Legislative Activity

The "Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act" would classify Washington D.C. as a state for the purpose of federal funding eligibility. Unless otherwise specified, D.C. would be treated as any other state, political subdivision of a state, or unit of local government. These changes would go into effect beginning October 1, 2026.

The "United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act" directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who served with the Union forces during the Civil War. It directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and create the gold medal, which will be displayed by the Smithsonian Institution and available for research. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs.

The "Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act" updates the District of Columbia Official Code by replacing outdated and offensive terminology with respectful, modern language. Specifically, the bill replaces references to "substantially retarded persons" with "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities" across three sections governing court jurisdiction.

The "Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act" increases consumer protection in the household goods shipping industry by allowing the Secretary to enforce penalties for violations, enabling states to use grant money for enforcement and retain penalties, and setting requirements for registration. This includes defining "principal place of business," requiring disclosure of relationships within the transportation industry, and allowing the Secretary to withhold or revoke registration for non-compliance.

The District of Columbia Code Returning Citizens Coordination Act requires the Bureau of Prisons to provide the D.C. Mayor with regular updates on D.C. residents in federal custody, including their housing location and release dates. The bill strictly limits the use of this data, prohibiting the Mayor from sharing it with law enforcement while allowing disclosure to legal counsel and reentry organizations. This legislation aims to improve coordination and support for individuals transitioning back into the community.

The District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act of 2025 mandates that federal judges, U.S. attorneys, U.S. marshals, and clerks serving in the District of Columbia reside within their respective districts. This bill eliminates previous residency exemptions for D.C.-based officials and modernizes gendered language within the relevant statutes. These requirements will apply to all applicable officials appointed after the date of the Act's enactment.

The "Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act" revokes the SEC's direct leasing authority for general-purpose office space, assigning it instead to the Administrator. It does not affect existing SEC leases. Additionally, the Comptroller General must update a 2016 report on independent leasing authorities of federal entities, detailing changes and the use of the General Services Administration for leasing.

The District of Columbia Prosecutor Home Rule Act transfers responsibility for prosecuting all local D.C. crimes from federal authorities to the designated local prosecutors office. This transition will take effect one year after the District officially names the local office responsible for these duties. The Act also ensures that current federal employees transferring to the new local office retain their existing federal employment benefits.

This bill, the "District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act," eliminates Congressional review of District of Columbia laws, giving the city greater autonomy over its legislative process. It removes the requirement for Congressional approval of D.C. acts, allowing laws passed by the D.C. Council and Mayor (or through voter initiatives) to take effect without Congressional intervention. These changes will apply to D.C. acts passed on or after the first day of the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act proposes admitting the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the Union, while maintaining a reduced federal district to serve as the nation’s capital. The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the transition, including the election of congressional representatives, the transfer of local government authority, and the gradual shift of federal responsibilities to the new state. This legislation aims to grant D.C. residents full voting representation in Congress while ensuring the continued security and operation of the federal seat of government.