[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 140 (Tuesday, August 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E801-E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL OF 
                            LEGISLATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 29, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce the District of 
Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act, which would permit 
the Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit 
legislation to Congress in the form of the Chair's choosing, including 
electronic form. This bill would bring the congressional review process 
for legislation enacted by D.C. into the electronic age. Last Congress, 
the Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill.
  While I do not believe there should be a congressional review process 
for D.C. legislation--and I have introduced a bill to eliminate the 
review process--this bill would not change the review process, except 
that it would give D.C. flexibility in the form it transmits 
legislation to Congress. This bill's only purpose is to reduce 
administrative burdens on D.C. and Congress.
  The D.C. Home Rule Act requires the Chair of the D.C. Council to 
transmit legislation to

[[Page E802]]

Congress for a review period. The legislation takes effect upon the 
expiration of the review period, unless a resolution of disapproval is 
enacted into law during the review period. The Home Rule Act is silent 
on the form of transmittal, but Congress has always required the 
legislation to be physically transmitted.
  Electronic records are recognized as valid under Federal and State 
law, and Federal, State and local governments conduct official business 
electronically. For example, under the Electronic Signatures in Global 
and National Commerce Act, which was enacted into law more than 20 
years ago, with respect to any interstate transaction in which the 
parties consent, ``a signature, contract, or other record relating to 
such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or 
enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.'' In 2002, the 
E-Government Act, which facilitated the Federal Government providing 
information and services to the public electronically, was enacted into 
law.
  Federal agencies transmit regulations and other documents to the 
Federal Register electronically. Congress is also capable of conducting 
official business electronically. For example, the House permits 
Members, including acting through their staff, to introduce legislation 
and submit statements into the Congressional Record electronically.
  The requirement that D.C. physically transmit legislation imposes 
costs on the Council. The Council engages in a 12-step process to 
physically transmit legislation, including printing two copies of each 
bill and committee report, arranging a time for delivery of these 
documents to the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate and 
having two staffers drive to the Capitol to deliver the documents--two 
are necessary because of parking restrictions.
  The physical transmittal process also imposes costs on Congress. The 
following congressional offices and committees are involved in the 
physical transmittal process: the offices of the Speaker and President 
of the Senate, the House and Senate parliamentarians, the House Clerk, 
the Senate Secretary, the House Committee on Oversight and 
Accountability and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  The aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol 
highlighted the burdens of physical transmittal. After temporary 
fencing was installed around the Capitol, D.C. employees could not 
enter the Capitol. This delayed transmittal of D.C. legislation until 
Council and congressional staff developed a workaround, which consisted 
of staff meeting outside the fencing to transmit legislation.
  I recognize that Congress requires all so-called executive 
communications, including D.C. legislation, to be physically 
transmitted, but D.C. is the only entity required to transmit 
legislation to Congress for a review period.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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