[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOME 
                                RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduced the Commission of Fine 
Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would prohibit the 
Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) from exercising authority over non-
federal property in the District of Columbia.
  Under presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, the CFA 
has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as for 
certain private land in D.C. Under the relevant EOs, CFA has review 
authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the 
Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private 
buildings in the District ``adjacent to public buildings and grounds of 
major importance,'' such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. 
Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the 
design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as 
``Old Georgetown'' in the act. The members of the CFA are appointed by 
the President.
  The federal government, including the CFA, has no business in local 
land-use policies and decisions unrelated to the federal presence. Not 
only is the federal government's authority over D.C. buildings and 
private property anti-democratic, it also delays and increases the cost 
of public and private development in the District.
  This is an important step to increase home rule for the District, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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