Norton Cements Victory on Commercial Filming and Photography

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said the Senate Appropriations Committee had matched the House by passing a fiscal year 2013 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that would allow continued commercial filming and photography in Union Square (the area just below the west side of the Capitol, near the Botanic Gardens), after it was transferred last year from the National Park Service (NPS) to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The House-passed fiscal year 2013 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes a similar provision.

After the transfer in 2011, Norton met separately with all the federal stakeholders to ensure that the NPS policy of allowing commercial filming and photography in Union Square would be maintained after the transfer. "I am grateful to the Senate Appropriations Committee members for including language that at least maintains the status quo for commercial photographers and filmmakers who want to make photos or films of the iconic U.S. Capitol dome," Norton said. "However, even that was in doubt after the precipitous transfer in the fiscal year 2012 omnibus appropriations bill. I am continuing to urge the committee chairs with jurisdiction in the House and Senate to hold hearings on expanding the areas with views of the Capitol available for commercial filming and photography. I have yet to hear a security reason for limiting filming activity to Union Square."

Norton believes photos and films of the Capitol are an invaluable tool for sharing the story of American democracy, and can provide economic benefits to the District and the nation.

Published: August 9, 2012