Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) today released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby contraception ruling:

"Today's Supreme Court decision narrows some women's access to birth control coverage by expanding, for the first time, the rights of some corporations to claim a religious exemption. As a result, many women and families will be unable to prevent unintended pregnancies. Unfortunately, those who are most likely to be affected are girls and young women who are not prepared to be parents."

WASHINGTON, DC— The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that guitarist and vocalist Jeff Cramer will be a featured performer at this week's Lunchtime Music on the Mall. The performance will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1, 2014, from noon to 1:00 p.m. on the National Mall, by the Smithsonian Metro Station, at 12th St. and Jefferson Dr. SW.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter from Norton to the National Park Service (NPS) urging NPS to resolve the Fort Reno annual summer concert series permitting issue at its Monday meeting with the concert organizer.

Norton's full letter follows.

June 27, 2014

Tara D. Morrison

Superintendent

National Park Service

3545 Williamsburg Lane NW

Washington, DC 20008

Dear Superintendent Morrison,

Washington, DC – The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the names of the seven Members of the House Appropriations Committee who voted yesterday to block the District of Columbia's marijuana decriminalization bill despite the fact that their own states have either decriminalized or legalized marijuana. The amendment, sponsored by Representative Andy Harris (R-MD), passed 28-21. The members, all Republicans, are: Ken Calvert (CA), Jeff Fortenberry (NE), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), David Joyce (OH), David Valadao (CA), Harris, and Mark Amodei (NV).

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to provide the District of Columbia Courts (D.C. Courts) and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) with the same authority that federal courts and federal agencies have to offer voluntary separation incentive payments, or buyouts, to their employees.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will receive the Pillar of Justice Legacy Award at the 2014 A. Leon Higginbotham Corporate Leadership Award Dinner in New York City on Thursday, June 26, 2014. The dinner is part of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law's 2014 A. Leon Higginbotham Corporate Leadership Award events on June 25 and 26, which will commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The theme of this year's events is "Lighting the Path Toward Justice."

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) vowed to continue the fight to protect D.C.'s home rule after the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment, sponsored by Representative Andy Harris (R-MD), to the fiscal year 2015 District of Columbia Appropriations bill that blocks the District from decriminalizing marijuana. "The vote by the Republican-led committee violated the central tenants of the Republican Party – limiting the power of the federal government and devolving that power to local governments," Norton said.