it has been clear that targeted policies are necessary to address today’s stubborn long-term unemployment rates.  Without significant targeting, the long-term unemployed are in danger of becoming permanently unemployed.  This group of competent and experienced Americans deserves better. 
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-requests-to-testify-at-hearing-on-sexual-harassment-in-congress,Norton Requests to Testify at Hearing on Sexual Harassment in Congress,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton’s letter to the House Administration Committee requesting to testify at an upcoming committee hearing on the House’s sexual harassment policies, including whether to require Members and staff to complete sexual harassment training.  The hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 1310 Longworth House Office Building.  As the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Norton issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld those guidelines.  Last week, Norton introduced a bill to offer congressional employees the same workplace protections, including required sexual harassment training, as other federal and private sector workers.  Norton has required herself and her congressional staff to complete sexual harassment training, and has urged her colleagues to mandate training even before a formal House requirement.
In her letter, Norton wrote, “I understand that the committee is reviewing the House’s sexual harassment policies, and I believe that my past role as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) could provide valuable insight for the committee as it undertakes its review.  I was appointed in 1977 to the EEOC as the first woman Chair, and enforced federal job discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars job discrimination.  As Chair, I issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld our guidelines.”
Norton’s full letter is below.
The Honorable Gregg Harper                                       
	Chairman                                                                       
	House Administration Committee        
	1309 Longworth House Office Building  
	Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Robert Brady    
	Ranking Member  
	House Administration Committee  
	1307 Longworth House Office Building  
	Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Harper and Ranking Member Brady:
I write to request to testify at the House Administration Committee’s hearing on November 14, 2017, which will focus on sexual harassment awareness training.  I understand that the committee is reviewing the House’s sexual harassment policies, and I believe that my past role as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) could provide valuable insight for the committee as it undertakes its review.  I was appointed in 1977 to the EEOC as the first woman Chair, and enforced federal job discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars job discrimination.  As Chair, I issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld our guidelines.
More recently, I led a letter with our House colleagues, Representative Jackie Speier and Representative Brenda Lawrence, asking Members to take action on their own to require sexual harassment training in our offices while our bills that mandate training are pending.  I have taken these actions myself and see no reason why Members should not immediately act on their own to protect their staff from workplace harassment.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-files-amendment-to-make-dc-eligible-for-federal-flood-mitigation,Norton Files Amendment to Make D.C. Eligible for Federal Flood Mitigation Funds,2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has filed an amendment to the 21st Century Flood Reform Act (H.R. 2874) to make the District of Columbia eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.  Norton’s amendment is the same text as the Flood Prevention Act of 2017 (H.R. 2540), which she introduced in May.  Norton filed her amendment at the House Rules Committee, which is scheduled to consider H.R. 2874 today, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., in H-313 (U.S. Capitol).
“I am using every vehicle I can to protect the nation’s capital from floods like those that put Federal Triangle, several federal agencies and D.C. neighborhoods underwater 11 years ago,” Norton said.  “The District of Columbia, a city situated on two rivers, experienced major flooding in the recent past and continues to be at significant risk.  Making D.C. eligible for these critical federal flood prevention funds would help protect not only D.C. neighborhoods, but also the National Mall, our museums, and critical federal buildings located downtown.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-asks-us-marshal-superior-court-to-update-eviction-policies-after,"Norton Asks U.S. Marshal, Superior Court to Update Eviction Policies After Sensitive Tax Documents Were Left on Curb",2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton’s letter to U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court Michael Hughes and D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse regarding an incident in which tax documents were left on a curb in D.C. during the eviction of a local tax company earlier this week.  The letter requests that the Marshal’s office and the Court reexamine eviction policies to ensure sensitive information is protected.  The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court’s eviction orders.  The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the landlord-tenant laws passed by the D.C. Council.
In her letter, Norton wrote, “While I understand that landlords are responsible for removing their evicted tenants’ property from their premises, the Superior Court and the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court play a significant role in evictions.  Therefore, I urge you to adopt protocols and policies to protect sensitive information during evictions….It is particularly important for policies and practices to be developed to protect sensitive information during evictions of commercial tenants that possess obviously sensitive information, such as tax and law firms or physician offices, as illustrated by the Speedy Tax Service eviction.  However, evictions of tenants from residential premises may also involve the removal of sensitive information, so steps should be taken to protect sensitive information during such evictions, too.”
Norton’s full letter is below.
The Honorable Michael A. Hughes  
	U.S. Marshal  
	District of Columbia Superior Court  
	H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse  
	500 Indiana Ave. NW Room C-250  
	Washington, DC 20001
 
The Honorable Robert E. Morin  
	District of Columbia Superior Court  
	Chief Judge  
	H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse    
	500 Indiana Ave. NW  
	Washington, DC 20001
Dear Marshal Hughes and Chief Judge Morin:
I was alarmed to read news reports that tax documents were left on a curb in the District of Columbia during the eviction this week of a tax company, Speedy Tax Service, from its office.  Fortunately, it appears that the Treasury Department has attempted to collect these documents, and, apparently in light of these news reports, the U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Superior Court has started an internal review of its eviction policies and practices, including how to protect sensitive information.
While I understand that landlords are responsible for removing their evicted tenants’ property from their premises, the Superior Court and the U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court play a significant role in evictions.  Therefore, I urge you to adopt protocols and policies to protect sensitive information during evictions.
As you know, several entities are involved in the eviction process, and all have a role to play in protecting sensitive information.  After the Superior Court approves an eviction, landlords, generally along with movers they have hired, enter their premises and remove the evicted tenant’s property and place it on the curb.  Prior to the removal of the property, Marshals enter the premises to check for individuals who may interfere with the eviction, and search for weapons and contraband that should not be left on the curb.
It is particularly important for policies and practices to be developed to protect sensitive information during evictions of commercial tenants that possess obviously sensitive information, such as tax and law firms or physician offices, as illustrated by the Speedy Tax Service eviction.  However, evictions of tenants from residential premises may also involve the removal of sensitive information, so steps should be taken to protect sensitive information during such evictions, too.
As you know, the eviction process in the District is emblematic of the unique, hybrid federal-local criminal justice system here.  The D.C. Council, which consists of locally elected officials, passes the landlord-tenant laws.  The Superior Court, whose judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, issues eviction orders under the laws passed by the Council.  The U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court, who is also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, executes the Superior Court’s eviction orders.  In other jurisdictions, all of these steps would be undertaken by local officials.
Again, I appreciate that the Marshal’s office has apparently begun a review of its eviction policies and practices, and look forward to your findings.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-speier-lawrence-urge-colleagues-to-require-sexual-harassment,"Norton, Speier, Lawrence Urge Colleagues to Require Sexual Harassment Training for Members and Staff",2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to Members of the House of Representatives urging them to adopt mandatory sexual harassment training for their offices, already required for federal agencies.  Norton, Lawrence, and Speier have each introduced bills to address the issue of sexual harassment in Congress.
In their letter, the Members wrote, “We must lead by example in our own offices by instituting mandatory sexual harassment prevention and response training now.  Our staff works incredibly hard each day, and they deserve to have the same protections afforded their counterparts in the private sector as well as those in federal agencies.  We should ensure that their workplaces are free from harassment and discrimination by doing whatever is in our power even if not required by law We may not always agree on matters of policy, but we should all come together to ensure our staff are as protected as they would be in the private sector or other branches of government.  We therefore urge you to follow our lead and require regular sexual harassment prevention and response training in your offices for yourselves, as leaders of your offices, and for current and new employees.”
Below is their full letter.
Dear Colleague:
We write to urge you to use your own authority to adopt mandatory sexual harassment training for your offices.  This training is already required for federal agencies.  The Office of Compliance (OOC) offers a 30-minute online training, available now, that would be a good start for all of our offices to view and learn from, particularly considering that many staff may not be aware of what constitutes sexual harassment and misconduct.  As you may have seen in recent news reports, Congress is not immune from horrific stories of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct.  Former and current staffers spoke out on social media during the #MeToo campaign, which originated after the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations, sharing stunning and embarrassing stories of workplace harassment, including groping, inappropriate emails and text messages, and predatory behavior on the part of both Members and staff.
Each of us has introduced bills aimed at protecting legislative branch employees from sexual harassment by requiring proactive measures such as sexual harassment prevention and response training, enhancing anti-retaliation protections for staffers who report harassment, and streamlining the dispute resolution process currently in place at the OOC.  However, we can and should take whatever action we can now to prevent sexual harassment in Congress.  We must lead by example in our own offices by instituting mandatory sexual harassment prevention and response training now.   Our staff works incredibly hard each day, and they deserve to have the same protections afforded their counterparts in the private sector as well as those in federal agencies.  We should ensure that their workplaces are free from harassment and discrimination by doing whatever is in our power even if not required by law.
We may not always agree on matters of policy, but we should all come together to ensure our staff are as protected as they would be in the private sector or other branches of government.  We therefore urge you to follow our lead and require regular sexual harassment prevention and response training in your offices for yourselves, as leaders of your offices, and for current and new employees.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton               
Jackie Speier                          
Brenda Lawrence
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-discuss-addressing-sexual-harassment-and-assault-in-the,"Norton to Discuss Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Workplace on PBS To the Contrary, This Weekend",2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who authored the nation’s first sexual harassment guidance as the first woman to chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will discuss this burgeoning issue on the PBS series “To The Contrary,” can be seen on this week’s show today, Friday, November 3, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. (WETA), Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. (WHUT), and on Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (WETA).  Norton generally appears on To The Contrary every other week.  The program, which airs nationally, is shown at different times depending on the local station and includes two conservative and progressive panelists who discuss hot topics of the day.  Local listings can be found here.  Norton appears regularly with host Bonnie Erbé on the program, which covers political topics and emerging controversial issues.
This week’s topic focused on how sexual harassment and assault will change society and the workplace.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-dc-health-link-open-enrollment-kick-off-day-and,"Norton to Speak at DC Health Link Open Enrollment Kick-off Day and Health Fair, Tomorrow",2017-11-03,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at DC Health Link’s Open Enrollment Kick-off Day & Health Fair tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, at noon, at the Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library (1630 7th St NW).  The Fair will provide residents and small businesses a prime opportunity to sign up for affordable health care plans offered in the District of Columbia’s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.  The open enrollment began on November 1, 2017, and runs through January 31, 2018.
“At the Fair, I will explain that, despite attempts by President Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, it is alive and well,” Norton said.  “DC Health Link has done a fabulous job signing up residents for health care, but we need to scoop up the few who have not signed up before.  We are particularly grateful that, despite President Trump’s action to drastically shorten the enrollment period in states that rely on the federal marketplace, DC Health Link will be open for business until January 31, 2018, giving D.C. residents ample time to sign up.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-van-hollen-and-cardin-announce-president-trump-signs,"Norton, Harris, Van Hollen, and Cardin Announce President Trump Signs Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act into Law",2017-11-02,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD), and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced that President Trump today signed their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2989) into law.  The bill establishes a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  In addition, the commission must make recommendations to Congress by August 1, 2018, on programs and activities that the federal government should carry out to honor Douglass.  The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission will be only the 16th commemorative commission created by Congress since 1989, and only six of those commemorated specific individuals, none of them African American.  The other individuals were: Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy.
“Frederick Douglass was one of the most transformative figures in our nation’s history,” said Congresswoman Norton.  “It is only fitting that the federal government and the nation celebrate and honor his life on the 200th anniversary of his birth.  Commemorative commissions for individuals are understandably rare, but there is perhaps none more deserving than Douglass.  We in the District of Columbia are particularly proud he called D.C. home for most of his adult life.  His home here in Southeast is an official national historic site and one of our city’s treasures, visited by thousands of tourists and residents annually.  I am grateful that the House and Senate passed the bill with unanimous bipartisan support and that the President signed it in time for the commission to do its important work.”
“I commend my colleagues in Congress for their bipartisan and bicameral efforts to pass this legislation, and I am grateful to President Trump for his attention to this important matter. As we approach the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’ birth, it is critical that Douglass’ contributions to our nation are recognized and celebrated. Frederick Douglass was the father of the abolitionist movement and left a lasting imprint on American culture,” said Congressman Harris.  “Now that the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act is law and the commission can be formed to develop its recommendations.  I am eager to hear the commission’s recommendations, and participate in the activities honoring this American hero and Eastern Shore native.”
“Now more than ever, it’s important that we remember the work and passion of Frederick Douglass,” said Senator Van Hollen.  “He fought tirelessly to improve our great nation and create a more perfect union.  His impact on Maryland can be seen across our state and still has lasting impacts on our communities.  This commission will explore how we can learn from his legacy and continue to apply these lessons today.  As Douglass once stated, ‘The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.’  We should never stop fighting to move our country forward.”
“Frederick Douglass, who was born in 1818 in the State of Maryland, escaped from slavery and became a leading writer, orator, publisher, and one of the United States’ most influential advocates for abolitionism and the equality of all people,” said Senator Cardin.  “Honoring Douglass on his bicentennial allows the nation to look back at the incredible life and work of this great man.  It also gives us a unique lens to view our world and nation today and the continuing fight for civil rights and equality.”
Members of the commission must be appointed within 60 days (January 1, 2018).  The commission will have 16 members.  The members will be appointed as follows:
 Two members appointed by the President.
	Four members appointed by the President on the recommendation of each of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
	Three members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
	Three members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader.
	Two members, at least one of whom must be a Member of the House, appointed by the House Minority Leader.
	Two members, at least one of whom must be a Senator, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-requires-her-staff-to-do-sexual-harassment-training-and,Norton Requires Her Staff to Do Sexual Harassment Training and Encourages House and Senate Offices to Do the Same,2017-11-01,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Training is Already Required for Federal Agencies 
WASHINGTON, D.C.—With the public controversy surrounding sexual harassment at an all-time high, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), took steps to have her own office take a 30-minute online sexual harassment training during work hours and called on her colleagues to do likewise.  Such training is required by law for federal agencies, but Norton yesterday introduced legislation to subject Congress and its legislative agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch agencies and private sector employers, which include required training and the posting of workers’ rights.  Congress passed the Congressional Accountability of 1995 (CAA) after then-Senator Bob Packwood was publicly accused of sexual misconduct.  The CAA brought the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice, training, and other provisions.
As chair of the EEOC, Norton issued the first guidelines holding sexual harassment to be a violation of equal employment laws, and the Supreme Court upheld those guidelines.
“It is time Congress took steps to fully abide by the laws it requires of private employers and federal agencies, including requiring training and the posting of workers’ rights,” Norton said.  “Reported cases of sexual harassment by Members of the House and Senate and staff show that Congress is not immune from such harassment by high-profile or powerful figures.  We need to do more to raise awareness and ensure a safe working environment for staff.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-new-bop-director-to-discuss-dc-inmates-housed-at-bop,Norton to Meet with New BOP Director to Discuss D.C. Inmates Housed at BOP Facilities,2017-11-01,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Gets Response to Her Inquiry on BOP’s Capacity to Evacuate Inmates in Event of Natural Disasters 
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) response to her letter asking whether the agency has the capacity and planning in place to move and relocate inmates from facilities facing severe damage from flooding, hurricanes or other natural disasters.  Norton was concerned after the BOP facility in Beaumont, TX, which houses 48 D.C. inmates, was not evacuated during Hurricane Harvey.  Her office had received reports from constituents that families could not contact their loved ones housed at the Beaumont facility.  In its letter to Norton, BOP responded that “the Bureau mandates detailed contingency plans for natural disasters, as well as other emergency situations such a bomb threats, institution fires, or escapes.  Each of the 122 federal prisons has a specific plan that is drafted to ensure the safety of the public, staff, and inmates.  Each facility tests these plans annually by conducting a mock exercise including testing the recall system that notifies staff to report to the institution in the event of an emergency.”
She will meet soon with new BOP Director Mark Inch to discuss ongoing efforts to ensure the best policies for District of Columbia Code felons, the only local felons housed by BOP.  Norton also recently wrote to BOP requesting that it take action on four specific policies: eliminate or significantly reduce the fee that residents of Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs), or halfway houses, must pay to offset the cost of being housed; change the policy limiting physical contact during a visitation, particularly between a parent and young child, from only the beginning and closing of the visitation; change the visitor dress code; and provide all inmates with the opportunity to receive computer training.
“The BOP response on its evacuation policies was reassuring,” Norton said.  “I look forward to meeting with Director Inch to discuss both the unique and other challenges facing D.C. inmates at BOP facilities, including the specific issues I raised in my recent letters.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-offer-congressional-employees-same-workplace,"Norton Introduces Bill to Offer Congressional Employees Same Workplace Protections, Including Sexual Harassment Provisions, as Other Federal and Private Sector Workers",2017-10-31,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who authored the nation’s first sexual harassment guidance as the first woman to chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today introduced a bill to subject Congress and its agencies to the same comprehensive civil rights laws and federal health and safety standards that currently apply to executive branch agencies and private sector employers, but not to Congress.  Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to bring the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice and training provisions, and altogether omitted important substantive and administrative protections.  Norton’s bill provides general whistleblower protections, anti-retaliation measures, and makes applicable additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to the Office of Compliance (OOC), which was established by the CAA, to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.
“As sexual harassment takes an increasingly high profile, it is impossible to justify exempting congressional offices from the comprehensive provisions Congress now requires of private employers and federal agencies, especially sexual harassment laws that protect workers, such as requiring employers to post workers’ rights or to conduct training,” Norton said.  “The public debate on sexual harassment also raises the importance of granting congressional staff the same civil and anti-discrimination protections afforded to other federal workers.  Congress must facilitate a workplace culture where employees feel protected and know their rights are protected.  Particularly in a work environment such as Congress, where powerful figures often play an outsized role with a sense of their own importance, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination must be met head on, especially by Members of Congress, who have compelled other institutions to observe strict standards.”
Norton’s introductory statement is below.
Statement of Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2017
I am introducing the Congress Leads by Example Act, which would subject Congress and the rest of the legislative branch to the federal whistleblower and anti-discrimination laws that now protect employees in the private sector and the executive branch.  Now more than ever, especially given ongoing reports of sexual harassment and other workplace abuses in the legislative branch, Congress should abide by the laws it imposes on the American people, American businesses, and others.  Congress has already acknowledged the importance of accountability in the legislative branch when it passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA). 
The CAA was an important first step in making the legislative branch accountable for its employment practices, but it did not finish the job.  The CAA did bring the legislative branch under 13 major civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws, but it exempted the legislative branch from important notice and training provisions, and altogether omitted important substantive and administrative protections.  In its annual report for fiscal year 2016, the Office of Compliance (OOC), which was established through the CAA, identified additional provisions of federal workplace laws and standards that should be applicable to the legislative branch.  OOC’s recommendations include mandatory anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation training, providing whistleblowers with protection from retaliation by making the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 applicable to the legislative branch, and urging Congress to approve regulations that provide additional protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This bill takes into account the OOC report, and seeks to both apply the standard of fairness to employees in the legislative branch that Congress requires for other employees and to provide a safer work environment for Congress, Capitol Hill employees, and visitors by bringing the legislative branch in line with the legal requirements of private sector employers and the executive branch.
My bill is a necessary companion to the CAA, particularly in light of recent news reports of appalling behavior on the part of Members of Congress and staff in positions of authority in Member offices and committees.  Former and current staffers spoke out on social media during the #MeToo campaign, which originated after the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment allegations, sharing horrifying stories of workplace harassment, including groping, inappropriate emails and text messages, and predatory behavior on the part of both Members and staff.  But many legislative branch employees who have been victims of workplace harassment or worse have not felt empowered to report it since they are not protected from retaliation.  My bill provides general whistleblower protections, anti-retaliation measures, and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provisions applicable to the legislative branch, including providing subpoena authority to OOC to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations.
This bill also furthers the CAA's mission to prevent discrimination in legislative branch offices by prohibiting the legislative branch from making adverse employment decisions on the basis of an employee's wage garnishment or involvement in bankruptcy proceedings pursuant to the Consumer Credit Protection Act and Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.  This bill requires legislative branch employers to provide their employees with notice of their rights and remedies under the CAA anti-discrimination provisions through the placement of signage in offices highlighting relevant anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.  This bill also requires legislative branch offices to provide training to employees about their CAA rights and remedies.  Finally, this bill bolsters the CAA’s recordkeeping requirements.  It extends to the legislative branch the obligation to maintain accurate records of safety information and employee injuries, as otherwise required by OSHA, as well as employee records necessary to administer anti-discrimination laws.
By passing this bill, Congress will help restore the public trust in this institution by redoubling our efforts to exercise leadership by example.  I urge bipartisan support for this important measure.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-trump-administration-and-senate-republicans-are-moving-dc,Norton Says Trump Administration and Senate Republicans Are Moving D.C. District Court Nominees Due to D.C.s Lack of Senate Representation,2017-10-30,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that today’s Senate confirmation of Trevor N. McFadden to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia demonstrates that the Trump administration and Senate Republicans are moving D.C.’s nominees first because that is the path of least resistance, since D.C. lacks Senate representation.  The Senate has now confirmed two D.C. district court nominees, but only two nominees for other district courts in the United States, both of whom are from states with two Republican senators.  Thus far, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been observing the traditional “blue-slip” process, which requires both home-state senators to sign off before the committee will consider a nominee.  Unlike the last three administrations, the Trump administration has not provided Norton with any role in the nomination of federal judges and law enforcement officials in the District.  The Trump Administration initially did not even offer Norton courtesy meetings with the nominees.  However, after Norton protested and after her office worked with the offices of Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee member Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), all three D.C. district court nominees met with Norton before their committee votes.
“Because of our contacts with Senate Judiciary Democrats, Trump nominees for federal positions here do meet with me; however, the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans continue to exclude D.C. from the nominating process for our local district court judges and are moving quickly on our court with nominees on whom we have had limited say,” Norton said.  “I have no reason to oppose the D.C. nominees, but I have not been given the opportunity to fully vet them.  D.C. is doubly disenfranchised in the nominating process—the Trump Administration has refused to consult with me on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C., and D.C.’s lack of Senate representation excludes us altogether from the blue-slip process by which Senators can either support or block local nominees from moving forward.  The Trump administration and Senate Republicans need to give D.C. residents a more meaningful role in the nomination of federal officials who serve our city.”
In March, Norton wrote Trump requesting that he extend her the courtesy of consulting on the appointment of key federal officials in D.C.—including federal district court judges, the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Marshals—the same courtesy extended to her by President George W. Bush.  Presidents Clinton and Obama extended Norton “senatorial courtesy” to recommend these federal officials in the same manner as Democratic senators, and all of Norton’s recommendations were D.C. residents or committed to residing in the District during their terms.  Using the senatorial authority granted by Presidents Clinton and Obama, Norton formed her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, comprised of distinguished lawyers and laypeople from every ward, chaired by Pauline Schneider, a former president of the D.C. Bar, to screen and recommend candidates.  Norton interviewed commission-vetted candidates and submitted names to the president from a list recommended by the commission.
To date, Trump has nominated five officials for positions in D.C.—four to the federal district court and the U.S. Attorney, but four of them are not D.C. residents.  McFadden is not a D.C. resident, and only Timothy Kelly is a D.C. resident.  In September, the Senate confirmed Kelly to the D.C. District Court and Jessie Liu as U.S. Attorney to D.C.  Under federal law, in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, federal district court judges, U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals are required to reside within the jurisdictions where they have been appointed—but no such residency requirement exists for officials serving in the District.  In April, Norton introduced a bill to require these officials serving in D.C. to live in D.C.  The bill is part of her “Free and Equal D.C.” series of legislation, which insists on equal rights for D.C. residents, which is possible under the Home Rule Act even before the District achieves statehood.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-promise-from-treasury-inspector-general-concerning,Norton Gets Promise from Treasury Inspector General Concerning Investigation into Threats to IRS Employees,2017-10-25,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing asked Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russel George about press reports on an increase in threats to Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employees and “potential vulnerabilities outside agency headquarters.”  NBC4 reported that “federal investigators have launched 1,556 investigations into possible threats against agency employees from taxpayers since the beginning of the year.”  George said his office was currently working with the IRS’ security division to investigate such threats and potential security vulnerabilities and offered to brief Norton and the Committee on his findings at the conclusion of the investigation.  Norton pressed George that, in addition to a congressional briefing, a report of findings, recommendations or remedies would be important to reassure employees and the public.  George responded that he thought a report with necessary redactions might be appropriate.
“I appreciate that the Inspector General has taken the increase in threats to IRS employees seriously and is pursuing an investigation,” Norton said.  “I will be working with his office to ensure he has the necessary resources to investigate threats against IRS employees and any potential security vulnerabilities.  Our federal employees deserve a safe working environment.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-roundtable-on-dc-flood-risks-to-feature-her-bill-to-make-dc,"Norton Roundtable on D.C. Flood Risks to Feature Her Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Federal Flood Mitigation Funds, Tomorrow",2017-10-23,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC) roundtable discussion on near- and long-term risks of flooding in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building, will highlight the need for her bill (H.R. 2540) to make D.C. eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding.  Norton’s bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.
“Last year, a D.C. Flood Summit and a congressional briefing we held brought front and center serious flood risks for the District,” Norton said.  “We must now be all in for remedies before the next all but inevitable flood in the District of Columbia.”
The roundtable will feature the following panelists who will provide testimony and answer questions: Hugh Roberts and Dough McCoach, ARCADIS; Kevin Bush, D.C. Chief Resilience Officer, Officer of the City Administration; Stacey Underwood, Baltimore District DC Silver Jackets Program Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Sharon Sartor, Baltimore District Ecologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Mitigation, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FEMA).
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-commemorate-hispanic-heritage-month-at-cardozo-high-school,"Norton to Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month at Cardozo High School with D.C. DREAMers, Wednesday",2017-10-23,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host her annual event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the District of Columbia with a roundtable discussion on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at Cardozo High School (1200 Clifton St. NW).  Norton and a panel of young D.C. immigrants who came to the U.S. as children will engage with students on the experiences of immigrants who live in D.C. at a time when immigration reform is being highlighted in Congress and across the nation.  Three of our four panelists have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“Immigrants contribute much to the cultural and sophisticated diversity of the District of Columbia, and particularly to our local economy,” Norton said.  “It is important for students and young residents to hear about the experiences of our many successful immigrants.  Wednesday’s event will be a perfect showcase of why D.C. is a proud sanctuary city and why Congress should take up and pass the DREAM Act.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-says-trump-administration-s-delay-of-an-abortion-for,Norton Says Trump Administrations Delay of an Abortion for Unaccompanied Minor Denies Her Constitutional Right and Jeopardizes Her Health,2017-10-21,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia yesterday issued a ruling allowing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to delay a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor, who is 15 weeks pregnant and being held in a government shelter in Texas under HHS supervision, from having an abortion she desires.  The court allowed HHS until October 31 to find a “sponsor” for the young woman.  The administration appealed after the District Court here ruled in her favor.
“The Trump administration is jeopardizing a young woman’s health for political reasons in violation of her constitutional right to an abortion.  The Constitution not only protects a woman’s right to have an abortion, but the Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be undue burdens placed on that right.  This young woman has already met all the necessary steps required in Texas for an abortion, and she has been appointed a guardian who is willing to go with her to the session.  It is an unprecedented outrage to delay this young woman’s right to an abortion after she has met all the requirements.  The decision permitting 10 additional days of an unwanted pregnancy puts the federal government in the position of blocking an abortion that no court has found to be unlawful.  The only appropriate course is for HHS to drop its appeal.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-launch-of-space4-visual-arts-mobile-art-gallery,"Norton to Speak at Launch of SPACE4: Visual Arts Mobile Art Gallery, Tomorrow",2017-10-20,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will join CulturalDC and Forest City to celebrate the launch of SPACE4: Visual Arts, a District of Columbia mobile arts gallery, tomorrow, Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Yards Park (355 Water Street SE).
“I thank CulturalDC for this innovative project that will provide residents in neighborhoods across the District access to a first-class art experience,” Norton said.  “Yards Park is the perfect setting to launch SPACE4 for an evening of fun and entertainment for the entire community.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-announces-senate-passage-of-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor,Norton Announces Senate Passage of Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth,2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Senate last night passed her Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2989).  The bill, which last week passed the House and now heads to the president’s desk, would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) is the original cosponsor of Norton’s bill, and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion.
“I am grateful to the Republican and Democratic Senate leadership for ushering swift passage of our bipartisan bill to honor the life of Frederick Douglass,” Norton said.  “With the president’s signature, the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission can begin planning its recommendations for the most fitting ways Congress and the nation can celebrate the life of a truly great American.  We in the District of Columbia, Douglass’ home for most of his adult life, are particularly excited to start brainstorming possible events to recognize his significant contributions to our city and the nation.”
The Commission would plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial of his birth.  The Commission would also recommend programs and activities to Congress.  The Commission would be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.  Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-two-postal-workers-and-three-other,Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring Two Postal Workers and Three Other Americans Killed in Anthrax Attacks,2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—During the week of the 16-year anniversary of the 2001 anthrax attacks, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced she will introduce a resolution honoring the late Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr., the United States Postal Service (USPS) employees who died from anthrax inhalation while working at the USPS processing facility located at 900 Brentwood Road NE, which is now named for them.  Morris and Curseen died on October 21, 2001, and October 22, 2001, respectively.  Norton’s resolution also honors three other Americans who died from exposure to anthrax during the attacks, as well as all USPS employees for their dedicated service to the nation in the face of such threats to federal facilities throughout the U.S., and a lack of deserved funding support from the Congress.
“Each Congress I introduce this resolution to honor the lives of Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr., who were tragically lost in the 2001 anthrax terrorist attacks, to ensure they are never forgotten,” Norton said.  “Sixteen years later, it is important that Congress and the nation continue to recognize these men and the entire U.S. Postal Service workforce for serving the nation in the face of unpredictable risks.”
Below is the full text of Norton’s resolution.
RESOLUTION
Honoring the lives, work, and sacrifice of Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., the two United States Postal Service employees who died as a result of their contact with anthrax while working at the United States Postal Facility located at 900 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington, DC, during the anthrax attack in the fall of 2001; United States Postal Service employees, who have continued to work diligently in service to the people of the United States notwithstanding anthrax attack; as well as the other three Americans who died and the 17 who became ill in the attacks.
Whereas the founders of the United States, recognizing the importance of a national system of mail to the new country in the U.S. Constitution, gave Congress the authority “To establish post offices and post roads”;
Whereas employees of the United States Postal Service provide indispensable public services and honorably represent the United States on a daily basis;
Whereas despite the many terrorist attacks in federal facilities throughout the United States, including the anthrax attack more than ten years ago, Postal Service employees continue to risk their lives daily to serve the people of the United States;
Whereas Joseph P. Curseen, Jr., and Thomas L. Morris, Jr., both born in the District of Columbia, diligently and admirably served the Nation for decades as employees of the United States Postal Service;
Whereas in the fall of 2001, during the course of their jobs with the United States Postal Service, Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., were exposed to letters containing anthrax that were placed in the mail and subsequently suffered from the inhalation of anthrax and thereafter died;
Whereas five individuals in the United States died from exposure to anthrax during the 2001 anthrax attacks and 17 became ill; and
Whereas in 2002, the United States Postal Service facility located at 900 Brentwood Road NE, Washington, DC, was designated as the “Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and Distribution Center” by Public Law 107-225: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the lives and work of Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., and acknowledges the sacrifice that all Postal Service employees make on behalf of the United States on a daily basis.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-host-roundtable-on-remedies-for-dc-flood-risk-next-tuesday,"Norton to Host Roundtable on Remedies for D.C. Flood Risk, Next Tuesday",2017-10-19,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a roundtable discussion on near- and long-term risks of flooding in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.  Norton is seeking passage of her bill (H.R. 2540) to make D.C. eligible for federal flood mitigation and prevention funding by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CMZA) to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state.  D.C. is not currently included in CMZA, despite its location on two rivers, the Anacostia and Potomac, and its risk of interior flooding.  Norton’s bill would also give the District oversight for federally issued permits/facilities/actions that affect the coastal waters of the District.  D.C. has had three major floods—in 1889, 1942 and 2006—which did serious damage to the National Mall and federal buildings, Federal Triangle, and Southwest D.C.  The roundtable will be open to the public.
“D.C. is a city on the water, and we have seen in the past the proven risks that flooding poses to the nation’s capital,” Norton said.  “Particularly with rising sea levels and increasingly powerful natural disasters due to climate change, the District must be prepared to deal with flood risks and implement preventative measures to mitigate damage.  This roundtable will offer state-of the-art information and remedies.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-speak-at-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-redevelopment-of-whitman,"Norton to Speak at Groundbreaking Ceremony for Redevelopment of Whitman-Walker Healths Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, Today",2017-10-18,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at a ceremony to mark the groundbreaking of the redevelopment of Whitman-Walker Health’s Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center today, Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., at 1701 14th St. NW.
“Whitman-Walker Health has provided essential, high-quality health care to District of Columbia residents for decades,” Norton said.  “We are fortunate that Whitman-Walker will be adding another fruitful chapter to its history with the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-pushes-for-federal-financial-incentives-for-localities-like-dc,Norton Pushes for Federal Financial Incentives for Localities like D.C. that Use Local Dollars for Transportation and Infrastructure Projects,2017-10-12,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, yesterday at a subcommittee hearing on building a 21st century infrastructure asked key stakeholders about increasing incentives for state and local governments, such as the District of Columbia, that move ahead on infrastructure projects without always waiting for full federal transportation and infrastructure funding.   Norton said that she would like to see incentives for states and localities and funding for such projects, but is concerned that they could be punished for so-called “overmatching,” or self-help when state and local governments use non-federal transportation and infrastructure funds to move projects forward.
“We built D.C.’s NoMa–Gallaudet U Metro station using 50 percent D.C. funds, 25 percent federal funds and 25 percent private funds from area businesses,” Norton said.  “I want to explore how the federal government could offer financial incentives for state and local governments to pursue more such projects while ensuring no reduction in their traditional transportation and infrastructure funding.  I do not know whether Congress could use grants or some other mechanism, but I believe such incentives could ultimately save federal dollars and avoid state-level delays in construction.  Some states and localities are moving ahead of the federal government because much of their non-transportation construction depends on roads, bridges, and transit.  We need to find ways to encourage, not punish, such initiatives.”
Norton was concerned by testimony of one of the witnesses, Peter Rogoff, Chief Executive Officer of Sound Transit in Washington State.  Washington residents voted to raise local taxes, including, but not limited to, the state’s gas tax, to pay for improvements to the state’s highway infrastructure and to fund Sound Transit, the Seattle region’s public transit system.  Rogoff said that his agency was “deeply dismayed when the President’s budget was released to see the self-sacrifice by our voters called out by the Office of Management and Budget as a reason to terminate Federal assistance for transit expansions.”  While holding a jurisdiction’s traditional federal funding constant, Norton said she is interested in how overmatching or self-help could be encouraged by Congress, instead of using local self-help tax increases as reason to eliminate federal funding for such projects.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-s-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor-bicentennial-of-frederick,Nortons Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth Passes House,2017-10-11,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House today passed by voice vote her Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act.  The bill would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest abolitionist against slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) is the original cosponsor of Norton’s bill, and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have introduced the Senate companion.
“I am grateful for the bipartisan support for our bill to honor the life of Frederick Douglass,” Norton said.  “With House passage of our Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of a nationwide celebration on the bicentennial of Douglass’ birth.  I look forward to working with our allies in the Senate on swift passage of our bill to ensure the commission has the time it needs to plan next year’s many programs and activities.”
The Commission would plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial of his birth.  The Commission would also recommend programs and activities to Congress.  The Commission would be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.  Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
Norton’s full floor statement on the bill, as prepared for delivery, is below.
Floor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act
I thank the lead cosponsor of this bill, Representative Andy Harris, for working closely with me on it.  I also thank Chairman Trey Gowdy, Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for bringing this bill to the floor in time to begin the commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, in 2018.  I am pleased that this bill has not only bipartisan but also bicameral support.  Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin have introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
The bill would establish a commission to plan and carry out programs and activities, as well as to recommend to Congress programs and activities that the federal government could undertake, to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass during the bicentennial of his birth, in 2018.
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  He learned basic reading skills from his mistress and continued to teach himself and other slaves to read and write despite the risks he faced, including death.  After two attempts, Douglass successfully escaped to New York and went on to become this country’s leading abolitionist and anti-slavery lecturer.  He served in several administrations, including as close advisor to President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia under President Rutherford B. Hayes, and District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds under President James Garfield.  In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Frederick Douglass to be the U.S. minister to Haiti.  He was later appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as secretary of the commission of Santo Domingo.
Douglass dedicated his life to achieving justice for all Americans.  He lived in the District of Columbia for 23 of his 57 years as a free man, and his home at Cedar Hill is an official National Historic Site in Southeast Washington, D.C.  Every year, thousands of Americans and others visit Cedar Hill.  The Frederick Douglass statue that stands in his honor in the United States Capitol is a gift from the nearly 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.  I reserve the balance of my time.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-s-southwest-waterfront-bill-culminates-with-grand-opening-of,"Nortons Southwest Waterfront Bill Culminates with Grand Opening of Phase I of the Wharf, Tomorrow",2017-10-11,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said one of her major economic development initiatives will culminate with the grand opening of Phase I of The Wharf tomorrow, Thursday, October 12, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at 690 Water Street SW.  The developers of the project adopted the name “The Wharf,” which is what the Southwest Waterfront was called when Norton’s great-grandfather came to Washington in the 1850s as a runaway slave.
Norton introduced two bills in 2011 that were necessary for the Southwest Waterfront development project to begin.  One bill clarified the District of Columbia’s ownership of the Southwest Waterfront and removed use restrictions on the land.  The other bill redesignated part of the water designated by the federal government as the Washington Channel, for increased boating and waterside activity.  Norton worked with two different committees on a parliamentary maneuver to combine the two bills into one bill, which was signed into law (Public Law 112–143) on July 9, 2012.
“None of my infrastructure projects were as complicated or as difficult to get through the House and Senate as the Southwest Waterfront bill, but tomorrow I believe everyone will agree that this new waterfront neighborhood was worth it,” Norton said.  “I invite residents to imagine what the total Southwest Waterfront development will mean in amenities, housing and jobs, considering that tomorrow’s opening represents only Phase I.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/to-help-strengthen-dc-national-guard-norton-introduces-bill-to-give,"To Help Strengthen D.C. National Guard, Norton Introduces Bill to Give Education Grants to D.C. Guard Members",2017-10-11,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act to permanently authorize funding for a program that provides grants for higher education to members of the D.C. National Guard.  Norton has continued to get funds every year for the program ($450,000 for fiscal year 2017) through the appropriations process, but she has fought for permanent authorization to ensure the program’s permanent equality with similar programs in the region and nation.  The fund is named for Major General David F. Wherley, a former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along with his wife, Ann, and seven others, was killed in the tragic 2009 Metro crash.  Norton’s bill is part of her effort to strengthen the D.C. National Guard in light of its unique role responding to natural disasters, such as the devastating hurricanes the nation has experienced this year, as well as terrorist attacks.  She earlier introduced a bill to give the D.C. mayor the authority that the chief executive of states and territories have over their Guards.  The mayor would be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard during local emergencies, including natural disasters and civil disturbances unrelated to national or homeland security, after consultation with the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard.
“It is critical for the D.C. National Guard to be able to attract the best candidates, given its unique mixed mission on federal and local matters and the increasing strength of natural disasters,” Norton said.  “We are grateful to our men and women in uniform who volunteer to serve their city and protect our residents, and we should reward them fittingly with a permanent authorization of this critical scholarship grant program.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-announce-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor,"Norton, Harris Announce Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth Scheduled for House Floor Consideration, Next Week",2017-10-07,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) today announced that their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act is scheduled to be brought to the House floor on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, under suspension of the rules.  The bill would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country’s greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.  The bipartisan bill was passed by voice vote by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.  Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion to Norton’s bill.
“I thank the House leadership for permitting our bill to go forward in time for the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission’s recommendations to be implemented, and I appreciate Congressman Harris for being the original cosponsor of the bill, as Douglass was born in Maryland.” Congresswoman Norton said.  “Douglass spent most of his adult life in the District of Columbia, and his home is located in Cedar Hill in Ward 8, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, and D.C. residents chose Douglass as our representative statue in the Capitol.  Douglass is admired worldwide, and it is important that the life of this extraordinary American be celebrated across the country, and this commission will ensure it is.”
“I commend the Oversight Committee’s approval of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act and House Leadership’s plan to provide this bill with a vote on the House floor.  As we approach the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this bill,” Congressman Harris stated.  “The purpose of this bill is more than just honoring the birth of one great civil rights leader.  Its purpose is to recognize his lasting impact on American government, culture, and values.  Frederick Douglass is a model for the values that make our nation great: equality, liberty, and a commitment to working hard and helping others.”
The Commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth.  The Commission will also recommend to Congress programs and activities that the Commission considers fitting and proper to honor Douglass on such occasion.  The Commission will be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.  Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-discuss-the-week-s-top-topics-on-pbs-to-the-contrary-this,"Norton to Discuss the Weeks Top Topics on PBS To the Contrary, This Weekend",2017-10-06,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who generally appears every other week on the PBS series “To The Contrary,” can be seen on this week’s show on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. (WHUT), and on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (WETA).  The program, which airs nationally, is shown at different times depending on the local station and includes two conservative and progressive panelists who discuss hot topics of the day.  Local listings can be found here.  Norton appears regularly with host Bonnie Erbé on the program, which covers political topics and emerging controversial issues.
This week’s topics include women and guns following the mass shooting in Las Vegas and the Trump administration’s decision to restrict the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide contraception without cost sharing by allowing employers and insurers to claim a religious or moral exemption.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-bill-to-remove-statue-of-confederate-general-pike-from,Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Statue of Confederate General Pike from Judiciary Square,2017-10-05,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to remove a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike located on federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia.  Last week, Norton met with members of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, of which Pike was a member, to discuss the statue’s removal.  Norton’s bill makes clear that the Freemasons support the Pike statue’s removal and that no federal funds will be used to remove it.  The statue was authorized by Congress in 1898, was donated to the federal government by the Freemasons, and was installed in 1901.
In her introductory statement, Norton said, “I oppose tearing down Confederate statues, because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn.  However, Pike was a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace…After meeting with the Freemasons, I believe that the best course of action is to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for it.  The Freemasons themselves have said they ‘will support an action…to remove the statue forthwith so that it shall not serve as a source of contention or strife for the residents of our community.’  The Mayor of the District of Columbia and the D.C. Council also support the removal of the statue.”
Norton full introductory statement is below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of a Bill to Remove the Statue of Confederate General Albert Pike
October 5, 2017
Ms. Norton.  Mr. Speaker,
I rise to introduce a bill to require the removal of a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike, which is currently located on federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia.  This statue was authorized by Congress in 1898, and was paid for by both federal and private funds—the Freemasons, of which Pike was a member, donated the majority of the money needed to build and install the statue in 1901.  I oppose tearing down Confederate statues, because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn.  However, Pike was a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace.  Soldiers under his command were found to have mutilated the bodies of Union soldiers, and he was ultimately imprisoned after his fellow officers reported that he had been misappropriating funds.  Adding to the dishonor of taking up arms against the United States, Pike dishonored even his Confederate military service.  He certainly has no claim to be memorialized in the nation’s capital.  Even those who do not want Confederate statues removed will have to justify according Pike any honor considering his history.
After meeting with the Freemasons, I believe that the best course of action is to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for it.  The Freemasons themselves have said they “will support an action…to remove the statue forthwith so that it shall not serve as a source of contention or strife for the residents of our community.”  The Mayor of the District of Columbia and the D.C. Council also support the removal of the statue.
My bill clarifies that no federal funds will be used to take the Pike statue down.  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-introduces-resolution-honoring-the-life-of-dick-gregory,Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring the Life of Dick Gregory,2017-10-05,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a congressional resolution recognizing the life and legacy of Dick Gregory and honoring his contributions to the civil rights movement, American comedy, and the District of Columbia’s struggle for home rule and voting rights.  Norton spoke at Gregory’s funeral service, and will present his family with a copy of the resolution.
“Dick Gregory, a satirist who made everyone laugh out loud with his comedy, committed his life to being a champion for human and civil rights, leaving an indelible mark on this nation,” Norton said.  “After fighting for the rights of African Americans during the civil rights movement, he came to the District of Columbia, his adopted hometown, and helped lead the fight for home rule and statehood.”
Below is the full text of Norton’s resolution.
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the life and legacy of Richard (Dick) Gregory, and honoring his contributions to the civil rights movement and to American comedy.
Whereas Dick Gregory was born on October 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on August 19, 2017, in the District of Columbia at the age of 84;
Whereas Dick Gregory was an early civil rights pioneer, participating in sit-ins and getting arrested numerous times throughout the South for the defeat of segregation and for equal rights;
Whereas Dick Gregory was a passionate champion for voting rights and home rule for the residents of the District of Columbia and in the 1960s was in the forefront of the struggle that culminated in home rule for the District of Columbia;
Whereas Dick Gregory moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1956 to begin his comedy career after having served in the United States Army;
Whereas in 1959, Dick Gregory married Lillian Smith, with whom he had 11 children;
Whereas, besides civil rights, Dick Gregory was an activist in numerous causes over the course of his life, including the Vietnam War, the Equal Rights Amendment, police brutality, South African apartheid, nuclear power, prison reform, feminism, drug abuse and Native American rights;
Whereas Dick Gregory authored a dozen books; and
Whereas Dick Gregory became one of the first African American comedians to enjoy crossover appeal to blacks and whites alike, using his talent to point up the absurdity of racism and discrimination: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life and legacy of Richard (Dick) Gregory and acknowledges his contributions to civil rights, to multiple other causes for freedom and equality, and to American comedy.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-las-vegas-shooting-norton-calls-on-rubio-and-garrett-to-withdraw,"After Las Vegas Shooting, Norton Calls on Rubio and Garrett to Withdraw Their Bills to Gut D.C. Gun Laws",2017-10-04,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Tom Garrett (R-VA) to withdraw their bills to overturn the District of Columbia’s gun safety laws in the wake of the shocking massacre in Las Vegas, NV.  Rubio and Garrett have introduced companion bills to eliminate the District’s ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, similar to those that killed 59 and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas, as well D.C.’s registration requirements, and would keep D.C. from passing gun laws in the future.  Norton said Garrett in particular has outrageously misrepresented what his bill does, writing on his website that he introduced it “to allow for citizens with legal gun ownership to carry in the District of Columbia,” omitting the fact it would permit nearly anyone to possess powerful military-grade weapons and high capacity magazines in the nation’s capital.  Garrett also claims he introduced his bill “after several concerned constituents expressed their disappointment over wanting to visit the nation’s Capital with their family, but due to the high crime rate in D.C., did not want to visit unprotected,” when, in reality, identical versions of his bill have been introduced by other Members in previous Congresses and it is backed by the National Rifle Association.
“Members may continue to disagree on remedies for the horrifying gun violence in Las Vegas by a single gunman armed to the teeth with assault rifles,” Norton said.  “However, out of respect for the victims and their families, no one can be satisfied with speeches on the House floor about thoughts and prayers.  At the very least, Members should withdraw their bills to overturn D.C.’s gun safety laws that protect not only D.C. residents, but high-level officials, world figures and millions of tourists who frequent our public places and amenities.  Senator Rubio and Representative Garrett are abusing congressional authority by trying to overturn the District’s duly-enacted local gun safety laws.  Our local jurisdiction, which also happens to be the nation’s capital, has strong gun safety laws for a reason.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-bill-allowing-dc-to-work-with-nps-to-make-improvements-to-0,Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park Passed by Natural Resources Committee,2017-10-04,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton’s bill to clarify that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and operate NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, was passed today by the House Natural Resources Committee.  The bill had already being passed by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.  She hopes that since Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) cosponsored the bill and that the bill passed unanimously out of both committees, it will be scheduled for expedited House floor consideration.
“I am grateful to Chairman Bishop for not only scheduling for markup my bill to facilitate the renovation of Franklin Park, but for also cosponsoring the legislation,” Norton said.  “Our bill will take a centrally located park, which is so run-down that too often people simply pass by it, and turn it into a space where residents, workers and tourists can enjoy green space and amenities.  NPS is so underfunded that it would not be able to renovate this park for many years.  This partnership between the District and NPS is a demonstration of how working together with a federal agency, D.C., using its own or private funds, can make Franklin Park and other NPS parks into attractive destinations.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-participate-in-walk-to-school-day-event-at-lincoln-park,"Norton to Participate in Walk to School Day Event at Lincoln Park, Wednesday",2017-10-03,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will join District of Columbia students and parents for Walk to School Day tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 7:30 a.m., in Lincoln Park (11th St. and East Capitol St. NE).
“As a graduate of a D.C. public schools who often walked to school, I am looking forward to joining students and parents to celebrate a time-old tradition,” Norton said.  “We are proud of the progress our public and public charter schools have made over the last several years.  Funding for Safe Routes to School projects that we included in the most recent surface transportation bill helps improve streets to make them safer for kids and parents.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/as-supreme-court-begins-its-term-today-norton-introduces-resolution-0,"As Supreme Court Begins its Term Today, Norton Introduces Resolution Urging the Court to Adopt Same Ethics Guidelines as Other Federal Judges",2017-10-02,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—To mark the first day of the United States Supreme Court’s new term, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution calling on Supreme Court Justices to make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethical guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges or create their own rules.
“Each year, the Supreme Court decides the landmark cases that take our country in new directions, from Brown v. Board of Education, barring state-sponsored racial discrimination, to Obergefell v. Hodges, recognizing the right of same-sex marriage,” Norton said.  “As the last and final word, the nine justices can be more powerful than the president and the Congress.  Yet, the justices do not submit to even the ethical standards required of other federal judges.  Just last week, Justice Neil Gorsuch gave a speech at the Trump International Hotel, which is now in litigation alleging violation of the Constitution and could reach the Supreme Court for decision.  Adopting ethical standards would guard against ethical concerns and would strengthen public trust.  Supreme Court justices, who are unelected and serve lifetime appointments, cannot afford to give rise to even the appearance of ethical conflicts.”
The full text of the resolution follows.
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the justices of the United States Supreme Court should make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethics guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, or should promulgate their own code of conduct.
Whereas section 455 of title 28, United States Code, establishes the circumstances under which any justice, judge, or magistrate judge of the United States shall disqualify himself or herself from a case;
Whereas under chapter 16 of title 28, United States Code (relating to complaints against judges and judicial discipline), the judicial circuits may prescribe rules and procedures for the conduct of proceedings under that chapter, including regarding complaint, investigative, and review procedures for certain decisions of judges and magistrate judges of the United States not to recuse themselves from cases;
Whereas litigants can seek legal recourse through the United States courts to enforce section 455 of title 28, United States Code, and challenge the disposition of the underlying case, and complainants have administrative procedures under chapter 16 of title 28, United States Code, against a judge or magistrate judge of the United States, but there are no comparable enforcement mechanisms against the justices of the United States;
Whereas the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a Code of Conduct for United States Judges, which uses language identical to the relevant portion of section 455 of title 28, United States Code, that a judge or magistrate judge of the United States must abide by when deciding whether to recuse himself or herself from a case, but the Code does not apply to a justice of the United States Supreme Court;
Whereas justices of the United States Supreme Court are not bound by any written code of conduct;
Whereas justices of the United States Supreme Court each have unreviewable authority to determine whether there is an appearance of bias, conflict of interest, or other ethical justification sufficient for withdrawal from hearing, partaking in deliberations in, or joining in the resolution of, a case or controversy;
Whereas the Federal Judicial Center has concluded that `balancing the duty to decide' with `the duty to disqualify' precludes judges from using recusal as an excuse to shirk their duties by avoiding difficult or unpleasant cases;
Whereas the United States Constitution vests judicial power in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish;
Whereas the separation of powers of the coordinate branches of government, as well as the independence of the judiciary, or the appearance of independence, may be compromised by extensive legislative or executive interference into that branch's functions;
Whereas James Madison argued in Federalist Paper Number 10 that `[n]o man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity'; and
Whereas the United States Supreme Court has acknowledged in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White, and reiterated in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., that `[t]he citizen's respect for judgments depends . . . upon the issuing court's absolute probity' and that `[j]udicial integrity is, in consequence, a state interest of the highest order': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the justices of the United States Supreme Court should make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethics guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, or should promulgate their own code of conduct.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/to-republicans-who-tout-local-control-leave-sanctuary-cities-alone,To Republicans Who Tout Local Control: Leave Sanctuary Cities Alone,2017-10-01,2017,2017-10,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"In an effort to intimidate sanctuary cities, the Trump administration last week picked up undocumented immigrants who had various levels of criminal convictions across the country. That is ICE’s job, and it has nothing to do with sanctuary cities. What Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions want is for sanctuary cities to detain and hand over to ICE people in state or local custody. However, several courts have held that “detainers,” or requests from ICE to hold immigrants in custody after their release date, or those who may be in state or local custody, for example for minor infractions such as traffic violations or shoplifting, violate the Fourth Amendment. The people arrested last week were located by ICE in open society, not under state or local custody. Sanctuary cities do not interfere with federal officials from ICE. All they are asking is that ICE not interfere with them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-bill-allowing-dc-to-work-with-nps-to-make-improvements-to,"Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park to be Marked Up by Natural Resources Committee, Next Week",2017-09-29,2017,2017-09,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that her bill to clarify that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and invest in NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, will be marked up by the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in 1334 Longworth House Office Building.  Norton thanked Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) for scheduling her bill for markup and for signing on as a cosponsor.  Norton’s bill was passed by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.
“I am grateful to Chairman Bishop for scheduling my bill for markup and supporting our efforts to rehabilitate Franklin Park in downtown D.C.,” Norton said.  “The bipartisan bill is a win for the federal government and the District.  We look forward to having D.C. residents and visitors to the nation’s capital enjoy our new and improved downtown park.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-meet-with-national-weather-service-director-on-promoting-0,"Norton to Meet with National Weather Service Director on Promoting Snowfall Measurements Recorded in D.C., Today",2017-02-13,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will meet with National Weather Service (NWS) Director Louis Uccellini today, Monday, February 13, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in 2136 Rayburn House Office Building, to discuss strategies for more accurately measuring snowfall measurements within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Norton is preparing for a roundtable on the issue and wants to work with the NWS to get a better understanding of the snow fall measurements.

The meeting will be closed door, but members of the press are invited to ask questions afterwards.

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-statement-on-fta-decision-to-withhold-transit-funds-from-dc,"Norton Statement on FTA Decision to Withhold Transit Funds from D.C., Maryland and Virginia",2017-02-10,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it will withhold federal transit funds from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia until the jurisdictions establish a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP), certified by FTA, for the rail operations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

“The FTA's decision to punish the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia by withholding transit funds from WMATA and other regions of the states with their own transit needs is unfair and counterproductive. Unlike other areas of the country, WMATA encompasses three jurisdictions and three separate legislatures, each of which must pass legislation. Today's decision is particularly unfair to the District of Columbia, which has already passed the necessary legislation to create the Metro Safety Commission. Nevertheless, we have been working in good faith with our partners and we will continue to work with the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies until they pass legislation to form the Metro Safety Commission. I am committed to doing everything I can to help speed action on the enactment of the new Metro Safety Commission to ensure safety for WMATA.”

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-dc-councilmember-hr-crawford,Norton Statement on the Passing of Former D.C. Councilmember H.R. Crawford,2017-02-10,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today released the following statement on the passing of former District of Columbia Councilmember H.R. Crawford.

“With the death of H.R. Crawford, the District of Columbia has lost a particularly dedicated Washingtonian who gave the city 12 years of service at the D.C. Council representing Ward 7. As a real estate developer, he reclaimed run-down buildings to improve low- and moderate-income housing.

“Even while engaged in real estate management his entire professional life, H.R. continued to work in the public interest. He served as chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. H.R.’s contributions to D.C. were deeply felt and he will be missed by all those whose lives were improved by his work.”

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/early-signs-on-dc-in-the-115th-congress-with-trump-as-president,Early Signs on D.C. in the 115th Congress with Trump as President,2017-02-07,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

President Trump’s first two weeks were not about the District of Columbia, but his chaotic beginning coincided with my amendment to remove language from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s (OGR) Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress that appeared to signal an intention to get into D.C.’s local government operations well beyond the usual disagreements with D.C. laws. As a member of the minority party, I knew my amendment could not pass, but it accomplished its purposes. Notwithstanding broader language than usual in the plan, the actual committee discussion revealed no particular issues or intention to take on D.C.’s finances and operations, and OGR Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows and I agreed to go to lunch. The surprise was hearing OGR Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) say he favors D.C.’s retrocession to Maryland to enable the city to get full rights. No one ever asks what Maryland thinks of this old canard (though the Republicans who favor it are often sincere), but D.C.’s 2016 statehood referendum showed that 85% of D.C. voters want D.C. to become the 51st state.

The usual anti-home-rule bills were introduced as Congress began—the permanent ban of local D.C. funds for abortion and the elimination of the District’s gun safety laws. Many saw these bills, which have become tradition each Congress, as menacing, although we have been able to keep them from being enacted into law for years. What heightens concern is the presence of the new president. Yet, even President Obama was not in these fights because we were able to keep such bills from getting to his desk. Of course, this is a different administration and a different Congress—but Republicans controlled the House and Senate last Congress, and these dangerous anti-home-rule bills did not get enacted.

Still, the responses of residents to the OGR plan that seemed to intrude into D.C. home rule was gratifying. Residents called Chairman Chaffetz’s office so often that he had to change his answering message. Residents tweeted and went on social media to oppose congressional meddling with D.C.’s local affairs. Some residents even came to the House to visit the Chairman’s office.

It is still too early to forecast whether D.C. will face the same barrage of radical proposals that we have seen for the nation from day one of the new administration. For now, the administration is preoccupied with travel bans, cabinet votes, and border walls, and D.C. is not on its radar.

Action against the District usually begins and ends in the Congress. That is the way it was last Congress when there were eight attempts to eliminate the District’s gun safety laws, eight attempts to repeal or block D.C. anti-discrimination laws, two attempts to repeal D.C. budget autonomy, and eight other attacks on D.C.’s local laws. None of those attacks became law. However, the early response of D.C. residents to a plan by a congressional committee to intrude into D.C.’s home rule showed that residents are ready to fight—and fighting can make the difference.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-oversight-committee-to-mark-up-bill-to-nullify-dc-s-death-with,"House Oversight Committee to Mark Up Bill to Nullify D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act, Monday Evening",2017-02-07,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) today announced that the committee will mark up a disapproval resolution to nullify the District of Columbia’s medical aid-in-dying bill, the Death with Dignity Act, on Monday evening, February 13, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. After originally scheduling the markup of the disapproval resolution for last week, OGR Republicans postponed it at the last minute. The Death with Dignity Act was transmitted for a 30-legislative-day review period on January 6, 2017. A bill takes effect at the expiration of the review period unless a resolution of disapproval is passed by both houses and signed into law during that period.

“House Republicans are rushing against the clock to abuse congressional authority over the District to overturn a local law,” Norton said. “The Committee has refused to allow local D.C. officials to defend it. Congress is way out of line on D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act, which is substantially similar to the medical aid-in-dying statutes in five states: California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Moreover, 24 House Republicans are from the six states where medical aid in dying in legal. D.C. is neither an outlier nor a pioneer on this bill, and it is entitled to the same respect as the six states where medical aid in dying is legal. D.C. residents have made it clear with their calls, tweets, and visits to Capitol Hill that they resent this meddling by Congress into the District’s purely local affairs.”

According to Gallup, a majority of Americans (69% in 2016) have supported medical aid in dying since 1973.

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-thanks-us-marshal-for-dc-patrick-burke-for-service-following,Norton Thanks U.S. Marshal for D.C. Patrick Burke for Service Following Decision to Resign,2017-02-03,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked Patrick Burke, the U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, U.S. District Court, for his service following his announcement that he will resign his office effective February 4, 2017. Burke has been offered other opportunities. Norton recommended Burke to President Obama for the position, which is responsible for the enforcement of federal law throughout the District. When Democratic presidents are in power, Norton has had senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other federal law enforcement officials in the District.

“Patrick Burke was an exemplary U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “We were fortunate for the first time to have a high-ranking leader of the Metropolitan Police Department as the District’s U.S. Marshal. Mr. Burke brought a rare understanding of the city to a federal position dedicated to the District of Columbia.”

Before his service as U.S. Marshal for D.C., Burke spent his entire 26-year career as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He began his career as a patrol officer before rising to become one of five MPD Assistant Chiefs. From 2007-2011, Burke was the first-ever Assistant Chief for the Homeland Security Bureau, where he oversaw the special operations and intelligence divisions and coordinated with federal and regional security and police forces. From 2011-2016, Burke served as Assistant Chief for the Strategic Services Bureau, where he oversaw agency policy, training, testing and recruiting.

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-and-house-democrats-introduce-freedom-of-religion-act,Norton and House Democrats Introduce Freedom of Religion Act,2017-02-02,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) joined Gold Star Father Khizr Khan, Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), and several House Democrats at a press conference today to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibits barring immigrants, refugees, and international visitors from entry in the United States on the basis of religion.

At the press conference, Norton said, “Our bill takes religion off the table as a tool for deciding who is admitted to our country—whether as immigrants, refugees, or international visitors. The Freedom of Religion Act is a testament to our nation’s strength. It shows we still know how to keep our country safe without sacrificing our most fundamental values.”

Norton’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

“The self-inflicted confusion and demonstrations across our country and the world cry out for our bill, the Freedom of Religion Act. We are compelled to examine again why our country was founded. The first colonists were not refugees from politics or poverty. They gave up whatever they had and risked everything to come to the wilderness of a largely unsettled country where they could practice their religion freely and openly without government interference. Freedom of religion was at the core of our nation’s founding.

“Our bill takes religion off the table as a tool for deciding who is admitted to our country—whether as immigrants, refugees, or international visitors. The Freedom of Religion Act is a testament to our nation’s strength. It shows we still know how to keep our country safe without sacrificing our most fundamental values.”

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-applauds-usps-for-unveiling-dorothy-height-forever-stamp-to-begin,Norton Applauds USPS for Unveiling Dorothy Height Forever Stamp to Begin Black History Month,2017-02-01,2017,2017-02,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who was scheduled to speak at a United States Postal Service ceremony today dedicating a Dorothy Height Forever stamp, said that the stamp was an honor due to the most influential female leader of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. Urgent business in the Congress kept Norton from attending. In 2010, Norton’s bill to rename the historic Post Office at 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE was passed by the House and Senate. That historic building is a part of the Smithsonian and houses the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the repository of the postal history of our country visited by millions of Americans every year. Norton attended the signing of the bill by President Obama at a ceremony at the White House. Norton participated in the dedication of the Dorothy I. Height Post Office in 2011.

“Dorothy Height was known as the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement for her deep influence on the movement that resulted in the three landmark civil rights laws,” Norton said. She was my friend and mentor, but she also mentored countless women who saw her as a role model and found her as friendly as she was dignified. Dorothy also was a vital bridge between the feminist and civil rights movements. The Dorothy Height Forever stamp is a particularly fitting way to begin Black History Month today.”

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-gets-commitment-from-republican-oversight-committee-leaders-on,Norton Gets Commitment from Republican Oversight Committee Leaders on Overreach into D.C. Affairs,2017-01-31,2017,2017-01,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was encouraged by the comments of Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and OGR Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC), who said at an OGR committee markup today they would work with her when the committee considers local District of Columbia issues. Norton had filed an amendment to remove a broad provision in the Committee’s Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress that appeared to imply an intention to intrude more deeply into D.C. home-rule matters than had been the tradition of the Committee. However, following the Congresswoman’s objections, the committee conversation was so productive that Norton withdrew her request for a roll call vote on her amendment. For example, Chairman Chaffetz noted that the Committee document was an oversight plan, not a legislative plan. Norton thanked OGR Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) for forcefully supporting D.C. home rule during the markup. She said she was particularly grateful to Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), a former OGR chairman, who committed to working with Norton on ways to protect D.C. home rule, as he did when he was chairman during the 112th and 113th Congresses.

“During today’s committee discussion, I did not hear remarks about the need for more scrutiny into the operations of the District of Columbia government,” Norton said. “Instead, I was pleased by the collegial conversation we had today at the markup, where Republicans, including Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows, committed to working with me to find more common ground when D.C. issues arise in the Congress. I appreciate Chairman Chaffetz and Subcommittee Chairman Meadows’ willingness to having an open dialogue on how we can work together to balance respect for D.C. home rule with traditional committee oversight over the District.”

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-releases-prepared-remarks-for-press-conference-with-bowser,"Norton Releases Prepared Remarks for Press Conference with Bowser, Mendelson to Defend D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act Ahead of Disapproval Resolution Markup",2017-01-31,2017,2017-01,Democrat,House,DC,Eleanor Norton,N000147,norton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her statement ahead of a press conference today with District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to defend D.C.’s medical aid-in-dying bill, the Death with Dignity Act, from congressional interference. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a markup of a disapproval resolution to nullify the Death with Dignity Act on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.

Norton’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

STATEMENT FOR DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT PRESS CONFERENCE

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

I thank Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson for coming to Congress to explain and defend D.C.’s duly enacted “Death with Dignity Act,” the District’s medical aid-in-dying bill. It is perhaps a fitting title for today as we demand dignity for the democratic rights of D.C. residents, who simply want their laws to be respected and to be left alone by Members of Congress.

On Thursday afternoon, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will meet to mark up a disapproval resolution to nullify D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act. Members of Congress from other jurisdictions in the United States, who are totally unaccountable to D.C. residents (I am the only one accountable to D.C. residents), will sit in judgment on a purely local matter. The District’s duly-elected mayor Muriel Bowser, and the District’s duly-elected Council Chairman, Phil Mendelson, are here today to voice the District’s collective opposition to this anti-democratic attack on the District and to speak out for the democratic rights of D.C. residents.

This purely local matter went through a rigorous democratic process that heard debate from both sides of this issue. To its credit, the Council recognized that medical aid in dying presents complex moral, legal, medical and ethical issues. That is why the D.C. Council held an exhaustive hearing on the Death with Dignity Act to examine these issues, where 69 experts and dozens of concerned citizens testified, both for and against the legislation. After hearing debate, the elected D.C. Council passed the Death with Dignity Act by a vote of 11-2, and the elected D.C. Mayor signed it. That should have ended the matter, as it would in any other jurisdiction in the United States.

However, unlike other jurisdictions, the District lacks the status of a state it deserves, despite having paid for it dearly in both blood and treasure to the government of the United States. But the District does operate under the Home Rule Act, which in 1973 gave D.C. the authority to legislate on local matters, with only a few enumerated exceptions, and to “relieve Congress of the burden of legislating upon essentially local District matters.” Medical aid in dying is not among the exceptions.

Although I support the District’s Death with Dignity Act, which is substantially similar to the laws of the five states that have legalized medical aid in dying by statute and contains strong safeguards that protect against potential abuses of the program, my position on the bill is irrelevant to why we are here today. We will ask Members of Congress to vote with the District on this bill, even if they personally disagree with . The District’s right to home rule is superior to any ideological position I or any other Member of Congress may have on a piece of D.C. legislation. That is why at Thursday’s markup I will not request that Members take a position on the merits of the Death with Dignity Act, only on the District’s democratic right to pass its own laws.

I want to correct a statement by Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, who coauthored an op-ed calling for Congress to intervene and nullify the Death with Dignity Act. They made the false argument that Congress not only has the constitutional authority to regulate D.C.’s local affairs, but that it has the obligation to do so. Congressional authority over the District is a fact, however inconsistent that authority is with democracy and the bedrock American principle of local control. But the Home Rule Act does not obligate Congress to intervene in the District’s affairs. The proof, of course, is that Congress uses its plenary jurisdiction over the District only for ideological reasons when it disagrees with legislation. Of course, a Member has not introduced legislation to ban medical aid in dying nationally. The Committee knows such a bill would fail. Public support for medical aid in dying is growing—according to Gallup, 69% of Americans supported it in 2016. It is easier to abuse congressional power over the District than it would be to take the fight nationally.

Ironically, to conclude his op-ed, Chairman Chaffetz wrote that “we will rage for the citizens of the District….” D.C. residents would very much appreciate the Chairman “raging” for their democratic rights, including statehood, voting rights, budget autonomy and legislative autonomy, instead of actively working against laws passed democratically by local authorities.

Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, and I are in this fight for the long haul. No matter what anti-home-rule attacks House Republicans throw our way, we will always be here standing strongly together to defend the democratic rights of our residents.

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z