To subject emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council to expedited congressional disapproval procedures. | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4670
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4670Government Operations and Politics
To subject emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council to expedited congressional disapproval procedures.
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION JUL 23
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it fundamentally shifts the balance of power between the District of Columbia's locally elected government and the U.S. Congress. If this bill becomes law, it would mean that while D.C. can pass emergency laws that take effect right away, Congress would have an easier and faster path to undo those laws. This could lead to more frequent federal intervention in D.C.'s local affairs, potentially limiting the D.C. government's ability to act independently and respond to local crises without fear of rapid federal reversal. For D.C. residents, who lack voting representation in Congress, this could feel like a further erosion of their self-governance and ability to address their own local issues without outside interference.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Reaffirms that emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council takes effect immediately upon enactment by the Council.
This ensures D.C.'s local government can continue to respond rapidly to urgent local issues without an initial waiting period.
PROVISION 02
Creates a new, expedited process for Congress to pass a joint resolution to disapprove an emergency D.C. law.
This provides Congress with a faster and more direct legislative path to overturn D.C. emergency legislation after it has taken effect.
PROVISION 03
Requires the D.C. Council Chairman to transmit any emergency legislation to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate within three session days of its enactment.
This ensures Congress is quickly informed about new D.C. emergency laws, enabling them to initiate the disapproval process promptly.
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.
This bill matters because it fundamentally shifts the balance of power between the District of Columbia's locally elected government and the U.S. Congress. If this bill becomes law, it would mean that while D.C. can pass emergency laws that take effect right away, Congress would have an easier and faster path to undo those laws. This could lead to more frequent federal intervention in D.C.'s local affairs, potentially limiting the D.C. government's ability to act independently and respond to local crises without fear of rapid federal reversal. For D.C. residents, who lack voting representation in Congress, this could feel like a further erosion of their self-governance and ability to address their own local issues without outside interference.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
med
Reaffirms that emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council takes effect immediately upon enactment by the Council.
This ensures D.C.'s local government can continue to respond rapidly to urgent local issues without an initial waiting period.
high
Creates a new, expedited process for Congress to pass a joint resolution to disapprove an emergency D.C. law.
This provides Congress with a faster and more direct legislative path to overturn D.C. emergency legislation after it has taken effect.
med
Requires the D.C. Council Chairman to transmit any emergency legislation to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate within three session days of its enactment.
This ensures Congress is quickly informed about new D.C. emergency laws, enabling them to initiate the disapproval process promptly.
Not later than 3 session days (for each respective chamber) after the date of enactment of the Act.
D.C. Council Chairman must transmit emergency acts to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.
Before the expiration of the 90-day period (referenced in section 412(a) of the D.C. Home Rule Act).
Congress can enact a joint resolution of disapproval for an emergency D.C. law.
GLOSSARY
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District of Columbia Home Rule Act
A federal law passed in 1973 that granted the District of Columbia a limited form of self-government, allowing D.C. residents to elect a mayor and a city council.
Emergency Legislation
Laws passed by the D.C. Council that are declared urgent and, under current law, take effect immediately without undergoing the usual longer congressional review period for other D.C. laws.
Joint Resolution of Disapproval
A special legislative measure that, if passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, can nullify a specific action or law, in this case, an emergency law enacted by the D.C. Council.
Session Days
Days when a legislative body, such as the House of Representatives or the Senate, is officially meeting and conducting business.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JUL 23, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23, 25
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.