Norton Releases Remarks from Today’s Press Conference Calling on Congress to Keep Its Hands Off D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s press conference with a coalition of more than 50 local D.C. groups calling on Congress to keep its hands off D.C.

“This week, House Republicans will hold a hearing purporting to conduct ‘overdue oversight’ of local D.C. affairs, and the Senate will vote on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.’s local policing reform legislation, which contains provisions substantially similar to those in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act,” Norton said. “Almost 700,000 people live in the nation’s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. House Republicans disagree, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts.”

Norton’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) at Press Conference Calling on Congress to Keep its Hands Off D.C.

May 16, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at House Triangle

Thank you to the coalition of more than 50 local D.C. groups calling on Congress today to keep its Hands Off D.C.

This week, House Republicans will hold a hearing purporting to conduct “overdue oversight” of local D.C. affairs, and the Senate will vote on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.’s local policing reform legislation, which contains provisions substantially similar to those in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Almost 700,000 people live in the nation’s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. House Republicans disagree, believing instead that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are incapable and unworthy of the same respect afforded to residents of their own districts. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how offensive that notion is to my values, goals, and more than 30 years of work advocating for D.C. residents in Congress.

Senate Republicans take the same deeply offensive position ahead of the possible Senate vote this week on a disapproval resolution aiming to nullify D.C.’s local policing reform, which mirrors many of the same provisions contained in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

The resolution is being considered in the Senate after the expiration of the congressional review period outlined in the Home Rule Act. This vote goes against the letter and spirit of the Home Rule Act.

I worked to get a commitment from President Biden that, should the disapproval resolution reach his desk, he will veto it, and in April his administration released a Statement of Administration Policy committing to do exactly that.

As D.C.’s sole member of Congress, I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure Congress keeps its #HandsOffDC, including highlighting local voices like the coalition of more than 50 groups that organized today’s press conference. Thank you for your work, and know that I join you in telling the rest of Congress, which does not represent the nation’s capital, to keep its Hands Off D.C.

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