Norton Introduces Bill to Give District Economic Boost by Expanding Commercial Filming to All Capitol Grounds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to provide an economic boost to the District and to improve the U.S. image around the world by permitting commercial filming and photography on all U.S. Capitol Grounds, beyond the single area where it is currently permitted, Union Square. The expanded filming would be subject to the same terms and conditions as filming in Union Square (the area just below the west side of the Capitol, near the Botanic Gardens), which Norton got codified in the fiscal year 2014 omnibus appropriations bill. The bill would allow commercial film and photography crews to apply for permits for exterior shots of the Capitol and grounds. Norton said that photos of the iconic Capitol building and the surrounding grounds are not only the best tool to render the story of American democracy, but also can bolster the economy in the District and the nation.

Norton, in her statement introducing the bill, said, “In today’s world, where many societies are facing upheavals, our country, with an exemplary model of democracy, should be the first to encourage commercial photography and filming to record various scenes of the legislature, which symbolizes U.S. democracy at work…No policy or security reason exists to justify the limit of commercial filming and photography of the Capitol complex to only one location, Union Square, particularly considering that permits are necessary…Limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people.”

Norton’s full introduction statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

On the introduction of a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol

March 13, 2014

Ms. Norton. Mr. Speaker,

Today, I rise to introduce a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Currently, such filming and photography is only authorized on Union Square. The bill would permit commercial photography and filming outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit. In today’s world, where many societies are facing upheavals, our country, with an exemplary model of democracy, should be the first to encourage commercial photography and filming to record various scenes of the legislature, which symbolizes U.S. democracy at work. The time is overdue to allow to commercial filming and photography of the exterior of the historic 19^th century Capitol building. There is no good reason filming should be confined to Union Square. Specifically, my bill gives the Capitol Police the discretion, depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol, to issue a permit authorizing commercial filming activity on any parcel of Federal property under the control of the Capitol Police with views of the Capitol and congressional office buildings, under the same conditions as those in Union Square. Such areas might include Independence Avenue on the House side, and Constitution Avenue on the Senate side.

No policy or security reason exists to justify the limit of commercial filming and photography of the Capitol complex to only one location, Union Square, particularly considering that permits are necessary. The blanket selection of only one location for such filming raises serious First Amendment issues. People are regularly seen on East Capitol Street (east of 2nd street), where they get a full view of the Capitol building taking pictures, demonstrating how arbitrary it is to limit commercial filming to Union Square.

My bill would allow commercial filming and photography from areas with views of the Capitol and congressional buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police, in addition to Union Square, which is located directly west of the Capitol. In addition, the Capitol Police would have the authority to charge a fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol as a result of the issuance of the permit, to be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account. The Capitol Trust Account was established to accept proceeds from any fees collected for commercial filming permits for Union Square. Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for such maintenance, improvements, and projects with respect to the Capitol grounds as the Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Vistas of the U.S. Capitol are among America’s most iconic. Limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people. Indeed, most of the world’s people know our country and revere our system of government largely through commercial photography and films of the Capitol, which symbolizes our democracy at work. Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation’s story and showcasing its democratic system of government. My bill would enable appropriate, permitted commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, and would create economic benefits for the nation, the city, and private business.

I urge support of this bill.

Published: March 13, 2014