House Pages on H.R. 51, June 26, 2020 — Congressional Record
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated June 26, 2020, beginning at page H2521. It opens with one-minute remarks, including Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania recognizing June as National PTSD Awareness Month and a tribute to Reverend Howard on Staten Island. Ms. Norton then calls up H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, to provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union, pursuant to House Resolution 1017. The page prints the bill's table of contents, with titles on the seat of government, the interests of the Federal Government, federal elections and the continuation of certain authorities, and records that Mr. Soto and Mr. McClintock each control 20 minutes of debate.
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“House Pages on H.R. 51, June 26, 2020 — Congressional Record.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-26-crec-2020-06-26-pt1-pgh2521-4-087af8babf/
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2521
Teresa, and it was her fierce spirit that We can’t stop here. We must continue Subtitle B—Seat of Government of the United
allowed her to overcome so many chal- to push policies that will tear down States
lenges in her life, including fighting structural racism, reimagine public Sec. 111. Territory and boundaries.
through her own health struggles. safety, and divest from policing so we Sec. 112. Description of Capital.
I know that all of Staten Island is can invest more in education, Sec. 113. Retention of title to property.
feeling the pain of losing Reverend Sec. 114. Effect of admission on current laws of
healthcare, mental health, jobs, trans- seat of Government of United
Howard this young, but I want to close portation, things that keep us safe and States.
out with words of optimism that were our communities thriving. Sec. 115. Capital National Guard.
near and dear to her heart: ‘‘No matter Aiyana should be here. George should Sec. 116. Termination of legal status of seat of
what happened yesterday, tomorrow be here. Breonna Taylor should be Government of United States as
can be better if we start today.’’ here. They all should be here. municipal corporation.
Today, Staten Islanders are going to Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, Subtitle C—General Provisions Relating to Laws
come together to honor and celebrate and I continue to work toward justice of State
Reverend Howard’s life, and we will for all of us. Sec. 121. Effect of admission on current laws.
never forget her memory. Sec. 122. Pending actions and proceedings.
f Sec. 123. Limitation on authority to tax Federal
f
b 0915 property.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PTSD Sec. 124. United States nationality.
AWARENESS MONTH BUILD UPON THE ACCOMPLISH- TITLE II—INTERESTS OF FEDERAL
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania MENTS OF OUR FOREFATHERS GOVERNMENT
asked and was given permission to ad- (Mr. WATKINS asked and was given Subtitle A—Federal Property
dress the House for 1 minute and to re- permission to address the House for 1 Sec. 201. Treatment of military lands.
vise and extend his remarks.) minute and to revise and extend his re- Sec. 202. Waiver of claims to Federal property.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. marks.) Subtitle B—Federal Courts
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, leaders Sec. 211. Residency requirements for certain
June as National PTSD Awareness everywhere should decry the violent Federal officials.
Month, and this Saturday, June 27, as crowds toppling our statues. Our sys- Sec. 212. Renaming of Federal courts.
PTSD Awareness Day. tems are the greatest ever devised by Sec. 213. Conforming amendments relating to
We need to do more to defy the stig- mankind. They deliver more equality,
Department of Justice.
mas surrounding mental health. PTSD Sec. 214. Treatment of pretrial services in
more justice, more liberty, and more United States District Court.
treatment is a crucial tool that helps pursuits of happiness than any other
many individuals, particularly our Na- Subtitle C—Federal Elections
system throughout history.
tion’s veterans, process, cope, and treat Sec. 221. Permitting individuals residing in
Now, we haven’t always lived up to Capital to vote in Federal elec-
emotional and mental trauma. the ideals of our system, but we should
Sadly, many of the men and women tions in State of most recent domi-
build upon the accomplishments of our cile.
who have served in the United States
forefathers, not destroy their memo- Sec. 222. Repeal of Office of District of Colum-
military return home with injuries and
ries. We must bring about change by bia Delegate.
scars, but sometimes, it is the invisible Sec. 223. Repeal of law providing for participa-
following the laws, not breaking them.
scars that hurt the most. Many strug- tion of seat of government in elec-
We must support our police, not am-
gle privately with PTSD and feel there tion of President and Vice-Presi-
bush them.
is no outlet. dent.
PTSD Awareness Month is not only f Sec. 224. Expedited procedures for consideration
an opportunity to raise awareness of constitutional amendment re-
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT pealing 23rd Amendment.
about this, but it is also an oppor-
tunity to raise awareness about treat- Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, pursuant TITLE III—CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN
ment options. to House Resolution 1017, I call up the AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Department of Veterans Affairs bill (H.R. 51) to provide for the admis- Subtitle A—Employee Benefits
offers a variety of resources to help sion of the State of Washington, D.C. Sec. 301. Federal benefit payments under cer-
those suffering from PTSD. Those into the Union, and ask for its imme- tain retirement programs.
seeking treatment should know that diate consideration in the House. Sec. 302. Continuation of Federal civil service
telemedicine may be an option as well, The Clerk read the title of the bill. benefits for employees first em-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ployed prior to establishment of
ensuring our veterans receive timely District of Columbia merit per-
healthcare no matter where they live. ant to House Resolution 1017, an
sonnel system.
Mr. Speaker, I thank our Nation’s amendment in the nature of a sub- Sec. 303. Obligations of Federal Government
veterans for their service, and I encour- stitute consisting of the text of the under judges’ retirement program.
age those who are struggling with Rules Committee Print 116–55, modified Subtitle B—Agencies
PTSD to pursue treatment. by the amendment printed in part A of Sec. 311. Public Defender Service.
f House Report 116–436, is adopted and Sec. 312. Prosecutions.
the bill, as amended, is considered Sec. 313. Service of United States Marshals.
CONGRESS CANNOT STOP HERE read. Sec. 314. Designation of felons to facilities of
(Ms. TLAIB asked and was given per- The text of the bill, as amended, is as Bureau of Prisons.
mission to address the House for 1 follows: Sec. 315. Parole and supervision.
minute and to revise and extend her re- Sec. 316. Courts.
H.R. 51
marks.) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Subtitle C—Other Programs and Authorities
Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, I Representatives of the United States of America Sec. 321. Application of the College Access Act.
rise in support of the George Floyd in Congress assembled, Sec. 322. Application of the Scholarships for
Justice in Policing Act. The measures SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. Opportunity and Results Act.
in this bill are long overdue and are a Sec. 323. Medicaid Federal medical assistance
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as
step forward in ensuring people, espe- percentage.
the ‘‘Washington, D.C. Admission Act’’.
Sec. 324. Federal planning commissions.
cially Black folks in our country, do (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con-
Sec. 325. Role of Army Corps of Engineers in
not experience racist police violence. tents of this Act is as follows:
supplying water.
We can’t stop here, though, Mr.
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Sec. 326. Requirements to be located in District
Speaker. I think about Aiyana Stan- Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. of Columbia.
ley-Jones, a young girl in Detroit who TITLE I—STATE OF WASHINGTON, D.C. TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS
would be graduating from high school Subtitle A—Procedures for Admission Sec. 401. General definitions.
this year if she had not been murdered Sec. 101. Admission into the Union. Sec. 402. Statehood Transition Commission.
by police when they raided her home, Sec. 102. Election of Senators and Representa- Sec. 403. Certification of enactment by Presi-
the wrong home, while she slept in tive. dent.
2010. Sec. 103. Issuance of presidential proclamation. Sec. 404. Severability.
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H2522 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
TITLE I—STATE OF WASHINGTON, D.C. gress’’, approved June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a(a)), (7) thence south along said eastern right-of-
Subtitle A—Procedures for Admission is amended by striking ‘‘the then existing num- way of 2nd Street SE to its intersection with the
SEC. 101. ADMISSION INTO THE UNION.
ber of Representatives’’ and inserting ‘‘436 Rep- northern property boundary of the property des-
resentatives’’. ignated as Square 760 Lot 803;
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of (8) thence east along said northern property
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made
this Act, upon the issuance of the proclamation boundary of Square 760 Lot 803 to its intersec-
by subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to
required by section 103(a), the State of Wash- tion with the western right-of-way of 3rd Street
the first regular decennial census conducted
ington, Douglass Commonwealth is declared to SE;
after the admission of the State into the Union
be a State of the United States of America, and (9) thence south along said western right-of-
and each subsequent regular decennial census.
is declared admitted into the Union on an equal way of 3rd Street SE to its intersection with the
SEC. 103. ISSUANCE OF PRESIDENTIAL PROCLA-
footing with the other States in all respects MATION. northern right-of-way of Independence Avenue
whatever. SE;
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, upon the cer-
(b) CONSTITUTION OF STATE.—The State Con- (10) thence west along said northern right-of-
tification of the results of the elections of the of-
stitution shall always be republican in form and way of Independence Avenue SE to its intersec-
ficers required to be elected as provided in sec-
shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of tion with the northwestern right-of-way of
tion 102(a), shall, not later than 90 days after
the United States or the principles of the Dec- Pennsylvania Avenue SE;
receiving such certification pursuant to section
laration of Independence. (11) thence northwest along said northwestern
102(b)(2), issue a proclamation announcing the
(c) NONSEVERABILITY.—If any provision of right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue SE to its
results of such elections as so ascertained.
this section, or the application thereof to any intersection with the eastern right-of-way of
(b) ADMISSION OF STATE UPON ISSUANCE OF
person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the 2nd Street SE;
PROCLAMATION.—Upon the issuance of the proc-
remaining provisions of this Act and any (12) thence south along said eastern right-of-
lamation by the President under subsection (a),
amendments made by this Act shall be treated as way of 2nd Street SE to its intersection with the
the State shall be declared admitted into the
invalid. southern right-of-way of C Street SE;
Union as provided in section 101(a).
SEC. 102. ELECTION OF SENATORS AND REP- (13) thence west along said southern right-of-
RESENTATIVE. Subtitle B—Seat of Government of the United way of C Street SE to its intersection with the
(a) ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION.— States eastern right-of-way of 1st Street SE;
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not more than 30 days after SEC. 111. TERRITORY AND BOUNDARIES. (14) thence south along said eastern right-of-
receiving certification of the enactment of this (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub- way of 1st Street SE to its intersection with the
Act from the President pursuant to section 403, section (b), the State shall consist of all of the southern right-of-way of D Street SE;
the Mayor shall issue a proclamation for the territory of the District of Columbia as of the (15) thence west along said southern right-of-
first elections for 2 Senators and one Represent- date of the enactment of this Act, subject to the way of D Street SE to its intersection with the
ative in Congress from the State, subject to the results of the metes and bounds survey con- eastern right-of-way of South Capitol Street;
provisions of this section. ducted under subsection (c). (16) thence south along said eastern right-of-
(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR ELECTIONS OF SEN- (b) EXCLUSION OF PORTION REMAINING AS way of South Capitol Street to its intersection
ATORS.—In the elections of Senators from the SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES.—The with the northwestern right-of-way of Canal
State pursuant to paragraph (1), the 2 Senate territory of the State shall not include the area Street SE;
offices shall be separately identified and des- described in section 112, which shall be known (17) thence southeast along said northwestern
ignated, and no person may be a candidate for as the ‘‘Capital’’ and shall serve as the seat of right-of-way of Canal Street SE to its intersec-
both offices. No such identification or designa- the Government of the United States, as pro- tion with the southern right-of-way of E Street
tion of either of the offices shall refer to or be vided in clause 17 of section 8 of article I of the SE;
taken to refer to the terms of such offices, or in Constitution of the United States. (18) thence east along said southern right-of-
any way impair the privilege of the Senate to (c) METES AND BOUNDS SURVEY.—Not later way of said E Street SE to its intersection with
determine the class to which each of the Sen- than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the western right-of-way of 1st Street SE;
ators shall be assigned. this Act, the President (in consultation with the (19) thence south along said western right-of-
(b) RULES FOR CONDUCTING ELECTIONS.— Chair of the National Capital Planning Commis- way of 1st Street SE to its intersection with the
(1) IN GENERAL.—The proclamation of the sion) shall conduct a metes and bounds survey southernmost corner of the property designated
Mayor issued under subsection (a) shall provide of the Capital, as described in section 112(b). as Square 736S Lot 801;
for the holding of a primary election and a gen- SEC. 112. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL.
(20) thence west along a line extended due
eral election, and at such elections the officers west from said corner of said property des-
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c),
required to be elected as provided in subsection ignated as Square 736S Lot 801 to its intersection
upon the admission of the State into the Union,
(a) shall be chosen by the qualified voters of the with the southwestern right-of-way of New Jer-
the Capital shall consist of the property de-
District of Columbia in the manner required by sey Avenue SE;
scribed in subsection (b) and shall include the
(21) thence southeast along said southwestern
the laws of the District of Columbia. principal Federal monuments, the White House,
right-of-way of New Jersey Avenue SE to its
(2) CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS.—Election re- the Capitol Building, the United States Supreme
intersection with the northwestern right-of-way
sults shall be certified in the manner required by Court Building, and the Federal executive, leg-
of Virginia Avenue SE;
the laws of the District of Columbia, except that islative, and judicial office buildings located ad- (22) thence northwest along said northwestern
the Mayor shall also provide written certifi- jacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building (as right-of-way of Virginia Avenue SE to its inter-
cation of the results of such elections to the such terms are used in section 8501(a) of title 40, section with the western right-of-way of South
President. United States Code). Capitol Street;
(c) ASSUMPTION OF DUTIES.—Upon the admis- (b) GENERAL DESCRIPTION.—Upon the admis- (23) thence north along said western right-of-
sion of the State into the Union, the Senators sion of the State into the Union, the boundaries way of South Capitol Street to its intersection
and Representative elected at the elections de- of the Capital shall be as follows: Beginning at with the southern right-of-way of E Street SW;
scribed in subsection (a) shall be entitled to be the intersection of the southern right-of-way of (24) thence west along said southern right-of-
admitted to seats in Congress and to all the F Street NE and the eastern right-of-way of 2nd way of E Street SW to its end;
rights and privileges of Senators and Represent- Street NE; (25) thence west along a line extending said
atives of the other States in Congress. (1) thence south along said eastern right-of- southern right-of-way of E Street SW westward
(d) EFFECT OF ADMISSION ON HOUSE OF REP- way of 2nd Street NE to its intersection with the to its intersection with the eastern right-of-way
RESENTATIVES MEMBERSHIP.— northeastern right-of-way of Maryland Avenue of 2nd Street SW;
(1) PERMANENT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF MEM- NE; (26) thence north along said eastern right-of-
BERS.—Effective with respect to the Congress (2) thence southwest along said northeastern way of 2nd Street SW to its intersection with the
during which the State is admitted into the right-of-way of Maryland Avenue NE to its southwestern right-of-way of Virginia Avenue
Union and each succeeding Congress, the House intersection with the northern right-of-way of SW;
of Representatives shall be composed of 436 Constitution Avenue NE; (27) thence northwest along said southwestern
Members, including any Members representing (3) thence west along said northern right-of- right-of-way of Virginia Avenue SW to its inter-
the State. way of Constitution Avenue NE to its intersec- section with the western right-of-way of 3rd
(2) INITIAL NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR tion with the eastern right-of-way of 1st Street Street SW;
STATE.—Until the taking effect of the first ap- NE; (28) thence north along said western right-of-
portionment of Members occurring after the ad- (4) thence south along said eastern right-of- way of 3rd Street SW to its intersection with the
mission of the State into the Union, the State way of 1st Street NE to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of D Street SW;
shall be entitled to one Representative in the southeastern right-of-way of Maryland Avenue (29) thence west along said northern right-of-
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE
House of Representatives upon its admission NE; way of D Street SW to its intersection with the
into the Union. (5) thence northeast along said southeastern eastern right-of-way of 4th Street SW;
(3) APPORTIONMENT OF MEMBERS RESULTING right-of-way of Maryland Avenue NE to its (30) thence north along said eastern right-of-
FROM ADMISSION OF STATE.— intersection with the eastern right-of-way of way of 4th Street SW to its intersection with the
(A) APPORTIONMENT.—Section 22(a) of the Act 2nd Street SE; northern right-of-way of C Street SW;
entitled ‘‘An Act to provide for the fifteenth and (6) thence south along said eastern right-of- (31) thence west along said northern right-of-
subsequent decennial censuses and to provide way of 2nd Street SE to the eastern right-of-way way of C Street SW to its intersection with the
for apportionment of Representatives in Con- of 2nd Street SE; eastern right-of-way of 6th Street SW;
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2523
(32) thence north along said eastern right-of- its intersection with the northwest corner of the (74) thence south along said western right-of-
way of 6th Street SW to its intersection with the property designated as Square 221 Lot 820; way of 2nd Street NW to its intersection with
northern right-of-way of Independence Avenue (54) thence south along the western boundary the northern right-of-way of Constitution Ave-
SW; of said property designated as Square 221 Lot nue NW;
(33) thence west along said northern right-of- 820 to its southwest corner, which it shares with (75) thence east along said northern right-of-
way of Independence Avenue SW to its intersec- the property designated as Square 221 Lot 39; way of Constitution Avenue NW to its intersec-
tion with the western right-of-way of 12th Street (55) thence south along the western boundary tion with the northeastern right-of-way of Lou-
SW; of said property designated as Square 221 Lot 39 isiana Avenue NW;
(34) thence south along said western right-of- to its southwest corner, which is along the (76) thence northeast along said northeastern
way of 12th Street SW to its intersection with northern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue right-of-way of Louisiana Avenue NW to its
the northern right-of-way of D Street SW; NW; intersection with the southwestern right-of-way
(35) thence west along said northern right-of- (56) thence east along said northern right-of- of New Jersey Avenue NW;
way of D Street SW to its intersection with the way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its intersec- (77) thence northwest along said southwestern
eastern right-of-way of 14th Street SW; tion with the western right-of-way of 15th Street right-of-way of New Jersey Avenue NW to its
(36) thence south along said eastern right-of- NW; intersection with the northern right-of-way of D
way of 14th Street SW to its intersection with (57) thence south along said western right-of-
Street NW;
the northeastern boundary of the Consolidated way of 15th Street NW to its intersection with a
(78) thence east along said northern right-of-
Rail Corporation railroad easement; line extending northwest from the southern
right-of-way of the portion of Pennsylvania Av- way of D Street NW to its intersection with the
(37) thence southwest along said northeastern
enue NW north of Pershing Square; northeastern right-of-way of Louisiana Avenue
boundary of the Consolidated Rail Corporation
(58) thence southeast along said line extend- NW;
railroad easement to its intersection with the
ing the southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania (79) thence northeast along said northwestern
eastern shore of the Potomac River;
Avenue NW to the southern right-of-way of right-of-way of Louisiana Avenue NW to its
(38) thence generally northwest along said
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and continuing intersection with the western right-of-way of
eastern shore of the Potomac River to its inter-
southeast along said southern right-of-way of North Capitol Street;
section with a line extending westward the
Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its intersection (80) thence north along said western right-of-
northern boundary of the property designated
with the western right-of-way of 14th Street way of North Capitol Street to its intersection
as Square 12 Lot 806;
(39) thence east along said line extending NW; with the southwestern right-of-way of Massa-
westward the northern boundary of the prop- (59) thence south along said western right-of- chusetts Avenue NW;
erty designated as Square 12 Lot 806 to the way of 14th Street NW to its intersection with a (81) thence southeast along said southwestern
northern property boundary of the property des- line extending west from the southern right-of- right-of-way of Massachusetts Avenue NW to
ignated as Square 12 Lot 806, and continuing way of D Street NW; the southwestern right-of-way of Massachusetts
east along said northern boundary of said prop- (60) thence east along said line extending west Avenue NE;
erty designated as Square 12 Lot 806 to its from the southern right-of-way of D Street NW (82) thence southeast along said southwestern
northeast corner; to the southern right-of-way of D Street NW, right-of-way of Massachusetts Avenue NE to
(40) thence east along a line extending east and continuing east along said southern right- the southern right-of-way of Columbus Circle
from said northeast corner of the property des- of-way of D Street NW to its intersection with NE;
ignated as Square 12 Lot 806 to its intersection the eastern right-of-way of 131⁄2 Street NW; (83) thence counter-clockwise along said
(61) thence north along said eastern right-of- southern right-of-way of Columbus Circle NE to
with the western boundary of the property des-
way of 131⁄2 Street NW to its intersection with its intersection with the southern right-of way
ignated as Square 33 Lot 87;
(41) thence south along said western bound- the southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Ave- of F Street NE; and
ary of the property designated as Square 33 Lot nue NW; (84) thence east along said southern right-of-
(62) thence east and southeast along said way of F Street NE to the point of beginning.
87 to its intersection with the northwest corner
southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue (c) EXCLUSION OF BUILDING SERVING AS STATE
of the property designated as Square 33 Lot 88;
NW to its intersection with the western right-of- CAPITOL.—Notwithstanding any other provision
(42) thence counter-clockwise around the
way of 12th Street NW; of this section, after the admission of the State
boundary of said property designated as Square (63) thence south along said western right-of-
33 Lot 88 to its southeast corner, which is along into the Union, the Capital shall not be consid-
way of 12th Street NW to its intersection with a
the northern right-of-way of E Street NW; ered to include the building known as the ‘‘John
line extending to the west the southern bound-
(43) thence east along said northern right-of- A. Wilson Building’’, as described and des-
ary of the property designated as Square 324 Lot
way of E Street NW to its intersection with the ignated under section 601(a) of the Omnibus
809;
western right-of-way of 18th Street NW; (64) thence east along said line to the south- Spending Reduction Act of 1993 (sec. 10–1301(a),
(44) thence south along said western right-of- west corner of said property designated as D.C. Official Code).
way of 18th Street NW to its intersection with Square 324 Lot 809, and continuing northeast (d) CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF FRANCES
the southwestern right-of-way of Virginia Ave- along the southern boundary of said property PERKINS BUILDING.—The entirety of the Frances
nue NW; designated as Square 324 Lot 809 to its eastern Perkins Building, including any portion of the
(45) thence southeast along said southwestern Building which is north of D Street Northwest,
corner, which it shares with the property des-
right-of-way of Virginia Avenue NW to its inter- shall be included in the Capital.
ignated as Square 323 Lot 802;
section with the northern right-of-way of Con- (65) thence east along the southern boundary SEC. 113. RETENTION OF TITLE TO PROPERTY.
stitution Avenue NW; of said property designated as Square 323 Lot (a) RETENTION OF FEDERAL TITLE.—The
(46) thence east along said northern right-of- 802 to its southeast corner, which it shares with United States shall have and retain title to, or
way of Constitution Avenue NW to its intersec- the property designated as Square 324 Lot 808; jurisdiction over, for purposes of administration
tion with the eastern right-of-way of 17th Street (66) thence counter-clockwise around the and maintenance, all real and personal property
NW; boundary of said property designated as Square with respect to which the United States holds
(47) thence north along said eastern right-of- 324 Lot 808 to its northeastern corner, which is title or jurisdiction for such purposes on the day
way of 17th Street NW to its intersection with along the southern right-of-way of Pennsyl- before the date of the admission of the State into
the southern right-of-way of H Street NW; vania Avenue NW;
(48) thence east along said southern right-of- the Union.
(67) thence southeast along said southern (b) RETENTION OF STATE TITLE.—The State
way of H Street NW to its intersection with the right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its
northwest corner of the property designated as shall have and retain title to, or jurisdiction
intersection with the eastern right-of-way of 4th over, for purposes of administration and mainte-
Square 221 Lot 35; Street NW;
(49) thence counter-clockwise around the nance, all real and personal property with re-
(68) thence north along a line extending north
boundary of said property designated as Square spect to which the District of Columbia holds
from said eastern right-of-way of 4th Street NW
221 Lot 35 to its southeast corner, which is along title or jurisdiction for such purposes on the day
to its intersection with the southern right-of-
the boundary of the property designated as before the date of the admission of the State into
way of C Street NW;
Square 221 Lot 37; (69) thence east along said southern right-of- the Union.
(50) thence counter-clockwise around the way of C Street NW to its intersection with the SEC. 114. EFFECT OF ADMISSION ON CURRENT
boundary of said property designated as Square LAWS OF SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF
eastern right-of-way of 3rd Street NW;
221 Lot 37 to its southwest corner, which it UNITED STATES.
(70) thence north along said eastern right-of-
shares with the property designated as Square way of 3rd Street NW to its intersection with the Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the
221 Lot 818; southern right-of-way of D Street NW; laws of the District of Columbia which are in ef-
(51) thence south along the boundary of said (71) thence east along said southern right-of- fect on the day before the date of the admission
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property designated as Square 221 Lot 818 to its way of D Street NW to its intersection with the of the State into the Union (without regard to
southwest corner, which it shares with the prop- western right-of-way of 1st Street NW; whether such laws were enacted by Congress or
erty designated as Square 221 Lot 40; (72) thence south along said western right-of- by the District of Columbia) shall apply in the
(52) thence south along the boundary of said way of 1st Street NW to its intersection with the Capital in the same manner and to the same ex-
property designated as Square 221 Lot 40 to its northern right-of-way of C Street NW; tent beginning on the date of the admission of
southwest corner; (73) thence west along said northern right-of- the State into the Union, and shall be deemed
(53) thence east along the southern border of way of C Street NW to its intersection with the laws of the United States which are applicable
said property designated as Square 221 Lot 40 to western right-of-way of 2nd Street NW; only in or to the Capital.
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H2524 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
SEC. 115. CAPITAL NATIONAL GUARD. striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ and in-
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Title 32, United States ‘‘Capital’’. serting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
Code, is amended as follows: (22) PROPERTY AND FISCAL OFFICERS.—In sec- (ii) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia National
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In paragraphs (4), (6), and tion 708— Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital National
(19) of section 101, by striking ‘‘District of Co- (A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘National Guard’’.
lumbia’’ each place it appears and inserting Guard of the District of Columbia’’ and insert- (H) CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.—
‘‘Capital’’. ing ‘‘Capital National Guard’’; and In section 10502(a)(1)—
(2) BRANCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS.—In section (B) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘District of (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ and in-
103, by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and in- Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. serting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
serting ‘‘Capital’’. (23) ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PROPERTY ISSUED TO (ii) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia National
(3) UNITS: LOCATION; ORGANIZATION; COM- THE NATIONAL GUARD.—In subsections (c), (d), Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital National
MAND.—In subsections (c) and (d) of section 104, (e), and (f) of section 710, by striking ‘‘District Guard’’.
by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ both places it of Columbia’’ each place it appears and insert- (I) VICE CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BU-
appears and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. ing ‘‘Capital’’. REAU.—In section 10505(a)(1)(A)—
(4) AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In sec- (24) DISPOSITION OF OBSOLETE OR CONDEMNED (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ and in-
tion 107(b), by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ PROPERTY.—In section 711, by striking ‘‘District serting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. (ii) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia National
(5) MAINTENANCE OF OTHER TROOPS.—In sub- (25) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS OF CONDEMNED Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital National
sections (a), (b), and (c) of section 109, by strik- STORES ISSUED TO NATIONAL GUARD.—In para- Guard’’.
ing ‘‘District of Columbia’’ each place it appears graph (1) of section 712, by striking ‘‘District of (J) OTHER SENIOR NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU
and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. OFFICERS.—In subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(6) DRUG INTERDICTION AND COUNTER-DRUG (26) PROPERTY LOSS; PERSONAL INJURY OR section 10506(a)(1)—
ACTIVITIES.—In section 112(h)— DEATH.—In section 715(c), by striking ‘‘District (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ both
(A) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ both of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. places it appears and inserting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
places it appears and inserting ‘‘Capital,’’; and (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— (ii) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia National
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘National (1) CAPITAL DEFINED.— Guard’’ both places it appears and inserting
Guard of the District of Columbia’’ and insert- (A) IN GENERAL.—Section 101 of title 32, ‘‘Capital National Guard’’.
ing ‘‘Capital National Guard’’. United States Code, is amended by adding at the (K) NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU: GENERAL PROVI-
(7) ENLISTMENT OATH.—In section 304, by end the following new paragraph: SIONS.—In section 10508(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Dis-
striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘(20) ‘Capital’ means the area serving as the trict of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’.
‘‘Capital’’. seat of the Government of the United States, as (L) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS: ORIGINAL AP-
(8) ADJUTANTS GENERAL.—In section 314, by described in section 112 of the Washington, D.C. POINTMENT; LIMITATION.—In section 12204(b), by
striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ each place it ap- Admission Act.’’. striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting
pears and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. (B) WITH REGARDS TO HOMELAND DEFENSE AC- ‘‘Capital’’.
(9) DETAIL OF REGULAR MEMBERS OF ARMY TIVITIES.—Section 901 of title 32, United States (M) RESERVE COMPONENTS GENERALLY.—In
AND AIR FORCE TO DUTY WITH NATIONAL Code, is amended— section 12301(b), by striking ‘‘District of Colum-
GUARD.—In section 315, by striking ‘‘District of
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘District of bia National Guard’’ both places it appears and
Columbia’’ each place it appears and inserting Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’; and inserting ‘‘Capital National Guard’’.
(ii) by adding at the end the following new (N) NATIONAL GUARD IN FEDERAL SERVICE:
‘‘Capital’’.
paragraph: CALL.—In section 12406—
(10) DISCHARGE OF OFFICERS; TERMINATION OF
‘‘(3) The term ‘Governor’ means, with respect (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ and in-
APPOINTMENT.—In section 324(b), by striking
to the Capital, the commanding general of the serting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’.
Capital National Guard.’’. (ii) by striking ‘‘National Guard of the Dis-
(11) RELIEF FROM NATIONAL GUARD DUTY (2) TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE.—Title 10,
WHEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY.—In subsections
trict of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital Na-
United States Code, is amended as follows: tional Guard’’.
(a) and (b) of section 325, by striking ‘‘District (A) DEFINITIONS.—In section 101— (O) RESULT OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH
of Columbia’’ each place it appears and insert- (i) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the STANDARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS.—In section
ing ‘‘Capital’’. following new paragraph:
(12) COURTS-MARTIAL OF NATIONAL GUARD NOT 12642(c), by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and
‘‘(19) The term ‘Capital’ means the area serv- inserting ‘‘Capital’’.
IN FEDERAL SERVICE: COMPOSITION, JURISDIC- ing as the seat of the Government of the United (P) LIMITATION ON RELOCATION OF NATIONAL
TION, AND PROCEDURES; CONVENING AUTHOR- States, as described in section 112 of the Wash- GUARD UNITS.—In section 18238—
ITY.—In sections 326 and 327, by striking ‘‘Dis- ington, D.C. Admission Act.’’; (i) by striking ‘‘District of Columbia,’’ and in-
trict of Columbia’’ each place it appears and in- (ii) in paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (c), serting ‘‘Capital,’’; and
serting ‘‘Capital’’. by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ both places it (ii) by striking ‘‘National Guard of the Dis-
(13) ACTIVE GUARD AND RESERVE DUTY: GOV- appears and inserting ‘‘Capital’’; and trict of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital Na-
ERNOR’S AUTHORITY.—In section 328(a), by strik- (iii) in subsection (d)(5), by striking ‘‘District tional Guard’’.
ing ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Cap- of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. SEC. 116. TERMINATION OF LEGAL STATUS OF
ital’’. (B) DISPOSITION ON DISCHARGE.—In section SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF UNITED
(14) TRAINING GENERALLY.—In section 501(b), 771a(c), by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and STATES AS MUNICIPAL CORPORA-
by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting inserting ‘‘Capital’’. TION.
‘‘Capital’’. (C) TRICARE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN MEM- Notwithstanding section 2 of the Revised Stat-
(15) PARTICIPATION IN FIELD EXERCISES.—In BERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND DEPENDENTS utes relating to the District of Columbia (sec. 1–
section 503(b), by striking ‘‘District of Colum- DURING CERTAIN DISASTER RESPONSE DUTY.—In 102, D.C. Official Code) or any other provision
bia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. section 1076f— of law codified in subchapter I of chapter 1 of
(16) NATIONAL GUARD SCHOOLS AND SMALL (i) in subsections (a) and (c)(1), by striking the District of Columbia Official Code, effective
ARMS COMPETITIONS.—In section 504(b), by strik- ‘‘with respect to the District of Columbia, the upon the date of the admission of the State into
ing ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Cap- mayor of the District of Columbia’’ both places the Union, the Capital (or any portion thereof)
ital’’. it appears and inserting ‘‘with respect to the shall not serve as a government and shall not be
(17) ARMY AND AIR FORCE SCHOOLS AND FIELD Capital, the commanding general of the Capital a body corporate for municipal purposes.
EXERCISES.—In section 505, by striking ‘‘Na- National Guard’’; and
tional Guard of the District of Columbia’’ and (ii) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ‘‘District Subtitle C—General Provisions Relating to
inserting ‘‘Capital National Guard’’. of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. Laws of State
(18) NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE PRO- (D) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: AVAILABILITY OF AP- SEC. 121. EFFECT OF ADMISSION ON CURRENT
GRAM.—In subsections (c)(1), (g)(2), (j), (k), and PROPRIATIONS.—In paragraph (2)(B) of section LAWS.
(l)(1) of section 509, by striking ‘‘District of Co- 2732, by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and in- (a) LEGISLATIVE POWER.—The legislative
lumbia’’ each place it appears and inserting serting ‘‘Capital’’. power of the State shall extend to all rightful
‘‘Capital’’. (E) MEMBERS OF ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: DE- subjects of legislation in the State, consistent
(19) ISSUE OF SUPPLIES.—In section 702— TAIL AS STUDENTS, OBSERVERS, AND INVESTIGA- with the Constitution of the United States (in-
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘National TORS AT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INDUSTRIAL cluding the restrictions and limitations imposed
Guard of the District of Columbia’’ and insert- PLANTS, AND HOSPITALS.—In section 7401(c), by upon the States by article I, section 10) and sub-
ing ‘‘Capital National Guard’’; and striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ject to the provisions of this Act.
(B) in subsections (b), (c), and (d), by striking ‘‘Capital’’. (b) CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY AND DUTIES
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‘‘District of Columbia’’ each place it appears (F) MEMBERS OF AIR NATIONAL GUARD: DETAIL OF MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND
and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. AS STUDENTS, OBSERVERS, AND INVESTIGATORS AT JUDICIAL OFFICES.—Upon the admission of the
(20) PURCHASES OF SUPPLIES FROM ARMY OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INDUSTRIAL PLANTS, State into the Union, members of executive, leg-
AIR FORCE.—In subsections (a) and (b) of section AND HOSPITALS.—In section 9401(c), by striking islative, and judicial offices of the District of
703, by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ both ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. Columbia shall be deemed members of the re-
places it appears and inserting ‘‘Capital’’. (G) READY RESERVE: FAILURE TO SATISFAC- spective executive, legislative, and judicial of-
(21) ACCOUNTABILITY: RELIEF FROM UPON TORILY PERFORM PRESCRIBED TRAINING.—In sec- fices of the State, as provided by the State Con-
ORDER TO ACTIVE DUTY.—In section 704, by tion 10148(b)— stitution and the laws of the State.
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2525
(c) TREATMENT OF FEDERAL LAWS.—To the ex- all cases whatsoever over such tracts or parcels (e) CLERKS OF DISTRICT COURTS.—Section
tent that any law of the United States applies to of land located in the State that, on the day be- 751(c) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘the
the States generally, the law shall have the fore the date of the admission of the State into District of Columbia and’’.
same force and effect in the State as elsewhere the Union, are controlled or owned by the (f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
in the United States, except as such law may United States and held for defense or Coast by this section shall apply only to individuals
otherwise provide. Guard purposes. appointed after the date of the admission of the
(d) NO EFFECT ON EXISTING CONTRACTS.— (2) LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY.—The power of State into the Union.
Nothing in the admission of the State into the exclusive legislation described in paragraph (1) SEC. 212. RENAMING OF FEDERAL COURTS.
Union shall affect any obligation under any shall vest and remain in the United States only (a) RENAMING.—
contract or agreement under which the District so long as the particular tract or parcel of land (1) CIRCUIT COURT.—Section 41 of title 28,
of Columbia or the United States is a party, as involved is controlled or owned by the United United States Code, is amended—
in effect on the day before the date of the ad- States and held for defense or Coast Guard pur- (A) in the first column, by striking ‘‘District of
mission of the State into the Union. poses. Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’; and
(e) SUCCESSION IN INTERSTATE COMPACTS.— (b) AUTHORITY OF STATE.— (B) in the second column, by striking ‘‘District
The State shall be deemed to be the successor to (1) IN GENERAL.—The reservation of authority of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital; Wash-
the District of Columbia for purposes of any in the United States under subsection (a) shall ington, Douglass Commonwealth’’.
interstate compact which is in effect on the day not operate to prevent such tracts or parcels of (2) DISTRICT COURT.—Section 88 of such title
before the date of the admission of the State into land from being a part of the State, or to pre- is amended—
the Union. vent the State from exercising over or upon such (A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘District of
(f) CONTINUATION OF SERVICE OF FEDERAL lands, concurrently with the United States, any Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Washington, Doug-
MEMBERS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.—Noth- jurisdiction which it would have in the absence lass Commonwealth and the Capital’’;
(B) by amending the first paragraph to read
ing in the admission of the State into the Union of such reservation of authority and which is
as follows:
shall affect the authority of a representative of consistent with the laws hereafter enacted by
‘‘The State of Washington, Douglass Common-
the Federal Government who, as of the day be- Congress pursuant to such reservation of au-
wealth and the Capital comprise one judicial
fore the date of the admission of the State into thority.
district.’’; and
the Union, is a member of a board or commission (2) SERVICE OF PROCESS.—The State shall have (C) in the second paragraph, by striking
of the District of Columbia to serve as a member the right to serve civil or criminal process in ‘‘Washington’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital’’.
of such board or commission or as a member of such tracts or parcels of land in which the au- (3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating
a successor to such board or commission after thority of the United States is reserved under to section 88 in the table of sections for chapter
the admission of the State into the Union, as subsection (a) in suits or prosecutions for or on 5 of such title is amended to read as follows:
may be provided by the State Constitution and account of rights acquired, obligations incurred,
‘‘88. Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and
the laws of the State. or crimes committed in the State but outside of
the Capital.’’.
(g) SPECIAL RULE REGARDING ENFORCEMENT such lands. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO
AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE, SEC. 202. WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO FEDERAL PROP- COURT OF APPEALS.—Title 28, United States
UNITED STATES PARK POLICE, AND UNITED ERTY.
Code, is amended as follows:
STATES SECRET SERVICE UNIFORMED DIVISION.— (a) IN GENERAL.—As a compact with the (1) APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES.—Section 44(a) of
The United States Capitol Police, the United United States, the State and its people disclaim such title is amended in the first column by
States Park Police, and the United States Secret all right and title to any real or personal prop- striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ and inserting
Service Uniformed Division may not enforce any erty not granted or confirmed to the State by or ‘‘Capital’’.
law of the State in the State, except to the ex- under the authority of this Act, the right or title (2) TERMS OF COURT.—Section 48(a) of such
tent authorized by the State. Nothing in this to which is held by the United States or subject title is amended—
subsection may be construed to affect the au- to disposition by the United States. (A) in the first column, by striking ‘‘District of
thority of the United States Capitol Police, the (b) EFFECT ON CLAIMS AGAINST UNITED Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’;
United States Park Police, and the United STATES.— (B) in the second column, by striking ‘‘Wash-
States Secret Service Uniformed Division to en- (1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act shall rec- ington’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’ ; and
force any law in the Capital. ognize, deny, enlarge, impair, or otherwise af- (C) in the second column, by striking ‘‘District
SEC. 122. PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. fect any claim against the United States, and of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Capital’’.
(a) STATE AS LEGAL SUCCESSOR TO DISTRICT any such claim shall be governed by applicable (3) APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT COUNSELS
OF COLUMBIA.—The State shall be the legal suc- laws of the United States. BY CHIEF JUDGE OF CIRCUIT.—Section 49 of such
cessor to the District of Columbia in all matters. (2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this title is amended by striking ‘‘District of Colum-
(b) NO EFFECT ON PENDING PROCEEDINGS.—All Act is intended or shall be construed as a find- bia’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Cap-
existing writs, actions, suits, judicial and ad- ing, interpretation, or construction by Congress ital’’.
ministrative proceedings, civil or criminal liabil- that any applicable law authorizes, establishes, (4) CIRCUIT COURT JURISDICTION OVER CERTIFI-
recognizes, or confirms the validity or invalidity CATION OF DEATH PENALTY COUNSELS.—Section
ities, prosecutions, judgments, sentences, orders,
decrees, appeals, causes of action, claims, de- of any claim referred to in paragraph (1), and 2265(c)(2) of such title is amended by striking
mands, titles, and rights shall continue unaf- the determination of the applicability to or the ‘‘the District of Columbia Circuit’’ and inserting
fected by the admission of the State into the effect of any law on any such claim shall be un- ‘‘the Capital Circuit’’.
affected by anything in this Act. (5) CIRCUIT COURT JURISDICTION OVER REVIEW
Union with respect to the State or the United
OF FEDERAL AGENCY ORDERS.—Section 2343 of
States, except as may be provided under this Subtitle B—Federal Courts
such title is amended by striking ‘‘the District of
Act, as may be modified in accordance with the SEC. 211. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CER- Columbia Circuit’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital
provisions of the State Constitution, and as may TAIN FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
Circuit’’.
be modified by the laws of the State or the (a) CIRCUIT JUDGES.—Section 44(c) of title 28, (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO
United States, as the case may be. United States Code, is amended— DISTRICT COURT.—Title 28, United States Code,
SEC. 123. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY TO TAX (1) by striking ‘‘Except in the District of Co- is amended as follows:
FEDERAL PROPERTY. lumbia, each’’ and inserting ‘‘Each’’; and (1) APPOINTMENT AND NUMBER OF DISTRICT
The State may not impose any tax on any real (2) by striking ‘‘within fifty miles of the Dis- COURT JUDGES.—Section 133(a) of such title is
or personal property owned or acquired by the trict of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘within fifty amended in the first column by striking ‘‘Dis-
United States, except to the extent that Congress miles of the Capital’’. trict of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Washington,
may permit. (b) DISTRICT JUDGES.—Section 134(b) of such Douglass Commonwealth and the Capital’’.
SEC. 124. UNITED STATES NATIONALITY. title is amended in the first sentence by striking (2) DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION OF TAX
No provision of this Act shall operate to con- ‘‘the District of Columbia, the Southern District CASES BROUGHT AGAINST UNITED STATES.—Sec-
fer United States nationality, to terminate na- of New York, and’’ and inserting ‘‘the Southern tion 1346(e) of such title is amended by striking
tionality lawfully acquired, or to restore nation- District of New York and’’. ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and inserting
ality terminated or lost under any law of the (c) UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS.—Section ‘‘Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and the
United States or under any treaty to which the 545(a) of such title is amended by striking the Capital’’.
United States is or was a party. first sentence and inserting ‘‘Each United States (3) DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION OVER PRO-
TITLE II—INTERESTS OF FEDERAL attorney shall reside in the district for which he CEEDINGS FOR FORFEITURE OF FOREIGN PROP-
GOVERNMENT or she is appointed, except that those officers of ERTY.—Section 1355(b)(2) of such title is amend-
the Southern District of New York and the East- ed by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and
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Subtitle A—Federal Property ern District of New York may reside within 20 inserting ‘‘Washington, Douglass Common-
SEC. 201. TREATMENT OF MILITARY LANDS. miles thereof.’’. wealth and the Capital’’.
(a) RESERVATION OF FEDERAL AUTHORITY.— (d) UNITED STATES MARSHALS.—Section (4) DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION OVER CIVIL
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2) and 561(e)(1) of such title is amended to read as fol- ACTIONS BROUGHT AGAINST A FOREIGN STATE.—
subsection (b) and notwithstanding the admis- lows: Section 1391(f)(4) of such title is amended by
sion of the State into the Union, authority is re- ‘‘(1) the marshal for the Southern District of striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and insert-
served in the United States for the exercise by New York may reside within 20 miles of the dis- ing ‘‘Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and
Congress of the power of exclusive legislation in trict; and’’. the Capital’’.
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H2526 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
(5) DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION OVER AC- fect upon the admission of the State into the (3) STATE DEFINED.—In this section, the term
TIONS BROUGHT BY CORPORATIONS AGAINST Union. ‘‘State’’ means each of the several States, in-
UNITED STATES.—Section 1402(a)(2) of such title SEC. 213. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING cluding the State.
is amended by striking ‘‘the District of Colum- TO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (b) RECOMMENDATIONS TO STATES TO MAXI-
bia’’ and inserting ‘‘Washington, Douglass Com- (a) APPOINTMENT OF UNITED STATES TRUST- MIZE ACCESS TO POLLS BY ABSENT CAPITAL VOT-
monwealth and the Capital’’. EES.—Section 581(a)(4) of title 28, United States ERS.—To afford maximum access to the polls by
(6) VENUE IN DISTRICT COURT OF CERTAIN AC- Code, is amended by striking ‘‘the District of absent Capital voters, it is the sense of Congress
TIONS BROUGHT BY EMPLOYEES OF EXECUTIVE Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital and that the States should—
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.—Section 1413 of such Washington, Douglass Commonwealth’’. (1) waive registration requirements for absent
title is amended by striking ‘‘the District of Co- (b) INDEPENDENT COUNSELS.— Capital voters who, by reason of residence in
lumbia’’ and inserting ‘‘Washington, Douglass (1) APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL PER- the Capital, do not have an opportunity to reg-
Commonwealth and the Capital’’. SONNEL.—Section 594(c) of such title is amend- ister;
(7) VENUE IN DISTRICT COURT OF ACTION EN- ed— (2) expedite processing of balloting materials
FORCING FOREIGN JUDGMENT.—Section (A) by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ the with respect to such individuals; and
2467(c)(2)(B) of such title is amended by striking first place it appears and inserting ‘‘Wash- (3) assure that absentee ballots are mailed to
‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and inserting ington, Douglass Commonwealth and the Cap- such individuals at the earliest opportunity.
‘‘Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and the ital’’; and (c) ENFORCEMENT.—The Attorney General
Capital’’. (B) by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ the may bring a civil action in the appropriate dis-
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO second place it appears and inserting ‘‘Wash- trict court of the United States for such declara-
OTHER COURTS.—Title 28, United States Code, is ington, Douglass Commonwealth’’. tory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to
amended as follows: (2) JUDICIAL REVIEW OF REMOVAL.—Section carry out this section.
(1) APPOINTMENT OF BANKRUPTCY JUDGES.— 596(a)(3) of such title is amended by striking (d) EFFECT ON CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.—The
Section 152(a)(2) of such title is amended in the ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and inserting exercise of any right under this section shall not
first column by striking ‘‘District of Columbia’’ ‘‘Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and the affect, for purposes of a Federal tax, a State
and inserting ‘‘Washington, Douglass Common- Capital’’. tax, or a local tax, the residence or domicile of
wealth and the Capital’’. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made a person exercising such right.
(2) LOCATION OF COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS.— by this section shall take effect upon the admis- (e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take
Section 173 of such title is amended by striking sion of the State into the Union. effect upon the date of the admission of the
‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the SEC. 214. TREATMENT OF PRETRIAL SERVICES IN State into the Union, and shall apply with re-
Capital’’. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. spect to elections for Federal office taking place
(3) DUTY STATION OF JUDGES OF COURT OF Section 3152 of title 18, United States Code, is on or after such date.
FEDERAL CLAIMS.—Section 175 of such title is amended— SEC. 222. REPEAL OF OFFICE OF DISTRICT OF CO-
amended by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ (1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(other than LUMBIA DELEGATE.
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘the Cap- the District of Columbia)’’ and inserting ‘‘(sub- (a) IN GENERAL.—Sections 202 and 204 of the
ital’’. ject to subsection (d), other than the District of District of Columbia Delegate Act (Public Law
(4) DUTY STATION OF JUDGES FOR PURPOSES OF Columbia)’’; and 91–405; sections 1–401 and 1–402, D.C. Official
TRAVELING EXPENSES.—Section 456(b) of such (2) by adding at the end the following new Code) are repealed, and the provisions of law
title is amended to read as follows: subsection: amended or repealed by such sections are re-
‘‘(b) The official duty station of the Chief Jus- ‘‘(d) In the case of the judicial district of stored or revived as if such sections had not
tice of the United States, the Justices of the Su- Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and the been enacted.
preme Court of the United States, and the Capital— (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO DISTRICT OF
judges of the United States Court of Appeals for ‘‘(1) upon the admission of the State of Wash-
COLUMBIA ELECTIONS CODE OF 1955.—The Dis-
the Federal Circuit shall be the Capital.’’. ington, Douglass Commonwealth into the
trict of Columbia Elections Code of 1955 is
(5) COURT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FEDERAL Union, the Washington, Douglass Common-
amended—
CIRCUIT AND COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS.—Sec- wealth Pretrial Services Agency shall continue (1) in section 1 (sec. 1–1001.01, D.C. Official
tion 462(d) of such title is amended by striking to provide pretrial services in the judicial dis- Code), by striking ‘‘the Delegate to the House of
‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the trict in the same manner and to the same extent Representatives,’’;
Capital’’. as the District of Columbia Pretrial Services (2) in section 2 (sec. 1–1001.02, D.C. Official
(6) PLACES OF HOLDING COURT OF COURT OF Agency provided such services in the judicial Code)—
FEDERAL CLAIMS.—Section 798(a) of such title is district of the District of Columbia as of the day (A) by striking paragraph (6),
amended— before the date of the admission of the State into (B) in paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘(except the
(A) by striking ‘‘Washington, District of Co- the Union; and Delegate to Congress for the District of Colum-
lumbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital’’; and ‘‘(2) upon the receipt by the President of the bia)’’, and
(B) by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia’’ and certification from the State of Washington, (C) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘the Dele-
inserting ‘‘the Capital’’. Douglass Commonwealth under section 315(b)(4) gate to Congress for the District of Columbia,’’;
(e) OTHER CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act that the (3) in section 8 (sec. 1–1001.08, D.C. Official
(1) SERVICE OF PROCESS ON FOREIGN PARTIES State has in effect laws providing for the State Code)—
AT STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICE.—Section to provide pre-trial services, paragraph (1) shall (A) by striking ‘‘Delegate,’’ in the heading,
1608(a)(4) of such title is amended by striking no longer apply, and the Director shall provide and
‘‘Washington, District of Columbia’’ and insert- for the establishment of pretrial services in the (B) by striking ‘‘Delegate,’’ each place it ap-
ing ‘‘the Capital’’. judicial district under this section.’’. pears in subsections (d), (h)(1)(A), (h)(2), (i)(1),
(2) SERVICE OF PROCESS IN PROPERTY CASES AT Subtitle C—Federal Elections (j)(1), (j)(3), and (k)(3);
ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE.—Section 2410(b) of SEC. 221. PERMITTING INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN (4) in section 10 (sec. 1–1001.10, D.C. Official
such title is amended by striking ‘‘Washington, CAPITAL TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELEC- Code)—
District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Cap- TIONS IN STATE OF MOST RECENT (A) by striking subparagraph (A) of sub-
ital’’. DOMICILE. section (a)(3), and
(f) DEFINITION.—Section 451 of title 28, United (a) REQUIREMENT FOR STATES TO PERMIT IN- (B) in subsection (d)—
States Code, is amended by adding at the end DIVIDUALS TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT.— (i) by striking ‘‘Delegate,’’ each place it ap-
the following new undesignated paragraph: (1) IN GENERAL.—Each State shall— pears in paragraph (1), and
‘‘The term ‘Capital’ means the area serving as (A) permit absent Capital voters to use absen- (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and redesig-
the seat of the Government of the United States, tee registration procedures and to vote by absen- nating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
as described in section 112 of the Washington, tee ballot in general, special, primary, and run- (5) in section 11(a)(2) (sec. 1–1001.11(a)(2),
D.C. Admission Act.’’. off elections for Federal office; and D.C. Official Code), by striking ‘‘Delegate to the
(g) REFERENCES IN OTHER LAWS.—Any ref- (B) accept and process, with respect to any House of Representatives,’’;
erence in any Federal law (other than a law general, special, primary, or runoff election for (6) in section 15(b) (sec. 1–1001.15(b), D.C. Of-
amended by this section), rule, or regulation— Federal office, any otherwise valid voter reg- ficial Code), by striking ‘‘Delegate,’’; and
(1) to the United States Court of Appeals for istration application from an absent Capital (7) in section 17(a) (sec. 1–1001.17(a), D.C. Of-
the District of Columbia shall be deemed to refer voter, if the application is received by the ap- ficial Code), by striking ‘‘except the Delegate to
to the United States Court of Appeals for the propriate State election official not less than 30 the Congress from the District of Columbia’’.
Capital; days before the election. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
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(2) to the District of Columbia Circuit shall be (2) ABSENT CAPITAL VOTER DEFINED.—In this by this section shall take effect upon the admis-
deemed to refer to the Capital Circuit; and section, the term ‘‘absent Capital voter’’ means, sion of the State into the Union.
(3) to the United States District Court for the with respect to a State, a person who resides in SEC. 223. REPEAL OF LAW PROVIDING FOR PAR-
District of Columbia shall be deemed to refer to the Capital and is qualified to vote in the State TICIPATION OF SEAT OF GOVERN-
the United States District Court for Washington, (or who would be qualified to vote in the State MENT IN ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
Douglass Commonwealth and the Capital. but for residing in the Capital), but only if the AND VICE-PRESIDENT.
(h) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the State is the last place in which the person was (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 3, United
amendments made by this section shall take ef- domiciled before residing in the Capital. States Code, is amended—
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2527
(1) by striking section 21; and (v) if the motion is agreed to, the joint resolu- Protection Act of 1997 (subtitle A of title XI of
(2) in the table of sections, by striking the item tion shall remain the unfinished business until the National Capital Revitalization and Self-
relating to section 21. disposed of. Government Improvement Act of 1997; sec. 1–
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made (3) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 801.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code) shall continue
by subsection (a) shall take effect upon the date (A) IN GENERAL.—If the Senate proceeds to to be entitled to such a payment after the admis-
of the admission of the State into the Union, consideration of the joint resolution— sion of the State into the Union, in the same
and shall apply to any election of the President (i) all points of order against the joint resolu- manner, to the same extent, and subject to the
and Vice-President taking place on or after such tion (and against consideration of the joint reso- same terms and conditions applicable under
date. lution) are waived; such Act.
SEC. 224. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES FOR CONSID- (ii) consideration of the joint resolution, and (b) OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.—
ERATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL all debatable motions and appeals in connection (1) IN GENERAL.—Any obligation of the Fed-
AMENDMENT REPEALING 23RD therewith, shall be limited to not more than 30 eral Government under the District of Columbia
AMENDMENT. hours, which shall be divided equally between Retirement Protection Act of 1997 which exists
(a) JOINT RESOLUTION DESCRIBED.—In this the majority and minority leaders or their des- with respect to any individual or with respect to
section, the term ‘‘joint resolution’’ means a ignees; the District of Columbia as of the day before the
joint resolution— (iii) a motion further to limit debate is in order date of the admission of the State into the
(1) entitled ‘‘A joint resolution proposing an and not debatable; Union shall remain in effect with respect to
amendment to the Constitution of the United (iv) an amendment to, a motion to postpone, such an individual and with respect to the State
States to repeal the 23rd article of amendment’’; or a motion to commit the joint resolution is not after the admission of the State into the Union,
and in order; and in the same manner, to the same extent, and
(2) the matter after the resolving clause of (v) a motion to proceed to the consideration of subject to the same terms and conditions appli-
which consists solely of text to amend the Con- other business is not in order. cable under such Act.
stitution of the United States to repeal the 23rd (B) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the Senate the vote (2) D.C. FEDERAL PENSION FUND.—Any obliga-
article of amendment to the Constitution. on passage shall occur immediately following tion of the Federal Government under chapter 9
(b) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN HOUSE OF the conclusion of the consideration of the joint of the District of Columbia Retirement Protec-
REPRESENTATIVES.— resolution, and a single quorum call at the con- tion Act of 1997 (sec. 1–817.01 et seq., D.C. Offi-
(1) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon intro- clusion of the debate if requested in accordance cial Code) with respect to the D.C. Federal Pen-
duction in the House of Representatives, the with the rules of the Senate. sion Fund which exists as of the day before the
joint resolution shall be placed immediately on (C) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCEDURE.— date of the admission of the State into the
the appropriate calendar. Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating Union shall remain in effect with respect to
(2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— to the application of this subsection or the rules such Fund after the admission of the State into
(A) IN GENERAL.—It shall be in order, not later of the Senate, as the case may be, to the proce- the Union, in the same manner, to the same ex-
than 30 legislative days after the date the joint dure relating to the joint resolution shall be de- tent, and subject to the same terms and condi-
resolution is introduced in the House of Rep- tions applicable under such chapter.
cided without debate.
resentatives, to move to proceed to consider the (c) OBLIGATIONS OF STATE.—Any obligation of
(d) RULES RELATING TO SENATE AND HOUSE OF
joint resolution in the House of Representatives. the District of Columbia under the District of
REPRESENTATIVES.—
(B) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to proceed to Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997
(1) COORDINATION WITH ACTION BY OTHER
consider the joint resolution— which exists with respect to any individual or
HOUSE.—If, before the passage by one House of
(i) all points of order against the motion are with respect to the Federal Government as of
the joint resolution of that House, that House
waived; the day before the date of the admission of the
receives from the other House the joint resolu-
(ii) such a motion shall not be in order after State into the Union shall become an obligation
tion—
the House of Representatives has disposed of a of the State with respect to such an individual
(A) the joint resolution of the other House
motion to proceed on the joint resolution; and with respect to the Federal Government
shall not be referred to a committee; and
(iii) the previous question shall be considered after the admission of the State into the Union,
(B) with respect to the joint resolution of the
as ordered on the motion to its adoption without in the same manner, to the same extent, and
House receiving the resolution—
intervening motion; subject to the same terms and conditions appli-
(i) the procedure in that House shall be the
(iv) the motion shall not be debatable; and cable under such Act.
same as if no joint resolution had been received
(v) a motion to reconsider the vote by which SEC. 302. CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL CIVIL
from the other House; and
SERVICE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES
the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. (ii) the vote on passage shall be on the joint FIRST EMPLOYED PRIOR TO ESTAB-
(3) CONSIDERATION.—When the House of Rep- resolution of the other House. LISHMENT OF DISTRICT OF COLUM-
resentatives proceeds to consideration of the (2) TREATMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTION OF BIA MERIT PERSONNEL SYSTEM.
joint resolution— OTHER HOUSE.—If one House fails to introduce (a) OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.—
(A) the joint resolution shall be considered as or consider the joint resolution under this sec- Any obligation of the Federal Government
read; tion, the joint resolution of the other House under title 5, United States Code, which exists
(B) all points of order against the joint resolu- shall be entitled to expedited floor procedures with respect to an individual described in sub-
tion and against its consideration are waived; under this section. section (c) or with respect to the District of Co-
(C) the previous question shall be considered (3) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES.—If, lumbia as of the day before the date of the ad-
as ordered on the joint resolution to its passage following passage of the joint resolution in the mission of the State into the Union shall remain
without intervening motion except 10 hours of Senate, the Senate receives the companion meas- in effect with respect to such individual and
debate equally divided and controlled by the ure from the House of Representatives, the com- with respect to the State after the admission of
proponent and an opponent; panion measure shall not be debatable. the State into the Union, in the same manner, to
(D) an amendment to the joint resolution shall (e) RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND the same extent, and subject to the same terms
not be in order; and SENATE.—This section is enacted by Congress— and conditions applicable under such title.
(E) a motion to reconsider the vote on passage (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of (b) OBLIGATIONS OF STATE.—Any obligation of
of the joint resolution shall not be in order. the Senate and House of Representatives, re- the District of Columbia under title 5, United
(c) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN SENATE.— spectively, and as such is deemed a part of the States Code, which exists with respect to an in-
(1) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon intro- rules of each House, respectively, but applicable dividual described in subsection (c) or with re-
duction in the Senate, the joint resolution shall only with respect to the procedure to be followed spect to the Federal Government as of the day
be placed immediately on the calendar. in that House in the case of the joint resolution, before the date of the admission of the State into
(2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— and supersede other rules only to the extent the Union shall become an obligation of the
(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding rule XXII that it is inconsistent with such rules; and State with respect to such individual and with
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in (2) with full recognition of the constitutional respect to the Federal Government after the ad-
order, not later than 30 legislative days after the right of either House to change the rules (so far mission of the State into the Union, in the same
date the joint resolution is introduced in the as relating to the procedure of that House) at manner, to the same extent, and subject to the
Senate (even though a previous motion to the any time, in the same manner, and to the same same terms and conditions applicable under
same effect has been disagreed to) to move to extent as in the case of any other rule of that such title.
proceed to the consideration of the joint resolu- House. (c) INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED.—An individual
tion. described in this subsection is an individual who
TITLE III—CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN
(B) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to proceed to was first employed by the government of the
AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
the consideration of the joint resolution—
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District of Columbia before October 1, 1987.
(i) all points of order against the motion are Subtitle A—Employee Benefits
SEC. 303. OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERN-
waived; SEC. 301. FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS UNDER MENT UNDER JUDGES’ RETIREMENT
(ii) the motion is not debatable; CERTAIN RETIREMENT PROGRAMS. PROGRAM.
(iii) the motion is not subject to a motion to (a) CONTINUATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO PAY- (a) CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATIONS.—
postpone; MENTS.—Any individual who, as of the day be- (1) IN GENERAL.—Any obligation of the Fed-
(iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by which fore the date of the admission of the State into eral Government under subchapter III of chap-
the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not the Union, is entitled to a Federal benefit pay- ter 15 of title 11, District of Columbia Official
be in order; and ment under the District of Columbia Retirement Code—
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H2528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
(A) which exists with respect to any indi- an individual who, for purposes of receiving court system of the District of Columbia as of
vidual and the District of Columbia as the result such benefits, is continued to be treated as an the day before the date of the admission of the
of service accrued prior to the date of the admis- employee of the Federal Government under such State into the Union, except that the President
sion of the State into the Union shall remain in paragraph. shall not appoint a United States Marshal
effect with respect to such an individual and (d) TERMINATION.—Subsection (a) shall termi- under section 561 of title 28, United States Code,
with respect to the State after the admission of nate upon the date on which the State provides for any court of the State.
the State into the Union, in the same manner, to written certification to the President that the (b) TERMINATION.—The obligation of the
the same extent, and subject to the same terms State has in effect laws requiring the State to United States Marshals Service to provide serv-
and conditions applicable under such sub- appropriate and make available funds for the ices under this section shall terminate upon
chapter; and operation of the office of the State which pro- written certification by the State to the Presi-
(B) subject to paragraph (2), shall exist with vides the services described in title III of the dent that the State has appointed personnel of
respect to any individual and the State as the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal the State to provide such services.
result of service accrued after the date of the Procedure Act of 1970 (sec. 2–1601 et seq., D.C. SEC. 314. DESIGNATION OF FELONS TO FACILI-
admission of the State into the Union in the Official Code). TIES OF BUREAU OF PRISONS.
same manner, to the same extent, and subject to SEC. 312. PROSECUTIONS. (a) CONTINUATION OF DESIGNATION.—Chapter
the same terms and conditions applicable under (a) ASSIGNMENT OF ASSISTANT UNITED STATES 1 of subtitle C of title XI of the National Capital
such subchapter as such obligation existed with ATTORNEYS.— Revitalization and Self-Government Improve-
respect to individuals and the District of Colum- (1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with sub- ment Act of 1997 (sec. 24–101 et seq., D.C. Offi-
bia as of the date of the admission of the State chapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States cial Code) and the amendments made by such
into the Union. Code, the Attorney General, with the concur- chapter—
(2) TREATMENT OF SERVICE ACCRUED AFTER rence of the District of Columbia or the State (as (1) shall continue to apply with respect to in-
TAKING EFFECT OF STATE RETIREMENT PRO- the case may be), shall provide for the assign- dividuals convicted of offenses under the laws of
GRAM.—Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) does ment of assistant United States attorneys to the the District of Columbia prior to the date of the
not apply to service accrued on or after the ter- State to carry out the functions described in admission of the State into the Union; and
mination date described in subsection (b). subsection (b). (2) shall apply with respect to individuals
(b) TERMINATION DATE.—The termination date (2) ASSIGNMENTS MADE ON DETAIL WITHOUT convicted of offenses under the laws of the State
described in this subsection is the date on which REIMBURSEMENT BY STATE.—In accordance with after the date of the admission of the State into
the State provides written certification to the section 3373 of title 5, United States Code— the Union in the same manner and to the same
President that the State has in effect laws re- (A) an assistant United States attorney who is extent as such chapter and amendments applied
quiring the State to appropriate and make avail- assigned to the State under this section shall be with respect to individuals convicted of offenses
able funds for the retirement of judges of the deemed under subsection (a) of such section to under the laws of the District of Columbia prior
State. be on detail to a regular work assignment in the to the date of the admission of the State into the
Subtitle B—Agencies Department of Justice; and Union.
SEC. 311. PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE. (B) the assignment of an assistant United (b) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this sec-
(a) CONTINUATION OF OPERATIONS AND FUND- States attorney to the State under this section tion shall terminate upon written certification
ING.— shall be made without reimbursement by the by the State to the President that the State has
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para- State of the pay of the attorney or any related in effect laws for the housing of individuals de-
graph (2) and subsection (b), title III of the Dis- expenses. scribed in subsection (a) in correctional facili-
trict of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal (b) FUNCTIONS DESCRIBED.—The functions de- ties.
Procedure Act of 1970 (sec. 2–1601 et seq., D.C. scribed in this subsection are criminal prosecu- SEC. 315. PAROLE AND SUPERVISION.
Official Code) shall apply with respect to the tions conducted in the name of the State which (a) UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION.—
State and to the public defender service of the would have been conducted in the name of the (1) PAROLE.—The United States Parole Com-
State after the date of the admission of the State United States by the United States attorney for mission—
into the Union in the same manner and to the the District of Columbia or his or her assistants, (A) shall continue to exercise the authority to
same extent as such title applied with respect to as provided under section 23–101(c), District of grant, deny, and revoke parole, and to impose
the District of Columbia and the District of Co- Columbia Official Code, but for the admission of conditions upon an order of parole, in the case
lumbia Public Defender Service as of the day be- the State into the Union. of any individual who is an imprisoned felon
fore the date of the admission of the State into (c) MINIMUM NUMBER ASSIGNED.—The number who is eligible for parole or reparole under the
the Union. of assistant United States attorneys who are as- laws of the District of Columbia as of the day
(2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU- signed under this section may not be less than before the date of the admission of the State into
TION.—For purposes of paragraph (2) of section the number of assistant United States attorneys the Union, as provided under section 11231 of
305(c) of such Act (sec. 2–1605(c)(2), D.C. Offi- whose principal duties as of the day before the the National Capital Revitalization and Self-
cial Code), the Federal Government shall be date of the admission of the State into the Government Improvement Act of 1997 (sec. 24–
treated as the employing agency with respect to Union were to conduct criminal prosecutions in 131, D.C. Official Code); and
the benefits provided under such section to an the name of the United States under section 23– (B) shall exercise the authority to grant,
individual who is an employee of the public de- 101(c), District of Columbia Official Code. deny, and revoke parole, and to impose condi-
fender service of the State and who, pursuant to (d) TERMINATION.—The obligation of the At- tions upon an order of parole, in the case of any
section 305(c) of such Act (sec. 2–1605(c), D.C. torney General to provide for the assignment of individual who is an imprisoned felon who is el-
Official Code), is treated as an employee of the assistant United States attorneys under this sec- igible for parole or reparole under the laws of
Federal Government for purposes of receiving tion shall terminate upon written certification the State in the same manner and to the same
benefits under any chapter of subpart G of part by the State to the President that the State has extent as the Commission exercised in the case
III of title 5, United States Code. appointed attorneys of the State to carry out of any individual described in subparagraph
(b) RENAMING OF SERVICE.—Effective upon the the functions described in subsection (b). (A).
date of the admission of the State into the (e) CLARIFICATION REGARDING CLEMENCY AU- (2) SUPERVISION OF RELEASED OFFENDERS.—
Union, the State may rename the public de- THORITY.— The United States Parole Commission—
fender service of the State. (1) IN GENERAL.—Effective upon the admission (A) shall continue to exercise the authority
(c) CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR of the State into the Union, the authority to over individuals who are released offenders of
EMPLOYEES.— grant clemency for offenses against the District the District of Columbia as of the day before the
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any individual who is an of Columbia or the State shall be exercised by date of the admission of the State into the
employee of the public defender service of the such person or persons, and under such terms Union, as provided under section 11233(c)(2) of
State as of the day before the date described in and conditions, as provided by the State Con- the National Capital Revitalization and Self-
subsection (d) and who, pursuant to section stitution and the laws of the State, without re- Government Improvement Act of 1997 (sec. 24–
305(c) of the District of Columbia Court Reform gard to whether the prosecution for the offense 133(c)(2), D.C. Official Code); and
and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970 (sec. 2– was conducted by the District of Columbia, the (B) shall exercise authority over individuals
1605(c), D.C. Official Code), is treated as an em- State, or the United States. who are released offenders of the State in the
ployee of the Federal Government for purposes (2) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term same manner and to the same extent as the
of receiving benefits under any chapter of sub- ‘‘clemency’’ means a pardon, reprieve, or com- Commission exercised authority over individuals
part G of part III of title 5, United States Code, mutation of sentence, or a remission of a fine or described in subparagraph (A).
shall continue to be treated as an employee of other financial penalty. (3) CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR
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the Federal Government for such purposes, not- SEC. 313. SERVICE OF UNITED STATES MAR- EMPLOYEES.—
withstanding the termination of the provisions SHALS. (A) CONTINUATION.—Any individual who is an
of subsection (a) under subsection (d). (a) PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR COURTS OF employee of the United States Parole Commis-
(2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU- STATE.—The United States Marshals Service sion as of the later of the day before the date
TION.—Beginning on the date described in sub- shall provide services with respect to the courts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4)
section (d), the State shall be treated as the em- and court system of the State in the same man- or the day before the date described in subpara-
ploying agency with respect to the benefits de- ner and to the same extent as the Service pro- graph (B) of paragraph (4) and who, on or after
scribed in paragraph (1) which are provided to vided services with respect to the courts and such date, is an employee of the office of the
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2529
State which exercises the authority described in (3) CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR (b) CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR
either such subparagraph, shall continue to be EMPLOYEES.— EMPLOYEES.—
treated as an employee of the Federal Govern- (A) CONTINUATION.—Any individual who is an (1) IN GENERAL.—Any individual who is an
ment for purposes of receiving benefits under employee of the Court Services and Offender Su- employee of the courts or court system of the
any chapter of subpart G of part III of title 5, pervision Agency for Washington, Douglass State as of the day before the date described in
United States Code, notwithstanding the termi- Commonwealth as of the day before the date de- subsection (e) and who, pursuant to section 11–
nation of the provisions of this subsection under scribed in paragraph (4), and who, on or after 1726(b) or section 11–1726(c), District of Colum-
paragraph (4). such date, is an employee of the office of the bia Official Code, is treated as an employee of
(B) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU- State which provides the services and carries the Federal Government for purposes of receiv-
TION.—Beginning on the later of the date de- out the functions described in paragraph (4), ing benefits under any chapter of subpart G of
scribed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) or shall continue to be treated as an employee of part III of title 5, United States Code, shall con-
the date described in subparagraph (B) of para- the Federal Government for purposes of receiv- tinue to be treated as an employee of the Fed-
graph (4), the State shall be treated as the em- ing benefits under any chapter of subpart G of eral Government for such purposes, notwith-
ploying agency with respect to the benefits de- part III of title 5, United States Code, notwith- standing the termination of the provisions of
scribed in subparagraph (A) which are provided standing the termination of the provisions of this section under subsection (e).
to an individual who, for purposes of receiving paragraph (2) under paragraph (4). (2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU-
such benefits, is continued to be treated as an (B) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU- TION.—Beginning on the date described in sub-
employee of the Federal Government under such TION.—Beginning on the date described in para- section (e), the State shall be treated as the em-
subparagraph. graph (4), the State shall be treated as the em- ploying agency with respect to the benefits de-
(4) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this sub- ploying agency with respect to the benefits de- scribed in paragraph (1) which are provided to
section shall terminate— scribed in subparagraph (A) which are provided an individual who, for purposes of receiving
(A) in the case of paragraph (1), on the date to an individual who, for purposes of receiving such benefits, is continued to be treated as an
on which the State provides written certification such benefits, is continued to be treated as an employee of the Federal Government under such
to the President that the State has in effect laws employee of the Federal Government under such paragraph.
providing for the State to exercise the authority subparagraph. (c) CONTINUATION OF FUNDING.—Section 11241
to grant, deny, and revoke parole, and to impose (4) TERMINATION.—Paragraph (2) shall termi- of the National Capital Revitalization and Self-
conditions upon an order of parole, in the case nate on the date on which the State provides Government Improvement Act of 1997 (section
of any individual who is an imprisoned felon written certification to the President that the 11–1743 note, District of Columbia Official Code)
who is eligible for parole or reparole under the State has in effect laws providing for the State shall apply with respect to the State and the
laws of the State; and to provide pretrial services, supervise offenders courts and court system of the State after the
(B) in the case of paragraph (2), on the date on probation, parole, and supervised release, date of the admission of the State into the
on which the State provides written certification and carry out sex offender registration func- Union in the same manner and to the same ex-
to the President that the State has in effect laws tions in the State. tent as such section applied with respect to the
providing for the State to exercise authority SEC. 316. COURTS. Joint Committee on Judicial Administration in
over individuals who are released offenders of the District of Columbia and the courts and
(a) CONTINUATION OF OPERATIONS.—
the State. court system of the District of Columbia as of
(b) COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPER- (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graphs (2) and (3) and subsection (b), title 11, the day before the date of the admission of the
VISION AGENCY.— State into the Union.
(1) RENAMING.—Effective upon the date of the District of Columbia Official Code, as in effect
on the date before the date of the admission of (d) TREATMENT OF COURT RECEIPTS.—
admission of the State into the Union— (1) DEPOSIT OF RECEIPTS INTO TREASURY.—Ex-
(A) the Court Services and Offender Super- the State into the Union, shall apply with re-
spect to the State and the courts and court sys- cept as provided in paragraph (2), all money re-
vision Agency for the District of Columbia shall ceived by the courts and court system of the
be known and designated as the Court Services tem of the State after the date of the admission
of the State into the Union in the same manner State shall be deposited in the Treasury of the
and Offender Supervision Agency for Wash- United States.
ington, Douglass Commonwealth, and any ref- and to the same extent as such title applied with
respect to the District of Columbia and the (2) CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND.—Sec-
erence in any law, rule, or regulation to the tion 16 of the Victims of Violent Crime Com-
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency courts and court system of the District of Co-
lumbia as of the day before the date of the ad- pensation Act of 1996 (sec. 4–515, D.C. Official
for the District of Columbia shall be deemed to Code), relating to the Crime Victims Compensa-
refer to the Court Services and Offender Super- mission of the State into the Union.
(2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBU- tion Fund, shall apply with respect to the courts
vision Agency for Washington, Douglass Com- and court system of the State in the same man-
monwealth; and TION.—For purposes of paragraph (2) of section
11–1726(b) and paragraph (2) of section 11– ner and to the same extent as such section ap-
(B) the District of Columbia Pretrial Services plied to the courts and court system of the Dis-
Agency shall be known and designated as the 1726(c), District of Columbia Official Code, the
Federal Government shall be treated as the em- trict of Columbia as of the day before the date
Washington, Douglass Commonwealth Pretrial of the admission of the State into the Union.
Services Agency, and any reference in any law, ploying agency with respect to the benefits pro-
vided under such section to an individual who (e) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this sec-
rule or regulation to the District of Columbia tion, other than paragraph (3) of subsection (a)
Pretrial Services Agency shall be deemed to refer is an employee of the courts and court system of
the State and who, pursuant to either such and except as provided under subsection (b),
to the Washington, Douglass Commonwealth shall terminate on the date on which the State
Pretrial Services Agency. paragraph, is treated as an employee of the Fed-
eral Government for purposes of receiving bene- provides written certification to the President
(2) IN GENERAL.—The Court Services and Of-
fits under any chapter of subpart G of part III that the State has in effect laws requiring the
fender Supervision Agency for Washington,
of title 5, United States Code. State to appropriate and make available funds
Douglass Commonwealth, including the Wash-
(3) OTHER EXCEPTIONS.— for the operation of the courts and court system
ington, Douglass Commonwealth Pretrial Serv-
(A) SELECTION OF JUDGES.—Effective upon the of the State.
ices Agency (as renamed under paragraph (1))—
(A) shall continue to provide pretrial services date of the admission of the State into the Subtitle C—Other Programs and Authorities
with respect to individuals who are charged Union, the State shall select judges for any va- SEC. 321. APPLICATION OF THE COLLEGE ACCESS
with an offense in the District of Columbia, pro- cancy on the courts of the State. ACT.
vide supervision for individuals who are offend- (B) RENAMING OF COURTS AND OTHER OF- (a) CONTINUATION.—The District of Columbia
ers on probation, parole, and supervised release FICES.—Effective upon the date of the admission College Access Act of 1999 (Public Law 106–98;
pursuant to the laws of the District of Colum- of the State into the Union, the State may re- sec. 38–2701 et seq., D.C. Official Code) shall
bia, and carry out sex offender registration name any of its courts and any of the other of- apply with respect to the State, and to the pub-
functions with respect to individuals who are fices of its court system. lic institution of higher education designated by
sex offenders in the District of Columbia, as of (C) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this the State as the successor to the University of
the day before the date of the admission of the paragraph shall be construed— the District of Columbia, after the date of the
State into the Union, as provided under section (i) to affect the service of any judge serving on admission of the State into the Union in the
11233 of the National Capital Revitalization and a court of the District of Columbia on the day same manner and to the same extent as such Act
Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 (sec. before the date of the admission of the State into applied with respect to the District of Columbia
24–133, D.C. Official Code); and the Union, or to require the State to select such and the University of the District of Columbia
(B) shall provide pretrial services with respect a judge for a vacancy on a court of the State; as of the day before the date of the admission of
to individuals who are charged with an offense or the State into the Union.
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in the State, provide supervision for offenders (ii) to waive any of the requirements of chap- (b) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this sec-
on probation, parole, and supervised release ter 15 of title 11, District of Columbia Official tion, other than with respect to the public insti-
pursuant to the laws of the State, and carry out Code (other than section 11–1501(a) of such tution of higher education designated by the
sex offender registration functions in the State, Code), including subchapter II of such chapter State as the successor to the University of the
in the same manner and to the same extent as (relating to the District of Columbia Commission District of Columbia, shall terminate upon writ-
the Agency provided such services and super- on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure), with re- ten certification by the State to the President
vision and carried out such functions for indi- spect to the appointment and service of judges that the State has in effect laws requiring the
viduals described in subparagraph (A). of the courts of the State. State to provide tuition assistance substantially
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H2530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
similar to the assistance provided under the Dis- (A) ENVIRONS.—Paragraph (1) of section 8702 SEC. 325. ROLE OF ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
trict of Columbia College Access Act of 1999. of such title is amended by striking ‘‘the terri- IN SUPPLYING WATER.
SEC. 322. APPLICATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS tory surrounding the District of Columbia’’ and (a) CONTINUATION OF ROLE.—Chapter 95 of
FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS inserting ‘‘the territory surrounding the Na- title 40, United States Code, is amended by add-
ACT. tional Capital’’. ing at the end the following new section:
(a) CONTINUATION.—The Scholarships for Op- (B) NATIONAL CAPITAL.—Paragraph (2) of sec- ‘‘§ 9508. Applicability to Capital and State of
portunity and Results Act (division C of Public tion 8702 of such title is amended to read as fol- Washington, Douglass Commonwealth
Law 112–10; sec. 38–1853.01 et seq., D.C. Official lows: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Effective upon the admis-
Code) shall apply with respect to the State after ‘‘(2) NATIONAL CAPITAL.—The term ‘National sion of the State of Washington, Douglass Com-
the date of the admission of the State into the Capital’ means the area serving as the seat of monwealth into the Union, any reference in this
Union in the same manner and to the same ex- the Government of the United States, as de- chapter to the District of Columbia shall be
tent as such Act applied with respect to the Dis- scribed in section 112 of the Washington, D.C. deemed to refer to the Capital or the State of
trict of Columbia as of the day before the date Admission Act, and the territory the Federal Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, as the
of the admission of the State into the Union. Government owns in the environs.’’. case may be.
(b) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this sec- (C) NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION.—Subpara- ‘‘(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term
tion shall terminate upon written certification graph (A) of paragraph (3) of section 8702 of ‘Capital’ means the area serving as the seat of
by the State to the President that the State has such title is amended to read as follows: the Government of the United States, as de-
in effect laws requiring the State— ‘‘(A) the National Capital and the State of scribed in section 112 of the Washington, D.C.
(1) to provide tuition assistance substantially Washington, Douglass Commonwealth;’’. Admission Act.’’.
similar to the assistance provided under the (b) COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS.— (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act; (1) LIMITING APPLICATION TO THE CAPITAL.— tions of chapter 95 of such title is amended by
and Section 9102(a)(1) of title 40, United States Code, adding at the end the following:
(2) to provide supplemental funds to the pub- is amended by striking ‘‘the District of Colum-
lic schools and public charter schools of the ‘‘9508. Applicability to Capital and State of
bia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital’’.
State in the amounts provided in the most recent (2) DEFINITION.—Section 9102 of such title is Washington, Douglass Common-
fiscal year for public schools and public charter amended by adding at the end the following wealth.’’.
schools of the State or the District of Columbia new subsection: SEC. 326. REQUIREMENTS TO BE LOCATED IN DIS-
TRICT OF COLUMBIA.
(as the case may be) under such Act. ‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—In this chapter, the term
SEC. 323. MEDICAID FEDERAL MEDICAL ASSIST- ‘Capital’ means the area serving as the seat of The location of any person in the Capital or
ANCE PERCENTAGE. the Government of the United States, as de- Washington, Douglass Commonwealth on the
(a) CONTINUATION.—Notwithstanding section scribed in section 112 of the Washington, D.C. day after the date of the admission of the State
1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Admission Act.’’. into the Union shall be deemed to satisfy any
1396d(b)), during the period beginning on the (3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 9101(d) requirement under any law in effect as of the
date of the admission of the State into the of such title is amended by striking ‘‘the District day before the date of the admission of the State
Union and ending on September 30 of the fiscal of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Capital’’. into the Union that the person be located in the
year during which the State submits the certifi- (c) COMMEMORATIVE WORKS ACT.— District of Columbia, including the requirements
cation described in subsection (b), the Federal (1) LIMITING APPLICATION TO CAPITAL.—Sec- of section 72 of title 4, United States Code (relat-
medical assistance percentage for the State tion 8902 of title 40, United States Code, is ing to offices of the seat of the Government of
under title XIX of such Act shall be the Federal amended by adding at the end the following the United States), and title 36, United States
medical assistance percentage for the District of new subsection: Code (relating to patriotic and national organi-
Columbia under such title as of the day before ‘‘(c) LIMITING APPLICATION TO CAPITAL.—This zations).
the date of the admission of the State into the chapter applies only with respect to commemo- TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS
Union. rative works in the Capital and its environs.’’. SEC. 401. GENERAL DEFINITIONS.
(b) TERMINATION.—The certification described (2) DEFINITION.—Paragraph (2) of section In this Act, the following definitions shall
in this subsection is a written certification by 8902(a) of such title is amended to read as fol- apply:
the State to the President that, during each of lows: (1) The term ‘‘Capital’’ means the area serving
the first 5 fiscal years beginning after the date ‘‘(2) CAPITAL AND ITS ENVIRONS.—The term as the seat of the Government of the United
of the certification, the estimated revenues of ‘Capital and its environs’ means— States, as described in section 112.
the State will be sufficient to cover any reduc- ‘‘(A) the area serving as the seat of the Gov- (2) The term ‘‘Council’’ means the Council of
tion in revenues which may result from the ter- ernment of the United States, as described in the District of Columbia.
mination of the provisions of this section. section 112 of the Washington, D.C. Admission (3) The term ‘‘Mayor’’ means the Mayor of the
SEC. 324. FEDERAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS. Act; and District of Columbia.
(a) NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMIS- ‘‘(B) those lands and properties administered (4) Except as otherwise provided, the term
SION.— by the National Park Service and the General ‘‘State’’ means the State of Washington, Doug-
(1) CONTINUING APPLICATION.—Subject to the Services Administration located in the Reserve, lass Commonwealth.
amendments made by paragraphs (2) and (3), Area I, and Area II as depicted on the map enti- (5) The term ‘‘State Constitution’’ means the
upon the admission of the State into the Union, tled ‘Commemorative Areas Washington, DC proposed Constitution of the State of Wash-
chapter 87 of title 40, United States Code, shall and Environs’, numbered 869/86501 B, and dated ington, D.C., as approved by the Council on Oc-
apply as follows: June 24, 2003, that are located outside of the tober 18, 2016, pursuant to the Constitution and
(A) Such chapter shall apply with respect to State of Washington, Douglass Common- Boundaries for the State of Washington, D.C.
the Capital in the same manner and to the same wealth.’’. Approval Resolution of 2016 (D.C. Resolution
extent as such chapter applied with respect to (3) TEMPORARY SITE DESIGNATION.—Section R21–621), ratified by District of Columbia voters
the District of Columbia as of the day before the 8907(a) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘the in Advisory Referendum B approved on Novem-
date of the admission of the State into the District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘the Cap- ber 8, 2016, and certified by the District of Co-
Union. ital and its environs’’. lumbia Board of Elections on November 18, 2016.
(B) Such chapter shall apply with respect to (4) GENERAL CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— SEC. 402. STATEHOOD TRANSITION COMMISSION.
the State in the same manner and to the same Chapter 89 of such title is amended by striking (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the
extent as such chapter applied with respect to ‘‘the District of Columbia and its environs’’ Statehood Transition Commission (hereafter in
the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth each place it appears in the following sections this section referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
of Virginia as of the day before the date of the and inserting ‘‘the Capital and its environs’’: (b) COMPOSITION.—
admission of the State into the Union. (A) Section 8901(2) and 8901(4). (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be
(2) COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN- (B) Section 8902(a)(4). composed of 18 members as follows:
NING COMMISSION.—Section 8711(b) of title 40, (C) Section 8903(d). (A) 3 members appointed by the President.
United States Code, is amended— (D) Section 8904(c). (B) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the
(A) by amending subparagraph (B) of para- (E) Section 8905(a). House of Representatives.
graph (1) to read as follows: (F) Section 8906(a). (C) 2 members appointed by the Minority
‘‘(B) four citizens with experience in city or (G) Section 8909(a) and 8909(b). Leader of the House of Representatives.
regional planning, who shall be appointed by (5) ADDITIONAL CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— (D) 2 members appointed by the Majority
the President.’’; and Section 8901(2) of such title is amended by strik- Leader of the Senate.
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol- ing ‘‘the urban fabric of the District of Colum- (E) 2 members appointed by the Minority
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lows: bia’’ and inserting ‘‘the urban fabric of the area Leader of the Senate.
‘‘(2) RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.—Of the four serving as the seat of the Government of the (F) 3 members appointed by the Mayor.
citizen members, one shall be a resident of Vir- United States, as described in section 112 of the (G) 3 members appointed by the Council.
ginia, one shall be a resident of Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Admission Act’’. (H) The Chief Financial Officer of the District
one shall be a resident of Washington, Douglass (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the of Columbia.
Commonwealth.’’. amendments made by this section shall take ef- (2) APPOINTMENT DATE.—
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS fect on the date of the admission of the State (A) IN GENERAL.—The appointments of the
OF TERMS.— into the Union. members of the Commission shall be made not
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2531
later than 90 days after the date of the enact- Commission the administrative support services consist of 66 of the 68 square miles of
ment of this Act. necessary for the Commission to carry out its re- the present-day Federal District.
(B) EFFECT OF LACK OF APPOINTMENT BY AP- sponsibilities under this Act. The reduced Federal District, over
POINTMENT DATE.—If one or more appointments (f) MEETINGS.—
under any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall meet
which Congress would retain plenary
(1) is not made by the appointment date speci- at the call of the Chair. authority, would consist of 2 square
fied in subparagraph (A), the authority to make (2) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall miles. The reduced Federal District
such appointment or appointments shall expire, hold its first meeting not later than the earlier would consist of the Washington that
and the number of members of the Commission of— Members of Congress and visitors asso-
shall be reduced by the number equal to the (A) 30 days after the date on which all mem- ciate with the Nation’s Capital, includ-
number of appointments so not made. bers of the Commission have been appointed; or ing the White House, the Capitol, the
(3) TERM OF SERVICE.—Each member shall be (B) if the number of members of the Commis-
Supreme Court, and the principal Fed-
appointed for the life of the Commission. sion is reduced under subsection (b)(2)(B), 90
(4) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission days after the date of the enactment of this Act. eral monuments.
shall be filled in the manner in which the origi- (3) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of H.R. 51 has both the facts and the
nal appointment was made. the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a Constitution on its side. The Constitu-
(5) NO COMPENSATION.—Members shall serve lesser number of members may hold hearings. tion does not establish any pre-
without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, (g) REPORTS.—The Commission shall submit requisites for new States, but Congress
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in ac- such reports as the Commission considers appro- generally has considered three factors
cordance with applicable provisions under sub- priate or as may be requested by the President, in admission decisions: resources and
chapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Congress, or the District of Columbia (or, upon
population, support for statehood, and
Code. the admission of the State into the Union, the
(6) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Chair and State). commitment to democracy.
Vice Chair of the Commission shall be elected by (h) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall The District pays more Federal taxes
the members of the Commission— cease to exist 2 years after the date of the admis- per capita than any State and pays
(A) with respect to the Chair, from among the sion of the State into the Union. more Federal taxes than 22 States of
members described in subparagraphs (A) SEC. 403. CERTIFICATION OF ENACTMENT BY the Union. The District’s population of
through (E) of paragraph (1); and PRESIDENT. 705,000 is larger than those of Wyoming
(B) with respect to the Vice Chair, from Not more than 60 days after the date of the and Vermont, and the new State would
among the members described in subparagraphs enactment of this Act, the President shall pro-
(F) and (G) of paragraph (1). be one of the seven States with a popu-
vide written certification of such enactment to
(c) STAFF.— the Mayor.
lation under 1 million.
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a SEC. 404. SEVERABILITY.
D.C.’s $15.5 billion budget is larger
Director, who shall be appointed by the Chair. Except as provided in section 101(c), if any
than those of 12 States, and the Dis-
(2) OTHER STAFF.—The Director may appoint trict’s AAA bond rating is higher than
provision of this Act or amendment made by this
and fix the pay of such additional personnel as those of 35 States. D.C. has a higher per
Act, or the application thereof to any person or
the Director considers appropriate. capita personal income and gross do-
circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remain-
(3) NON-APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERV-
ICE LAWS.—The Director and staff of the Com-
ing provisions of this Act and any amendments mestic product than any State.
made by this Act shall not be affected by the Eighty-six percent of D.C. residents
mission may be appointed without regard to the
holding. voted in favor of statehood in 2016. In
provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, fact, D.C. residents have been fighting
and may be paid without regard to the provi- as amended, shall be debatable for 1 for voting rights in Congress and local
sions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chap- hour equally divided and controlled by autonomy for 219 years.
ter 53 of that title relating to classification and the chair and ranking minority mem- The Constitution’s Admissions
General Schedule pay rates, except that an indi- ber of the Committee on Oversight and Clause gives Congress the authority to
vidual so appointed may not receive pay in ex- Reform. admit new States, and all 37 new
cess of the rate payable for level V of the Execu- The gentlewoman from the District
tive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
States have been admitted by an act of
of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) and the gen- Congress. The Constitution’s District
(4) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commis-
sion may procure temporary and intermittent tleman from Georgia (Mr. HICE) each Clause, which gives Congress plenary
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United will control 30 minutes. authority over the Federal District,
States Code, at rates for individuals not to ex- The Chair recognizes the gentle- sets a maximum size of the Federal
ceed the daily equivalent of the rate payable for woman from the District of Columbia. District of 100 square miles. It does not
level V of the Executive Schedule under section GENERAL LEAVE set a minimum size. Congress pre-
5316 of such title. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask
(d) DUTIES.—The Commission shall advise the
viously has changed the size of the
President, Congress, the Mayor (or, upon the unanimous consent that all Members Federal District, including by reducing
admission of the State into the Union, the chief may have 5 legislative days in which to it 30 percent in 1846.
executive officer of the State), and the Council revise and extend their remarks and in- Over the last few months, the Nation,
(or, upon the admission of the State into the sert extraneous material on H.R. 51. and even the world, has witnessed dis-
Union, the legislature of the State) concerning The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there criminatory and outrageous treatment
an orderly transition to statehood for the Dis- objection to the request of the gentle- of D.C. residents by the Federal Gov-
trict of Columbia or the State (as the case may woman from the District of Columbia? ernment.
be) and to a reduced geographical size of the There was no objection. In March, Congress passed the
seat of the Government of the United States, in-
cluding with respect to property, funding, pro-
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield CARES Act, which deprived the Dis-
grams, projects, and activities. myself 5 minutes. trict of $755 million in coronavirus fis-
(e) POWERS.— Mr. Speaker, the United States is the cal relief by treating the District as a
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commission only democratic country that denies territory rather than a State. The HE-
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, both voting rights in its national legis- ROES Act, passed by the House in May,
hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, lature and local autonomy to the resi- would restore those funds.
take testimony, and receive evidence as the dents of its nation’s capital. This month, Federal police and out-
Commission considers appropriate. As we approach July Fourth, it is of-State National Guard troops occu-
(2) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion may secure directly from any department or long past time to apply the Nation’s pied D.C., without the consent of the
agency of the United States information nec- oldest slogan, ‘‘no taxation without D.C. Mayor, to respond to largely
essary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon representation,’’ and the principle of peaceful protests. Prior to this occupa-
request of the Chair of the Commission, the consent of the governed to District of tion of the city, there had been much
head of that department or agency shall furnish Columbia residents. H.R. 51 would do more looting and property destruction
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that information to the Commission. so, and Congress has both the moral in other cities, but the Federal Govern-
(3) MAILS.—The Commission may use the obligation and the constitutional au- ment did not occupy those cities. The
United States mails in the same manner and
thority to pass the bill. Federal occupation occurred solely be-
under the same conditions as other departments
and agencies of the United States. H.R. 51 would admit the State of cause the President thought that he
(4) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon Washington, Douglass Commonwealth could get away with it. He was wrong.
the request of the Commission, the Adminis- into the Union and reduce the size of For me, H.R. 51 is deeply personal.
trator of General Services shall provide to the the Federal District. The State would My great-grandfather, Richard Holmes,
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H2532 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
who escaped as a slave from Virginia I thank you for allowing the Committee on I would be pleased to include this letter
on a plantation, made it as far as D.C., the Judiciary to be discharged from further and your correspondence in the Congres-
a walk to freedom but not to equal citi- consideration of the bill to expedite floor sional Record during floor consideration to
consideration. This discharge in no way af- memorialize our understanding.
zenship. For three generations, my fects your jurisdiction over the subject mat- Sincerely,
family has been denied the rights other ter of the bill, and it will not serve as prece- CAROLYN B. MALONEY,
Americans take for granted. dent for future referrals. In addition, should Chairwoman.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a conference on the bill be necessary, I would Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I
time of the gentlewoman has expired. support your request to have the Committee yield myself such time as I may con-
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield on the Judiciary represented on the con-
ference committee.
sume.
myself an additional 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to
Congress has two choices: It can con- I would be pleased to include this letter
and your correspondence in the Congres- H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admis-
tinue to exercise undemocratic or auto- sional Record during floor consideration to sion Act.
cratic authority over the 705,000 Amer- memorialize our understanding. There is a whole lot more to state-
ican citizens who reside in our Nation’s Sincerely, hood than simply being a large and vi-
capital, treating them, in the words of CAROLYN B. MALONEY, brant city. Our Nation’s Founders
Frederick Douglass, as ‘‘aliens; not Chairwoman.
made it clear that D.C. is not meant to
citizens, but subjects’’; or Congress can be a State. They thought about it, they
live up to this Nation’s promise and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE, debated it, and they rejected it. In fact,
ideals and pass H.R. 51. Washington, DC, June 19, 2020. in those early days, Alexander Ham-
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. CAROLYN B. MALONEY, ilton himself proposed an amendment
Speaker NANCY PELOSI, Majority Lead- Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Re- that would allow the District residents
er STENY HOYER, Majority Whip JAMES form, Washington, DC. to have a voting Member in the House,
CLYBURN, Chairwoman CAROLYN MALO- DEAR CHAIRWOMAN MALONEY: I write con-
and that proposal was rejected.
NEY, and the late Elijah Cummings, our cerning H.R. 5803, the ‘‘Washington, D.C. Ad-
mission Act,’’ which was additionally re- If the majority wishes to go against
millions of allies across the country, our Founders, that is their prerogative,
ferred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
and, most importantly, generations of merce (Committee). There are certain provi- but they should simply admit, in their
D.C. residents and officials who have sions in the legislation which concern the opinion, the Founders were wrong.
refused to simply accept their treat- Medicaid federal medical assistance percent- They cannot ignore the intention be-
ment as second-class citizens for bring- age for a newly admitted state and fall with- hind D.C.’s current status. The Con-
ing us to this historic day. in the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee
stitution simply does not allow city
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- on Energy and Commerce.
In recognition of the desire to expedite governments to become microstates
leagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 51, and I with all the rights and responsibilities
consideration of H.R. 5803, the Committee
reserve the balance of my time. agrees to waive formal consideration of the of full States. The debate about the na-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, bill as to such provisions. The Committee
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDCIARY,
ture of Washington, D.C., is not a new
takes this action with the mutual under- debate, but it is absolutely a settled
Washington, DC, June 18, 2020. standing that we do not waive any jurisdic-
Hon. CAROLYN B. MALONEY, one.
tion over the subject matter contained in
Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Re- My friends on the other side of the
this or similar legislation, and that the Com-
form, House of Representatives, Wash- mittee will be appropriately consulted and aisle may gasp and protest in outrage
ington, DC. involved as this bill or similar legislation at the suggestion that what this is
DEAR CHAIRWOMAN MALONEY: This is to ad- moves forward so that we may address any really all about is an attempt to get
vise you that the Committee on the Judici- remaining issues within our jurisdiction. I two more Democratic Senators. That is
ary has now had an opportunity to review request that you urge the Speaker to name
the provisions in H.R. 5803, the ‘‘Washington, what this really is all about.
Members of the Committee to any con- On our side, there is no question that
D.C. Admission Act,’’ that fall within our ference committee which is named to con-
Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your con- we have the Constitution on our side
sider such provision. Such participation will
sulting with us on those provisions. The Ju- be critical to allow the Committee to con-
on this whole debate. The Constitution
diciary Committee has no objection to your tinue to work on the policy involving the clearly establishes a federation of sov-
including them in the bill for consideration Medicaid federal medical assistance percent- ereign States, and representation here
on the House floor, and to expedite that con- age for a newly admitted state. in Washington, D.C., comes from those
sideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. Finally, I would appreciate the inclusion of States, the federation of those States.
5803, with the understanding that we do not this letter into the Congressional Record This District is a unique entity. It was
thereby waive any future jurisdictional during floor consideration of H.R. 5803.
claim over those provisions or their subject set apart to not be influenced by a
Sincerely,
matters. FRANK PALLONE, Jr.,
State, but to, in itself, be governed by
In the event a House-Senate conference on Chairman. those representatives of the various
this or similar legislation is convened, the States who are here.
Judiciary Committee reserves the right to HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Our Founders did not want this city,
request an appropriate number of conferees COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM, the seat of our Federal Government, to
to address any concerns with these or simi- Washington, DC, June 22, 2020. be influenced by any other State, but
lar provisions that may arise in conference. Hon. FRANK PALLONE,
Please place this letter into the Congres- that is exactly what this proposal
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, would do.
sional Record during consideration of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
measure on the House floor. Thank you for DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your
As James Madison expressed it him-
the cooperative spirit in which you have letter regarding H.R. 5803, the Washington self in Federalist 43, if the Nation’s
worked regarding this matter and others be- D.C. Admission Act. As you know, the bill Capital City were situated within a
tween our committees. was referred primarily to the Committee on State, the Federal Government could
Sincerely, Oversight and Government Reform, with an be subject to undue influence of that
JERROLD NADLER, additional referral to the Committee on En- State. That is not the intent of our
Chairman. ergy and Commerce, due to provisions in the Federal Government; that is not the
legislation which concern the Medicaid fed-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, eral medical assistance percentage for a
intent of this District that has been set
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM, newly admitted state. aside; and that is exactly what would
Washington, DC, June 22, 2020. I thank you for allowing the Committee on happen under this bill.
Hon. JERROLD NADLER, Energy and Commerce to be discharged from My colleagues across the aisle be-
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, further consideration of the bill to expedite lieve that excluding a small Federal
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House of Representatives, Washington, DC. floor consideration. This discharge in no way enclave from this new State would nul-
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your affects your jurisdiction over the subject lify the need for a constitutional
letter regarding H.R. 5803, the Washington matter of the bill, and it will not serve as
D.C. Admission Act. As you know, the bill precedent for future referrals. In addition,
amendment, but that is simply not
was referred primarily to the Committee on should a conference on the bill be necessary, true. The original text of the Constitu-
Oversight and Government Reform, with an I would support your request to have the tion is clear.
additional referral to the Committee on the Committee on Energy and Commerce rep- Congress has the power to create
Judiciary. resented on the conference committee. States from two sources: a territory or
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2533
an existing State that agrees to secede ita than any State. Think about that. that my Democratic friends, just like
its territory to become a State. Wash- It pays more than nearly half the Republicans, want the citizens of
ington, D.C., is neither of these. It is States in this country, yet D.C. resi- Washington to have political rights
the Nation’s only Federal District, and dents have no vote in Congress, and like every other American. However,
it is set aside for a specific purpose. that is wrong. let’s talk about what is honest here.
Congress does not have the authority The people of the District have been Let’s just be honest.
to take this District and create a State fighting for equal rights for more than The true goal here is to have two vir-
out of it. At least one constitutional 200 years. In 2016, an overwhelming 86 tually guaranteed new Democratic
amendment would be required for that percent of D.C. residents voted for seats so that D.C. can become a State.
to happen. statehood. That is what it comes down to. That is
During the markup of this bill, I per- President Trump’s recent decision to the goal.
sonally raised these constitutional con- deploy thousands of Federal law en- Why do I say that? Because there is a
cerns and offered an amendment to forcement officers in D.C. against resi- much simpler alternative that I am
provide an expedited procedure to deal dents peacefully exercising their con- baffled that the Democrats do not want
with the constitutional amendment, stitutionally-protected right to pro- anything to do with. I offered an
but the Oversight Committee Demo- test, and without the consent of the amendment to this bill that would
crats opposed that amendment, and District’s elected officials, dem- retrocede the District of Columbia
they opposed, in fact, all of our amend- onstrated the urgent need for full local back to Maryland. That is where the
ments that were put forth. government and congressional rep- land came from.
This is not a surprise that this whole resentation. Congress ceded the west side of the
proposal has been rejected by the Unfortunately, so far, Republicans Potomac, now Alexandria, from the
American people. have opposed our effort, and the Presi- District of Columbia back to Virginia
dent made clear exactly why: they in 1847. So there is plenty of historical
b 0930
would rather deny voting rights for precedent for this action.
In fact, in a Gallup Poll last year, 64 hundreds of thousands of American Unfortunately, despite making total
percent of Americans reject the idea of citizens than even consider the possi- sense, my amendment was, sadly,
D.C. being a State, only 29 percent ap- bility that representatives from the blocked.
prove of it. new State could be Democrats. If D.C. were ceded back to Maryland,
Granting D.C. statehood goes against Now, think about that argument. citizens can vote for Members of the
not only the American citizens’ de- They are willing to violate the core House of Representatives and Senate in
sires, but more importantly, against principles of our democracy merely be- Maryland. They would have congres-
the Constitution itself and certainly cause they may be from a different po- sional representation in both Cham-
our Framers’ original intent. litical party. This argument is anti- bers, with the exact effect of statehood.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in democratic and un-American. The move is simply unnecessary,
the House to oppose the Washington, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The when ceding D.C. back to Maryland is a
D.C. Admissions Act. time of the gentlewoman has expired. viable, cost-effective, and common-
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield an sense option.
my time. additional 30 seconds to the gentle- To further nullify this debate, the
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 woman from New York. District of Columbia would require a
minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New constitutional amendment to change.
York (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY), York. The questions for Republicans The Framers of the Constitution, as
chairwoman of the House Committee are these: Do they truly believe in tax- has been said before, were very clear
on Oversight and Reform, and I thank ation without representation? Do they about this. The Supreme Court re-
her for the way she conducted hearings truly believe in States’ rights? Do they affirmed this in 1949.
on H.R. 51. truly believe the Federal Government So why are we trying to overturn the
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New should stay out of local affairs? If they Supreme Court? One answer: politics,
York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- do, then join us and act on these beliefs pure and simple.
woman from the District of Columbia today. This bill should be bipartisan. Even setting aside the obvious need
(Ms. NORTON), and my good friend, for Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge every for a constitutional amendment, my
her years of leadership on this bill. She Member to vote on H.R. 51 for the soon- colleagues across the aisle know that
is not only the author of the bill, but of to-be 51st State of our great country. this legislation has no chance of be-
this historic day for our democracy. Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I coming law. It is just the majority’s
For the first time in a generation, yield myself such time as I may con- attempt, again, to message bills to sat-
the House will vote today on whether sume. isfy the base.
hundreds of thousands of American Mr. Speaker, I would just remind the Let me be clear: Republicans do not
citizens will finally have their voices chairwoman that the entire court sys- want to attempt to stifle voices or sup-
counted in Congress. tem of Washington, D.C., is supported press representation.
We will vote to honor the most fun- by the Federal Government. If the D.C. citizens want to have rep-
damental principles of this Nation and And there is representation. This resentation, then cede the land back to
for which a revolution was launched: District has three electoral votes. No Maryland, because I have demonstrated
no taxation without representation and other city in the country has that. it is a more hands-down, more prac-
consent of the governed. There is a representative here. tical solution.
I can think of no more honorable or It is just an amazing thing, too, that Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, it is in-
patriotic endeavor than taking up this this whole bill does not even allow teresting to note that the gentleman’s
legislation today to give the people of elections for the new Governor that is amendment to cede the District of Co-
the District the same rights enjoyed by proposed here, so the very thing they lumbia back to Maryland did not have
hundreds of millions of other Ameri- are arguing, they reject and deny from the consent of Maryland.
cans across our country. the residents. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
The United States is a democracy, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CON-
but its capital is not. The United gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. NOLLY), my good friend.
States is the only democratic country MURPHY), my good friend. Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I
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that denies both voting rights in the Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. thank my good friend, ELEANOR
national legislature and local self-gov- Speaker, today I rise in opposition to HOLMES NORTON, who is managing to-
ernment to the people of the capital. H.R. 51. day’s bill to right a wrong, but unfortu-
That is wrong and violates everything Voting against this legislation is not nately, because D.C. does not have a
we stand for as Americans. an economic, racial, or a social injus- vote here in the Congress, she won’t be
The District pays more in Federal tice, as my colleagues across the aisle able to cast a vote on final passage of
taxes than 22 States and more per cap- may unfairly claim. I have no doubt her own bill.
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H2534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
Today, we are being asked to right a In fact, the Constitution specifically tions that guarantee no one will push
wrong. And you hear the contortions calls for Congress, not any State gov- their people around.
on the other side of the aisle to con- ernment, to have authority over the b 0945
tinue to justify a fundamental right District serving as the seat of Federal
being denied 700,000 fellow Americans Government. When you are a State, you help de-
who pay taxes, who fight in our wars Granting statehood for Washington, cide things like whether your country
and serve in government, who have D.C., requires a constitutional amend- goes to war, who will be your judges
families, who are Americans, but have ment, just as granting the District and supreme court justices, how will
no votes in the United States Congress. three electoral college votes required your Federal tax dollars get spent, and
They are bigger than five States. the ratification of the 23rd Amend- what should be the laws of the Nation.
They hide behind the Constitution. ment. The only question now is whether
The Constitution was written before It is time for Congress to get back to Congress is mature enough, is man
they even knew where the capital of full-time work and take up the press- enough, to deal with the fact that
the United States would be, before a ing issues facing our country, not play- Washington no longer wants to be
blade of grass was touched to construct ing unconstitutional games. under our thumb. A mature and faith-
Washington, D.C. No one at that time Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 ful Congress that wants the best for all
could have envisioned the metropolis minutes to the gentleman from Mary- of its people is not afraid of statehood.
of 700,000 Americans, let alone that land (Mr. RASKIN), my good friend and We celebrate it. We delight in it.
they would be denied their funda- neighbor. America started as 13 States, but we
mental American right. Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, when in have exercised our powers under Arti-
Let’s cede it to Maryland. Two prob- the course of human events a relation- cle IV, Section 3, 37 separate times to
lems: Maryland doesn’t want D.C. and ship stops working and one party expe- admit 37 new States, all of them by
D.C. doesn’t want to be in Maryland. riences a long train of abuses and in- simple legislative acts, none of them
The consent of the governed is a funda- dignities at the hands of the other, you by constitutional amendment, and
mental part of the American architec- scrap the old relationship and you each one was controversial in its own
ture, which you conveniently overlook. start anew. way.
And then there is the right to be rep- It is nothing personal, but I wish our I heard the gentleman say that you
resented, another fundamental right GOP colleagues in the House and Sen- have to be either a territory or for-
denied D.C. ate could recognize that this just isn’t mally part of another State to be ad-
Mr. Speaker, it is partisan politics, working out anymore for the people of mitted as a State. It is not true. I have
yes. It is theirs. They want to deny Washington. The relationship you have a one-word answer to that: Texas. It
700,000 people their right to representa- taken for granted for so long with the was its own independent country. It
tion in this body and in the other body local population is dysfunctional and, was a republic, and people said that
because of their politics, or likely poli- was unconstitutional and Congress
frankly, abusive.
tics. Plainly put, the people of Wash- said: No, we are going to favor the tra-
When have we ever done that as jectory of democratic inclusion and po-
ington want out.
America? We haven’t looked at how litical equality.
It is not just the pepper spray and
people would vote before we decide to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
the tear gas and the rubber bullets; it
incorporate them into the Union as a time of the gentleman has expired.
is not just crashing their churches and
State. We understood the right of peo- Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield
desecrating their religion with your
ple to petition to become a State, and
photo-ops; it is not just the use of their the gentleman from Maryland an addi-
Congress has that power.
sons and daughters in the National tional 30 seconds.
Let’s right a wrong, especially in the
Guard to put down protests by their Mr. RASKIN. So every State has
post-George Floyd world, and give peo-
ple their rightful representation in the sons and daughters in the streets; it is faced objections. They said Utah was
people’s body and in the Senate. not just the threats to Federalize their too Mormon, and New Mexico was too
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I local police or the decision to overturn Catholic. Hawaii and Alaska, in 1959, of
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from their adoption laws, their marijuana course, they weren’t contiguous; they
Kentucky (Mr. COMER), my good friend laws, and their health funding choices; couldn’t be admitted.
and a great member of the Oversight or your control of their judges and Yes, the District exists now under
Committee. prosecutors; or the constant Presi- Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, but the
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank dential insults leveled against their gentlewoman from the District of Co-
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. HICE) chosen leaders; it is not that the GOP lumbia proposes to shrink the Federal
for his great leadership on this issue. Members who claim to be the attentive district the way it was shrunk in 1847
At a time when Speaker PELOSI is partners of the District never listen to because the slave masters of Virginia
keeping Congress largely on the side- the people here, never go to their local wanted the land back in advance of
lines, it is unfortunate that we are meetings, don’t know the mayor or the congressional abolition of the slave
spending precious work time debating city council or the ANC members; it is traffic in the District.
blatantly unconstitutional legislation. not even the $750 million that they just If we can modify the boundaries of
Not only is this measure unconstitu- cheated the people of Washington out the Federal district to placate the
tional and dead on arrival in the Sen- of in the middle of this plague. slave masters in the 19th century, we
ate, but it should not be a priority for It is something deeper. It is not just can modify the boundaries of the Fed-
this body right now. Our Nation is fac- something you did. eral district in the 21st century to
ing a serious need for action. We need The people of Washington have found grant statehood and equal rights to the
police reform that focuses on trans- someone and something else. They people of Washington, D.C.
parency and accountability, we need to have voted to break up this dysfunc- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
support American workers as States tional relationship with Congress to bers are reminded to address their re-
safely reopen their communities and start a healthy and respectful relation- marks to the Chair.
economies, and we need to ensure that ship with America. Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I
money we have spent to fight the In America, States make their own will just remind my good friend, listen,
coronavirus is effectively guarded local policy and budget decisions with- we share the concern if people are
against waste, fraud, and abuse. out constant tampering and inter- upset, if it is not working. But the re-
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Passing this measure today would ference by other people’s representa- ality is, if it is not working, we have a
signal a stunning lack of respect for tives. system in this government, in our sys-
the Constitution. Making Washington, In America, every political commu- tem, to deal with it. And in this case,
D.C., a State would specifically violate nity stands on equal footing through it is called a constitutional amend-
the intentions of our Founding Fa- statehood. Each one sends two Sen- ment.
thers, who wanted the national seat of ators to the U.S. Senate and voting Why the Democrats are not pre-
government to belong to no State. representatives to the House, delega- senting a constitutional amendment to
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2535
deal with the problem is beyond me, rights act for all, or whether it is ob- taxes, serving in the military, and con-
but it is what it is. serving the 100th anniversary of women tributing to the economic power of our
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the having the right to vote, and whether Nation, while being denied the full en-
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. GOSAR), it is about giving full participation in franchisement that is their right. Serv-
my good friend. our democracy to the District of Co- ing in the military, fighting, risking
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise lumbia. their lives for our democracy, funda-
today in strong opposition to H.R. 51 I am proud to join her in wearing this mental to that democracy is represent-
and its affront to the Constitution. mask. It says ‘‘51st,’’ and that is why ative government. They were willing to
The Founding Fathers did not intend this legislation is H.R. 51, D.C. state- risk their lives for a principle, for a
for Washington, D.C., to be a State. Ar- hood, which I will talk about now. value, for our democracy, while where
ticle I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the But Congresswoman ELEANOR they lived was being denied that full
United States Constitution provides HOLMES NORTON has been brilliant, re- opportunity.
Congress with exclusive jurisdiction lentless, persistent, dissatisfied about Today, by passing H.R. 51, the Wash-
over the District of Columbia. The en- the lack of full participation for her ington, D.C. Admission Act, to admit
clave clause was included for specific constituents in the work of Congress. the State of Washington, Douglass
reasons, notably the fact that the oper- So I salute her as the patron saint and Commonwealth—State of Washington,
ation of the seat of the Federal Govern- guiding star of D.C. statehood, even be- Douglass Commonwealth—to the
ment of the United States, whose laws fore she came to Congress, but since Union—that would be Frederick Doug-
now affect approximately 330 million she came to Congress, she has worked lass, from Maryland but who lived in
Americans, should not be impeded by tirelessly and relentlessly to build his- the District of Columbia, an aboli-
local ordinances, actions, or taxation. toric support for this bill. She gives us tionist and a suffragist, actually. He
The Framers of the Constitution had the honor of participating in this his- was in Seneca Falls at the Conference
good reason for this concern, having toric vote, wherein the House of Rep- of Women, coming together for women
witnessed the reluctance of local au- resentatives, for the first time, will having the right to vote, so much
thorities to police disorderly conduct vote for statehood for the District. about our democracy and voting for all
by protesters in June of 1783, conduct D.C. statehood, Mr. Speaker, is both Americans.
that forced the adjournment of Con- an official and a personal priority for In doing so today, we will bring our
gress and the flight of its Members to me. My colleagues have heard me say Nation closer to the founding ideals
neighboring States. We see similar sit- this, but I will say it again. When I was that all are created equal and all de-
uations playing out in the streets born, my father was a Member of Con- serve a say in our democracy.
today, right here in Washington, D.C. gress from Baltimore, Maryland. He Mr. Speaker, I urge a bipartisan vote,
Passage of this vote today violates was on the Appropriations Committee, I hope, again, but a strong vote in the
the Constitution in two different ways: and he served as the chair of the D.C. House for this very important legisla-
first, withdrawing specifically enumer- appropriations subcommittee. tion, legislation important to our de-
ated powers granting Congress control At that time, they tell me, that per- mocracy, to our Constitution.
of the Federal district; and, two, ignor- son would be regarded as the mayor, I thank, again, and salute ELEANOR
ing the constitutional amendment unofficial mayor, of Washington be- HOLMES NORTON for her leadership,
process the Framers outlined to make cause that Appropriations Committee working with our distinguished leader,
changes to our founding charter. made all the decisions, so many deci- Mr. HOYER, for whom this has been a
Yesterday, I testified on my amend- sions, for the District of Columbia. He priority. I am proud that this is on the
ment to the Rules Committee, which was a big supporter of home rule, see- floor today.
reaffirmed and enhanced congressional ing from that perspective the unfair- Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker,
leadership over the District provided in ness of it all, a big supporter of home may I inquire how much time I have
the District of Columbia Home Rule rule. remaining.
Act. Unfortunately, my colleagues did In any event, he did his job in a way The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
not accept this amendment, which was to try to make a path, and it passed; tleman from Georgia has 181⁄2 minutes
crafted in the spirit of the Constitu- then later, home rule; then later a remaining. The gentlewoman from the
tion, pushing this legislation and the mayor and the rest; and now, to where District of Columbia has 14 minutes re-
legal thought behind it even further we are now. maining.
away from our founding tradition. Yesterday, someone said: Can you Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I
The last few months have been very find middle ground? This is middle would just say again that our Constitu-
difficult times in this country, with ground, the status quo. We have to go tion has representation here in our
unrest spanning throughout our Na- forward. Capitol from the Federation of the
tion, including right here inside Wash- I later had the privilege of serving on States, and this district was set apart,
ington, D.C., itself. In the face of will- the Appropriations Committee, on the not to be a State, nor to be influenced
ful disregard for the rule of law, it is ir- District of Columbia subcommittee, by one.
responsible for this body to follow in and I saw the obstacles to home rule Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
these footsteps by blatantly taking ac- that some in our Congress would put gentleman from Kentucky (Mr.
tion against our Constitution. forth, diminishing the self-determina- MASSIE), a great member of the Over-
The democratic and legal wisdom of tion that the people of the District of sight and Reform Committee.
our Founders is unprecedented, and Columbia should have. Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, if there is
their calls for a legal charter, which Statehood for the District is about a constitutional way to turn D.C. into
granted and preserved individual lib- showing respect for our democracy. It a State, this bill is not it. This bill is
erties and good governance, stand true is not just about the District. It is a farcical exercise in legislative virtue
today. Going against their intentions about our democracy, for the American signaling because it contains a fatal
now is neither prudent nor in the best people and for our U.S. Constitution, constitutional flaw.
interest of the country. yes. Let’s talk about what this bill
I urge my colleagues to vote against The Constitution begins with our doesn’t do. This bill doesn’t magically
H.R. 51. beautiful preamble, ‘‘We the People,’’ convert all of D.C. into a State. This
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 setting out our Founder’s vision of a bill doesn’t create a new State con-
minute to the gentlewoman from Cali- government of, by, and for the people taining a city called D.C. Because both
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fornia (Ms. PELOSI), the Speaker of the of the United States. It doesn’t say, of these clearly violate the Constitu-
House of Representatives. ‘‘except for the District of Columbia.’’ tion.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Yet, for more than two centuries, the Some overly clever legislative artists
the gentlewoman for yielding and for residents of Washington, D.C., have think they have found a new loophole,
her tremendous leadership over time to been denied their right to fully partici- a way to create a State in D.C. without
remove obstacles of participation to pate in our democracy. Instead, they violating the Constitution. What this
our democracy, whether it is a voting have been dealt the injustice of paying bill does is it seeks to shrink the city
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H2536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
of D.C. into a tiny city, and then cre- I want to thank Mayor Bowser, with This is about human rights. This is
ates a State from the territory that is whom I have been proud to work to about democracy. This is about our Na-
left over. move this issue forward with the lead- tion being better than that.
The problem with that is there is the ership of Delegate Holmes Norton. I I see my colleague from Maryland
23rd Amendment to the Constitution made clear when we announced that shaking his head. We disagree.
that gives the city of D.C. presently the House would consider this bill The people of D.C. deserve not only
three electoral votes. Paradoxically, today that the people who call our Na- real self-government, but also full rep-
the bill itself acknowledges the con- tion’s Capital home have been disen- resentation in the Congress of the
stitutional flaw within because it con- franchised and shortchanged too long. United States.
tains an expedited procedure to vote on Martin Luther King said: How long? Are these 700,000 people less than the
the repeal of the 23rd Amendment in Too long. 500,000 people in Wyoming?
this Chamber and the Senate Chamber. Not only have the residents of one of If we ask somebody to come to the
The problem is, the bill keeps plow- America’s most historically African- District of Columbia and work for our
ing forward and would create a new American cities—let me repeat that— government, is the condition that they
State, even if the 23rd Amendment is historically, it is one of our largest Af- lose their citizenship, that they lose
not repealed. This creates the farcical rican-American cities. It is not exclu- their full voting rights? Is that the
sive. It is a diverse city. Very frankly, condition we put on them? If so, I re-
situation where the few residents,
it does not make a decision, if you spectfully disagree with my colleagues
which are the residents at 1600 Penn-
don’t vote for us, we will not allow you who believe that is what America is
sylvania Avenue, the First Family,
to vote. about.
would control three electoral votes. That is what this historic legislation
Hear me: If you don’t vote for us, we
This is crazy. would do, admit Washington, D.C., as
will not allow you to vote.
So, I urge my colleagues to vote for But President Trump says that my the 51st State. That would provide resi-
the Constitution today and vote friends on the other side of the aisle, dents of the District of Columbia with
against H.R. 51. Mr. Speaker, would be foolish to vote a voting House Member and two Sen-
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the last for this bill. Why? Because we are too ators, as every other group of Ameri-
thing we have to be concerned about is Democratic and we wouldn’t vote for cans who lives in a jurisdiction called a
whether or not the 23rd Amendment you. State has the right to have.
will be repealed, and the bill, H.R. 51, What do you think the North would It would right a historical wrong to
contains an expedited procedure for have done with the 11 States that tried ensure that our Founders’ vision of
that. to destroy the Union if we had said: representative government will be en-
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the You are not going to vote for us, so you acted for all Americans, no longer ex-
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), can’t come back—at least, you can’t cluding the 706,000 in the District of
my good neighbor and good friend, the come back with voting rights, and we Columbia.
majority leader of the House of Rep- will keep you as subjects, not as citi- The House will take action today to
resentatives. zens? make the District of Columbia a State.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am going I hope every Member who represents It is an historic day.
to leave my mask on, not only because one of those States thinks about that Be on the right side of history. So
it is the safe thing to do for all of you— proposition as you vote to exclude many voted against the Civil Rights
not for me, for you—but also because it 706,000 of your fellow citizens from full Act of the 1960s and years thereafter.
represents the best of America. participation in our democracy. They were on the wrong side of history.
I am from Maryland. Maryland was a Not only have the residents of one of The gentleman is absolutely right.
slaveholding State. I represent the dis- America’s great cities been prevented Somebody mentioned it was Demo-
trict that probably had the most from having full citizenship, but they crats. We were a segregationist party.
slaves, along with my friend from the have also been shortchanged in the And guess what? We said we do not
First Congressional District. money that we give them. Just re- want to be that kind of party, and Hu-
b 1000 cently, COVID–19, we gave them 40 per- bert Humphrey got up in 1948 in New
cent of what we gave Wyoming, an en- York at a Democratic convention and
In fact, there were many sympa- said that we need to come out of the
tity 200,000 people smaller than the
thizers for the Southern cause that dark shadows of slavery and segrega-
District of Columbia.
would have had Marylanders join the I see no heads shaking on the other tion into the bright sunlight of justice
Confederacy. They were, of course, side of the aisle, Mr. Speaker. I see no and equality.
wrong. But I want to tell my friends agreement on that. Yes, I understand that was our party.
from those States that withdrew and Should we say Wyoming is too small We said to them: We do not want to be
whose States tried to destroy the and that we ought to exclude Wyo- that party.
Union that they ought to remember ming, it is not big enough to be a Don’t you be that party. Don’t you
that this Nation took them back with- State? have Lincoln turn over in his grave and
out condition with full citizenship and Yet Wyoming, more than 10 times say: That is not our party.
the right to vote. Surely we can do the smaller than the State of Maryland Yes, I heard the gentleman over
same for our fellow citizens. and, as opposed to 40 million people in there. Sadly, in the denial of democ-
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support California, 500,000, one-eightieth of the racy, the Republican-led Senate has in-
of this bill, and I thank Delegate ELEA- size, have two United States Senators. dicated, Mr. Speaker, it will not act,
NOR HOLMES NORTON in her extraor- Stand up if you think Wyoming just as it has not acted on 275 bipar-
dinary quest keeping her eye on the ought not to have a vote. tisan bills that we have sent to the
prize to make sure that the citizens she I see no one standing. United States Senate. They will not
represents have full citizenship and This constitutional argument is a act.
have our respect. I am proud to stand Don Quixote windmill argument. These The majority of the Senate is elected
with her in supporting statehood for are 706,000 American citizens. At the by 18 percent of the American people.
the people of the District of Columbia. same time, their elected leaders can be That is unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, be-
On this mask, there is a drawing of overruled by Congress and by the cause this is more than just a local
the outline of the District of Columbia. President when it comes to local issue for the District of Columbia. It is
That is Maryland before the 1789 and issues, as we saw when President a civil rights issue for our country, as
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subsequent actions. That was Mary- Trump ordered Federal law enforce- yesterday was a civil rights issue for
land. I daresay, there is not a Mary- ment and the National Guard to sup- our country.
lander who voted on that secession of press peaceful and legitimate protest It is something that ought to concern
that land for the Capital of the United against the killing of Black men and all Americans, because when some
States who thought to themselves they women in encounters with the police Americans are denied the full rights
were disenfranchising those who lived and with others. George Zimmerman and representation of citizenship, it di-
in that District. comes to mind and Trayvon Martin. minishes the meaning of citizenship for
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2537
all. Statehood is not merely a status; it I appreciate the opportunity to ad- the forgotten man. The American peo-
is a recognition by the rest of the dress this important issue and the ple are tired of watching their country
States of the sovereign equality of the question the gentleman from Maryland burning to the ground, statutes being
people who live there that they are just asked. I hear the question. toppled, people getting killed in the
part of the main, not simply an island, Yes, their District boundary lines streets. And we are spending time here
as the poet reflected, and that they have changed in the past, but what the today on an unconstitutional effort to
cannot be treated as lesser by their fel- majority wants to do today is fun- create a State out of a Federal city
low citizens. damentally alter what Washington, that the Constitution contemplated
By admitting Washington, D.C., as a D.C., is. That is what is at stake here. being separated so that it could be
State, we will admit what we already I would love to hear the gentleman unique and be the power seat of this
know to be true: that its people are our from Maryland expound on his support great country.
fellow Americans, equal in their pur- and belief in our electoral college Mr. Speaker, that is what this is
suit of happiness and their enjoyment since, suddenly, my colleagues on the about.
of the full rights and privileges of other side of the aisle have a newfound Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am
American citizenship, including rep- respect for the power of States and the pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen-
resentation in the Congress of the importance of States. I would love to tleman from Maryland State (Mr. SAR-
United States. hear them expound on that. BANES), my good friend, that ceded land
Our patriot forebears in the 18th cen- I would love to hear my colleagues on in perpetuity out of which the District
tury used to cry out, ‘‘No taxation the other side of the aisle talk about of Columbia was formed.
without representation.’’ what is critical about community and Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I
The citizens of Boston stole some about respecting the ability of people thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
tea, a criminal act, and they threw it to live differently in order for us to Mr. Speaker, our colleague across the
into the Boston Harbor. Why? They agree to disagree, to allow Texas to be aisle a moment ago talked about the
said: Because we will not be taxed Texas, California to be California. I District of Columbia being special.
without representation and that King would like love to hear my colleagues There is nothing special about being
George cannot tell us what to do with- on the other side of the aisle expound second class, which is what has hap-
out consulting us. on these principles. pened to the residents of the District.
Be on the right side of history. Wash- This is about power. That is what For two centuries, the people of the
ington residents correctly still use that this is about. Let’s make no mistake District of Columbia have been disen-
battle cry in the 21st century. Let us about it. D.C., I do not believe, should franchised, denied fair representation,
make it ring true at last. Let us make become a State—and I use that word excluded from our great democratic ex-
our Union of States a more perfect one importantly, should not become a periment. Over 700,000 residents—who
by adding to its number as we have 37 State. just like my constituents and your
times consistent with the Constitution. We can talk about the constitutional constituents—work hard, pay their
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to infirmities with what the majority is taxes, and contribute every day to the
stand up for America, stand up for de- trying to do. My colleagues are doing betterment of our society. Yet, they do
mocracy, and stand up for the premise that, and they have laid that out. not have an equal voice in this Cham-
of America that every person counts. The Constitution speaks to creating ber.
Vote ‘‘yes.’’ the Federal city in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, it is time to remedy
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. The Founders wanted to do that for a this great injustice. ELEANOR HOLMES
TRONE). Members are reminded to ad- reason. We wanted this seat to be com- NORTON should have the same oppor-
dress their remarks to the Chair. pletely unintertwined and separated tunity that every one of our Members
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I does: To see her name on that board for
from other States. We wanted it to be
feel like the arguments on the other every vote, to walk into the well and
special and unique and not subject to
side of the aisle are so weak that they cast her ‘‘yea’’ or ‘‘nay’’ on behalf of
the powers and the struggles that go on
respond by yelling louder. the constituents she represents.
We have just heard a great, pas- about the people in a certain State.
That is what is at stake here. We thank Congresswoman NORTON
sionate speech about something that is
I would note that my friends, Mr. for her service and for her tireless fight
totally irrelevant. In fact, the point
RASKIN, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. HOYER, and to bring dignity to the residents of
was highlighted that the condition for
Mr. BEYER, are the first to rattle—the Washington, D.C.
statehood is not population; otherwise, House Democrats committed to this
we would not have States like Wyo- very first to rattle—if we dare go down
the road of potential shutdown, if we moment when this body passed H.R. 1
ming or Alaska or other States that more than a year ago. We observed
were ever admitted. That is not the dare go down the road of limiting the
size and scope of the Federal Govern- then and we reiterate today: There are
issue. The issue was that Washington, no constitutional, historical, financial,
D.C., was set apart as a seat of govern- ment. Why? Because the jurisdictions
they represent are wholly and heavily or economic reasons why the 700,000
ment not to be the same as the federa- Americans who live in the District of
tion of States that our Constitution dependent on this Federal Government.
I am a proud Texan dating back to Columbia should not be granted State-
grants us. hood.
Mr. HOYER. Will the gentleman the 1850s, but I grew up in Loudoun
County, Virginia, and went to the Uni- At a time when Americans of all po-
yield?
Mr. HICE of Georgia. I yield to the versity of Virginia. When I grew up in litical stripes are demanding a greater
gentleman from Maryland. Loudoun County, it was 80 percent dirt voice and participation in the political
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank roads. There was one stoplight in my town square, the residents of D.C. are
the gentleman very much for his re- entire school district. It was a rural being forcibly kept out of the town
spect. county fully separated from Wash- square by this bizarre and indefensible
Is the gentleman aware that the Dis- ington, D.C., and now it is the richest anachronism.
trict of Columbia was reduced in size per capita county in the United States Today, we are declaring enough is
historically a while back so that the of America because leviathan grows. enough. It is time to give a voice and a
land was reduced? vote to the residents of the District of
b 1015 Columbia.
This is what is happening here. There
It is because leviathan continues to Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
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is clear precedent for doing this.
I thank the gentleman for yielding. separate from the real Americans out vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 51.
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I there—the people throughout the en- Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, to
yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from tire country who are not being rep- somehow try to paint a picture that
Texas (Mr. ROY), who is my good friend resented by this body. D.C. is a second-class city is absolute
and a great leader. If we want to talk about representa- absurdity. Without question, this is the
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the tion, then let’s talk about this body most influential city in this country—
gentleman from Georgia for yielding. doing its job to represent the people, perhaps in the world.
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H2538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Nation’s smallest State by population, And I appreciate his amendment. We
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. nor would it be reliant on the Federal have rejected his amendment because
GROTHMAN), my friend. Government to survive. we want to be full citizens. That means
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, first There are States with smaller popu- paying our share.
of all, a little comment, maybe clear- lations and many other States that are Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
ing things up. I will point out to every- far more dependent on Federal assist- gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
one in the room that when we say the ance. (Ms. PLASKETT), my good friend.
Pledge of Allegiance, the phrase ‘‘to Despite paying more in total Federal Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, as a
the Republic for which it stands’’ is in income tax than the residents of 22 Member representing the territories, I
the pledge. And I think we all remem- other States, D.C. is continually treat- would rather pay taxes than have the
ber the memorable comment of Ben- ed like a territory instead of a State in treatment that this body gives to those
jamin Franklin at a time around when funding bills. These calculations starve that live in the territories. I believe it
the Constitution was drafted. He the local government of the funds they is the greatest scam and an okey-doke
talked about he was giving us ‘‘a Re- rightly deserve. that you have allowed us not to pay
public, if we can keep it.’’ Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues taxes and hold that against us to ask
Now, at the time the Constitution listen to the voice of our Founding Fa- for our equal treatment. So keep pay-
was drafted, our forefathers did include thers, who we keep hearing about. ‘‘No ing those taxes and you will get your
a district, which would be the capital taxation without representation.’’ Statehood one day.
for the country. Our forefathers put to- Well, D.C. pays its taxes. It deserves a Mr. Speaker, the United States terri-
gether the United States and reached a voice in Congress. And let’s be clear tories that I represent are also not on
compromise between the 13 States. about who is playing politics. equal footing with the rest of the Na-
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I tion. There is no representation in the
They realized at the time it would be
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from U.S. Senate. No equal voting represen-
ridiculous to break apart a State and
Texas (Mr. GOHMERT), my good friend tation in the House of Representatives.
give it two Senators, like all of the
and a great leader.
other States. In part, that is because it Unlike D.C., we cannot vote for Presi-
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is
is so different and has such a different dent. We know what it is like to be
amazing to hear people that have been
interest in the States. trained in the Constitution disregard it part of the greatest country in the
All of the States, the 50 States, to a so. But we are taught at law school the world but not a full participant, and it
variety of degree, have been given an ability to rationalize absolutely any- feels incomplete.
amount of agriculture. There is vir- As Americans, we strive to be pro-
thing. But the fact is, Article I, Sec-
tually no agriculture—maybe no agri- tion 8, there is not one of the 37 States ductive citizens and an asset to the Na-
culture—maybe somewhere there is a that have been brought in by Congress tion. Statehood for D.C. is a matter of
greenhouse or something in the Dis- that is addressed in the Constitution fairness that has been slow in coming.
trict of Columbia. There is no manufac- like this district is. And it says specifi- This city, built by African Americans
turing. There is no mining or logging. cally—this is the right of Congress— with the use of forced labor, contrib-
Or if there is, it is so tiny we can bare- ‘‘To exercise exclusive legislation in all utes more in Federal taxes on a per
ly see it. cases whatsoever, over such District person basis than many States. It is a
Mr. Speaker, it is a unique city be- (not exceeding 10 miles square)’’—that punishment to Americans living in the
cause it is based on government jobs is this one—‘‘as may, by cession of par- capital, including those working in pol-
and tourist jobs connected to people ticular States and the acceptance of icy or public service for the good of the
coming and visiting those government Congress, become the seat of Govern- Nation, to be disenfranchised when
buildings. It is not like any other State ment of the United States.’’ they establish a home in the District.
out there. If it were to become a State, And if you go back and look at Fed- This body changed the boundaries in
its representatives would have spent eralist Paper 43, you look at the debate the 1800s to ensure that slave owners
all their time almost devoted to get- at the time, they understood. We have could keep their slaves. We have
ting more money for the city. And al- had the capital in New York City. We changed the boundaries in the com-
ready the Federal Government puts a have had it in Philadelphia. And that is mittee to allow for the Federal city to
great deal of money into the city. You dangerous. Because it means if you are still exist and the residents of D.C. to
couldn’t complain that they do not surrounded by a State and the capital become a State. It has been done by
have enough funds for their schools or is part of that State or in the middle this body before. Don’t make it seem
their city. I believe their schools are surrounded by the State, then pressure like it is something that can’t happen
somewhere in the top—if you consid- can be brought to bear that would be so again. At this very moment, citizens
ered it a State—somewhere in the top unfair. Look at the debate. That is why across this Nation are clamoring for
three or four in the country, as far as that is in there, to protect that. change, equality, and justice. With one
funding per person. Mr. Speaker, now, one of the things vote, we can deliver that for the people
Mr. Speaker, it would make no sense, that we agree on is that it is wrong to of D.C.
say, for Wisconsin to break off and give make the residents of the District of Mr. Speaker, it is time to do what is
two Senators to Milwaukee and give Columbia pay income tax. I have been right and allow the people of this city
two Senators to the rest of the State. filing a bill since 2008, I think it was, to feel whole, to feel complete, to feel
Milwaukee is not a State. that would eliminate the Federal tax. like they matter. Support H.R. 51.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am None of the territories—who also don’t Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it
pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentle- have full voting Members of Congress— certainly can happen. It just requires a
woman from Illinois (Ms. KELLY). pay Federal income tax. D.C. shouldn’t constitutional amendment.
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I either. That is a legislative fix we can Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
rise today in support of H.R. 51. do. gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HAR-
For more than 200 years, Americans Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, RIS), my good friend.
living in the District of Columbia— may I inquire how much time is re- Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I hope
many of whom serve the people of this maining for each side? America is watching what is going on
great Nation as public servants—have The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- on the floor today, and they are paying
been denied the right to self-govern- tleman from Georgia has 9 minutes re- careful attention to this debate.
ment. That is a founding principle of maining. The gentlewoman from Wash- We hear speaker after speaker from
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our great Nation. ington, D.C. has 10 minutes remaining. the other side of the aisle say things
Mr. Speaker, today, D.C. is home to Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I say to like, ‘‘It has been done before.’’ The
more than 700,000 Americans and, yet, the gentleman, paying Federal taxes, majority leader: ‘‘Clear precedent.’’
they have no voting Members of Con- that says everything about the desire Yeah, there is clear precedent. We
gress and no voice in the Senate. of citizens of Washington, D.C. to be know the person who was in the Chair
Establishing Washington, Douglass equal, that we are quite willing to con- just before comes from the State that
Commonwealth would not create our tinue to pay Federal income tax. actually was the clear precedent: In
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2539
1847, when retrocession occurred. You Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I want to miles, 10-miles square. Part of D.C. was
know, my colleagues on the other side thank the distinguished Delegate, the in Maryland; part was in Virginia.
of the aisle say this isn’t politics. This congressperson from Washington, D.C., In 1847, the Virginia part of the Dis-
is about getting voting rights. This is for her steadfast leadership on this. trict of Columbia was given back to
about things like this. I would suggest I had the opportunity to work with Virginia, leaving only the Maryland
that perhaps the people watching go to her predecessor back in the late 1980s portion of D.C. still in D.C.
Wikipedia and see what the history is in this Chamber, Delegate Walter These former D.C., now Virginia,
about the support for retrocession back Fauntroy, who passed the torch, and residents gained the right to vote on
to Maryland. the Delegate has done a great job. U.S. Senators once Senators became
Mr. Speaker, because, you see, this is It took 27 years to get this vote back elected rather than appointed.
not Congress’s land. This is Maryland’s onto the floor. I was there in 1993 when If D.C. residents want to vote on U.S.
land. Maryland gave it to the United we came up short. Today, I am hoping Senators, fine. That can be done by fol-
States for the sole purpose of a perma- and praying that this bill passes. lowing historical precedence and giving
nent, Federal enclave. The nerve of I want to congratulate you on that the residential portion of D.C. back to
hundreds of my colleagues on the other and to remind others that this is not Maryland, keeping the Federal Govern-
side of the aisle thinking it is their going to go away because, at the end of ment portion, the Capitol, White
land. It is Maryland’s land. And if you the day, this is really about taxation House, monuments, The Mall, Federal
want voting rights, it is simple: Do ex- without representation, one of the buildings, and the like in D.C.
actly what occurred in 1847 and give original 27 colonial grievances filed But this option won’t be offered by
the land back to Maryland. against the King, which was a major Democrats because they don’t care one
But, whoa, wait a minute. That is not twit about D.C. residents voting on
cause of the Revolutionary War.
what this debate is about, because ret- U.S. Senators. Rather, their goal is to
So when people in Boston had the
rocession has been proposed many have two more guaranteed leftwing
Tea Party and threw tea in the Boston
times with no Democrat supporters. In Senators.
Harbor in December of 1773, they were
fact, the majority leader was in Con- If offered, I will vote to return resi-
making a statement and setting an ex-
gress when these bills were proposed. If dential portions of D.C. to Maryland,
what he really wants is voting rights, ample for people across this Nation to
thus giving D.C. citizens the power to
he should have cosponsored the bill. understand that we just can’t tax peo-
vote on Maryland’s two U.S. Senators.
Mr. Speaker, you know that if ret- ple without allowing them to be rep-
That option is consistent with histor-
rocession occurs, every single resi- resented.
ical precedence.
dent—except those ones in the White You have heard the great discussions, But I will never vote to give a single
House—because of the amendment to the cogent points about the fiscal side middling-size city the same political
the Constitution they actually get of this, that D.C. residents pay more power as one of America’s great 50
three electoral votes under this pro- taxes per capita than any other State, States. I will never support this sham
posed legislation, every single one of that they pay more general taxes than that is motivated by crass partisan po-
those residents would have representa- 22 States, that they have a budget larg- litical power, not a desire to let citi-
tion in Congress. And, yes, ELEANOR er than 11 States, and a bond rating zens of the District of Columbia vote
HOLMES NORTON could sit in Congress better than almost 30 other States. on U.S. Senators.
representing people from the State of I have heard this discussion when it Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, may I in-
Maryland. comes to fiscal matters about the con- quire as to how much time I have re-
stitutional federation of States, the
b 1030 maining.
great words of Hamilton and the Fed- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
This is a pure political ploy. That is eralists and the Federalist Papers. I
why none of my colleagues from Mary- tlewoman from the District of Colum-
understand that. bia has 51⁄2 minutes remaining.
land are going to vote against this bill But one thing we have to remember Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
today. That is why none of my col- when we raise Hamilton and talk about minute to the gentlewoman from Cali-
leagues from Maryland have put in a the Federalists is that their stated be-
retrocession bill. That is why all of my fornia (Ms. WATERS), my friend and the
lief was the Constitution was meant to chair of the Financial Services Com-
hundreds of colleagues across the aisle evolve, that it was a living document.
are going to pretend this is Congress’ mittee.
That is not my impression. That is the Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to
land. This is not. impression and the opinion of the Fed-
The Constitution is clear. If this land support H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C.
eralists. Admission Act, which would end cen-
is given back to Maryland, Maryland
If that were not true, I could not be turies of taxation without representa-
has to accept.
Well, the argument is that Maryland here as a descendant of a slave without tion and make Washington, D.C., the
doesn’t want it back. That is inter- the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. 51st State.
esting. I sat in the Maryland legisla- The distinguished woman couldn’t be And nobody is giving back anything.
ture with my colleague, who is sitting here. She had not the right to vote Washington, D.C., is the home to more
across the aisle right now. If our rep- under the Federalist Papers. Alaska Americans than two States, and more
resentatives from Maryland are so con- and Hawaii, when I was born, were not than 46 percent of its 700,000 residents
cerned about getting voting rights, it States. are Black.
is very simple. Go to their colleagues Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Make no mistake, race underlies
in the Maryland General Assembly, the Constitution can change by amend- every argument against D.C. state-
fully controlled by the Democrats, and ment only. hood, and denying its citizens equal
say: ‘‘Let’s take it back. Let’s give Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the participation and representation is a
those 700,000 people voting rights.’’ gentleman from Alabama (Mr. racial, democratic, and economic injus-
Mr. Speaker, that is the correct ap- BROOKS). tice we cannot tolerate.
proach. Don’t steal this land from Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- It must be acknowledged that the
Maryland. er, I will never vote to give Wash- chance to right these wrongs with to-
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, impor- ington, D.C., separate statehood status. day’s vote would not be possible with-
tant to note that Maryland perma- Washington, D.C., is a city, not a out my good friend, ELEANOR HOLMES
nently ceded the land that now is part State. Its population is roughly one- NORTON. We were both elected at the
seventh that of Alabama. same time, and she has been dogged
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of the District of Columbia. You can’t
get back what you permanently ceded. To add perspective, giving D.C. state- and consistent every single year since
And it is important to note that we hood is the equivalent of giving Jeffer- then in her fight for this bill and D.C.
have had several Members from Mary- son County, Alabama, or the Tennessee statehood.
land speak. Valley separate statehood status. That I am so pleased to join my friend in
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the is nuts. today’s milestone vote, and I am hope-
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. History is in order. The District of ful that ELEANOR’s long effort will fi-
MFUME). Columbia originally was 100 square nally give D.C. the rights they deserve.
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H2540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I The action we are taking today to admit the
have no further speakers. I am pre- reserve the balance of my time. State of Washington, Douglass Common-
pared to close, and I reserve the bal- Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 wealth, as the 51st state of the Union is con-
ance of my time. minute to the gentlewoman from sistent with the authority vested in the Con-
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Michigan (Ms. STEVENS). gress by the Constitution in Article IV, section
minute to the gentleman from North Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank 3, clause 1.
Carolina (Mr. BUTTERFIELD). my esteemed and tireless colleague The Constitution does not specify a min-
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I from the District of Columbia, Con- imum population or acreage test that a state
thank Delegate ELEANOR HOLMES NOR- gresswoman HOLMES NORTON. must meet to gain admission to the Union,
TON for her years of leadership on this In this very Chamber, we have, rather leave the determination to be made in
issue. throughout our Nation’s history, long the sound judgment of the Congress, which
Mr. Speaker, from 1910 through 1970, debated statehood for many lands and admitted Wyoming which has more than
thousands of African Americans from many people, and adding new States we 200,000 fewer persons than the District of Co-
my district, and from your district, Mr. have. lumbia, and Alaska, which had only 224,000
HICE, migrated to Washington, D.C., In 1837, Michigan statehood was persons when it was admitted as a state in
seeking employment and better oppor- passed by Congress as the 26th State 1959.
tunities than existed in the segregated and signed by President Jackson, who Mr. Speaker, in doing passing this legisla-
South. They work and worship, and proudly stated Michigan was ‘‘admit- tion, we remove a stain that has blighted our
they pay their taxes. They own and op- ted into the Union on an equal footing nation for more than 200 years.
erate businesses here in D.C. They with the original States in all re- I thank Congresswoman ELEANOR HOLMES
teach in the public schools. They are spects.’’ NORTON, my colleague and the representative
Capitol Police. They clean our offices. In 1959, as we added Hawaii to the of the 706,000 residents of the District of Co-
I know very well that some of Ms. Union, the Secretary of the Interior de- lumbia, for her tireless and relentless efforts in
HOLMES NORTON’s ancestors originated clared: ‘‘The great statehood of Hawaii shepherding this legislation to the floor today.
in my congressional district. will be granted and prove to the world Mr. Speaker, in his famous 1857 oration in
Mr. Speaker, D.C. residents pay the . . . that we practice what we preach.’’ Candaigua, New York, the great abolitionist,
highest per capita Federal income Now, as we add Washington, D.C., and Frederick Douglass, said: ‘‘If there is no strug-
taxes in the country. They pay more recognize the over 700,000 people, hun- gle there is no progress. Those who profess to
Federal taxes than residents of 22 dreds of thousands of Federal tax- favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are
States. It is a grave injustice that they paying people, to this Union, we reaf- men who want crops without plowing up the
don’t have representation in this body. firm, we restore, and we continue to ground; they want rain without thunder and
It is time to say to the citizens of flourish our democracy that manifests lightning. They want the ocean without the
this city that they, too, are American to promote the general welfare. awful roar of its many waters.’’
citizens and deserve to be part of this Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I
The vote we are about to cast today is long
great Union, with full rights of citizen- reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, may I in- time in coming but shows that struggle can
ship. lead to progress, that truth crushed to earth
What they don’t need to hear on this quire as to how much time I have re-
maining. shall rise again, that justice cannot be denied.
floor today is for Members to say, ‘‘I Today, we vote to end two centuries of
will never vote for D.C. statehood.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
tlewoman from the District of Colum- shame and correct an injustice to the citizens
That is irresponsible. of the District of Columbia.
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I bia has 11⁄2 minutes remaining.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 Mr. Speaker, let us not lose sight of one in-
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 seconds to the gentlewoman from disputable and shameful fact: over 700,000
minute to the gentleman from Georgia Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). people living in the District of Columbia lack
(Mr. JOHNSON). Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I direct voting representation in the House of
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- want to give all acknowledgment to Representatives and Senate.
er, Article IV, Section 3.1, provides the outstanding gentlewoman, ELEA- Specifically, the citizens of the District of
that new States may be admitted by NOR HOLMES NORTON. Columbia pay more in federal taxes than 22
Congress into this Union. There is ab- President Washington said: ‘‘The states and pay more in federal taxes per cap-
solutely no requirement for a constitu- Constitution is the guide which I will ita than any state.
tional amendment. never abandon.’’ Nothing in the Con- The District of Columbia’s population
I was born and raised in Washington, stitution says that we cannot make the (705,000) is larger than the populations of Wy-
D.C., spending my formative years in Washington State the Douglass Com- oming and Vermont, and seven states had
this great domain, and I grew up know- monwealth. Frederick Douglass said populations under one million in the last cen-
ing that my parents paid taxes but had there is no power without struggle. sus.
no voting representation in Congress. The sons and daughters of Wash- The District of Columbia’s annual budget
It was paradoxical that I learned in ington, D.C., laid down their lives for ($15.5 billion) is larger than the budgets of 14
school that the cries of patriots, ‘‘No this country in World Wars. They stand states.
taxation without representation,’’ did for this country in service to this gov- The District of Columbia has a higher per
not apply to the people of this great ernment. Why are we denying them capita personal income and gross domestic
domain. their rights? product than any state.
We obeyed the same laws and paid Alaska has 700,000-plus people. There District of Columbia residents have fought
the same taxes as our fellow Ameri- is no population requirement. Make and died in every American war, including the
cans, but we had no hope in taking part Washington, D.C., a State now. Revolution itself, and almost 200,000 District
in the governance of America. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the residents have served in the military since
I thank the Delegate ELEANOR Committee on the Judiciary, as an original co- World War I alone.
HOLMES NORTON for keeping hope alive. sponsor of the legislation, I rise in strong and Approximately 30,000 veterans live in the
I am here today to say that it is time enthusiastic support of H.R. 51, the ‘‘Wash- District of Columbia, and it should be noted
to end the legal disenfranchisement of ington, D.C. Admission Act,’’ which declares that during the Vietnam War, 243 District resi-
a population larger than the States of the State of Washington, Douglass Common- dents were casualties of war, a casualty figure
Vermont and Wyoming. This vote is wealth, to be a State of the United States of greater than that observed by 10 different
long overdue, and I intend to vote in America, and declares its admission into the states.
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favor of D.C. statehood, and I encour- Union on an equal footing with the other So, Mr. Speaker, it is undisputable that resi-
age my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes.’’ States in all respects whatsoever. dents of the District of Columbia serve in the
Mr. HICE of Georgia. May I inquire George Washington, the nation’s first Chief military, pay billions of dollars in federal taxes
as to how much time I have remaining. Executive, and the President of the Constitu- each year, and assume other responsibilities
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- tional Convention which met in Philadelphia, of U.S. citizenship.
tleman from Georgia has 4 minutes re- said: ‘‘The Constitution is a guide which I will But for over 200 years, the District of Co-
maining. never abandon.’’ lumbia has been denied voting representation
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2541
in Congress—the entity that has ultimate au- b 1045 would consider retroceding the land
thority over all aspects of the city’s legislative, Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I back to Maryland, as has been pro-
executive, and judicial functions. reserve the balance of my time. posed, but that has been rejected over
Mr. Speaker, if a person can be called upon Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 and over. If D.C.’s citizens rejoin Mary-
to pay federal taxes and serve in the armed seconds to the gentleman from Oregon land, they would gain the Senate and
forces of the United States, then he or she (Mr. BLUMENAUER). House representation that supposedly
should at least have the opportunity to vote for Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I is what this bill is after.
a representative who could at least cast a am intrigued listening to my col- But this statehood proposal is about
symbolic vote in this chamber on critical mat- leagues waxing eloquent about the di- politics all dressed up in noble argu-
ters facing our nation. vine creation of the District of Colum- ments about disenfranchising and tax-
Issues like war and peace, equality and jus- ation without representation. It is just
bia. Give me a break. It was old-fash-
tice. a big sham.
And tear-gassing peaceful protestors in La- ioned horse trading between Hamilton,
The Constitution is clear. A new
fayette Square exercising their First Amend- Madison, and Jefferson like the dec-
State can be formed from Federal ter-
ment rights. laration of enslaved people being three-
ritories or from existing States with
Mr. Speaker, taxation with representation is fifths of a person without being able to
their permission. But the current Fed-
tyranny. vote for themselves, just simply power
eral district is not an existing State,
H.R. 51 would create a state from essen- for White people.
nor is it a territory. It is unique, and
tially the eight hometown wards of the District It is time to recognize the reality of
our Framers specifically crafted the
of Columbia and provides that the new state what I think was a corrupt bargain and
Constitution with a maximum size for
would be equal to the other 50 states in all re- give the District of Columbia the state-
the District, so as to prevent it from
spects, and that the residents of the State of hood it deserves.
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I becoming a State.
Washington, D.C. would have all the rights of We have been over this time and
statehood, including voting representation in yield myself the balance of my time.
again, but H.R. 51 changes the clear in-
Congress and full local self-government. Despite the passionate arguments
tentions of our Founders. By making
Under the legislation this new state would that we have heard today regarding
the District a State, we are going ex-
have no jurisdiction over the reduced federal H.R. 51, the plain truth is that Wash-
actly against the intent of our Framers
district, which would consist of the area that ington, D.C.’s status as the Capital of
and the intentions of our Constitution.
Members of Congress and visitors associate the United States is exactly as our
The Framers crafted our Constitution
with the capital of our country: the U.S. Cap- Founders intended.
To be clear, Washington, D.C., is a vi- with the direct intent that we would
itol, the U.S. Supreme Court, the White
brant and special city holding a unique have a unique district, the seat of our
House, the principal federal monuments, and
position in our Nation’s Federal sys- Federal Government that is not influ-
the federal buildings and grounds adjacent to
tem. Our Nation’s Capital does not enced by a State. That is what we
the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol.
It is unconscionable that 700,000 Americans exist within one State, and therefore, have, and that is what we need to keep.
H.R. 51 disregards the Constitution,
are being unconscionably denied a vote and a it is free from the influence of any
voice in the most important legislative body in and we cannot take this lightly. I ask
State. That is exactly the intention of
the world. my colleagues to oppose this bill.
our Constitution and our Founders. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
As a supporter of freedom, democracy, and But not only is the Constitution pro-
equality, I believe that it is long overdue for of my time.
posal going to be a violation of our Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, how
the citizens of the District of Columbia to have Constitution, but practically speaking, much time do I have remaining?
representation in the House and the Senate to D.C. is not prepared financially and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
advocate for their interests on vital matters otherwise as a microstate. tlewoman from the District of Colum-
coming before the Congress of the United Currently, Washington, D.C., only bia has 30 seconds remaining.
States. raises about half of its annual budget Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield
Mr. Speaker, it is wrong that we must be re- through local taxes, despite the fact myself the balance of my time.
minded daily by license plates in the District of that they have some of the highest This bill allows our country to live
Columbia that ‘‘Taxation without representa- taxes in the Nation. This shows a lack up to its claim to be a democracy. We
tion is tyranny.’’ of financial readiness for the responsi- stand out as the only democracy which
The people in Boston felt so strongly about bility of statehood. denies democracy to the residents of
this in 1775 that they rebelled in Boston Har- Congress has already dealt with this its own Capital City.
bor, launching the ‘‘Boston Tea Party.’’ in the past, and D.C.’s financial situa- Our claim to world leadership is
The principle that political authority derives tion, we bailed it out in the 1990s after marred until, with this bill, the resi-
from the consent of the government is no less 20 years of troubled self-rule. dents of our Capital are equal in citi-
applicable when it comes to the District of Co- The majority’s bill does not take into zenship to the citizens of every Member
lumbia. account how these budgetary shortfalls
Let us be clear, there is no dispute that hun- of the House of Representatives.
would be remedied or how the tax- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
dreds of thousands of American citizens re-
payers would be relieved. Statehood of my time.
side in the District of Columbia.
We all agree that universal suffrage is the first, the details later, that is the ma- Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise
hallmark of a democratic regime, of which the jority’s proposal. today in strong support of H.R. 51, the Wash-
In seeking to gain an extra two seats ington, D.C. Admission Act—a bill long over-
United States is the world’s leading exemplar.
None of us believes it is fair that citizens of in the Senate, Democrats would strip due and exceedingly necessary.
the District of Columbia pay federal taxes, risk this great historic city of its special This is a measure that I have supported
life and limb fighting wars abroad to protect status and make it a shell state. The since my inaugural term in the House of Rep-
American democracy and extend the blessings Democrat’s statehood proposal leaves resentatives, 27 years ago, when I cospon-
of liberty to people living in foreign lands. us with a State in name only, and a sored Representative HOLMES NORTON’s sec-
In short, there is no moral reason to deny tiny remnant of a Federal district. ond-ever statehood bill. Her continued leader-
the citizens of the District of Columbia admis- This is far from the intent of our ship and tenacity on this issue as the Dele-
sion as a state in the United States and the Founding Fathers. gate from Washington, D.C. is nothing short of
right to full representation in Congress. We live in a federation, a federation extraordinary, and it is because of her efforts
The only question is whether Congress has of States. I would say there is no one that today we vote on a statehood bill for the
who is a greater supporter of States’ first time in almost three decades.
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the will and the constitutional authority to do
so. rights than I am, but because I believe For too long, the over-700,000 residents of
Congress has always had the constitutional in States’ rights, I cannot support this the District of Columbia been denied voting
authority but for much of the last 200 years, it city becoming a State. representation while still paying taxes, serving
has not had the will. D.C. is simply not equipped to shoul- in our military, and adhering to federal laws.
Let us change that, beginning today with our der the burden of statehood. If Demo- Think of that—here, in the greatest legislative
vote to pass H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. crats were serious about granting rep- and deliberative body in the world, we rou-
Admission Act. resentation to the citizens of D.C., they tinely prevent hundreds of thousands of our
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H2542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
citizens, half of which are African American, MOTION TO RECOMMIT terms and conditions in effect as of the date
from having their voices heard. The admission Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have a of admission.
motion to recommit at the desk. Page 6, line 18, strike ‘‘The President’’ and
of D.C. as a state and redesignation as the
insert ‘‘Subject to subsections (c) and (d),
Douglass Commonwealth will not only extend The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the the President’’.
rights and liberties to its residents but, in doing gentleman opposed to the bill? Page 7, insert after line 2 the following:
so, honor the memory of the iconic abolitionist Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I am op- (c) REVISIONS TO STATE CONSTITUTION.—The
and D.C. native Frederick Douglass. posed to the bill in its current form. President may not issue the proclamation
Mr. Speaker, as over half of the Members of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The under subsection (a) until the Mayor pro-
the House of Representatives are already co- Clerk will report the motion to recom- vides the President with a written certifi-
mit. cation that the District of Columbia has
sponsoring H.R. 51, I do not doubt that it will adopted each of the following amendments
pass. I urge those remaining who have not co- The Clerk read as follows: to the State Constitution:
sponsored this bill to stand on the right side of Mr. Keller moves to recommit the bill H.R. (1) RIGHT TO CONCEALED CARRY.—An amend-
history and support this bill. 51 to the Committee on Oversight and Re- ment that prohibits the State from requiring
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise form with instructions to report the same a fee or assessment in order to carry a con-
today in support of D.C. statehood. Today’s back to the House forthwith with the fol- cealed firearm in the State.
lowing amendments: (2) SANCTUARY CITY STATUS.—An amend-
affirmative vote in the House of Representa- Page 3, insert before line 1 the following:
tives to admit the State of Washington, Doug- ment that prohibits the State from having in
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. effect a statute, ordinance, policy, or prac-
lass Commonwealth as the 51st state in the Congress finds the following: tice that prohibits or restricts any govern-
Union is long overdue for the more than (1) The admission of Washington, Douglass ment entity or official from—
700,000 disenfranchised American citizens Commonwealth as a State under this Act re- (A) sending, receiving, maintaining, or ex-
who currently live in the District of Columbia. quires the President to issue a proclamation changing with any Federal, State, or local
This is the first time a chamber of Congress prior to the new State’s admission to the government entity information regarding
has voted to approve D.C. statehood. I have Union. the citizenship or immigration status (lawful
long been a proponent of D.C. statehood and (2) To assure the interests of the rest of the or unlawful) of any individual; or
was the only member of the Virginia delega- Nation that up until now have had shared (B) complying with a request lawfully
ownership of the Nation’s capital through made by the Department of Homeland Secu-
tion to vote for D.C. statehood the last time it their representation in Congress, this Act re- rity under section 236 or 287 of the Immigra-
came before the House in 1993. And during quires the constitution of the new State of tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1226 and
my service as a member of the Virginia House Washington, Douglass Commonwealth to 1357) to comply with a detainer for, or notify
of Delegates, I introduced the resolution for contain certain provisions before the Presi- about the release of, an individual.
Virginia to ratify the Constitutional Amendment dent issues a proclamation recognizing it as (3) AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL PLANNING COM-
to grant full Congressional voting rights to the a new State in the Union. MISSIONS.—An amendment prohibiting the
District of Columbia. Unfortunately, neither my (3) This Act provides as a precondition of laws of the State or members of executive of-
resolution nor the Constitutional Amendment admission that the new State require in its fices of the State from acting to alter or af-
were ultimately successful. State constitution that the State does not fect any of the authorities of Federal plan-
Today’s vote marks a historic victory for the require a fee or assessment in order to carry ning commissions, including the National
a concealed firearm in the state. Capital Planning Commission, the Commis-
indefatigable advocates for statehood includ- (4) This Act provides as a precondition of sion of Fine Arts, or the National Capital
ing my colleague, Congresswoman ELEANOR admission that the new State prohibit in its Memorial Advisory Commission, as such au-
HOLMES NORTON, who has been a tireless ad- State constitution any statute, ordinance, thorities are amended by section 324 of this
vocate for the disenfranchised citizens of our policy or practice that prohibits or restricts Act.
nation’s capital. Supporting D.C. statehood is any government entity or official from en- (4) PROHIBITING DESTRUCTION OF FEDERAL
about our nation’s core constitutional prin- forcing national immigration laws. PROPERTY AND MILITARY MEMORIALS.—An
ciples of self-determination, opposition to tax- (5) This Act provides as a precondition of amendment requiring the State to enact and
ation without representation, and giving an admission that the new State prohibit in its enforce laws to prohibit the destruction or
State constitution, in order to protect the the attempted destruction of any property of
equal voice to all Americans regardless of
history and integrity of so many of the Na- the United States within the State and laws
where they live. I hope my Republican col- tion’s monuments and landmarks that will to prohibit the destruction or the attempted
leagues in the Senate put aside politics and exist within the boundaries of the new state destruction of any structure, plaque, statue,
pass this bill and finally end the historic injus- of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, or other monument on public property with-
tice that has persisted for more than 200 any law that alters or affects any of the au- in the State commemorating the service of
years for the people of Washington, D.C. thorities of Federal planning commissions. any person or persons in the armed forces of
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I (6) This Act provides as a precondition of the United States.
rise today in support of H.R. 51—the Wash- admission that the new State require in its (5) PROHIBITING SECESSION FROM STATE OR
ington, D.C. Admission Act—introduced by my State constitution that the State enact and OBSTRUCTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.—
colleague, Del. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON. enforce laws to prohibit the destruction of An amendment requiring the State—
any property of the United States within the (A) to enact and enforce laws to subject
This bill would not only establish the District of
State and laws to prohibit the destruction of any person who incites, sets on foot, assists,
Columbia (‘‘D.C.’’) as the 51st state of the any military memorials within the State. or engages in any rebellion, secession at-
United States, but it would also grant long (7) This Act provides as a precondition of tempt or claim, or insurrection against the
overdue voting representation at the federal admission that the new State require in its authority of the State or the laws thereof, or
level to the residents of D.C. State constitution that the State enact and gives aid or comfort thereto, to a fine or a
I remain committed to the principles this enforce laws to prohibit secession from the term of imprisonment of not less than 10
country boasts: democracy and representa- State or the obstruction of law enforcement years, or both, and to prohibit any such per-
tion. Since 1801, the residents of D.C. have officers. son from holding any public office in the
been denied federal representation. They pay (8) This Act provides as a precondition of State; and
their taxes and have fought and died in every admission that the new State prohibit in its (B) to enact and enforce laws to make it a
State constitution any use of State taxpayer felony to obstruct a law enforcement officer,
American war, yet those armed service mem- funds for campaign activity for public office. and to provide that a person commits such a
bers and their families are deprived of the (9) This Act provides as a precondition of felony if the person willfully hinders, delays,
freedoms they have fought to protect. State- admission that— or obstructs any law enforcement officer in
hood is the only remedy that provides full rep- (A) the new State require in its State con- the discharge of his or her official powers or
resentation in Congress for the residents of stitution that the new State ensures dedi- duties.
Washington, D.C. cated and priority funding for law enforce- (6) PROHIBITING USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDING
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time ment and public safety; and FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.—An amendment
for debate has expired. (B) the Mayor provides a certification to requiring the State to enact and enforce laws
Pursuant to House Resolution 1017, the President that the District of Columbia that prohibit any revenue collected (or oth-
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has enacted laws providing for adequate and erwise generated or procured) by the State
the previous question is ordered on the
permanent funding of law enforcement and from being used to finance, directly or indi-
bill, as amended. public safety. rectly, any candidate, or candidate com-
The question is on the engrossment (10) This Act provides as a precondition of mittee supporting a campaign, for election
and third reading of the bill. admission that the new State require in the for public office.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed State constitution that the State will con- (7) REQUIRING DEDICATED AND PRIORITY
and read a third time, and was read the tinue to participate in the Scholarships for FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC
third time. Opportunity and Results program under the SAFETY.—To protect the life, property, and
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June 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2543
welfare of the citizens of the State and visi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there status of Washington, D.C. House Re-
tors from other jurisdictions by ensuring the objection to the request of the gen- publicans do not support deviation
adequate and continued funding of law en- tleman from Pennsylvania? from their vision.
forcement and public safety agencies—
There was no objection. However, if the Democrats insist on
(A) an amendment requiring the State
Chief Financial Officer, or the equivalent
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- creating this new State, it is only fair
State official, to appropriately prioritize law ant to the rule, the gentleman from that it be established as a State with
enforcement and public safety in the State Pennsylvania is recognized for 5 min- policy values that more closely reflect
budget and in the administration of the utes in support of his motion. the rest of the country.
State’s cash management and payroll oper- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to I urge my colleagues to vote in favor
ations; and talk about how for over 200 years law- of this motion to recommit, and I yield
(B) an amendment prioritizing access to makers have come from every State in back the balance of my time.
the State budget emergency and contingency the Union to work and live in this Dis- Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I claim
reserve funds, or their equivalents, to assure
trict. the time in opposition to the motion to
uninterrupted spending to cover the oper-
ational expenses related to law enforcement The city was not meant to be a prize recommit.
and public safety. of conquest like the ancient walled cit- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
(8) PARTICIPATION IN OPPORTUNITY SCHOLAR- ies of Europe. It was not meant to be tleman from Maryland is recognized
SHIP PROGRAM.—An amendment requiring the the hub of trade like the early Amer- for 5 minutes.
State to continue to participate in the ican cities. Above anything, it was Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I urge all
Scholarships for Opportunity and Results meant to represent a center of the fed- of my colleagues to reject this weak
program under the terms and conditions in eration created by our Constitution. and unconstitutional motion to recom-
effect as of the date of admission. The city is tied to the idea of the mit.
(d) BUDGET CERTIFICATION FOR FUNDING OF
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.—The American Republic, a living piece of The motion proposes to condition the
President may not issue the proclamation collaboration, the star on the map rep- admission of Washington, Douglass
under subsection (a) until the Mayor pro- resenting the 50 stars on the flag. Commonwealth on either the imposi-
vides the President with a written certifi- With the creation of a 51st State of tion of the whimsical policy pref-
cation that the District of Columbia has en- Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, erences of the minority or simply banal
acted laws sufficient to provide for a dedi- a State the size of a small county, that restatements that the State will follow
cated source of locally-raised revenue to pro-
collaboration will be gone. The major- Federal law, which, obviously, it must
vide adequate and permanent funding for law
enforcement and public safety agencies to ity believes it is a small price to pay do already under the Supremacy Clause
enforce the laws of the State and protect the for two Senators. of the Constitution. All of the States
life, property, and welfare of the citizens of Republicans need assurances that the must.
the State and visitors from other jurisdic- interests of our constituents will be re- But the paradigm example here, and
tions. flected in this new State that will have the thing that really appears to be
Page 85, line 10, strike ‘‘shall apply as fol- undue influence over the Nation’s Fed- really on their mind, and I am glad we
lows:’’ and all that follows through line 24
and insert ‘‘shall apply with respect to the
eral Government. at least have boiled it down to this
State of Washington, Douglass Common- So, my motion contains reasonable issue, is they want to make sure that
wealth and the Capital in the same manner additions to H.R. 51 that will require the new State doesn’t come in without
and to the same extent as such chapter ap- the President to ensure certain amend- an amendment written by the people of
plied with respect to the District of Colum- ments to the State constitution are in- Washington, D.C., saying that they will
bia as of the day before the date of the ad- corporated before granting statehood. not charge people a fee for carrying a
mission of the State into the Union’’. These provisions reflect the entirety of concealed weapon.
Page 86, line 6, strike ‘‘four citizens’’ and
insert ‘‘five citizens’’. the Nation’s views, not just those of Now, that is not in the U.S. Constitu-
Page 86, line 11, strike ‘‘four citizen mem- cities controlled by Democrats. tion, and it is not a matter of Federal
bers’’ and insert ‘‘five citizen members’’. There is provision that prohibits the law obligating the 50 States to do it, so
Page 87, line 2, strike ‘‘means the’’ and in- former capital from being a sanctuary you cannot selectively impose that on
sert ‘‘means the State of Washington, Doug- city. These are provisions that prohibit the new State of Washington, D.C.
lass Commonwealth, the’’. taxpayer funds being used for political That is the equal footing doctrine,
Page 87, line 10, strike ‘‘and the State of
Washington, Douglass Commonwealth’’. campaigns. These are provisions to pro- which the Supreme Court has empha-
Page 87, line 13, strike ‘‘LIMITING APPLICA- tect Americans’ Second Amendment sized repeatedly throughout our his-
TION TO THE CAPITAL’’ and insert ‘‘CLARIFYING rights. These are provisions that pro- tory, that every new State that we
APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL CAPITAL’’. vide full funding for law enforcement, have granted admission to since the
Page 87, line 20, strike ‘‘the term ‘Capital’ that prohibit the destruction of our na- original 13, all 37 have entered on the
means’’ and insert ‘‘the term ‘National Cap-
ital’ means’’.
tional monuments, that prohibit the exact same plane of political and con-
Page 88, line 3, strike ‘‘Capital’’ and insert creation of so-called autonomous stitutional equality as the original 13.
‘‘National Capital’’. zones. So, they want to impose their var-
Page 88, line 5, strike ‘‘LIMITING APPLICA- Since early entry of new States into ious policy preferences on different
TION TO CAPITAL’’ and insert ‘‘CLARIFYING AP- the Union, Congress has required that things, like concealed carry weapons
PLICATION TO NATIONAL CAPITAL’’. constitutions of the new States reflect and so on.
Page 88, line 9, strike ‘‘LIMITING APPLICA-
TION TO CAPITAL’’ and insert ‘‘CLARIFYING AP-
certain considerations before granting If you want to do that, then try to
PLICATION TO NATIONAL CAPITAL’’. admission. Nevada and West Virginia pass it for the entire country, and it
Page 88, line 14, strike ‘‘CAPITAL’’ and in- were required to prohibit slavery. Var- would apply within the new State, as
sert ‘‘NATIONAL CAPITAL’’. In the matter pro- ious Western States were required to well. I don’t think you can do it con-
posed to be amended by paragraph (2) of sec- prohibit polygamy. stitutionally, but that is a separate
tion 324(c), insert ‘‘National’’ before ‘‘Cap- These requests do not violate the Su- matter. Or, resign your seat from wher-
ital’’ each place it appears in the heading
preme Court’s equal footing doctrine, ever you happen to be from. If you are
and the text of the new paragraph (2) of sec-
tion 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code. but the idea of the State of Wash- from Georgia, resign your seat in Geor-
Page 88, line 15, strike ‘‘Capital’’ and insert ington, Douglass Commonwealth con- gia, move to the new State, and then
‘‘National Capital’’. taining wholly within it the entirety of campaign as a Member of Congress
Page 89, line 6, strike ‘‘Capital’’ and insert the Federal Capital does, in fact, vio- from here or campaign for Governor or
‘‘National Capital’’. late this doctrine. State legislator in the new State and
Page 89, line 12, strike ‘‘Capital’’ and insert
A State with a controlling influence get them to change their law because
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‘‘National Capital’’.
Page 89, line 23, strike ‘‘urban fabric of’’ over the Nation’s Federal Government that is a matter of local policy.
and insert ‘‘urban fabric of the State of and Capital is simply not on equal foot- I would think that the great cham-
Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and ing with the other 50 States. It is above pions of federalism and State rights
the’’. them. would want to allow every State to
Mr. KELLER (during the reading). A vote for the majority’s design for make a decision for itself.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent D.C. statehood is a vote for D.C.’s supe- Mr. Speaker, a number of things have
to dispense with the reading. riority. The Founders recognized the been said that need to be corrected.
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H2544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2020
For one thing, the gentleman from Fairfax county were given back to Vir- may have 5 legislative days in which to
Texas (Mr. ROY) said that we should ginia, and it was perfectly constitu- revise and extend their remarks and in-
legislate for the real Americans, and he tional. And there is no legal authority clude extraneous material on the meas-
is going to speak for the real Ameri- to the contrary in any way. ure under consideration.
cans, not the people who live in Wash- If we can modify the boundaries of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
ington. I would hope he would reflect the Federal District to placate a couple objection to the request of the gen-
on that and issue an apology to the hundred slave masters from the 19th tleman from Florida?
people of Washington, D.C. century, we can modify the boundaries There was no objection.
But it seemed that the logic of the of the Federal District to grant state- Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I yield
argument was that the only people who hood and political equality for the peo- myself such time as I may consume.
live here are Federal employees, and ple of Washington, D.C. Madam Speaker, on June 12, 2016, a
they are different from the rest of Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance gunman shot and killed 49 people and
America. of my time. injured 53 others in the Pulse nightclub
Now, think about that for a second. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without shooting in Orlando, Florida. It was
In the first place, the overwhelming objection, the previous question is or- the single deadliest known violent at-
majority of Federal employees do not dered on the motion to recommit. tack on the LGBTQ community, the
live in Washington, D.C. As far as I There was no objection. deadliest violent attack in America at
could tell, less than 8 percent of Fed- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that time, and an attack on our Latino
eral employees live in Washington, question is on the motion to recommit. community, our African-American
D.C., which means 92 percent of them The question was taken; and the communities, and so many others.
live in our States in the rest of Amer- Speaker pro tempore announced that After this tragedy, our city came to-
ica. the noes appeared to have it. gether. Doctors, first responders, and
Should those people be disenfran- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, on that I friends rushed to save the wounded;
chised? Should people who work for the demand the yeas and nays. others donated funds, supplies, even
post office lose their right to represen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- their blood. Countless works of art,
tation in Congress? Should members of ant to section 3 of House Resolution gifts, and letters were left at im-
the Armed Forces be disenfranchised? 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. promptu memorial sites paying tribute
The Supreme Court already said no in Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- to the victims and survivors.
Carrington v. Rash. Check it out. ther proceedings on this question will We came together in candlelight vig-
So, the overwhelming majority of ils across the globe to grieve and re-
be postponed.
Federal employees don’t live in D.C., member. We became truly Orlando
and the overwhelming majority of peo- f
Strong in the face of adversity for the
ple who live in Washington, D.C., and ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER whole world to see.
are the constituents of Representative PRO TEMPORE As we continue to honor 49 angels, we
NORTON are not Federal employees. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. remind the world that love will always
They do other things. MURPHY of Florida). Pursuant to clause conquer hate in the end. The designa-
Yes, they are real Americans, too. tion of the Pulse nightclub as a na-
8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone
They are bus drivers. They are school- tional memorial honors the lives
teachers. They are businesspeople and further proceedings today on motions
to suspend the rules on which the yeas taken, as well as the survivors, first re-
entrepreneurs. I mean, come on, get sponders, and an entire central Florida
real, be serious, get out and meet the and nays are ordered.
The House will resume proceedings community. Together, we will open
people in Washington. minds and hearts and make the Pulse
The gentleman from Georgia said on postponed questions at a later time.
f Memorial a national symbol of hope,
Washington, D.C., was set aside in the
Constitution as a Federal district, and love, and change.
NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL I thank my Orlando area colleagues,
that was echoed by the former judge
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I move Congresswoman VAL DEMINGS and Con-
from Texas. But here, our friends just
to suspend the rules and pass the bill gresswoman STEPHANIE MURPHY, for
advertised their unfamiliarity both
with the Constitution and with Amer- (H.R. 3094) to designate the National joining me in leading this important
ican history. Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South bipartisan legislation.
The Constitution does not fix the ge- Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
ographic site of the so-called seat of and for other purposes, as amended. ance of my time.
The Clerk read the title of the bill. Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I
government, the district that is set
aside for the seat of government. That The text of the bill is as follows: yield myself such time as I may con-
is why after the Constitution was H.R. 3094 sume.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup-
adopted, the capital was in New York
resentatives of the United States of America in port of H.R. 3094, offered by our col-
for a while. It was in Philadelphia for a
Congress assembled, league from Florida (Mr. SOTO).
while. Before that, it was in Trenton, A little over 4 years ago, on June 12,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL PULSE
New Jersey. It was in Princeton. It was MEMORIAL. 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,
in Annapolis. We have a whole room in (a) IN GENERAL.—The Pulse Memorial located Florida, became the scene of the worst
Annapolis set aside for where Congress at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, terrorist attack on American soil since
met. 32806, is designated as the ‘‘National Pulse Me-
So the idea that you can look up the September 11, 2001.
morial’’. Forty-nine Americans died and 53
Constitution and see the boundaries or (b) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.—The national
were injured that terrible night at the
the map of Washington, D.C., is just memorial designated by this section is not a unit
of the National Park System and the designa- hands of an ISIS-inspired coward who
absurd.
Now, does Congress have the author- tion of the National Pulse Memorial shall not turned on the very country where his
ity to modify the boundaries of the require or permit Federal funds to be expended parents had sought refuge from the vio-
Federal district as proposed by Ms. for any purpose related to that national memo- lence in Afghanistan. Instead of grati-
rial. tude, he unleashed hatred and violence
NORTON? Of course it does. We voted to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- upon this country that had sheltered
do that in 1846 at the behest of a couple
ant to the rule, the gentleman from his family and made it possible for him
hundred slaveholders in Virginia who
Florida (Mr. SOTO) and the gentleman to be born into a land of freedom and
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were afraid that this Congress would
from California (Mr. MCCLINTOCK) each opportunity.
follow the advice of Representative
will control 20 minutes. The poisonous political ideology that
Lincoln from Illinois, who said abolish
The Chair recognizes the gentleman infected and animated him in his at-
the slave traffic in Washington, D.C.
from Florida. tack—and to which he pledged alle-
b 1100 GENERAL LEAVE giance just before the attack—is a fa-
And they were afraid it was going to Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I ask miliar nemesis to the founding prin-
happen, so Alexandria, Arlington, and unanimous consent that all Members ciples of our country.
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