With GOP running Capitol Hill, Democrat lawmaker proposes end to congressional oversight of D.C.

With Republicans poised to take control of the House and Senate, a House Democratic congresswoman is trying to revive legislation to end congressional oversight of the District of Columbia's government.

The congresswoman, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, says congressional oversight of the capital city's government is rarely used and is too bureaucratic and "onerous." 

"The congressional review period for D.C. bills is onerous for the District, and rarely even used by Congress, causing D.C. bills to be unnecessarily ensnared in congressional bureaucracy for months," Norton, who as an elected delegate from the District, which is not a state, cannot a cast final vote on a measure, said last week.

Congress' "plenary legislative authority" over that district written in the Constitution. But a review of any laws passes can take as many 60 legislative days. 

"The review period is costly for DC, rarely used by Congress, and causes DC bills to be unnecessarily delayed for months," Norton wrote on the social media platform, X.

To be sure, Congress has rarely intervened in the workings of the long-time Democrat-led D.C. City Council and mayor's office. 

But in 2023, members of Congress so opposed a D.C. law they considered too soft on crime that the GOP-led House, then the Democrat-led Senate each passed a bipartisan measure, promptly signed by President Biden, to block it. 

The move marked the first time in over 30 years that Congress passed such a resolution regarding D.C. law. 

"What we've got is a D.C. city council that seems to be completely bent on achieving some sort of woke messaging on criminal justice reform, as opposed to worrying about the safety and security of people who come to visit and those who reside in this city," Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told NPR.

GOP President-elect Donald Trump recently met with D.C. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser in an attempt to find common ground for improving the city when Trump takes office Jan. 20. 

“We discussed areas for collaboration between local and federal government, especially around our federal workforce, underutilized federal buildings, parks and green spaces, and infrastructure," Bowser said in a statement. "I am optimistic that we will continue to find common ground with the President during his second term, and we look forward to supporting a successful inauguration.”