[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTRODUCTION OF THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT AND
DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
EQUALITY ACT
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 20, 2026
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Pittman-Robertson
Wildlife Restoration Act and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act
District of Columbia Equality Act. This bill would make the District of
Columbia eligible for federal funding under the Pittman-Robertson
Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration
Act in the same manner as states. D.C. residents pay the same federal
taxes as residents of the states and, therefore, D.C. should be treated
as a state under federal programs. D.C. has roughly 7,800 acres of
parkland, covering nearly a quarter of the city.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides funding to
states for five distinct purposes: program administration, wildlife
restoration, basic hunter education and safety, enhanced hunter
education and safety grants and multistate conservation grants. In
general, D.C. is not eligible for funding under this Act.
The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act provides funding for
sport fish restoration, aquatic education, wetlands restoration and
boat-related activities. Under this Act, each state receives a minimum
of one percent of the total amount apportioned, while D.C. is capped at
one-third of one percent.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
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