[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H715-H719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   D.C. ROBERT F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL STADIUM CAMPUS REVITALIZATION ACT

  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4984) to amend the District of Columbia Stadium Act of 1957 
to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the 
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus to the Administrator of 
General Services and the leasing of the Campus to the District of 
Columbia for purposes which include commercial and residential 
development, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4984

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``D.C. Robert F. Kennedy 
     Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act''.

     SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER RFK 
                   MEMORIAL STADIUM CAMPUS TO DISTRICT OF 
                   COLUMBIA.

       (a) Exercise of Transfer Authority.--
       (1) Transfer.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
     (hereafter referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting under 
     the authority of section 8124 of title 40, United States Code 
     (except as provided under paragraph (2)), shall transfer 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy 
     Memorial Stadium Campus (hereafter referred to as the 
     ``Campus'') to the District of Columbia (hereafter referred 
     to as the ``District''), subject to a Declaration of 
     Covenants with the District which is consistent with the 
     succeeding provisions of this Act and which includes such 
     other terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the 
     Secretary and the District.
       (2) Waiver of requirement for prior recommendation of 
     national capital planning commission.--The second sentence of 
     section 8124(a) of title 40, United States Code, shall not 
     apply to the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the 
     Campus under this section.
       (3) No effect on status of ownership of campus.--Consistent 
     with section 8124 of title 40, United States Code, the 
     transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the Campus under 
     this section does not change the status of the ownership of 
     the Campus by the United States.
       (b) Development and Uses of Campus.--After transfer of 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Campus under this 
     section, the District may develop and use, and permit the 
     development and use of, the Campus for any of the following 
     purposes:
       (1) Stadium purposes, including training facilities, 
     offices, and other structures necessary to support a stadium.
       (2) Commercial and residential development.
       (3) Facilities, open space, and public outdoor 
     opportunities, which may include supporting cultural 
     activities, educational activities, and recreational 
     activities, as such terms are defined in section 3306(a) of 
     title 40, United States Code.
       (4) Such other public purposes for which the Campus was 
     used or approved for use prior to June 1, 1985.
       (5) Demolition purposes to facilitate development and use 
     of the Campus under subparagraphs (1) through (4).
       (c) Specific Requirements Relating to Development and Use 
     of Campus.--The Declaration of Covenants entered into under 
     subsection (a)(1) shall include provisions to require the 
     District to meet the following requirements as a condition of 
     the development and use of the Campus as set forth

[[Page H716]]

     under subsection (b) after transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction over the Campus under this section:
       (1) The District shall ensure that the development and use 
     does not materially degrade or adversely impact any lands 
     under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, 
     including the restoration of the wetlands south of Kingman 
     Island.
       (2) The District shall designate, develop, operate, and 
     maintain at least 30 percent of the Campus (excluding the 
     riparian area of the Campus as defined in subsection (g)(2)) 
     as the ``Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Park'' as parks and open 
     space to provide land for passive and active outdoor 
     recreation and shall require that portion to be reserved for 
     such purposes for the duration of the transfer.
       (3) The District shall ensure that the development and use 
     provides for improved public access to the Anacostia River 
     and shall not interrupt the Anacostia River Trail.
       (4) The District shall, to the extent necessary, ensure 
     that parking facilities are provided to accommodate the 
     development.
       (5) The District shall provide for adequate public safety 
     and security measures and resources in the planning and 
     ongoing management of the development.
       (6) The District shall carry out measures that, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, will reduce the impact of noise 
     and traffic of the development on surrounding residential 
     areas in the District.
       (7) The District shall operate and maintain the riparian 
     area of the Campus in accordance with subsection (g).
       (8) The District shall ensure that no Member of Congress, 
     Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress, or any 
     other official of the Government of the United States or the 
     Government of the District of Columbia shall be admitted to 
     any share or part of any lease entered into by the District 
     in the exercise of the administrative jurisdiction over the 
     Campus transferred under this section, or to any benefit that 
     may arise therefrom, including any contract or agreement 
     made, entered into, or accepted by or on behalf of the 
     District as a result of this section. Nothing in the previous 
     sentence may be construed to apply to a person who is a 
     shareholder or other beneficial owner of any publicly held 
     corporation or other entity, if the lease is for the general 
     benefit of such corporation or other entity.
       (d) Survey.--
       (1) Requiring survey.--As soon as practicable after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the District shall conduct 
     a survey of the Campus, which shall determine the exact 
     acreage and legal description of the Campus by a boundary 
     survey prepared by a qualified Federally-, State-, or 
     District-licensed surveyor who is approved by the Secretary.
       (2) Submission to congress.--Upon completion, the survey 
     conducted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to--
       (A) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
     the Senate.
       (3) Incorporation in declaration of covenants for 
     transfer.--The survey conducted under paragraph (1) shall be 
     incorporated in the Declaration of Covenants entered into 
     under subsection (a)(1).
       (4) Availability of survey and map for public inspection.--
     The survey conducted under paragraph (1), together with the 
     map of the Campus referred to in subsection (m), shall be 
     kept on file and available for public inspection in the 
     appropriate offices of the Secretary.
       (e) Memorandum of Understanding.--As a condition of the 
     development and use of the Campus after transfer of 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Campus under this 
     section, the Secretary and the District shall enter into a 
     memorandum of understanding to determine an allocation of the 
     costs of carrying out all responsibilities of the United 
     States and the District with respect to the Campus under the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Solid 
     Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), including any 
     costs of any response action with respect to any 
     contamination present on the Campus.
       (f) Costs.--
       (1) Costs of transfer.--The District shall be responsible 
     for payment of any costs of carrying out the transfer of 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Campus under this 
     section, including--
       (A) any costs of carrying out the survey under subsection 
     (d); and
       (B) any costs of carrying out any environmental analysis 
     required under Federal law.
       (2) Costs after transfer.--Except as provided under the 
     memorandum of understanding entered into under subsection 
     (e), the Secretary shall not be responsible for payment of 
     any costs or expenses that are incurred by the District or 
     any other party (other than the United States) associated 
     with the Campus after the transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction under this section.
       (g) Special Rules for Riparian Area.--
       (1) Restriction on development and use.--The Declaration of 
     Covenants entered into under subsection (a)(1) shall include 
     provisions to ensure that the riparian area of the Campus may 
     not be developed or used for any purposes other than the 
     continuing maintenance of any development, use, or 
     infrastructure (including roads and pathways) existing at the 
     time of the execution of the transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction over the Campus under this section.
       (2) Riparian area of the campus defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``riparian area of the Campus'' means 
     the area designated in the map referred to in subsection (m) 
     as ``Riparian Area (Area F)''.
       (h) Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds for Stadium.--The 
     Declaration of Covenants entered into under subsection (a)(1) 
     shall include provisions to ensure that the District may not 
     use Federal funds for stadium purposes on the Campus, 
     including training facilities, offices, and other structures 
     necessary to support a stadium.
       (i) Term.--The transfer of administrative jurisdiction over 
     the Campus under this section shall be in effect for a term 
     of not less than 99 years, and may be renewed for subsequent 
     periods agreed to by the Secretary and the District.
       (j) Reversion of Administrative Jurisdiction.--
       (1) Grounds for reversion.--The Declaration of Covenants 
     entered into under subsection (a)(1) shall include provisions 
     stating that administrative jurisdiction over the Campus 
     transferred under this section shall revert to the Secretary 
     if each of the following occurs:
       (A) The terms and conditions of the Declaration of 
     Covenants have not been complied with, as reasonably 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (B) Such noncompliance has not been corrected within 90 
     days after written notice of such noncompliance has been 
     received by the District. Such noncompliance shall be treated 
     as corrected if the District and the Secretary enter into an 
     agreement that the Secretary finds adequate to ensure that 
     the Campus will be developed and used in a manner consistent 
     with the purposes referred to in subsection (b).
       (2) Timing.--The Secretary may not seek the reversion of 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Campus under this 
     subsection before the expiration of 90 days after the date on 
     which written notice of the alleged violation is received by 
     the District. The notice shall include notice of the 
     Secretary's intention for administrative jurisdiction over 
     the Campus to revert to the Secretary.
       (3) Cost of rehabilitating property.--The Declaration of 
     Covenants entered into under subsection (a)(1) shall include 
     provisions requiring the District to bear the actual cost of 
     removing structures from or rehabilitating the Campus if 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Campus reverts to the 
     Secretary under this subsection.
       (k) Rule of Construction Related to the Applicability to 
     the Administrative Jurisdiction Transfer.--Nothing in this 
     section may be construed to affect or limit the application 
     of or obligation to comply with the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Solid Waste Disposal 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).
       (l) Conforming Amendment; Termination of Existing Lease.--
     Effective on the date of the transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction over the Campus under this section--
       (1) the District of Columbia Stadium Act of 1957 (sec. 3-
     321 et seq., D.C. Official Code) is repealed; and
       (2) the lease dated January 14, 1988, between the United 
     States and the District for the use of the Campus, as 
     authorized by section 7(b)(1)(B) of such Act (sec. 3-
     326(b)(1)(B), D.C. Official Code), is terminated.
       (m) Definition.--In this Act, the term ``Robert F. Kennedy 
     Memorial Stadium Campus'' means the approximately 174 acres 
     of Federal land as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Anacostia Park, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus - 
     Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction'', numbered 831/
     189,767, and dated January 2024.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Weber of Texas). Pursuant to the rule, 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy) and the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4984, a bill that will provide 
economic opportunities to an area of our Nation's Capital in dire need 
of revitalization.
  The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. 
Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus from our National Park Service to the 
District of Columbia.

[[Page H717]]

  Under H.R. 4984, the Federal Government will retain ownership of the 
land while the District of Columbia manages the development, costs, and 
the use of the land.
  Transferring administrative jurisdiction over property is a unique 
tool for the Congress, which allows the Federal Government to retain 
title to lands while the district assumes the responsibilities of 
administration and maintenance.
  This tool has already been used multiple times to great effect in our 
Nation's Capital.
  Under the current law granting D.C. a 99-year lease of land, the 
District cannot engage in any commercial or residential development of 
the land. With the lease set to expire in 2038, there are few options 
for future use of the property without congressional action.
  This status quo is untenable.
  H.R. 4984 fixes this problem by allowing stadium purposes, 
recreational purposes, and residential and commercial development. This 
allows the District of Columbia to revitalize this site, turning what 
was once a blight on our Nation's Capital into a thriving area of 
commerce and community.
  Importantly, the bill also imposes any remediation or environmental 
costs onto the District of Columbia, saving taxpayer dollars that would 
otherwise be spent by the National Park Service.
  As Congress continues to carry out its oversight duties over our 
Nation's Capital, this bipartisan bill will help create jobs and 
improve our great Capital City.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bipartisan bill. This bill would 
allow the District of Columbia to transform the RFK Stadium campus, 174 
acres of underutilized Federal land in D.C. that primarily consists of 
parking lots, sports fields, and a long-vacant stadium in the process 
of being demolished, into a thriving mixed-use development.
  The National Capital Planning Commission, the central planning agency 
for the Federal Government in the District of Columbia, has long called 
for the revitalization of the campus, and the Department of the 
Interior testified in support of the goals of this bill.
  During my tenure, Congress has passed several bipartisan bills to 
transform underutilized land in D.C. into thriving mixed-use 
developments, including The Yards on the southeast waterfront and The 
Wharf on the southwest waterfront. Reservation 13, 67 acres next to the 
RFK campus, is now being transformed into a mixed-use development.
  Since 1988, D.C. has leased, without consideration, the RFK Stadium 
campus from the Department of the Interior. The lease only permits D.C. 
to use the campus for recreation, a stadium, and open space. The lease 
expires in 2038.
  This bill would give D.C. administrative jurisdiction over the campus 
for at least 99 years and permit D.C. to use the campus for commercial 
and residential development, recreation, a stadium, parks, and open 
space.
  This bill would require D.C. to preserve 30 percent of the campus for 
parks and open space, and prohibit D.C. from building along the 
waterfront.
  This bill is a win-win for the Federal and D.C. Governments. As the 
Department of the Interior testified, this bill would allow D.C. to 
transform the campus from ``acres of asphalt to a complex focused on 
community sports, recreation, park space, and community amenities'' and 
would ``guarantee public access to a sizable amount of park land and 
outdoor recreation areas.''
  At the same time, this bill would allow D.C. to create a mixed-use 
development and to generate significant revenue for D.C.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Comer for his leadership and 
partnership on this bill, and I also thank Chairman Westerman and 
Ranking Member Grijalva for their work on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Comer), the sponsor of the bill and the great chairman of 
the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Langworthy) for yielding, and I thank my cosponsor, the gentlewoman 
from Washington, D.C., (Ms. Norton).
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4984, which repurposes 
approximately 174 acres of unused Federal land in Washington, D.C.
  Despite its long history and importance to D.C. residents, the Robert 
F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus in southeast D.C. has been abandoned 
to become unused parking lots, open fields, and a deteriorating stadium 
that is being demolished.
  The campus is currently under a lease that requires the land to be 
used for stadium purposes, recreational purposes, or other public 
purposes. Under current law, the campus cannot be used for commercial 
or residential development.
  Absent congressional action, this land in our Nation's Capital will 
remain unused with ongoing maintenance costs and environmental 
liabilities remaining the full responsibility of the National Park 
Service--an ongoing burden for the American taxpayer.
  My bill, H.R. 4984, will change that.
  The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction from the National Park 
Service to Washington, D.C., while preserving the Federal Government's 
ownership of the land. This allows Washington, D.C., to use the land 
for stadium purposes, commercial and residential development, 
recreational facilities, open spaces, or additional public purposes.
  However, D.C. may not use Federal funds for any potential future 
development of a sports stadium. The bill enables D.C. to transform the 
unused RFK campus into stores, restaurants, office buildings, and 
apartment complexes.
  This economic development will help revitalize the RFK stadium 
campus, creating new jobs and tax revenue for the District's residents.
  Let me be clear. Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee the 
Nation's Capital City. We have diligently exercised this role by 
holding numerous oversight hearings in the Oversight Committee this 
Congress with the Mayor of D.C., and the D.C. City Council.
  We have also successfully blocked, in bipartisan fashion with the 
President's support, the city council's ill-advised criminal reform 
legislation from going into effect last year--the first law of the 
118th Congress.
  We will continue looking for legislative opportunities to return 
order to the District by addressing the rising crime crises, returning 
Federal workers to their offices in the District to contribute to the 
local economy, and seeking ways to bolster the educational system.
  The D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act 
also represents Congress doing its job to oversee the District by 
authorizing the best utilization of area land to help the city thrive.
  We should want this for our Nation's Capital City--a home to the 
taxpayer's Federal workforce and a city that hosts millions of American 
visitors and global tourists each year.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my committee colleague, Congresswoman Eleanor 
Holmes Norton, for working with me to write this smart, bipartisan 
legislation. I thank the Natural Resource chairman, Mr. Westerman, 
Ranking Member Grijalva, and their staff, for working with my staff to 
write the improved bill we are considering today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill so 
that we can help revitalize our Nation's Capital.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4984, the D.C. 
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.
  Just 2 miles from Capitol Hill, the RFK Stadium was a prime sports 
and entertainment venue for almost 50 years. Today, the stadium and the 
land that surrounds it sits vacant on the shore of the Anacostia River.
  This long-awaited bill would permit the District of Columbia to 
revitalize the underused Federal lands of the

[[Page H718]]

RFK Stadium, enriching the culture of our Nation's Capital and making 
good on our responsibility to be good stewards of the land for future 
generations.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing the plans that Mayor Bowser and 
the D.C. leaders are developing to make good use of the space and 
better meet the needs of the local community.
  I acknowledge and thank the tireless advocacy of our colleague, 
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, on this issue, and I applaud the 
bipartisan collaboration that made this legislation possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this timely legislation.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), chairman of the Committee on Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4984, 
which is bipartisan legislation that I am cosponsoring to allow 
development of the RFK Memorial Stadium campus in the heart of 
Washington, D.C.
  As a former football player at the University of Arkansas, I know the 
powerful ways that sports can bring communities and even States 
together.
  The current RFK Memorial Stadium, located just down the road from the 
Capitol, has had a long and complex history but is now decrepit and 
falling apart. The legislation before us today will allow D.C. to mark 
the end of decades of legal limbo and the start of an age of economic 
revitalization.
  Under the bill, the National Park Service will no longer have to 
maintain and operate the campus, freeing up finite resources to focus 
on their deferred maintenance backlog. In turn, D.C. will be able to 
revitalize this area and create thousands of jobs with new commercial, 
residential, and recreational facilities. This can serve as a model 
going forward for other communities, particularly those with large 
footprints of Federal land, and represents a win-win for both the 
Federal Government and D.C.

  I would take a moment to clarify the intent of Congress with respect 
to this legislation and the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.
  Over the course of several months of bipartisan negotiations that 
involved the Natural Resources Committee, the Oversight and 
Accountability Committee, as well as the city of D.C., and the National 
Park Service, several improvements were made to the bill. During these 
negotiations, we reached a bipartisan consensus that after this bill 
passes, the National Park Service will conduct a NEPA analysis on the 
transfer of administrative jurisdiction itself. After the transfer, 
NEPA will no longer apply to D.C.'s development and use of the site 
because those activities will not be considered major Federal actions.
  This follows decades of precedent with previous administrative 
jurisdiction transfers, as well as technical assistance and advice 
provided by the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service 
also provided several examples of instances in which the agency 
transferred administrative jurisdiction of land to D.C., including as 
recently as 2022. In none of these instances did NEPA apply after the 
transfer of administrative jurisdiction.
  Mr. Speaker, the examples below were provided by the National Park 
Service (NPS) to the House Committee on Natural Resources during the 
consideration of amendments to H.R. 4984 of instances in which NPS 
transferred administrative jurisdiction of NPS lands within the 
District of Columbia. According to NPS, ``in executing each transfer, 
the NPS complied with all applicable laws, including the National 
Environmental Policy Act. After transfer of administrative jurisdiction 
under this authority, the District of Columbia assumed the management 
and legal responsibilities for the properties.''
     1. 2010 transfer of approximately 15 acres in the northern 
         section of Fort Dupont Park
       Prior to the transfer, NPS issued a finding of no 
     significant impact (FONSI), which stated: ``After the 
     transfer of jurisdiction, the property will be the 
     responsibility of the District since it will no longer be 
     managed by NPS and will no longer be a part of Fort Dupont 
     Park, and District environmental standards will apply.''
     2. 2014 transfer of a portion (Reservation 520) of Fort 
         Lincoln
       Prior to the transfer, NPS issued a finding of no 
     significant impact (FONSI), which stated: ``After the land 
     transfer, the property would no longer be owned by the NPS 
     and would be the responsibility of the District. 
     Consequently, the District's environmental standards would 
     apply.''
       https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm? parkID=198& 
     project ID=44032& documentID=100579
     3. 2022 transfer of another portion (Reservation 405) of Fort 
         Dupont Park
       Prior to the transfer, NPS issued a decision form finding 
     that the transfer was categorically excluded from further 
     analysis under NEPA.
       https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2021/8324_Reservation
_405_-_Portion_of_Fort_Dupont_Park_Transfer_of
_Jurisdiction_NEPA_Document_-_CATEX_Nov2021.pdf
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, because there was a clear consensus and 
prior historical evidence demonstrating that NEPA would not apply to 
the development of the campus after the administrative jurisdiction 
transfer, the legislative text did not include superfluous savings 
clauses regarding NEPA's applicability.
  In addition to this, it is my hope that both D.C. and the Department 
of the Interior will abide by Congress' 6-month timeframe provided in 
the legislation to reach all necessary agreements and complete the 
transfer.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work 
and collaboration of Chairman Comer, Delegate Holmes Norton, and the 
entire staff of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
  I would also thank Ranking Member Grijalva and his team, the Energy 
and Commerce Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee for their assistance in getting this legislation to the floor 
today.
  Finally, I would recognize several people without whom this 
legislation would not be possible: Beverly Perry, Tara Hupman, Jerry 
Couri, and Lisa Pittman. From the House Natural Resources Committee 
staff, I thank Aniela Butler, Brandon Miller, Colen Morrow, and Taylor 
Wiseman.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the legislation.

                              {time}  1645

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman 
from the District for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. 
Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.
  This legislation presents an opportunity to revitalize the RFK 
Stadium Campus, a historic site that has served as a cornerstone of our 
Nation's Capital sporting legacy for over five decades. However, over 
the past two decades, the campus has sadly remained underutilized due 
to outdated statutory restrictions.
  These restrictions have limited the use of the RFK campus to stadium 
purposes only, leading to a gradual decline and erosion. This 
legislation focuses on transforming the RFK campus into a mixed-use 
site, which will create thousands of jobs.
  Additionally, it ensures that District residents gain direct access 
to premium recreational opportunities, including green spaces and 
scenic walking trails along the riverfront.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
critical legislation.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland.
  Mr. IVEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. 
Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.
  Like other members of the Maryland delegation, I believe Prince 
George's County and Maryland should be able to compete on a level 
playing field to keep the Washington Commanders, but this bill would 
give an unfair advantage to D.C. It is most certainly not a level 
playing field when one interested jurisdiction receives a free transfer 
of Federal Government-subsidized land.
  I am not opposed to D.C. bidding to be the new home of the Washington 
Commanders, but its pursuit of the Commanders should be no different 
than its efforts to compete with Virginia for the Wizards and Capitals.
  This is also a bad deal for Federal taxpayers. This bill transfers 
control over Federal Government property at no apparent cost to the 
District of Columbia so that private ownership can

[[Page H719]]

build a football stadium. This is not a District of Columbia home rule 
issue. This is no different than any other city or State competing for 
a sports franchise or stadium, no different than the State of New 
Jersey competing with the State of New York for the Jets or the Giants.
  I also do not object to the redevelopment or renovation of the 
current RFK campus. I think it would be outstanding to have new 
housing, retail use, and park space there. As a matter of fact, I live 
near the stadium and drive by it every day, but I do not believe a 
cost-free land transfer largely for stadium purposes provides the best 
opportunity to achieve these goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose this bill.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am 
prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
respond to the comments from my friend from Maryland.
  The National Park Service has a maintenance backlog of $23 billion, 
including $2 billion in the District of Columbia alone. The National 
Park Service does not have the money to transform the RFK Stadium site 
from acres of asphalt into parks or mixed uses.
  There is precedent for Congress giving title to or administration 
jurisdiction over Federal land to States and other jurisdictions for no 
consideration. We do not have to look far for examples. Let's look at 
two of the many examples in D.C.
  First, section 8124 of title 40 of the U.S. Code has long permitted 
the Federal Government to transfer administrative jurisdiction over 
Federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government for no consideration. 
Second, in 1986, Congress directed the Department of the Interior to 
enter into a 50-year lease with D.C. for the RFK Stadium site for no 
consideration.
  While it is true that H.R. 4984 does not require D.C. to pay the 
Federal Government for administrative jurisdiction over the RFK Stadium 
site, it is expected D.C. will spend hundreds of millions of 
dollars transforming the site from acres of asphalt into mixed-use 
development.

  This bill would not require a stadium to be built at the site. 
Whether to build a stadium would be a decision for the elected D.C. 
government. Several members of the D.C. Council have expressed 
opposition to a new football stadium at the site.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial 
Stadium Campus Revitalization Act will allow D.C. to develop the vacant 
RFK Stadium site.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that 
will promote economic growth and revitalization for Southeast D.C.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, while Chairman Comer and I often have 
plenty to disagree on, today I join him and Delegate Norton to rise in 
support of H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 
Campus Revitalization Act.
  This bipartisan bill will allow the District of Columbia to 
reenergize Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus and redevelop the 
174 acres of underutilized federal land into a new stadium, additional 
housing units, and green spaces.
  As a result, these developments will spur economic growth, improve 
the surrounding infrastructure, and substantially transform the 
neighborhood.
  H.R. 4984 represents the fight to protect and expand Home Rule.
  As a former local government official having served on the Fairfax 
County Board of Supervisors for 14 years, including five as chairman 
and as a former chairman of the Council of Governments I have 
consistently supported autonomy for the District.
  Congress must do the same to uphold the will of thousands of 
constituents and civil servants who live and work in the District.
  Let me remind my colleagues of what my fellow Virginian, James 
Madison, said in the Federalist Papers, Number 43, with respect to the 
intent of the Congressional authority.
  In referring to the residents of this federal District, Madison said 
``they will have had their voice in the election of the government 
which is to exercise authority over them; as a municipal legislature 
for local purposes.''
  There is no more basic exercise of municipal authority than planning 
critical investments for the community.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4984, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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