Hearing Hearing Date: May 12, 2016 2:00 pm 2154 Rayburn HOB

D.C. Home Rule: Examining the Intent of Congress in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973

Subject: D.C. Home Rule: Examining the Intent of Congress in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973
Date: May 12, 2016
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: 2154 Rayburn HOB

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the intent of Congress in passing the District of Columbia (DC) Home Rule Act of 1973.
To understand potential repercussions for the District if the Budget Autonomy Act is implemented.

BACKGROUND:

The DC Home Rule Act provides for a limited delegation of local legislative powers to the DC government.
- Congress retained its constitutional authority as the supreme legislative body, as well as control over the appropriations and budgetary processes for the District.
In December 2012, the DC Council passed the Budget Autonomy Act, to amend the Home Rule Act by removing the District’s local funds from the Congressional appropriations process.
Litigation initiated in 2015 by a private DC citizen challenging the legality of the Budget Autonomy Act is ongoing.

Witnesses and testimonies: Ms. Edda Emmanuelli Perez

Managing Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
U.S. Government Accountability Office

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Mr. Jacques DePuy

Partner (Retired), Greenstein Delorme and Luchs, P.C., Former Counsel (1971-1974)
Subcommittee on Government Operations and Reorganization

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Mr. Philip H. Mendelson

Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia

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Mr. Irvin B. Nathan

Senior Counsel, Arnold & Porter, Former Attorney General
District of Columbia

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Mr. Brian Netter

Partner
Mayer Brown

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