# What This Bill Does: Giving DC More Control Over Its Own Laws

Right now, Washington DC has a unique situation where Congress gets to review and potentially block laws that DC's local government passes. When DC's city council passes a law and the mayor signs it, that law has to sit in Congress for a waiting period while federal lawmakers decide if they want to stop it. Congress can essentially veto DC's local decisions—something that doesn't happen to any state. This bill would eliminate that congressional review period entirely, letting DC's laws take effect immediately without federal interference.

To understand why this matters, imagine if Congress had to approve every law your state legislature passed before it could go into effect. That's essentially what happens to DC residents now. They elect their own city council and mayor, but Congress—where DC residents have no voting representation—can still override their choices. This bill would change that by removing the 30-day congressional review period and eliminating Congress's ability to pass "resolutions of disapproval" to block DC laws. It would also clean up various references in DC's charter and other laws that currently mention this congressional review process.

The practical effect is straightforward: DC would gain the same level of self-governance that states have. Local laws about taxes, education, housing, criminal justice, and other city matters would become final once DC's elected officials approve them, rather than waiting for Congress to decide whether to interfere. The bill applies to all DC laws passed going forward, whether they come from the city council, the mayor, or through DC's ballot initiatives where residents vote directly on laws.

District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act

Norton, Eleanor Holmes

District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule ActThis bill eliminates the authority of Congress to nullify recently enacted laws of the District of Columbia (DC).Current law generally provides Congress with a 30-day period in which to review and nullify measures enacted by the DC Council (60 days for measures involving criminal law).&nbsp;An enacted measure is nullified if Congress passes and&nbsp;the President signs a joint resolution of disapproval. If there is no congressional action during the review period, the measure becomes law.The bill eliminates this&nbsp;congressional review period and process.