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Norton Says She Will Defend D.C. Budget Autonomy Referendum from Congressional Intervention Following Today’s Court Decision

May 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement regarding today's decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate (cancel) a federal district court's decision last year that held that the budget autonomy referendum approved by D.C. voters in 2013 was invalid. The case has been remanded to the D.C. Superior Court, and it is now up to local D.C. officials to decide how to proceed, as it should be. Norton has successfully defended the budget autonomy referendum from being overturned by Congress, including during the congressional review period for the referendum.

"I will continue my efforts to prevent any efforts by Congress to block or overturn the budget autonomy referendum, including during the upcoming appropriations process," Norton said. "This decision should once again shed light on the urgent need for Congress to pass our D.C. budget autonomy bill, which has bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress and from the President. The District deserves the right to control its locally raised revenue like every other jurisdiction in the U.S. – a central feature of democratic self-government in our country."