Press Release: Norton Gets House Rules Changes for D.C. in 117th Congress

News Release — Executive Office of the Mayor

January 2, 2020

Contact: Sharon Eliza Nichols

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the proposed rules for the House in the 117^th Congress, which starts tomorrow, include changes that she sought for the District of Columbia.  The changes will give the D.C. mayor House floor privileges, which governors of the states and territories already have, and remove a pre-home-rule rule that set aside special days for D.C. legislation on the House floor. Even though this rule was no longer being used, Norton objected to having special days set aside for D.C. legislation instead of having D.C. be treated in the same way as states. The House will vote on the rules on January 4, 2020. Norton thanked Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA) for making these changes.

“Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the 117^th Congress and, with these important rules changes, a step toward statehood and equal treatment for the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “I’ve introduced legislation to change the mayor of D.C.’s title to governor, and now the mayor will be able to come on the House floor, just like governors of states and territories. Thank you, Speaker Pelosi and Chairman McGovern, for being champions of D.C. statehood and equality and making these changes. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 117^th Congress.”

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