In an effort to secure greater autonomy for DC, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced two bills in the 111th Congress to eliminate congressional review of the District's budget and legislation.

The District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act of 2009 (H.R.960)

The Legislative Autonomy Act would eliminate provisions in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act that require a 30-day congressional review period for DC's civil laws and a 60-day review period for DC's criminal laws.

Text of the Bill

Fact Sheet

Testimony before Congress

• Hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  
  
• Testimony of Mayor Adrian Fenty Regarding Budget and Legislative Autonomy Bills
  
  
• Testimony of Chairman Vincent Gray Regarding Budget and Legislative Autonomy Bills
  
  

The District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2009 (H.R.1045)

The Budget Autonomy Act would grant the District the right to enact its local budget without annual congressional oversight. Currently, the District's budget must be approved by Congress as part of the congressional appropriations process, creating delays in the enactment of DC's budget and resulting in operational problems.

Text of the Bill

Fact Sheet

Testimony before Congress

• Hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  
  
• Testimony of Mayor Adrian Fenty Regarding Budget and Legislative Autonomy Bills
  
  
• Testimony of Chairman Vincent Gray Regarding Budget and Legislative Autonomy Bills
  
  
• Testimony of Alice M. Rivlin, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and DC
  
  
• Testimony of Natwar Ghandi, Chief Financial Officer, Government of the District of Columbia, Before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and DC
  
  

More Information

Click here to learn more about DC's fight for greater control over its local budget and legislation. Tell your representatives and senators to support budget and legislative autonomy for the residents of our nation's capital by contacting Congress.

      Print Friendly