Norton Lists D.C. Victories in Spending Bill Passed Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) listed the D.C. victories in the final fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, which the House and Senate are expected to approve soon. Among other wins, Norton was able to secure $40 million for the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), $8 million for D.C. Water, and $7 million to begin work on a new Howard University Hospital. In addition, Norton was able to get language recognizing Union Station's importance as a multimodal transportation hub for the National Capital Region and instructing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to continue working with D.C. on the station's expansion, and directing Capitol Police not to enforce the law prohibiting sledding on Capitol Hill. Norton also got the Long Bridge Act of 2020 included.

"I'm pleased with the victories achieved in today's spending bill," Norton said. "The funding for DCTAG will allow District students to attend schools in all 50 states. Although I requested $10 million for Howard University Hospital, I received $7 million, a large majority of my request. The Long Bridge Act of 2020, which, authorizes the National Park Service to convey federal property for construction of a much-needed new commuter rail bridge spanning the Potomac River, was included. I was also successful in including a provision directing Capitol Police not to enforce the law prohibiting sledding on Capitol Hill, a tradition long enjoyed by D.C. residents."

The complete list of Norton's victories for D.C. is below.

• DCTAG: $40M
• $600K for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.
• $4M federal payment for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in D.C.
• Howard University Hospital: $7M for construction of the new hospital
• $8M federal payment for D.C. Water.
• Language recognizing the importance of Washington Union Station as a multimodal transportation hub for the National Capital Region and instructing the FRA to continue working with D.C. on the expansion plan for the station.
• The Long Bridge Act of 2020..
• Arboretum: Favorable language for the project to reopen the Arboretum's original gate, which sits at the intersection of M Street and Maryland Ave NE and has been closed for more than 25 years.
• Sledding: Directing Capitol Police not to enforce the law prohibiting sledding on the Hill.