[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 
                          OFFICE HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 2, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia 
Government Accountability Office Home Rule Act. This bill would repeal 
the authority of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over 
the District of Columbia.
  GAO, a federal agency that conducts investigations and audits for 
Congress, has the same authority over D.C. that it has over federal 
agencies. GAO's authorizing statute defines D.C. as a federal agency. 
In addition, GAO's authorizing statute and the D.C. Home Rule Act 
require GAO to engage in specific types of oversight of D.C.
  D.C. is not a federal agency, and it should never be treated as such. 
D.C. already has a locally appointed auditor and inspector general, so 
GAO's authority over D.C. is both redundant and offensive. GAO does not 
have general authority over states and cities, and therefore should not 
have such authority over D.C. This bill is an important step to 
increase home rule for D.C.

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