Norton Disappointed RFK Stadium Bill Excluded from House-Passed CR, Will Continue Working to Transfer Control of Site to D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) that excluded her bill with Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to transfer administrative jurisdiction over the RFK Stadium campus from the federal government to D.C. for up to 99 years, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was disappointed but remained committed to getting D.C. control of the land so it could be put to productive use. A previous version of the CR unveiled earlier this week included the RFK Stadium bill.

The RFK Stadium bill would allow D.C. to use the land where the crumbling old stadium sits for redevelopment, commercial and residential development, or other public purposes. Norton has worked on prior versions of the bill aimed at revitalizing the RFK Stadium campus, which, at 174 acres, is the largest unused track of land in the District since 2017. 

“While I am disappointed that the House-passed version of the CR did not contain the bill, which I’ve worked on since 2017, I am hopeful that D.C. will eventually get control of the land and transform it from crumbling blight to a productive and bustling complex that will generate significant revenue for the nation’s capital,” Norton said. “Throughout my career in Congress, I’ve prioritized transferring unused federal land to D.C. or the private sector, enabling the redevelopment of neighborhoods, generating tax revenue and bringing much-needed space to the District. I’m committed to continue working towards the same for the RFK Stadium site.

“Thank you to Chairman Comer for his partnership on this bill this Congress.”

The RFK Stadium bill would require D.C. to reserve 30 percent of the campus for parks and open space and prohibit D.C. from building along the waterfront.

The House-passed CR does include $90 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund (EPSF), including $50 million for the inauguration, which is more than D.C. has received in previous years. The EPSF pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation's capital and is designed to cover the District's costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact.

“While I am disappointed the RFK Stadium bill was excluded, I am pleased that the CR includes $90 million in funding for the EPSF, more than D.C. has received in previous years,” Norton said. “The additional funding will be beneficial for the District, which bears the burdens associated with hosting the federal government.”

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