Bill · H.R. 5183· House(119-HR-5183)
District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 1/27/2026 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.
- Sponsored by
- Paul Gosar
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2025," aims to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. It establishes a uniform 60-day congressional review period for District laws and clarifies expedited procedures for resolutions of disapproval. The legislation authorizes Congress to use resolutions of disapproval to target specific provisions within District laws, executive orders, or regulations. It also includes rules to prevent the Council from withdrawing acts once they have been transmitted to Congress. Additionally, the bill requires annual hearings and reports from the District's leadership to Congressional committees.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+8
The bill expands Congressional authority to disapprove specific provisions of District laws and executive orders, and increases the review period for local legislation.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill requires annual hearings and reports from District leadership to Congressional committees.
The opposite
Would people in cities be better off under this?-5
The bill reduces local autonomy and delays the implementation of laws and executive orders in the District of Columbia.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Congressional Oversight of Specific Provisions: The bill allows Congress to disapprove specific provisions of a law rather than the entire act, which provides a more targeted method of review (Section 4).
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Greater Control Over Executive Actions: The Mayor is now required to transmit all executive orders and regulations to Congress, and these actions are subject to a 60-day review period and potential disapproval via joint resolution (Section 5).
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Prevention of Legislative Workarounds: The bill prevents the Council from transmitting new acts that are substantially the same as ones previously disapproved by Congress, unless specifically authorized (Section 7).
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Enhanced Information Sharing: By requiring the Council Chair and the Mayor to appear at annual hearings to report on the state of the District, the bill ensures Congress receives regular updates and recommendations (Section 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Extended Delay in Local Laws Taking Effect: By increasing the congressional review period from 30 days to 60 days, the time it takes for District laws to be implemented may be extended (Section 2).
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Restrictions on Emergency Authority: The bill limits the ability of the Council to use exemptions for acts designated as involving emergency circumstances, specifically stating that such acts or their renewals are not exempt from the 60-day review period (Section 2).
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Limits on Local Executive Authority: The Mayor's executive orders and regulations are now subject to a 60-day delay and can be deemed repealed if Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval (Section 5).
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Reduced Flexibility for the District Council: Once the Council transmits an act, it is prohibited from withdrawing that act from Congress, even if they change their mind (Section 6).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+8Improves Government Transparency+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents-5
- 1/27/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-463, Part I.
- Committee on Rules discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 18.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James ComerRepublican · Kentucky
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana
Harriet HagemanRepublican · Wyoming