[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION DISTRICT OF 
                         COLUMBIA HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 1, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the National Capital 
Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would 
remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission 
(NCPC), a federal agency, to review or approve the development of 
District of Columbia-owned real property. This bill would also remove 
the requirement that the D.C. Mayor get NCPC's approval before selling 
D.C.-owned real property and allow D.C. agencies to transfer 
jurisdiction over D.C.-owned real property among themselves without 
NCPC's approval.
  Under federal law, NCPC has approval authority for the development of 
D.C.-owned buildings located in the ``central area,'' including the 
location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of such buildings. 
D.C. is required to consult with NCPC on D.C.-owned buildings outside 
the central area, but NCPC has only advisory authority in those areas. 
The central area is defined by the concurrent action of NCPC and the 
D.C. Council and currently consists of the Downtown and Shaw Urban 
Renewal Areas.
  NCPC's authority over D.C.-owned real property is unnecessary, as 
demonstrated by the virtual absence of its use to disapprove sales or 
development, and violates D.C. home rule. The federal government should 
not be able to slow or block the development of D.C.-owned real 
property or add to the cost of development.
  This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.

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