Norton Introduces Bill to Help Ensure D.C. Deemed Eligible for Federal Funding Going to States, Counties and Cities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill to amend title 1 of the United States Code to deem D.C. as both a state and political subdivision of a state – such as a city or county – for federal funding eligibility.

“D.C. already provides state, county and city-level services for residents, and D.C. residents pay full federal taxes,” Norton said. “Amending the United States Code, as my bill would do, is the fairest solution for D.C. residents, who are currently subject to the inconsistent interpretations of individual federal agencies about whether the District is eligible for federal funding.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the

Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act

February 13, 2024

Today, I introduce the Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act, which would amend title 1 of the United States Code to deem the District of Columbia as both a state and political subdivision of a state (such as a city or county) for the purpose of eligibility for federal funding, unless otherwise provided in a statute.  D.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a state, city and county, and D.C. residents pay all federal taxes.  Therefore, D.C. deserves to be eligible for federal funding available for each level of government. 

While federal statutes generally expressly treat D.C. as a state for federal funding—and most federal grants go to states—federal statutes that provide federal funding directly to political subdivisions are often silent on whether D.C. is to be treated as a political subdivision.  In the absence of clear language in a statute, federal agencies are inconsistent in their treatment of D.C.’s eligibility for federal funding. 

By amending title 1 of the U.S. Code to deem D.C. as both a state and political subdivision for federal funding, this bill would automatically correct imprecise treatment of D.C.’s eligibility for federal funding in existing and future statutes and remove discretion from federal agencies in their treatment of D.C.’s eligibility for federal funding.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

###