Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s eNewsletter: May 18, 2020
Norton Scores Her Top Three Priorities for D.C. in Heroes Act Passed by House
Norton announced she successfully got three provisions vital to the District of Columbia included in the Heroes Act, the phase-five coronavirus response bill passed in the House on Friday. Norton secured state-, city-, and county-level funding for the District; $755 million in retroactive funding to fix D.C.'s treatment as a territory instead of a state in the CARES Act; and authorization for D.C. to participate in the Municipal Liquidity Facility (the Federal Reserve is establishing.
Norton Amendment Making D.C. Code Offenders in Federal Prison Eligible for Early Release During the Coronavirus Passes in the Rules Committee
Norton announced that the House Rules Committee passed her amendment to the House's fifth coronavirus response bill, the Heroes Act, clarifying that District of Columbia Code offenders in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are eligible for early release during the coronavirus. The version of the Heroes Act initially made individuals meeting certain age and health criteria eligible for early release during the coronavirus, but was silent on whether this provision applied only to federal offenders in BOP or to both federal and D.C. Code offenders in BOP. Norton thanked House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) for working with her on the amendment. The House passed the Heroes Act, including Norton's amendment, on Friday.
Norton Statement on Death of Barbara Babcock, Legendary Lawyer: A Remembrance
Norton issued a remembrance upon learning of the passing of Barbara Babcock on April 18. Babcock had an unequaled career as a public official, law professor, and lawyer dedicated to justice for poor defendants.
Norton Thanks Postal Service for Timely Response to Letter Regarding Ward 8 Mail Delivery
Norton thanked the United States Postal Service (USPS) for its timely response to her letter regarding mail delivery in Ward 8, which she sent after being notified by constituents of late mail deliveries.