Legislative Autonomy for DC
The District of Columbia is required to submit ALL local legislation to Congress for review. The Congressional review process requires a 30 legislative day review for civil bills and 60 day review of all criminal bills. The review period delays the District government bills from becoming law, often for many months. This delay forces the D.C. Council to pass most bills several times, using a burdensome process to ensure that the municipal operations continue uninterrupted. More than 5,000 legislative acts have been transmitted to Congress since enactment of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973. Only three disapproval resolutions have ever been enacted.
H.R. 730, the District of Columbia Paperwork Reduction Act, would eliminate the required passive Congressional review of legislation enacted by the District of Columbia government, without reducing Congressional oversight. If enacted, the bill would end a costly mandate, and align Congressional review of District government laws with current practice.
IF HR 730 IS ENACTED:
- It will reduce cost of government. The D.C. Council estimates that it could save 5,000 employee hours and 160,000 sheets of paper per legislative Council period once the review is eliminated.
- It will promote efficiency and cost savings for Congress, the District government, its residents, and businesses without reducing Congressional oversight.
- The bill will eliminate the need for the D.C. Council to use a process initially passed to assist Congress, but that Congress doesn’t utilize.
- The bill will eliminate needless paperwork and redundancy.
Contact your member of Congress today and urge them to sign on to HR 730: Legislative Autonomy for the District of Columbia.