[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





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

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that would permit 
commercial filmmaking and photography on the grounds of the U.S. 
Capitol Complex. Currently, such filmmaking and photography is only 
authorized in Union Square.
  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 filmmaking 
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 a fake building.
  This bill would allow commercial filmmaking and photography outside 
of the Capitol and Congressional office buildings by permit, so long as 
neither chamber is in session. The policy allowing commercial 
filmmaking and photography in Union Square shows that the Capitol 
Police can handle commercial filmmaking 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 filmmaking and 
photography at the Capitol would help spread the story of democracy 
around the world.
  There is no good reason why commercial filmmaking and photography 
should be confined to Union Square. Specifically, my bill would give 
the Capitol Police complete discretion to issue a permit for commercial 
filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex under the same terms 
and conditions as those for commercial filmmaking and photography in 
Union Square. No policy or security reasons exist to justify limiting 
commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex to Union 
Square, especially considering that permits are necessary. Visitors are 
regularly seen taking videos and pictures around the Capitol Complex, 
demonstrating the arbitrary nature of limiting commercial filmmaking 
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 (AOC) for 
permit approval. The fees would be deposited into the Capitol Trust 
Account, which was established to accept fees collected from commercial 
filmmaking 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 AOC considers 
appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations Committees.
  Views of the Capitol are among America's most iconic. Limiting 
commercial filmmaking 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 modern 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 filmmaking and photography of the Capitol, and 
would create economic benefits for the Nation, the District of Columbia 
and private businesses.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________