Norton to Speak on House Floor Opposing the Undemocratic, Paternalistic Disapproval Resolutions Introduced by Republicans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks as prepared for delivery in advance of her speech on the House floor opposing the two disapproval resolutions introduced by Republicans that would overturn two local D.C. laws.

“Instead of abusing its power over D.C. by nullifying legislation enacted by the D.C. Council, the House should adhere to democratic principles and pass my D.C. statehood bill, which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full control over their local affairs,” Norton said.

Local D.C. laws must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If the House and Senate pass the resolution and the president signs it, the resolution can nullify the local D.C. law.

Norton’s floor statement follows, as prepared for delivery.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Floor Statement on Rule

for Two D.C. Disapproval Resolutions

February 7, 2023

I strongly oppose this rule.  This rule would allow the House to consider two resolutions that would nullify two bills recently enacted by the District of Columbia’s local legislature, the D.C. Council.  These are profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic resolutions.  The House, in which the nearly 700,000 D.C. residents have no voting representation, is attempting to nullify a bill enacted by the D.C. Council, whose members are elected by and accountable to D.C. residents.

What is democracy? The dictionary defines it as a “government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.”  Perhaps President Lincoln described democracy best in the Gettysburg Address: “[G]overnment of the people, by the people, for the people.”

The D.C. Council has 13 members.  The members are elected by D.C. residents.  Eight members are elected by geographic area and five members are elected at-large.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office.

Congress has 535 voting members.  The members are elected by the residents of the several states.  None are elected by D.C. residents.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C., such as the two disapproval resolutions, they can only ask politely for the residents of the several states to vote members out of office.

The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation.  Yet, D.C. residents cannot consent to any action taken by Congress, whether on national or D.C. matters, and pay full federal taxes—indeed, D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 23 states.

Instead of abusing its power over D.C. by nullifying legislation enacted by the D.C. Council, the House should adhere to democratic principles and pass my D.C. statehood bill, which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full control over their local affairs.

I will have more to say on these undemocratic, paternalistic resolutions during floor debate on them on Thursday, but I will say to all members of the House now: Keep your hands off D.C.

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