[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO PERMIT COMMERCIAL FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ON 
                    THE GROUNDS OF THE U.S. CAPITOL

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2022

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that would 
permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. 
Capitol Complex, beyond east of Union Square, the only area where such 
filming and photography is currently authorized. This bill would allow 
commercial filming and photography outside of the Capitol and 
congressional office buildings by permit, so long as neither the House 
nor Senate is in session. In many countries, freedom of expression is 
limited, and while the January 6th insurrection was one of the greatest 
threats to American democracy in history, the Capitol and the United 
States remain beacons of democracy for the world. We should encourage 
commercial filming and photography at the Capitol to share this symbol 
of democracy with the world. Movies and television shows that involve 
the Capitol should not have to go to other cities or use fake capitol 
buildings for filming.
  The current policy allowing commercial filming and photography near 
the U.S. Botanic Garden shows that the Capitol Police can handle 
commercial filming and photography at the Capitol Complex, especially 
when Congress is not in session. However, that vantage point captures 
the least familiar view of the Capitol. Preventing commercial 
filmmakers and photographers from shooting in front of the Capitol is 
neither business-friendly nor true to the nation's democratic 
traditions. Encouraging commercial filming and photography at the 
Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around 
the world.
  There is no good reason why commercial filming and photography should 
be confined to Union Square. Specifically, my bill would give the 
Capitol Police complete discretion to issue a permit for commercial 
filming and photography at the Capitol Complex under the same terms and 
conditions as those for commercial filming and photography in Union 
Square. No policy or security reasons exist to justify limiting 
commercial filming and photography at the Capitol Complex to only one 
location, Union Square, especially considering that permits are 
necessary. Visitors are regularly seen on East Capitol Street (east of 
2nd Street) taking pictures, where they get a full view of the Capitol, 
demonstrating the arbitrary nature of limiting commercial filming and 
photography to Union Square.
  This bill would provide the Capitol Police authority to charge fees 
to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol from permit 
approval. The fees would be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account, 
which was established to accept fees collected for commercial filming 
and photography permits for Union Square. Amounts in the Capitol Trust 
Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for 
maintenance, improvements and projects the Architect of the Capitol 
considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations 
Committees.
  Views of the Capitol are among America's most iconic. Limiting 
commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle 
for telling the nation's story, does not serve the American people. 
Indeed, most of the world reveres our system of government largely 
through commercial films and photos of the Capitol, a symbol of our 
democracy at work. Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the 
seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modem vehicles for telling 
the nation's story and showcasing its democratic system of government. 
Republicans and Democrats alike revere the image of the Capitol as a 
symbol of democracy. My bill would enable appropriate, permitted 
commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, and would create 
economic benefits for the nation, the District of Columbia and private 
businesses.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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