Norton to Introduce Bill to Reopen and Exempt the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts from Federal Government Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  After the federal government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), federal agencies which play a significant role in D.C. land-use decisions, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she plans to introduce a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over these decisions, their jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted.

"While it is unfair that many of D.C.’s local land use issues are dictated by federal agencies, it adds insult to injury that these strictly local decisions are delayed and interrupted during federal government shutdowns,” Norton said. "Congress should also pass my National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act and my Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act to give D.C. greater autonomy over its land use policies."

###