Norton Speaks on House Floor Opposing Resolution to Nullify D.C. Policing Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke on the House floor today in advance of the House vote on a disapproval resolution that, if passed by the House and Senate and signed by the president, would nullify the policing reform legislation passed by the D.C. Council.

“The House of Representatives, in which the nearly 700,000 District of Columbia residents have no voting representation, is attempting to nullify legislation enacted by D.C.’s local legislature, whose members are elected by D.C. residents,” Norton said. “By scheduling this vote, I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are unworthy of governing themselves.”

Local D.C. legislation must be transmitted to Congress for a designated review period. If a disapproval resolution is enacted during that period, it prevents the D.C. bill from taking effect. President Biden has committed to vetoing the disapproval resolution if it reaches his desk.

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

Floor Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

H.J.Res. 42, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022

April 19, 2023

I strongly oppose this profoundly undemocratic, paternalistic resolution.  The House of Representatives, in which the nearly 700,000 District of Columbia residents have no voting representation, is attempting to nullify legislation enacted by D.C.’s local legislature, whose members are elected by D.C. residents.  By scheduling this vote, I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes that D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are unworthy of governing themselves.

The dictionary defines democracy 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.”  D.C.’s lack of voting representation in Congress and Congress’ plenary authority over D.C. are the antithesis of democracy.

The legislative history and merits of D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, which is the subject of this disapproval resolution, should be irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress nullifying legislation enacted by D.C., but I would like to set the record straight.

D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 is consistent with House Democrats’ George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, President Biden’s executive order on policing and police accountability and transparency legislation enacted by dozens of states, both red and blue, to improve public safety and public trust after the murder of George Floyd.

D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 would, among other things, make it easier to fire officers for misconduct; prohibit the hiring of officers with prior misconduct; require the release of the names and body-worn camera recordings of officers directly involved in an officer-involved death or serious use of force; strengthen civilian oversight of police; establish a public database of sustained allegations of officer misconduct; make officer disciplinary records subject to release under the D.C. Freedom of Information Act and prohibit chokeholds and asphyxiating restraints.

Congress requires D.C.’s local legislature, the D.C. Council, to pass the permanent version of legislation twice, separated by at least 13 days.  The Council passed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 by votes of 11 to 0 and 13 to 0.  While the legislation was enacted without the D.C. mayor’s signature, the mayor has urged Congress to oppose this disapproval resolution.

The D.C. Council has 13 members.  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.

Congress has 535 voting members.  The members are elected by residents of states.  None are elected by D.C. residents.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they cannot vote them 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 local 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.

I say to every member of Congress: Keep your hands off D.C.  If you want to legislate on local D.C. matters, become a D.C. resident and get elected mayor or councilmember.

I urge members to vote NO.

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