Bills · HR 214
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 214State and local government operationsDistrict of Columbia
District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act
INTRO JAN 6· LAST ACTION JAN 6
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it deals with the fundamental issue of self-governance and democratic representation for the residents of Washington, D.C. Unlike residents of states, D.C. residents currently do not have full control over their local laws; Congress retains the power to veto them, even if those laws only affect D.C. itself. If this bill becomes law, D.C. would have more autonomy, meaning local decisions made by locally elected officials would be final, similar to how state and city governments operate.
If this bill does not become law, the current system will remain in place, allowing Congress to continue to review and potentially block D.C. laws. This means D.C.'s ability to address local issues quickly and in accordance with the will of its voters would remain subject to federal approval, a situation many D.C. residents and advocates view as undemocratic and a denial of basic home rule rights.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill removes the section of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act that requires a Congressional review period for D.C. laws to take effect.
This directly eliminates the primary mechanism through which Congress can delay or prevent D.C. laws from becoming active.
PROVISION 02
It repeals the section of the Home Rule Act that allows Congress to pass a resolution of disapproval to block a D.C. act.
This takes away the specific legislative tool Congress uses to veto D.C. laws during the review period.
PROVISION 03
The bill makes several other changes to various sections of the Home Rule Act and other D.C. laws to remove any references to the Congressional review process.
These changes ensure that all relevant legal texts are consistent with the elimination of federal oversight.
PROVISION 04
The amendments made by this bill would apply to any D.C. law passed by the D.C. Council, signed by the Mayor, or approved by voters via initiative or referendum, on or after the first day of the 119th Congress.
This sets a clear effective date for when the new rules for D.C. laws would begin, impacting future legislation.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· District of Columbia
YRS IN OFFICE
35
BILLS LED
114
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 6
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E3-4)
JAN 6
Introduced in House
JAN 6
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 214
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 6, 2025
Last actionJan 6, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 6, 2025
House BillHR 214State and local government operationsDistrict of Columbia
District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act
INTRODUCED JAN 6, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 6, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
