Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  After the government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over local D.C. land-use decisions, the agencies’ jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  After the federal government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), federal agencies which play a significant role in D.C. land-use decisions, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she plans to introduce a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over these decisions, their jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her bill to exempt from federal government shutdowns agencies that have jurisdiction only over District of Columbia matters but are exclusively or primarily funded by the federal government and not under the District's control. Norton emphasized that these agencies are essentially D.C. agencies that have nothing to do with federal issues or congressional shutdown matters. They provide critical criminal and civil justice services to the District and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown to protect the safety and well-being of D.C. residents.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 23, 2025, as "Mary Church Terrell Day," recognizing Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements. Terrell moved to the District of Columbia in 1887 to become a teacher at M Street Colored High School, now known as Dunbar High School, which is Norton's alma mater.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As students return to campus for the fall semester, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution to designate September as “National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, ahead of International Day of Peace on September 21, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 2025 as national “Peace Month” and calling on Congress to take action to promote peace, at home and abroad. The idea for the resolution came from the Helpful Potato Bugs, a class of second-grade students at Horace Mann Elementary School in the District of Columbia. Seven years ago, the students sent Norton a handwritten note, adorned with peace signs, expressing their desire to “help make the world a peaceful place” and for “all Americans to be nice, have no conflicts, and be very peaceful.” Norton has introduced an annual resolution supporting the designation of September as Peace Month since then.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks, as prepared for delivery, in advance of today’s House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb will testify. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and can be viewed on the Oversight Committee’s website.