WASHINGTON, DC — Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) today condemned a bill introduced by Congressmen Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Mark Meadows (R-NC) that would give the House of Representatives increased ability to meddle in local District of Columbia affairs. H.R. 4445 would double the Congressional review period for legislation passed by the D.C. Council from 30 days to 60 days and expand the fast-track procedures to disapprove such legislation. The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee, along with the House Oversight and Reform Committee. This attack on the District comes as the House prepares to consider H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, this Congress – legislation that would admit the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union.
“It is ironic that members of the Freedom Caucus have introduced legislation to give the federal government increased ability to meddle in the local affairs of the D.C. government. The federal government has no business overriding the will of local residents. Small government conservatives should be outraged by H.R. 4445, but instead they are leading the charge to try and get it passed. Make no mistake, this bill is dead on arrival. We need to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act and finally make the District a state – not trying to restrict the District from governing itself,” said McGovern.
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