[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CLARIFYING CONGRESSIONAL INTENT IN PROVIDING FOR DC HOME RULE ACT OF 
                                  2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2016

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ardently oppose H.R. 5233, 
wrongfully entitled the ``Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing 
for DC Home Rule Act of 2016.'' H.R. 5233 seeks to repeal a District of 
Columbia referendum, approved by a super-majority of D.C. residents, 83 
percent, to allow the local D.C. government to implement its own local 
budget. To be clear, implement its own local budget after a 30-day 
congressional review period. This legislation does not preserve the 
authority of Congress, the 30-day congressional review period already 
does that, rather it subjects the local D.C. government to the arduous 
appropriations process to use tax dollars from its own residents.
  Why, Mr. Speaker, would we choose to overturn the will of the local 
D.C. electorate to spend their tax dollars as they choose? Optically, 
it does not look right. Substantively, it is not right, and, 
legislatively, we are on the wrong track.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5233 is a move in the wrong direction 
away from granting the residents of D.C. increased self-determination 
and home-rule.

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