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Press Release Published: May 25, 2016

House Passes Bill Clarifying Congressional Intent of DC Home Rule Act

Legislation spearheaded by Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5233, the Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing for DC Home Rule Act of 2016, sponsored by Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC). The bill explicitly repeals the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 to ensure continued congressional involvement in the District’s budget process and prevents future attempts by the District to unilaterally alter the budget process.

H.R. 5233 was passed out of Committee in a May 17 markup.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 5233 earlier today:

“I also want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Meadows, for introducing H.R. 5233, the Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing for DC Home Rule Act of 2016 and his leadership on this issue. …

“Today’s legislation clarifies the original intent behind the Home Rule Act and reinforces the intent of Congress, our Founding Fathers, and the Constitution. Importantly, the language of the Home Rule Act makes clear it’s not authorizing the District authority over its budget. …

“H.R. 5233 will make clear the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 is not legally valid and will ensure the congressional intent behind the Home Rule Act is preserved. It will also prevent a potential violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, protecting District government employees from administrative and criminal penalties.

“Ultimately, unilateral action, as taken by the District in this instance, to subsume congressional authority is unacceptable. H.R. 5233 recognizes this need for exclusive congressional authority and stewardship. …”

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