Norton Reiterates Pledge to Defeat the More than 20 Bills and Amendments Filed to Overturn Local D.C. Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today listed the more than 20 Republican attempts to overturn District of Columbia laws and policies so far this Congress and reiterated her pledge to continue defeating these attacks.

"Six Republicans from far-away states have filed legislation to block D.C.'s common-sense vaccine policies, but that's just the beginning," Norton said. "Four members of Congress have introduced legislation interfering with D.C.'s education system, a quintessentially local issue. A Senator from Iowa filed an amendment to prohibit members of Congress from spending federal funds on armed security until D.C. grants reciprocity for concealed carry permits from all states. Eight amendments or bills have been filed encroaching on health care, including vaccines and abortions. A representative from Mississippi attempted to strike Norton's bill giving control of the D.C. National Guard to D.C.'s mayor from the House version of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and a Representative from Pennsylvania introduced two bills interfering with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.

"It is apparent that D.C.'s right to full local self-government is under attack from all sides. I will defeat these bills and amendments, like I have before, but the ultimate remedy is for the Senate to pass my House-passed D.C. statehood bill."

The list of anti-home-rule bills and amendments filed this Congress follows.

Education

• Sen Mike Lee (UT) and Rep Nancy Macy (SC) introduced a bill (S. 538/H.R.1509) to repeal portions of a regulation issued by D.C. that require child care workers to have a degree, a certificate, or a minimum number of credit hours from an institution of higher education.
• Rep Glenn Grotham (WI) introduced the Ending Critical Race Theory in D.C. Public Schools Act (H.R. 3937).
• Sen Mike Lee (UT) filed an amendment on the floor to the FY 22 budget resolution (S.Con.Res 14) to create a spending-neutral reserve fund relating to repealing portions of a regulation issued by the D.C. State Superintendent of Education

Guns

• Sen Joni Ernst (IA) filed an amendment on the floor to the FY 22 budget resolution (S.Con.Res 14) to create a spending-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting Members of Congress from spending federal funds on armed security (including privately-hired security personnel) for protection until D.C. grants reciprocity for concealed carry permits from all states.

Health Care

• Rep Christopher Smith (NJ) and Sen Roger Wicker (MS) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021 (H.R. 18/S. 92), which would permanently prohibit D.C. from spending local funds on abortion, prohibit D.C. employees from providing abortions, prohibit abortion in D.C. facilities and define D.C. as part of the federal government for purposes of abortion.
• Sen Mike Lee (UT) and Rep Michael Cloud (TX) introduced a resolution that would disapprove the Minor Consent for Vaccinations Amendment Act of 2020 (S.J.Res. 7/H.J.Res. 25).
• Rep Ashley Hinson (IA) filed an amendment in the Appropriations Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to block D.C. from spending local funds on abortions for low-income women.
• Rep Ashley Hinson (IA) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to block D.C. from spending local funds on abortions for low-income women.
• Rep Gary Palmer (AL) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to prohibit D.C. from spending local funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act.
• Rep Pat Fallon (TX) introduced a bill (H.R. 5009) to prohibit D.C. from requiring individuals to present documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination to enter any building, facility or other venue.
• Rep Matt Gaetz (FL) introduced a bill (H.R. 6382) to nullify a D.C. mayoral order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities.
• Sen Rand Paul (KY) introduced the Restore Parental and Consumer Medical Rights in the Nation's Capital Act (S. 3514), which would nullify both a D.C. mayoral order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities and D.C.'s requirement that students have a COVID-19 vaccination.
• Sen Ted Cruz (TX) introduced a resolution that would disapprove the Coronavirus Immunization of School Students and Early Childhood Workers Amendment Act of 2021 (S.J. Res.34) (relating to student vaccine mandate).

National Guard

• Rep Trent Kelly (MS) filed an amendment in the Committee on Armed Services to the FY 22 National Defense Authorization Act to strike a provision that would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard.

Police

• Rep Scott Perry (PA) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to strike a provision that would prohibit the president from federalizing the D.C. police department.
• Rep Scott Perry (PA) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to prohibit D.C. from spending local funds to carry out any law that reduces funding for the D.C. police department.

Sex Work

• Rep Ann Wagner (MO) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to prevent D.C. from decriminalizing or reducing penalties associated with sex work.

Transportation

• Rep Scott Perry (PA) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to prohibit D.C. from spending local funds to carry out automated traffic enforcement.
• Rep Scott Perry (PA) filed an amendment at the Rules Committee to the FY 22 D.C. Appropriations bill to prohibit D.C. from spending local funds to reduce speed limits to 15 miles per hour or lower.

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