[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 206 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 
                          OFFICE HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of 
Columbia Government Accountability Office Home Rule Act. This bill 
would repeal the authority of the U.S. Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) over the District of Columbia.
  GAO, a federal agency that conducts investigations and audits for 
Congress, has the same authority over D.C. that it has over federal 
agencies. GAO's authorizing statute defines D.C. as a federal agency. 
In addition, GAO's authorizing statute and the D.C. Home Rule Act 
require GAO to engage in specific types of oversight of D.C.
  D.C. is not a federal agency, and it should never be treated as such. 
The District already has a locally appointed auditor and inspector 
general, so GAO's authority over D.C. is both redundant and offensive. 
GAO does not have general authority over states and cities, and 
therefore should not have such authority over D.C.
  This is an important step to increase home rule for the District and 
does not require statehood. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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