Norton Says Biden’s Veto of D.C. Policing Reform Disapproval Resolution a Historic Victory for D.C. Home Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upon learning that President Biden today vetoed the disapproval resolution that would have overturned D.C.’s policing reform law, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said the veto represents a historic victory for D.C. home rule. This is the first time a president has ever vetoed a disapproval resolution on D.C. legislation passed under the D.C. Home Rule Act.

The date of the veto is significant, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. The vetoed disapproval resolution aimed to overturn a local D.C. law that mirrors many of the same reforms included in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

The Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy in April committing to veto the disapproval resolution should it reach the president’s desk. The House passed the disapproval resolution in April and the Senate passed it in May.

“Thank you to the Congressional Black Caucus, whose members vehemently opposed the disapproval resolution, and to the coalition of more than 50 local D.C. organizations who advocated for the federal government to keep its #HandsOffDC,” Norton said. “Thank you to President Biden for following through on your commitment to veto the resolution, which aimed to overturn the will of D.C. residents expressed through their own democratically-elected officials.

“Almost 700,000 people live in the nation’s capital, and they are worthy and capable of governing their own local affairs. Congressional 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, but today’s historic veto demonstrates that widespread support of D.C. residents’ right to govern their own affairs exists at the highest levels.

“This episode reminds us that the permanent solution from congressional interference in D.C.’s local affairs, is for Congress to pass and the president to sign my D.C. statehood bill. I will continue working to ensure that we finally achieve full local self-government for the residents of our nation’s capital.”

###