Norton Grateful Passage of Parole Commission Reauthorization Came In Time

*Embargoed Until House Passage Tonight*

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced House passage, by unanimous consent, of a two-year reauthorization of the U.S. Parole Commission, ensuring continuation of the agency with jurisdiction over D.C. Code felons on parole or under supervised release. "I appreciate House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), as well as Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight & the Courts Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), for their indispensible efforts in getting this bill passed before the Commission's authorization expires on October 31," said Norton. "Because there is no other local or federal agency with the expertise or statutory authority to assume the Commission's function, it was imperative that we passed this bill. To get a bill through both chambers is always a difficult task in this Congress. On behalf of the District of Columbia, I offer my sincere gratitude."

At the request of the District of Columbia, in 1997, the federal government assumed certain state functions from D.C., including the supervision and housing of D.C. Code felons. Norton worked closely with both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the bill because of the Commission's responsibility for D.C. Code felons. The bill now goes to the President, who is expected to sign it.

###