[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 169 (Tuesday, October 14, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 14, 2025

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Government 
Accountability Office District of Columbia 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 it should 
not have such authority over D.C.
  This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.

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