[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E55]
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

                       Tuesday, January 20, 2026

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that would permit 
commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the grounds of the 
U.S. Capitol Complex. Currently, such filmmaking and photography is 
only authorized in Union Square. Film and television productions 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, as 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, the Union 
Square vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol. 
Preventing commercial filmmakers and photographers from shooting 
throughout the Capitol Complex 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.
  This bill would give the Capitol Police complete discretion to issue 
a permit for commercial filmmaking and photography throughout 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. 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.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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