On Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., in 2247 Rayburn House Office Building, the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “DC Autonomy.” The hearing examined H.R. 733, the “District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2007” and H.R.1054, the “District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act of 2007.
The Constitution gives congress the power to “exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” pertaining to the District of Columbia. In 1973, congress granted the District of Columbia (the District) limited home rule powers and empowered District residents to elect a mayor and city council. However, congress retained the power to review and approve all District laws including the District’s annual budget.
H.R. 733 was introduced on January 30, 2007, by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) to allow the District to enact its own local budget without annual congressional oversight. H.R. 1054 was introduced on February 14, 2007, by Delegate Norton to eliminate the congressional review of D.C. civil and criminal laws. H.R. 733 and H.R. 1054 are the latest bills to be introduced as part of Delegate Norton’s “Free and Equal D.C.” legislative agenda.
The Following witnesses testified at the hearing:
· The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor, District of Columbia
· The Honorable Vincent Gray, Chairman, District of Columbia City Council
· Dr. Natwar Gandhi, Chief Financial Officer, Government of District of Columbia
· Brian Flowers, General Counsel, District of Columbia City Council
· Walter Smith, Executive Director, D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Inc.
· Theodore Trabue, Executive Director, District Economic Empowerment Coalition
· John Hill, Chief Executive Office, Federal City CouncilDocuments and Links
Testimony of Mayor Adrian Fenty (168 KB)- Testimony of Vincent Gray (367 KB)
- Testimony of Natwar Gandhi (1 MB)
- Testimony of Brian Flowers (665 KB)
- Testimony of Walter Smith (369 KB)
- Testimony of Theodore Trabue (137 KB)
- Testimony of John Hill (213 KB)
