Press Releases

Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority Over Dates of Special Elections for Local Offices

December 1, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act, which would give the District complete authority to set the date of special elections for local offices, as other jurisdictions already have. The bill would remove a limitation on the District that is not only inconsistent with the self-government authority granted by the Home Rule Act, but is also counterproductive. This bill would strengthen the District's home-rule authority and does not require statehood.

Norton Secures Victories in Senate D.C. Appropriations Bill

November 26, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced the victories she secured in the Senate’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 District of Columbia Appropriations bill, which was released yesterday. In addition to other victories for D.C., the bill would secure $40 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) and increase the DCTAG annual and lifetime awards. Notably, the bill does not contain 18 of the anti-home rule riders included in the House version of the bill.

Norton Introduces Bill to Place D.C. Seal in Library of Congress Alongside State Seals

November 25, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to install the official seal of the District of Columbia alongside seals of the states in the Library of Congress. Currently, the stained-glass windows in the historic building portray the seals of all states and territories that existed when the building was constructed, except for the D.C. seal, even though it was readily available at the time. The bill is part of Norton’s “Free and Equal D.C.” series of bills.

Norton Statement After House Passage of Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills

November 19, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– After the House passed two anti-D.C. home rule bills tonight, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was disappointed but unsurprised. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.

Norton Releases Remarks Ahead of Speaking on House Floor on Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills

November 19, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, ahead of speaking on the House floor during debate on two anti-D.C. home rule bills. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes.

Norton Statement Ahead of This Week’s House Votes on Two Anti-D.C. Home Rule Bills

November 17, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement ahead of expected House votes on two anti-D.C. home rule bills this week. The first bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would require mandatory pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain crimes. The second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), would repeal D.C.'s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. The Rules Committee will consider the legislation today at 3:00 p.m. and will live stream its hearing.

Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Grant Program to Mitigate Harmful Effects of Train Noise, Vibrations and Derailments on Homes

November 17, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, introduced a bill today to establish a grant program for the design and construction of barriers to mitigate rail activity that may harm homes and their occupants, including derailments, noise and vibrations.

Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied Full Voting Representation in Congress

November 10, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Ahead of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution honoring D.C.’s veterans and current service members and their families, all who served their country and continue to serve without voting representation in Congress or complete home rule. The resolution condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families and calls for statehood for the District.

Norton, Kaine Introduce Bill to Give D.C. Equal Number of Service Academy Nominations and Appointments as States

November 6, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced their bill to give the District of Columbia the same number of U.S. service academy nominations and appointments as states. Currently, each member of the House and Senate is allocated five appointments to each of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is allowed to nominate 15 people for each appointment. However, because D.C.

Norton Introduces Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Coastal Zone Management Federal Funding

November 4, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill that would make D.C. eligible for federal funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters.