Norton Releases Statement from Oversight Committee Markup of Anti-D.C. Immigration Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her statement from yesterday’s House Oversight and Accountability Committee markup of a bill that would nullify locally-enacted D.C. laws, policies and practices regarding D.C. exchanging information about the citizenship and immigration status of individuals, and would require D.C. to comply with requests by the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration detainers.

“Consistent with federal law, D.C., like states, cities and counties across the country, has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status,” Norton said. “In passing such laws, D.C. followed its values and the evidence on the benefits of such laws for the entire city.

“H.R. 2056 contains an exception for victims of and witness to crimes. This exception is a fig leaf.  If enacted, this bill will deter immigrants from seeking assistance from or cooperating with the D.C. government, including its police department.”

The bill passed out of committee. 

Norton’s full markup statement follows, as prepared for delivery.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Markup of H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act

March 25, 2025

I strongly oppose this undemocratic, anti-immigrant bill, which would nullify duly enacted laws, policies and practices of the District of Columbia.  Before I address the details of this bill, I want to discuss democracy, and the lack of democracy in D.C.

The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation.  Yet, the more than 700,000 D.C. residents are denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government, even though D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 19 states.

Last Congress, Republicans introduced more than 100 bills and amendments to repeal or block D.C. laws and policies.  This Congress, Republicans have already introduced 17 such bills and amendments.  Two weeks ago, Congress passed a bill, drafted by Republicans, that cut more than $1 billion from the D.C. local budget, which consists entirely of locally raised revenue.

Although Congress has plenary authority over D.C., legislating on D.C. local matters is a choice.  In 1953, the Supreme Court held that “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.”

D.C. has a local legislature.  The members are elected by D.C. residents.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office.  That is called democracy.

The voting members of Congress are elected by residents of states.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote on D.C. local matters, they cannot vote them out of office.  That is the antithesis of democracy.

Congress has the authority to grant D.C. residents full democratic rights.  It simply needs to pass my Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would make the residential and commercial areas of D.C. a state.

The merits of D.C. local laws and H.R. 2056 are irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress interfering in D.C. local matters, but I will briefly discuss them.  Consistent with federal law, D.C., like states, cities and counties across the country, has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status.  In passing such laws, D.C. followed its values and the evidence on the benefits of such laws for the entire city.

H.R. 2056 contains an exception for victims of and witness to crimes.  This exception is a fig leaf.  If enacted, this bill will deter immigrants from seeking assistance from or cooperating with the D.C. government, including the police department.

I urge members to vote NO on this bill.

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