[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 113 (Monday, June 30, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 30, 2025

  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 the development of 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 violates D.C. home 
rule and is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the virtual absence of its 
use to disapprove sales or development. The federal government should 
not be able to slow, block or add to the cost of the development of 
D.C.-owned real property.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________