Norton Sees No Effort Yet Against the D.C. Budget Autonomy Referendum, but Notes Increased Discussions on a Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today applauded the overwhelming vote District of Columbia residents gave to budget autonomy in yesterday's referendum, is continuing her efforts to prevent the referendum from being blocked or overturned in Congress, and is in active discussions on a budget autonomy bill in Congress.

"D.C. residents took advantage of the referendum opportunity for a grass-roots message to Congress about their right to govern their own local affairs, most especially their local budget," Norton said. "It is no wonder residents took matters into their own hands – it is their money. Notwithstanding legal and political questions that have been raised in Congress and elsewhere, I am working to head off any congressional efforts to block or overturn the referendum or to penalize the District for pursuing the referendum. The most visible results so far have not been congressional efforts addressed to the referendum, but more robust discussions about congressional action on budget autonomy."

Earlier this month, Norton's efforts to pass a budget autonomy bill got a boost when President Obama included a legislative provision in his fiscal year 2014 budget that would grant D.C. budget autonomy, becoming the first president ever to do so. Last Congress, several Republicans, including Representative Darrell Issa (CA), chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over the District, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA) and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, indicated their support for budget autonomy.

On the day the D.C. Board of Elections certifies that the referendum was ratified by the voters, the referendum will be transmitted to Congress. The amendment to the Charter will take effect 35 legislative days after it has been transmitted to Congress, unless Congress passes, and the president signs, a resolution disapproving the amendment. The Home Rule Act establishes expedited procedures for Congress under which Congress may pass a disapproval resolution. Congress has only used such procedures three times to overturn D.C. legislation. Of course, Congress, which has ultimate legislative authority over the District, can block or overturn the referendum through other legislative vehicles at any time, and someone may challenge the legality of the referendum in court.

Published: April 24, 2013